Could this glorious sunrise elopement be the future of weddings?

Published by Claire Gould on

An elopement is just what I needed right now. Huge thanks to Laura from The Rustic Dresser for this beauty in my inbox today – a timely reminder that LOVE is what life is all about. Weddings are on hold right now; but these glorious images by Westlake Photography will lift your hearts, I just know they will. I’d love to think the future of weddings looks like this – simple, wild and free, pared back and all the more beautiful for it. Stay safe everyone, stay home for now – and dream of a future that looks like this.

Sunrise elopement shoot! Westlake Photography and the Rustic Dresser (12)

“Nature loving, adventurous souls looking for something free and personal were who we had in mind for this sunrise elopement shoot. Some couples want to have an intimate celebration and we wanted to show you that if you are looking for a magical spot to enhance the moment you say your “I Do’s” then the Dorset coastline is the most perfect place. At first light, there is not a soul around and you literally feel as if you have the world to yourself. The clifftops, dramatic drops and curves of the coast and the sunken sand dunes all provide you with some spectacular backdrops to magnify that incredible moment when you fully open your hearts to each other.

Sunrise elopement shoot! Westlake Photography and the Rustic Dresser (24)

Alongside the stunning landscape, we wanted to show you that an elopement can still look as wonderful as a traditional wedding, just on a smaller scale and that you don’t have to miss out on having a top table, place settings and cake just because you have no venue. We pulled a few key styling elements together to add a little luxury to the experience all whilst incorporating props that you may have lying around the home (such as lanterns and candlesticks) or ones that will definitely not break the bank, such as the fur rug which I picked up for £7!

Sunrise elopement shoot! Westlake Photography and the Rustic Dresser (40)

Sunrise elopement shoot! Westlake Photography and the Rustic Dresser (41)

The design is easy to scale down if it is just you two and your photographer-you don’t need to have the frame for example or you could opt for a smaller cake, and the rest of the props fitted in the crate leaving just the ‘table’ to carry and the lanterns. Equally it can be scaled up even more if you have your closest friends or family joining you too who are happy to carry a prop or two. We wanted the bouquet, buttonhole and flower crown to be sympathetic to the natural surroundings and so went with dried flowers in natural tones and the hand died ribbon helped tie the whole look together.

Sunrise elopement shoot! Westlake Photography and the Rustic Dresser (28)

We wanted to capture the freeness and lack of pressure in the photos. Wedding planning can at times be fraught with decisions, keeping the peace and a lot of expense and so the shoot highlights how you can release yourself from all of that whilst focusing on what is important. You, your wife or husband to be and the heartfelt words that you say to each other. After all, isn’t that what weddings are all about?

Sunrise elopement shoot! Westlake Photography and the Rustic Dresser (1)

Photographer – www.westlakephotography.co.uk
Stylist – www.therusticdresser.co.uk
Dress designer – www.watters.com
Bridal boutique – www.willoughbyandwolf.co.uk
Hair- www.andrealuella.com
MUA – www.rajbasi.co.uk
Florist – www.rosehipandwren.com
Cake – @adorabellacakedesign
Hand died bouquet ribbon – www.katecullen.co.uk
Models – Will & Jessica

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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.

1 Comment

White Stories Events · March 26, 2020 at 1:24 pm

Really beautiful dream elopement! Really impressive photoshoot!

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