Elopement to Valentine Lake – styled inspiration for boho brides in the Devon countryside

I LOVE this! Everything from the tablecloth to the way Alice grins towards the camera… the bouquet, the cake… it’s all just so perfect. I do adore a styled shoot – they’re wonderful for inspiration, ideas, and for making my eyes such happy little places. More than anything, I love a smiling bride in a shoot. (Brides smile – there’s nothing more beautiful to share on a blog, right?) Today we tick all the boxes because this is just such a dreamy, beautiful setting… over to lovely Kitty Wheeler Shaw Photography to tell you more:

When I started planning this shoot I knew that I didn’t just want to shoot a pretty girl in a pretty dress (as fun as that would be!), I wanted it to be a story. In the early stages I even wrote a back-story for my fictional couple, running away together to celebrate what a wedding is really all about, love!

In my head I saw woodland, beaches, happiness, love and laughter and I knew there was only one place I could shoot it. My family owns a little cabin in Devon by the River Teign and a manmade lake (in the shape of a heart!) called Valentine Lake and it is the perfect place to go to escape the world.

The colours in the shoot reflect the English countryside surrounding the couple speeding away in their car – muted blues, pinks and greens with a flash of golden corn here and there.

When I was searching for a real couple, I turned to my sister and her boyfriend, who were more than happy to take part, and I now couldn’t imagine anyone else in their place. All of the people who contributed to the shoot did so with such generosity and support that I was floored and cannot thank them enough (they’re probably getting a bit bored of me thanking them by now). Everything came together and fit so well with the theme and my vision for the shoot, I could not have asked for a better team.

Discover more from Brighton based wedding photographer Kitty Wheeler Shaw:

www.kittywheelershaw.co.uk
Facebook.com/kwshawphotography
Twitter.com/kittyfer
Instagram.com/kittywshaw

(full supplier list below)

The shoot was also featured on the lovely Bridal Musings blog – I loved it there too so please do have a peek if you’ve a moment!

Photography by Kitty Wheeler Shaw Photography
Real couple – Alice Wheeler Shaw and Tom Davies
Shoot co-ordinators – Alice Stevens and Alice Dobie
Hair – Alice Dobie
Make-up – Claire-Louise Bender – http://www.houseofbendy.com/
Dress – Jessica Turner Designs – http://www.jessicaturnerdesigns.com/
Accessories – Bon Bridal – https://www.etsy.com/shop/BonBridal
Flowers – Halcyon Floral Design – https://www.instagram.com/halcyonfloraldesign/
Cake – Yolk – http://www.hackneyyolk.com/
Candles – By Laura – http://www.bylauralondon.com/

Claire Gould

Claire spends her days writing - either in beautiful calligraphy or online. She lives on the edge of the English Lake District only minutes away from the beach, where she loves to escape and unwind. Claire's calligraphy can be found at www.byMoonandTide.com. Claire launched the English Wedding Blog in November 2009 - it's been a top 10 UK wedding blog ever since, with a regional focus we hope you LOVE.