De La Mer ~ celtic and classical bridal inspiration from the wild, windswept sea

Published by Claire Gould on July 4, 2017July 4, 2017

Sometimes images speak for themselves; sometimes they sing. Today’s billowing, seaweed-scented shoot has a yearning, breathtaking aesthetic which lightens my heart with its beauty. Styled by the wonderful Serpentine Shores Co. and photographed by Salt & Sea Photography, it’s simply perfect and will appeal to beach brides everywhere.

Bleak, wild, billowing and windswept; our inspiration for this shoot was stories of mythology, both Celtic and Classical. Particularly stories based around the coast and ocean. Stories foretelling of the sea’s peculiar, poetic and enigmatic nature. Subtly, our narrative was one of a sailor, a shipwreck, a sea spirit and a Shakespearean storm.

Playing on these ideas of folklore and fables, we sought to tell a story that was ethereal, ornate, organic and untamed. Through delicate drapes, washed-up relics and cascading ship sails, we sought to illustrate all that is salty, prosaically simple and down to earth and yet sublime. Fusing the Cornish and Grecian, we sought to create something intimate, otherworldly and ‘of the sea’.

A T T I R E

The dress is Annabelle by Jenny Yoo in Ivory. Orignally designed for bridesmaids, the dress has four tulle panels that hang from the waist and so can be styled in a multitude of ways. Simple, minimal and understated, yet with the capacity to be draped, folded and flowing; this dress paired with a crown of golden laurels by Mignonne Handmade, was ideal for an understated Grecian muse look. Alongside Monica Vinader’s Siren Ring, which makes a curiously beautiful alternative to traditional engagement rings.

R I B B O N S & S I L K

For that billowing, windswept, ship-sail look, natural silks in icy blue shades were selected from PomPom Blossom, for both the bouquet and table setting.

F L O W E R S

Inspired by seaweed and other beach botanicals, the bouquet and boutonniere were composed of silvery greys and greens. Featuring lambs ear and lacy dusty miller.

S T Y L I N G

For this shoot, materialism was kept to a minimum. Instead focusing on a number of select heirloom artefacts and antiquities, that enhanced the overall styling and raw character of the shoot. Using props from Stargazey Hire, as well as items of her own, Alex from Serpentine Shores Co. artfully arranged the dining setup as well as overseeing the composition of the rest of the shoot.