Nash Conservatory and Orangery perfect backdrop for a magical day
The Nash Conservatory was the perfect backdrop for Joanna and Jamie’s beautiful wedding ceremony. The 19th Century glasshouse provided exceptional light and views of the botanical gardens, giving an outside feel and a unique ambience to the ceremony. The bride was picture-perfect, old-school elegance in a stunning lace-sleeved gown with classic cathedral train. She carried a loose bouquet which gathered summer blooms with pastel hues of rose, peach and sherbet lemon, mixed with foliage in shades of soft green, a theme echoed in the floral designs decorating the end of each row.
Following the ceremony, the wedding breakfast was held in the Orangery. The building’s arched windows and high ceilings offered the ultimate in elegant sophistication which suited Joanna and Jamie’s style perfectly. Grand and formal but not stuffy, the Orangery guarantees a very special atmosphere and a memorable experience for couples and their guests.
As darkness fell, lights twinkled in the trees beyond the Orangery, adding a final touch of magic to a wonderful day.
Micro Wedding at York House, Twickenham
The stately York House in Twickenham, Surrey, was the ideal setting for a picture-perfect micro-wedding on a crisp, bright spring day. The bride was movie-star elegant in a gown overlaid with intricate ivory lace, and there was a chic timelessness about the couple’s style which reflected perfectly in their choice of venue. There’s something really special about the intimacy of a micro-wedding, and this was no exception, with real joy shared by the guests after the ups and downs of the past year. Micro-weddings can feel even more meaningful than larger events, while still retaining a sense of occasion and delight. As a photographer, it’s an absolute pleasure to be invited to share a couple’s special day. For micro-weddings, it’s even more of an honour. Discretion is so important and I’m always conscious of creating exactly the images the couple have in mind, without imposing. Striking that balance is everything.
For this beautiful spring wedding, York House’s stunning gardens and classic architecture provided a striking backdrop for outdoor photography. Layers of greenery add depth to the images and frame the couple perfectly. The result is a stylish, understated set of prints the couple can enjoy for many years to come.
Micro Wedding at Kew
Couples due to get married this year have faced a huge and unexpected dilemma as a result of Coronavirus safety measures: whether to postpone their wedding celebrations until 2021, or to go ahead, adjust plans and hold a more intimate celebration this year. It’s a stressful, emotional and highly personal decision. Having been lucky enough to photograph hundreds of wonderful weddings at Kew and Cambridge Cottage, each one unique and individual, I’ve been talking to my clients and supporting their plans. I was delighted when Tom and Bryony decided to go ahead with their special day at Cambridge Cottage in August this year.
Behind the scenes, lots of careful adjustments and safety measures were put in place by the couple and the amazing wedding planner at Kew to ensure everyone felt safe and no-one was at risk. It was this attention to detail combined with the couple’s determination to go ahead and their wonderfully supportive family that made this wedding a very special one indeed. It was warm, intimate, still highly personal and was a very, very happy occasion. The unusual circumstances could have meant the bride and groom or the select group of guests were uncomfortable, but this absolutely wasn’t the case – in fact, guests were delighted to be able to celebrate with the couple in a calm, meaningful way. It felt all the more significant because those present knew and appreciated the journey the couple had taken to get there.
The bride looked stunning in a classic, elegant ivory dress with fitted lace bodice and sleeves, and stylish lace headband, carrying a vintage, whimsical posy handcrafted with lace and buttons. Bursts of cornflower blue in the groom’s waistcoat and the guests’ outfits added soft hues of colour which contributed to the calm, serene atmosphere. The botanicals in the Prince of Wales conservatory provided a striking, timeless backdrop to the photos and there was something almost dreamlike about having what felt like the entire grounds to themselves.
If you’re still unsure what to do about your wedding celebration, do speak to the wedding organisers at Kew. And if you’re not sure if your photographs will mark the occasion in the way it deserves, please do get in touch. I can create ageless, stylish, reportage-style images which you’ll enjoy looking at for many years to come. Because, despite the unusual circumstances, the most important thing about your day is you. And your smiles will be just as wide as a celebration at the best of times.
Kris and Emelia Perfect Vintage Wedding at Cambridge Cottage, Kew.
A warm, sunny spring day saw Kew’s botanical gardens bursting into bloom, with Cambridge Cottage creating the perfect backdrop for Kris and Emelia’s beautifully-styled wedding where relaxed glamour played centre stage. The lovely couple wanted an informal ‘gipsy chic’ theme and colour palette – think freshly-picked meadow florals in soft hues of ivory and pink, framed with leafy green, kept edgy with glimmering metallic details.
