STYLED SHOOT: FESTIVAL THEMED WEDDING
We had come across The Missing Sock venue in Cambridgeshire a few years ago, and were struck by how unique, colourful and quirky it was. There were so many unique features, from a Karaoke bus to quirky seats in a pond to painted murals. Everything about festival weddings is over the top colour-wise and bright, so, from the outset The Missing Sock was the perfect backdrop.
The Missing Sock is part of a charitable network and the profits of the business go towards other linked charities around the country.
Other venues and projects include CIC organisation Breathing Space (a retreat centre for women) Kinda Village (a growing community in the beautiful landscape of South Wales, and Kinda Place ‘Preston Sands Hotel’ an ETHICAL and community based hotel in Devon.
We made the bouquets big, bright, oversized and extravagant, with tons of mixed colourful ribbon handles. The flower crowns worked great with the bouquets, and if it’s festival-themed, there has to be some crown-wearing! Wild flowers were definitely ideal for this shoot, and this tends to be a natural choice by couples, particularly for this venue, as well as those looking for a festival vibe wedding. The British grown and whimsical style flowers included the quirky craspedia (yellow balls), daisies, and the unusual textured burgundy amaranthus – were ideal choices within the mixed bouquets.
EVENTS: WEDDING SHOWCASE AT THE KENSINGTON PALACE
In November Gay Wedding Blog got invited to attend the Historic Royal Palaces’ annual Wedding Showcase at the Kensington Palace. Due to work commitments I couldn’t attend this very special event but lovely Olivia of Nulyweds agreed to represent the blog and also write about the night to share it with you all.
On a bitterly cold, breath-I-see-you night in November, Kensington Palace opened its doors to wedding planners, major industry influencers and press (that’s us). I went with Nina Beer from Occasion Queens, dressed in our finest to keep to the “lounge suits” dress code. We walked along the twinkly pathway, passed the pavilion, through the glittering archway and down the stairs to the palace entrance. These guys are serious fairy light fans. As you walked into the main entrance and round to the cloakroom, you are immediately in awe of the spaciousness and finery this venue has to offer.
Through to the staircase, with royal red walls and paintings of the land and gentry, we walked to the reception room for a cocktail reception with the industry’s finest. This is where we could really get a feel for the venue. Think pure, unadulterated tradition and royalty. You feel like royalty in there which is either intimidating as a prospect or what you’ve always dreamed of – really depends on what floats your boat. Treated to orange and elderflower mocktails and more-ish canapes from Blue Strawberry Catering, it was easy to feel spoilt.
STYLED SHOOT: Tropical wedding in Tenerife
Among palm trees, flowers and fruit, this gorgeous wedding editorial shoot was planned by Dorelis Padrón Weddings & Events and captured by award-winning photographer Juanmi Alemany. Tenerife, one of the Canary Islands, has warm weather, lush vegetation and cultural bonds with countries such as Venezuela and Cuba, all of which make the island an ideal place for a tropical-themed wedding.
STYLED SHOOT: Magical rustic elopement shoot
This shoot is so beautiful I couldn’t wait to publish it!! It’s a perfect inspiration if you’re planning your autumn wedding right now – filled with rustic details, neutral colours and succulents. Photographer Serena Genovese perfectly captured not only gorgeous details prepared by an awesome team but also love between a real couple – Luca and Gerrard.
The light in Luca and Gerrard’s eyes was warm and enveloping like the autumn light, the one that embraces and takes care of you intensely.
We interpreted their story through contrasts, with an industrial style made of cold hues against stronger materials, from concrete to iron, from gunmetal to rusty colours.
STYLED SHOOT: Spring wedding shoot
Photographer Ross Willsher sent me his styled shoot that is full of juicy green and it made me think of spring, so thought it would be a great time to share it with you. Here’s what he wrote about it.
The shoot took place at Merrymeade House in Brentwood, Essex and was my own conception. I worked closely with Leanne (Perilly, MUA) and Danielle (Balcombe, EssexyHair) on the styling; we wanted something a little outside of the box without resorting to stereotypes (as a gay man myself, I am always looking into new ways of highlighting how wonderfully diverse same sex relationships and weddings can be).We decided that by having two different looks for each bride, we could showcase how traditional wedding styles and more modern, alternative styling can both be embraced by same sex couples.The majority of my shoots – both portraiture and weddings – incorporate nature and the “great outdoors” as not only does this enable me to work with a diverse and ever-changing backdrop, it helps the people in front of the camera to relax and be themselves.Danielle from Essexyhair embraced this natural and organic vibe by giving the ladies a “festival bride” look. The make-up by Leanne is bold without being overpowering and reflects the strong personalities of both women. This really helped to bring out Helene and Skye’s natural chemistry and confidence in front of the lens. We had fun playing around with different poses and camera angles to change the look and dynamic between the two models and create a story and sense of narrative as opposed to simply a series of individual shoots that didn’t work together cohesively.
