Have you heard of floriography? No? Along with tablescapes and ombre you’d be forgiven for thinking it was a new wedding buzz word, but it comes from the Victorians – whose style we’re fast falling in love with for 2014 and 2015 weddings. Today I have the most amazing shoot to share with you – full of luxurious style ideas you can use to create your own elegant Victorian wedding style.
The beauty of this shoot is second to none. I adore wedding styling shoots as they can be such a rich source of ideas for brides and grooms – and Petra Opperman is one of the most amazing stylists in the country. Along with photographer Matthew Bishop and a host of outstanding suppliers, Petra has created another stunning wedding style to share with you today – and I absolutely love it!
There are so many ideas to inspire you today, and I have more to share with you as well – for now, my favourites and the very best ideas from opulent wedding stationery, cakes, bridal styling and so much more. Read slowly, sip your tea as you go, and do save your favourites on Pinterest!
With huge thanks to fabulous Petra Opperman, wedding stylist and planner, to awesome photographer Matthew Bishop, and to everyone involved in this shoot (there’s a full list below and they’re ALL amazing!) – so let’s dive straight in, shall we? Enjoy.
The Victorian era was characterized by the eclectic mix of styles and makes a great inspiration for styling a wedding. It was a time of romanticism and mysticism. This was generally an optimistic and prosperous era, characterized by rapid change and also the precursor of the modern era.
Victorian is synonymous with abundance and is widely viewed as having indulged in a grand excess. The style draws inspiration from nature, geometry, symbolism and nostalgia. The early years of the Victorian era were described as romantic or sentimental and reflected the youth, courtship and marriage of the young queen, Victoria.
Restraint was not part of Victorian decorating and in the hands of the group of skilful and talented wedding suppliers a refined, sophisticated, complex and warmly romantic atmosphere is created. Using elements of Victorian design, art and literature, I wanted to design a wedding style that is rich, not necessarily only in decoration, but also in atmosphere and and sophistication.
Victorian Style Wedding Stationery
Making use of architectural rose border etching, the stunning design of the stationery looks very authentic. The burgundy colour is gorgeous and perfect for this colour scheme and wedding theme. The beautiful menu adds depth of colour by placing it with the flowers.
A Victorian Banquet
Pot roasted Chiltern Lamb shank, roasted quail, grilled chicory and butter glazed vegetables are some of the creative dishes served in little copper pans. The oven fired vine cherry tomatoes, rosemary all adds to lovely colour and texture to the ingenious dishes. Potted Test trout and Wye salmon, whipped goats cheese with roasted garlic are presented in glass jars on a wood tray. A very rustic addition to a grand table setting provides a delightful contrast and and is visually effective. A scrumptious Eton Mess, made with macroons, Cotswold diary cream, red berries and crushed meringues in a delightful pink sweet joy to the table.
An elegant Victorian style wedding cake
The delicate white wedding cake is beautifully designed with elements of the Victorian theme. The unique caged lace effect is a special feature of this cake design. Beaded garlands and lace match the lace and pearls on the wedding dress. The base, created by fresh flowers adds colour and match the flowers used in the table decorations.
Styling your wedding tables
The table centre piece adds height to table decoration and with declining hight of the arrangements on either side, a beautiful line is created to where the arrangements on the ends of the table, almost look like a waterfall of flowers hanging to the floor. The bride and groom’s chairs are beautifully decorated with flower wreaths, tied to the chairs with pink satin ribbon. The elaborate full design of the bridal bouquet looks opulent, lavish and showy. Pink floral vintage crockery, a beautiful white cotton and lace table cloth, stringed pearls are all stunning accessories that completes the grand Victorian styled table
The romantic atmosphere of the harp
The harp is the most romantic of instruments, with eye-catching features of carving, gilding and the beautiful colour of the wood. The instrument and the performance itself are graceful and elegant, perfectly fitting for a refined, sophisticated atmosphere.
Victorian style for the elegant groom
Always a dashing look for the groom is the classic black tailcoat with grey and black striped trousers. A subtle pale pink cravat and grey waistcoat looks stylish and works perfectly for this style. Matching the pearls on the wedding gown, the groom wears freshwater pearl cuff links. The groom is wearing a 18ct gold wedding band with rope detail.
Victorian lace wedding dress
Made from Silk Duchess Satin, the exquisitely beautiful couture wedding gown, with applique lace and hand stitched pearls, ensures a grand entrance for any bride. There is something very regal about this stunning dress. The silk veil and beautiful unique pearl tiara adds something old fashioned and romantic to the look
The engagement ring is hand made with 18ct white gold, a cushion shaped morganite, surrounded by brilliant cut diamonds together with a uniquely hand engraved wedding band. An elegant Victorian style pendant, accentuates the gorgeous neckline of the wedding dress and the matching earrings looks stunning with the classic hair up-do. Defined curls, secured in a large bun, with heavy side-swept bangs, gracing the front give the hair style an authentic look with a modern flair. Using lighter shades of browns and lush lashes, the make-up is naturally elegant.
Romantic Victorian style wedding flowers
Pink suggests romance and by choosing a monochrome colour scheme and using a variety of shades and tints of pink a sophisticated Romantic scheme was created. The tradition of floriography, (the cryptical communication through the use of flower arrangements) was famously used by the Victorians. The language of the flowers used in the table arrangements and bridal bouquet added to the romantic and sentimental atmosphere: Peonies – (Happy Marriage), Pink Roses (Perfect happiness), Sweetpeas (Blissful pleasure), Honeysuckle (Generosity), Jasmine (amiability), Sweet William (grant me one more smile), Foxgloves (Stateliness, youth), Lupins (Imagination) Stocks (affection, lasting beauty).
Victorian Love, nostalgia, art, novels are fabulous inspirations for wedding themes. With so many different elements to inspire, something unique and personal can be designed in a way that can be creative, artistic and absolutely romantic. A true celebration of your love.
The Victorian love styled session was made possible thanks to a group of outstanding wedding suppliers/service providers
Bridal gown – Phillipa Lepley – www.phillipalepley.com/
Groom Attire – Stephen Bishop Suiting: www.stephenbishopsuiting.com/
Bridal hair accessories: www.gillianmillion.com/
Jewellery: Jason Charles Jewellery: www.jasoncharlesjewellery.co.uk/
Flowers – Foxgloves and Roses: www.foxglovesandroses.co.uk/
Wedding cake design – Emily Jane Cakes – www.emilyjanecakes.co.uk/
Accessories – Floral Vintage Crockery: www.floralvintagecrockery.co.uk/
Wedding catering – Fingers and Forks – www.fingersandforks.co.uk/
Hair and Makeup – www.lizpateymakeup.co.uk
Soraya Vermeulen Harpist – www.sorayavermeulen.co.uk/
Stationery – Paper Willow – www.paperwillow.com/
Wedding Cinematographer – www.storybookfilms.co.uk/
Photography – www.mbishopphotography.co.uk
Ardington house – www.ardingtonhouse.com
Wedding design – www.petraoppermanweddings.co.uk
2 COMMENTS
Thomas Jem
4 years ago
Awesome collection of wedding photograph. I think all the things are covered in this album which are most important for bride and groom on their wedding. This kind of information is very limited on the internet. Keep sharing.