I read on instagram last week that there’s no such thing as ‘timeless’… and then this absolute beauty of an editorial landed in my inbox. It’s breathtakingly beautiful, endlessly romantic and with a stunning contemporary twist.
I’m in awe of the creative team who sent in this fabulous photoshoot, and I hope it will inspire some of your own weddings! With images by talented Melanie Barnfield Photography, who specialises in wedding photography with an organic, natural aesthetic, and words by Devon wedding planner Laura at Kept Weddings, this utterly fabulous photoshoot defines timeless.
“We aimed to create a photoshoot centered on objects and elements that have withstood the test of time, capturing their timeless beauty and enduring significance.
Regal Renaissance reimagines historical and timeless features with simple yet effective styling inspired by Queen Elizabeth I.
Our key vendors used forage florals, traditional royal icing techniques and classic tableware, with Huntsham Court providing a grand backdrop in its Tudor Gothic style.
The model was styled in a modern gown with a square neckline, puffed sleeves and natural make-up to enhance the Bride’s natural beauty, reminiscent of Queen Elizabeth’s Iconic look but with a contemporary twist.
Concept, Planning & Styling – Kept Weddings with Laura
Venue – Huntsham Court
Photographer –Melanie Barnfield Photography
Florist – Earth Gallery Flowers
Jewellery – The Silver Leopard
Hair Stylist – Toni Gogola
Make-up Artist – Sheina MUA
Cake Artist – Peboryon
Wedding Dress – Nicola Anne Bridal
Model – Fern CJ
Venue
Huntsham Court lends itself to being the perfect palace for this shoot. Built in 1868–70 Huntsham Court was quite literally built for a bride when Charles Arthur William Troyte’s was due to wed Katherine Walrond of Bradfield Nr Cullompton.
Iconic features include its original Tudor panelling in the Great Hall, a Charles Mackintosh tiled fireplace in one of the principle bedrooms and customised emblems of the current’s owners stenciled into the roof of the library capturing its transition through time.
Table Styling
Clean and elegant table setting with an abundance of vintage brass candlesticks, classic servingware and fancy napkin design to add subtle detail to a simple set up.
Flowers
Forage florals, including cow parsley, daisies and greenery, arranged in a natural and elegant manner. The use of seasonal blooms adds an organic and authentic touch to the decor.
Cake
Traditional 3 tier white wedding cake decorated with royal icing piping techniques.
Hair
The models natural hair was defined and styled in a plait carefully around the crown.
Make up
Soft and natural, with a focus on luminous skin, pink cheeks and a touch of color on the lips, reminiscent of Queen Elizabeth I’s iconic look but with a contemporary twist.
Dress
A gown with a square neckline, puffed sleeves, but simplified with modern tailoring and a less adorned style.
Jewellery
Classic pearls with a smokey citrine gem handmade and set in silver for an antiqued and authentic look.
Winter weddings have a unique magic all of their own. There’s something wonderful about warm candlelight, especially paired with a darker wedding cake and dramatic stationery. The hues of winter hellebores and the gentle sparkle of taper candles, with polished glassware and late autumn foliage are simply breathtaking here. The venue, a gem in the Lake District: Ghyll Barn is located in the Eden Valley. Images are by utterly brilliant, ridiculously talented and bloody lovely Lakes wedding photographer: Hannah Hall, based in Kirkby Stephen.
I was over the moon to be asked to be a part of this inspiring wedding photoshoot, lending my calligraphy for the day, and creating the invitation, vow booklets and table plan to fit with the winter wedding palette chosen for the day. The look is dramatic with modern winter colours, which will work for weddings throughout the winter season.
There’s an art to capturing winter weddings and Hannah Hall captures every detail and moment magnificently. From the November sunlight falling across the insanely beautiful cake, to the soft glow of candles and Katie & Isaac’s cosy snuggles and loving looks: every one of the amazing photographs Hannah shared after our day at Ghyll Barn took my breath away. There are so many: I’ll be sharing more of my favourites on insta at @englishweddingblog and you can find Hannah Hall at https://hannahhallphotography.co.uk
Daisy’s floral styling (Rocke n Roses) with dark hellebores and hydrangeas iss absolutely stunning. Beech branches tie in beautifully with a designer wedding cake from Kelly at Wren Cakes: a dramatic dark wedding cake with exquisitely handcrafted autumn leaves.