STYLED SHOOT: Whimsical bohemian inspiration
Hope you had a lovely Valentines Day!!! Now when you’re all full of love and chocolate, we wanted to share something really beautiful with you. Photographer Kirsty Mackenzie sent us this gorgeous shoot she shot, styled by Bow & Beau. The stylist tells us about the inspiration behind this shoot and wedding suppliers involved.
Our aim for the shoot was to bring in quirky and unconventional features to an otherwise relaxed, outdoorsy, woodland wedding setting: a cool whimsical shoot for the alternative bride. We also wanted to promote a same sex, quite relaxed and natural shoot.
STYLED SHOOT: I kissed a girl and I eloped – a wedding in Gran Canaria
Days are getting shorter and darker here in UK, so today we’re bringing you lots of colour, sunshine and laughter. And a little both of witch vibe ;). Carolina who is a wedding planner specialising in Gran Canaria weddings sent us this fun shoot she organised and shared the concept behind it.
My name is Carolina and I am starting my business as an alternative and LGBTQ Wedding Planner in Madrid and Gran Canaria.
Everything bridal related is still quite traditional here, and a lot of people think that getting married means being the center of attention of a very formal event that has nothing to do with them. For most of them the first image that crosses their mind is a Catholic Church Wedding so they kind of get scared off. This makes me sad, because they think they can’t have a special day.
What really gets me excited is the change in their faces when I explain that getting married doesn’t have to be like that.I believe a wedding is about a couple that love each other, that have a unique relationship and deserve a unique celebration. I ask them what they’re passionate about, how they met, what it is that they reallly love and have in common and start designing from there.
STYLED SHOOT: Wall flowers
Flowers in beards! This is not a drill! Flowers in beards and Wes Anderson!
Today we have an amazing styled shoot featuring Brian and Jonathan from The Gay Beards shot and shared with us by Sarah of Hazelwood Photo. Enjoy this styling masterpiece!
The designer of the shoot, Something Borrowed PDX, said:
Our initial inspiration for this shoot was Wes Anderson. We love the styling of his films — specifically the vivid color palettes, the symmetry of the scenes, all the rich textures, memorable characters, and playful details. The fresh spring color palette included vivid teal blue, bubble gum pink, mustard and tan, which contrasted nicely with the all the greenery and dark wood furniture. We chose to use flowers sparingly. Instead, Wildflower PDX incorporated lots of interesting potted plants, tropical foliage, and locally foraged moss, mushrooms and ferns.
The Gay Beards wore casual looks that were a mix of vintage and vintage-inspired designer pieces. Their beard bouquets consisted of snap dragons, angel wing begonia leaves, seeded eucalyptus, carnations, straw flowers, ferns, mushrooms, and vintage wooden daisies. They also adorned their beards with vintage buttons and confetti for a few of the shots!
FRIDAY FAVOURITES: RAINBOW
I did say there would be no pink or rainbows on this blog, but London all dressed up for tomorrow’s Pride Parade got me inspired. The city looks amazing! So here’s some rainbow wedding inspiration.
Images & ideas from:
Jimmy Choo / Pixies In The Cellar / Rainbow Wedding Invitations /
via Finding Cupid / Bonbini / Sweettoothsweetie /
Mark Rabbit / via Popsugar / April O’Hare /
Three Nails Photography / Ali Express / via Babble /STYLED SHOOT: The Other Space
This amazing shoot came out of the creative hands of creative director Erin Balfour of Way Out Weddings and stylist Lisa Johnson of Carmela Weddings.
As Erin says it all began with the ICETANK – a venue that reminded her of Stanley Kubrick’s Space Odyssey 2001 and A Clockwork Orange. Then it all fell into place – white futuristic styling, visors made of Perspex, reflective metal, bursts of orange, bridal jumpsuit and a cape. Brides not of this world – hence ‘The Other Space’.
You can read more about the creative process from all the amazing suppliers (that we listed below) on Erin’s wedding blog – Way Out Wedding.