Emilia looked stunning, in an exquisite dress inlaid with vintage lace and set with tiny pearls, offset by her long, loose curls adorned with natural florals. Bridesmaids wore dusky pink Grecian-style dresses, the pink of which was perfectly reflected in the bride’s bouquet and the bridesmaid’s posies. Dewy make-up and classic jewellery completed this elegant, picture-perfect look.
The Kew Explorer took the guests on a tour of the beautifully-tended grounds, whilst the bride and groom took the opportunity for some movie-scene photos along the way - the Gardens’ pagoda stood proudly in the background, and the famous foliage framed the couple perfectly.
The relaxed, rustic theme continued throughout the décor at the reception, with a selection of vintage jars studded with roses, daises and English-hedgerow blooms. The soft natural light of Cambridge Cottage bathed the reception in a warm, honeyed glow, with personal touches such as hand-painted table settings and a beautiful home-baked cake adding a very personal feel to this special day.
New exciting wedding trends and ideas for 2018 Part 2
In the second of our series of trends for 2018 weddings, here are a few more details to consider to make yours the most stylish of the year:
Meghan and Myrtle: while the Suits star’s bridal gown will be safely under lock and key until the big day, one tradition the Royal bride-to-be is likely to keep is including a sprig of Myrtle in her bouquet. Queen Victoria began this tradition during her marriage to Prince Albert, and it’s one that’s held fast throughout the centuries: classic without being stuffy. Delicate myrtle sprigs look timeless and elegant.
Reclamation’s what you need: creative brides are seeking out decorative touches from vintage stores and reclamation yards to give a relaxed, inexpensive but stylish feel to wedding décor. Think industrial chic – stripped back walls, natural woods, tarnished copper and industrial features to provide detail and a focal point. Try www.retrouvius.com/stock for unique pieces such as art deco pendant lamps. The bonus? You get to keep them all afterwards.
Lighten up: create a soft, intimate atmosphere with candles of different sizes in different containers – don’t worry about symmetry or matchy-matchy, experiment with different looks, from storm lanterns to jars to vases. Hunt out suitable containers in vintage stores, and try placing reclaimed mirrors around your venue for a warm, flattering glow.
A metallic twist: rose gold and copper tones, as well as geometric shapes, have become classic style features that aren’t looking like dating anytime yet. Try Huxley and Hus for unique accessories to add classic individuality to your day. You can even extend the rose gold hues beyond your accessories to the cake, too.
Old-Hollywood: TV drama featuring the long-running feud between Hollywood starlets Bette Davies and Joan Crawford has sparked a revival in old-Hollywood glamour – curves, glossy locks, immaculate make-up and attitude. It’s a sophisticated theme that can be carried through every detail of your big day, from fashion to music to décor.
Our wedding watcher has been on the spy again, hunting out the latest trends to make your special day one to remember:
Complementary tones and a pop of colour: a trend that’s set to continue throughout 2018 is choosing different shades of the same colour palette, particularly for bridesmaids’ dresses. Chances are, they’re really not going to wear their dress again, so make sure each dress sets of your bridesmaids’ individual shape and they’ll feel like a million dollars. Choose similar shades for each dress, and ask them to select an accessory or jewel-coloured pair of shoes (try these from LK Bennett) of their choice to add a splash of colour – it’ll look stunning in photos.
Flowing fabrics for boho brides: loose, natural, boho-style dresses are just the thing for brides looking for relaxed elegance in 2018 and beyond. Flattering without being overly structured, in raw silk and natural linens, their simplicity is offset with intricate detailing: think hand-sewn pearls and delicate lace for a contemporary yet romantic look.
Multi-sensory: 2018 brides want their guests to experience their day in a multi-sensory way, from using scent to enhance the setting to providing natural materials that invite touch. Cambridge Cottage at Kew is a beautiful venue for you to go to town on delivering a multi-sensory experience for smaller groups of guests, with its homely, elegant charm and relaxed atmosphere. It’s your dream house for a day.
Dramatic blooms: in our last blog, we talked about botanicals being a thing. The Orangerie at Kew Botanical Gardens provide the perfect backdrop to continue this theme. Potted plants, with bases draped in silk for effect, are becoming more and more popular. Supersized floral, too, create a stunning focal point. Create impact and drama by colour-clashing and interspersing stems with scented greenery, or go exotic with tropical blooms, outsized foliage and even fruits – flamingoes and Hawaiian shirts optional.
Mobile bars: from artisan gin bars, mouthwatering juice bars to ‘turn up and serve’ Prosecco vans bursting with bubbles, mobile bars raise a smile, and a glass, wherever they go. Many just require a deposit and don’t have a hire cost, making them the perfect way to add a practical festival touch to your big day.