Dresses and accessories from lovely Julia Tasker Bridal Couture are ultra elegant, the first a Sassi Holford dress with puff sleeves and a gorgeous belt which our model Katie wore as if it were made for her.
Isaac’s suit from Arnison’s is the perfect look to team with Katie’s romantic bridal style. (Black tie is becoming more of a thing for UK weddings – guys should feel amazing on their big day too!) Katie’s make up by talented and absolutely FAB Megan Hartley is ethereal and radiant – and her hair by lovely Amanda Jones set in romantic soft curls is just gorgeous.
Emily from Juni Jewellery showcases the most exquisitely made pieces for Katie to wear: pearl drop earrings, a stunning solid gold heart pendant and wedding & engagement rings. Emily’s craft is incredible and her jewellery is designed with love for the modern groom and bride.
My calligrapher’s heart is smitten by the table styling. Tiphanie from Willow & Fig worked alongside Julie from Lune Valley Crockery Hire to create a superb and twinkling tablescape with runners in soft claret, taper candles and amber glassware. Each place setting was styled with elegant plates and dark linens which felt like such a treat to place my little name scrolls onto!
And my recommendation for your wedding in 2025: book a celebrant. Juliet Golding is a rockstar: she brings character, fun and warmth to ceremonies and will make you (and your guests) feel incredibly special. Celebrants are a world apart from council-employed registrars: they’re quirky and independent, focused on you and on giving a personalised ceremony – and Juliet plays her part with so much heart.
A huge thank you to Chris at Ghyll Barn for hosting us, and for introducing us to this glorious Cumbrian wedding venue. A sustainable space, characterful and with every door, wall and artfully crafted piece of furniture telling a story, Ghyll Barn feels like the place to book for Lake District weddings.
We were spoilt on the day by pizzas from Super8Pizza. If and when I write a ‘wedding trends for 2025′ article (and I can feel one coming on, I’m not gonna lie!) Pizzas will be right up there. For weddings in any season, at any venue and with any vibe: filling your guests’ tummies with the joys of a pizza truck will make your wedding unforgettable! (These pizzas were just that!)
It didn’t snow on the day, but that was ok because everyone brought their own brand of twinkly winter magic, and the team created the most blissfully beautiful winter wedding you could ever imagine.
Venue https://ghyllbarn.co.uk
Concept / photography https://hannahhallphotography.co.uk
Styling https://www.willowandfig.co.uk
Crockery / glassware https://www.lunevalleycrockeryhire.co.uk
Florist https://www.rockenroses.co.uk
Makeup https://www.meganhartleymakeupartist.com
Hair https://www.instagram.com/amanda.joneshair/
Cake https://wrencakedesign.co.uk
Celebrant https://julietgoldingcelebrant.co.uk/couples-ceremonies/
Dresses & accessories https://www.juliataskerbridalcouture.co.uk
Suit https://www.facebook.com/arnisons
Jewellery https://www.junijewellery.co.uk
Calligraphy & stationery http://calligraphy-for-weddings.com
Pizza https://super8pizza.co.uk
Pizza bibs https://www.instagram.com/daydreamer_creative_studio
Confetti https://www.yourconfetti.com/
Models https://www.instagram.com/katieandisaac_/
Imagine just the two of you, deep in nature and surrounded by lush greens and cascading water. An elopement with the sound of birdsong, truly away from the world. Today’s images are from a styled photoshoot in the Var region of France. They’re a glorious temptation away from the styled, indoor elopements the wedding industry sees as normal – and why shouldn’t we make our promises in a woodland glade with a waterfall? I can’t think of anything more enchanting or beautiful.
“A true poetic ode to nature, I wanted to step out of my comfort zone and offer you dark and delicate images.
The aim of this stylized session is to be able to offer different forms of unions.
Mysterious, dark, mystical in symbiosis with nature. United by mother earth, the 4 elements being part of the ceremony.” ~ Rebecca, Luxea Photographie
Supplier credits
Luxea Photographie
Event by Mrs C
Aurelie Mey
Alix LB
Zio Costumes
Fleuristes et Fleurs
Line Beauty Makeup
NR Creation
Atelier Saash
Bright and vibrant styling brings this gorgeous photoshoot to life! The stunning florals and citrus accents are a joyful backdrop to a fun shoot full of inspiration for an autumn or late summer wedding day. With thanks to lovely Jen from Jackdaw Editorial for sending this our way – and for introducing us to all of these amazing and talented Buckinghamshire wedding suppliers!
