Lush greenery, glorious styling touches and a joyful vibe from this styled editorial at Gunnersbury Park Orangery. The cake is divine; the styling touches just perfect for the occasion. This epic shoot has everything to inspire your botanical wedding, and we love it even more for having two brides! (More like this please! And I’d love to see some two grooms weddings/shoots too!) A huge team was involved in this shoot, and the fabulous images have completely knocked our socks off here at English Wedding HQ. Thank you to lovely English Wedding member Genevieve at Queen Bea Photography for such a stunning submission – and wow, what a way to begin the week!

Photographer/concept – Queen Bea Photography, www.queenbeaphotography.co.uk
Stylist – Sofia’s Weddings and Events, www.sofiaweddingsandevents.co.uk
Venue – Gunnersbury Park Orangery, www.ealingvenues.co.uk/venues/gunnersbury-park
Dress designer – Brogan (dark hair) wearing ‘Poppy’ dress by Shanna Melville, www.shannamelville.com; Charlotte (blonde hair) wearing ‘Genevieve’ dress by Sally Eagle, www.sallyeagle.co.nz 
Bridal boutique – Luella Elizabeth Bridal, www.luellabridal.co.uk
Florist – Moongate and Faux Greenery: Wildestyle, www.wildestyle.co.uk;
Floral Styling, Bouquets & Centrepieces: Flourish, www.flourishbespokeflowers.co.uk
Stationery – The Little Paper Loft, www.facebook.com/TheLittlePaperLoft
Cake – Angela Jane Cake Design www.angelajanecakedesign.co.uk
Videographer – Hester Barnes Photography and Film, www.hesterbarnesphotography.com
Tableware and furniture – AB Hire, www.abhire.com
Celebrant – Helen Noble, Celebrant of Surrey, www.helen-noble.co.uk
Napkins – The Embroidered Napkin Company, www.theembroiderednapkincompany.co.uk
Hand Painted Biscuits – The Brentwood BakeSmith, www.facebook.com/brentwood.bakesmith
Favours – Bomboniere by Maria, www.bombonierebymaria.co.uk
Venue décor – The Pretty Events Co, www.theprettyeventsco.co.uk; I Do Handmade, www.idohandmade.co.uk
Bridesmaids’ dresses – Matchimony, www.matchimony.co.uk
Hair accessories – Rachel Chaprunne, www.rachelchaprunne.co.uk; Bunny Loves Evie, www.bunnylovesevie.com
Bridal jewellery – Rachel Chaprunne, www.rachelchaprunne.co.uk; Bish Bosh Becca, www.bishboshbecca.co.uk
Lace boots – House of Elliot, www.houseofelliotcollection.com
Rings – Simon Pure, www.simonpure.co.uk
Ring cushion and garter – To Be Adorned, www.facebook.com/ToBeAdorned
MUA – Reine Hage of Faces LDN, www.facesldn.com
Bar – Sip ‘n’ Swig, www.sipnswig.co.uk
Green Sofa & Dresser – Anthology Vintage Hire, www.anthologyvintagehire.com

The vision was for a relaxed wedding set amongst the beauty of nature, with a stunning Orangery backdrop and its natural light complimenting a light and airy photography style. Incorporating shades of green and botanical details tied the shoot in with its surroundings, while accents of gold provided a luxury contrast.

The shoot took place in the beautiful Orangery in Gunnersbury Park, west London, in August 2020. It was inspired by a love for Orangery venues, which are absolutely stunning! You can’t beat all the natural light, greenery, and gorgeous period details. A botanical theme was perfect to really enhance the surroundings; bringing in more greenery and natural wood in a mobile bar, barrels and crates.

A statement moongate arch covered in greenery and set in the curve of the Orangery’s frontage was the perfect backdrop for a wedding ceremony. We wanted to bring in as much greenery as possible, to achieve a feeling of being surrounded by nature. Our florist designed gorgeous oversized bridal bouquets and statement centrepieces for the tables on tall gold stands which also doubled as a striking entrance to the aisle for the wedding ceremony.

The theme was continued on the table settings. Glassware was rimmed with delicate gold, complimenting gold charger plates and tying in with the centrepieces. The menus, like the rest of the stationery, were printed on seeded paper, which you can actually plant and grow – great as additional little favours for your guests! Instead of paper cards each place setting had a delicate hand-painted biscuit with a background of greenery and the guest’s name in gold, a personal (and delicious!) little touch. More traditional favours were also provided in boxes of sugared almonds, tied with green ribbon. To suit the setting, we brought in beautiful vintage furniture pieces. The sage green sofa was great for relaxed wedding and couple photos and looked gorgeous sat in front of the Orangery’s curved entrance and the moongate arch. A green dresser was perfect for signing the register during the ceremony, as well as later presenting the wedding cake.

The delicious four-tier wedding cake was comprised of lemon sponge and decorated in marbled green hues and edible gold leaf. It was styled on a reclaimed wooden base, surrounded by a metal hoop decorated with greenery. Additionally, we had an intimate green marbled effect cutting cake, dressed on a smaller hoop and stand, which took pride of place on the mobile bar. This was enjoyed with cocktails expertly mixed by our talented bartender, creating an inviting and relaxed environment as well as providing a backdrop for some fun photos of the brides cutting the cake and everyone enjoying cocktails.

The light, nature-filled setting was complimented by beautiful flowing dresses with intricate lace and floral details, as well as gorgeous vintage-inspired lace boots which both looked stunning with the dresses, as well as gave a nod to the period surroundings. Opting for mix-and-match bridesmaids gave a relaxed feel, with the lace tops of the separates complimenting the brides’ dresses, and the sage green tulle skirts and one-shoulder dress continuing the theme of green.

Makeup and hair were kept simple, with striking hair accessories and jewellery providing a contrast to the natural surroundings. The hair accessories featured leaves and flowers in gold, and we set off a low-backed wedding dress by adding a versatile double-stranded pearl necklace which continued down between the shoulder blades. One of our brides’ outfits was complemented by twisted wire cuffs, inspired by nature and finished with freshwater pearls, also reflected in her drop earrings. The luxe beaded garter with a thread of gold brought the theme in a subtle way and gave a nod to tradition, as well as looking awesome against our bride’s amazing leg tattoos!

We brought a modern, stylish touch in with the rings used during the ceremony and chose to have a celebrant for the shoot to add realism. She wrote a personalised ceremony for the shoot, including ending the wedding with celebratory cocktails.