Today’s styled shoot is all elegance and luxury, with minimalist styling touches focusing on quality. Sent in by a group of talented wedding suppliers in Oxford, this is all kinds of gorgeous and I hope you love it too! Images are by Nicola Belson Photography, and the wording below is from Nicola too. As always, there’s lots more to see on @englishweddingblog!
The iconic Randolph Hotel, steeped in centuries-old grandeur, has recently emerged from the ashes of fire damage with a fresh, contemporary spirit. This juxtaposition of old and new provided the perfect canvas to stage a wedding shoot embodying a tropical luxe aesthetic — a seamless blend of old-world charm and modern sophistication.
The synergy of rebirth and renewal was not just in the venue but also in the stories of the talented suppliers who brought this vision to life. Each one had left behind successful careers in diverse fields to pursue their passion in the wedding industry, driven by a love for creativity and a desire to be part of life’s most joyous celebrations.
This shoot was more than just a display of beautiful designs; it was a testament to the power of following one’s heart and reinventing oneself. Their collective journey from old careers to new passions mirrored the hotel’s own transformation, adding a deeper layer of meaning to the shoot.
Venue – The Randolph Hotel, Oxford
Planner – Acorn and Oak Weddings & Events
Photographer – Nicola Belson Photography
Videographer – Twenty Two Moments
Florist – Kate Wren Flowers
Dresses – Pronovias from The Bridal Box
Hair – Rachael Capocci
Makeup – Abigail Maynard Makeup
Cakes – Lisa Adams Cakes
Jewellery – Jen Gilbert Bridal
Stationery – Your Perfect Invite
Harpist – Noa Davies Harpist
Tableware – Wren Ark
Napkins – Laurel House Designs
Champagne tower – Elegant Events of Staffordshire
Models – Danielle and Craig
Styling elements were kept simple yet sophisticated, with monogramed napkins, monochrome stationery and rich velvet bows illuminated by candle light adding a touch of understated luxury.
This minimalist approach allowed the inherent beauty of each detail to shine, creating an atmosphere of effortless elegance.
Our choice of florals played a crucial role in bringing this vision to life. A lush array of dark green tropical leaves paired with the pristine beauty of white orchids, lilies, and roses gave a sense of luxurious minimalism, where each element was thoughtfully chosen to enhance the overall aesthetic without overwhelming it. The greenery provided a lush backdrop, while the white blooms added a touch of refined elegance.
The wedding attire was carefully selected to complement our theme. The day dress was a picture of simplicity and grace, embodying effortless elegance with clean lines and a modern, sultry silhouette. For the evening, we introduced a playful twist with a short, playful sparkly dress that featured customisable elements, allowing for a dynamic transition as the celebration moved from day to night. This versatility highlighted the modern bride’s desire for both timeless beauty and contemporary flair and the growing trend of second dresses.
In essence, this shoot was about celebrating new beginnings – the rebirth of a historic venue, the reinvention of our creative partners, and the timeless beauty of love, all wrapped in the lush, elegant aesthetic of tropical luxe.
We invite couples to draw inspiration from this shoot, knowing that their love story, like The Randolph, is a beautiful blend of history and modernity, tradition and innovation, old and new.
When modern styling meets a truly historic backdrop… there really is nothing better. Today’s shoot comes from the heart of Oxford, with a super creative collaboration of wedding suppliers who transformed the space into something truly special. Thank you lovely Katie (Katie Lou Weddings) for sending in this submission for our blog – we are in LOVE with this look! There’s a full supplier list just below. Over to Katie!
I am lucky enough to be a preferred supplier at the Bodleian Library @bodleianlibrayweddings and have wanted to create a serpentine tablescape under the intricate gothic vaulted ceiling for some time. The wedding team were the best and gave me free rein, working alongside a five star team of suppliers – the shoot was taken to the next level and I was utterly delighted with the photos and video.
Bodleian Library wedding supplier list
Venue – https://visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/venue-hire/weddings
Planner and stylist – https://www.katielouweddings.com/
Tablescape and set up – https://www.oxfordfinedining.co.uk/
Florist – https://www.fabulousflowers.biz/weddings.htm
Photographer – https://poppycarterportraits.com/
Videographer – https://bylumiere.co.uk/
Hair and makeup – https://www.rachaelcapocci.com/
Dress – https://kyhastudios.com/ from https://elliesanderson.co.uk/
Tux – https://www.reiss.com/mens
Cake – https://www.theprettycakecompany.com/
Stationery – https://www.luccastudios.co.uk/
Lighting – https://www.regencychandeliers.co.uk/ and That Event Company – https://www.that-event.com/
Chandelier stands – @weddingmetalart no website
Tableware and chairs – https://www.options-greathire.co.uk/
Serpentine tables – https://eventhireuk.com/
Linen – https://www.just4linen.co.uk/
Models – @danielle_sewell33
The theme of the shoot was modern city chic with a black and white colour palette and hanging chandelier lights to create a modern, elegant style.
The groom and bride are a real couple @danielle_sewell33, the bride wore the stunning, Phoebe by @chosenbykyha from @elliesaundersonbridal a structured minimalist dress with tulle off-the-shoulder sleeves and with a large bow at the back.
Makeup was kept natural with hair in a chic updo with @oxfordshirebridalhairandmakeup signature Hollywood waves to the front section and elegant hair accessories @thebobbypinuk. The groom looked dashing in @reiss white tie, a gorgeous white velvet jacket and black bow tie.
The florals @fabulousweddingflowers were breathtaking and continued the monochrome colour palette on both the tablescape and in the bouquet of delicate white anemone with dramatic black eyes, graceful yet so eye-catching.
A bespoke stationery suite from the talented @lucca_studios gave a refined and romantic feel from the initial floral crest and handwritten calligraphy envelopes and ribbon to the frosted acrylic signage and modern hanging material table plan.
The cake @theprettycakecompany was a three tier masterpiece with different textures and finishes complete with large black bow.
The hanging chandeliers were the showstopper. Like many I have seen gorgeous pictures from Crescent Moon Events and this was the luxury look I was after an affordable rate. @regencychandeliers from Cheltenham have recently started rental pieces and Aurelin set in antique brass gave the wow I had lusted after. @weddingmetalart made bespoke stands to hold the chandeliers which worked perfectly over both the serpentine and round tables and now available to hire. Huge thank you to Matthew from Fabulous Flowers for going above and beyond in his courier services and making the chandelier dream a reality.
The tablescape was a joy to work on with beautiful textured linen from @just4linen and gorgeous furniture, crockery, cutlery and glassware from @optionsgreathire. The meteor plates made the table pop with its hand painted finish and 24 carat gold mesh, the plates worked perfectly teamed with modern black neo cutlery. The fabulous @oxfordfinedining team had the patience of saints getting the linen to hang right on the serpentine table and put together the champagne tower which added a modern twist to the day.
Separate photographer @poppycarterportraits and videographer @bylumiere teams worked together with the gorgeous light beaming through the high windows and captured the essence of the day perfectly and the stunning architecture in and around the library. (We’ll publish the amazing video on our instagram today!)
This image by videographers Lumiere; all other images by Poppy Carter Photography