Concept and typewriter poetry: https://jackdaweditorial.com
Photography: https://www.chloeleephoto.co.uk
Planning and styling: http://karintindallweddings.co.uk
Venue: https://www.thegardentipi.co.uk
Flowers : http://auroranyxfloraldesign.co.uk
Stationery: http://deabillandquince.co.uk
Catering: http://lemon-zest.co.uk
Dress: https://www.essensedesigns.com from https://butterflybridalboutique.co.uk
Model: https://www.instagram.com/ambergallagherr/?hl=en
Hair and makeup: https://sambushellmakeupandhair.com
Signage: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/HelloMagicShop
Glassware: https://milliemiles.co.uk
With a fun colour palette of citrus and sunset, we wanted this shoot to shine a light on the drinks reception/cocktail hour part of a wedding celebration, showcasing elegant, playful food and drink ideas, beautiful stationery and florals, and unique guest entertainment in the form of personal poems written on the spot and given as gifts to take away.
The Garden Tipi in Buckinghamshire provided the perfect venue for our relaxed garden party vibe, and we used several of the gorgeous outdoor spaces, as well as the beautifully boho interior of the tipi when the Great British weather decided to bless us with an epic thunderstorm!
Claire from Aurora Nyx Floral Design created a summery dream of locally grown flowers, featuring dahlias and cosmos in abundant, wild meadow and urn arrangements. These paired beautifully with a statement escort card display from Freya at Deabill & Quince.
Our stunning model Amber looked incredible in Essense of Australia, and she and her guests were treated to an Aperol Spritz bar (styled to perfection by the brilliant Karin Tindall), and a range of delicious canapes from Lemon Zest Catering. Think adorably bitesized salmon and cream cheese bagels, fig and gorgonzola bruschetta, mini cheeseburgers, and tortilla spoons with zingy salsa and guacamole.
Last but not least, Jen from Jackdaw Editorial welcomed guests to her poetry corner, creating on-the-spot personal poems on her vintage typewriter about anything their hearts desired. It was a meaningful and immersive form of entertainment that suited this sophisticated and whimsical drinks reception to a tee.
I’m head over heels for this wedding inspo. It comes from beautiful Derbyshire, combines dreamy colours and is simply stunning. Images are by Tom Hodgson, talented Peak District wedding photographer and a member of English Wedding’s supplier directory. The planning and styling is by lovely Eilish at Peak Patisserie, who created an exquisite cake for the occasion.
All of the details come together perfectly, with Laurenne Hopkins’ floral styling being a huge highlight for me. Dreamy and then some – and there’ll be even more on our insta @englishweddingblog!
Born out of a passion for sustainability and dream to showcase its beauty, this styled shoot showcased the best that sustainable weddings have to offer, from beautiful British blooms to handcrafted eco-conscious jewellery.
Styled at the beautiful Dunston Hall in Derbyshire where modern styles meet classic charm, this was the perfect setting to demonstrate the beauty in sustainable weddings. Our models are a real couple and wow can you tell that in the images created, happiness and joy in every moment!
Laurenne Hopkins created an epic display of British blooms all grown locally on her flower farm and displayed using eco-friendly methods. Her reclaimed milk churns really stole the show and created a fantastic statement piece that can be moved around between settings.
Complementing everything Laurenne has to offer perfectly was the gorgeous styling from Vintage Florrie, using only reclaimed and recycled items to create a truly unique setting.
In this shoot I wanted to showcase as many sustainable wedding trends as I could find, and Adaelle Design exceeded my expectations with her stunning stationery all created using seeded paper. The designs and colours couldn’t have matched the fresh flowers better!
Your Dunston Hall (Derbyshire) wedding supplier list
http://www.peakpatisserie.co.uk
https://www.tomhodgson.co.uk/
https://www.lauraannephotography.net/
https://dunstonhall.co.uk/
https://laurennehopkinsflowers.co.uk/
https://www.rosievideographer.com/
https://bridesofbakewell.com/
https://www.adaelle.com/
https://www.vintageflorrie.com/
https://ruralthreadsonline.co.uk/
https://louloujewellery.co.uk/
https://candidcontentbykatie.wixsite.com/candidcontentbykatie
https://beccisbridaldesigns.com/
