HOLD ON TO SUMMER WITH THIS TROPICAL BOHEMIAN BEACH HOUSE LOOK!
Quirky Yet Elegant, Monochrome Inspiration
Everytime Gwenda from the The Vintage Floral Design Co. gets in touch, I am overcome with excitement! Every single shoot she has sent us or that she has been involved in, has been amazing and I am always intrigued to see what her and her team have come up with next. Last month we featured her Scientist Bride styled shoot which was an instant hit with so many of you, so it was about time we shared another of her fab creations. Today she has teamed up with another or our favourites, photographer Cristina Rossi who was the genius behind the Decadence at the Dockyard shoot that appeared on our blog last year!
I instantly fell in love with todays shoot and not just because of the awesome monochrome theme… Be prepared to meet two very cute and adorable additions that go by the names of Skye and Luna.
We welcome back Gwenda to tell you more!
“There is something about the timelessly classic and irrefutably classy combination of black and white that has always spoken to me as a designer. My good friend and exceptionally talented photographer, Cristina Rossi, kindly agreed to join me on my mission to create a Monochrome themed shoot that channelled a sense of quirky elegance, with a hint of Audrey Hepburn-esque glamour. Her beautiful edit kept the colours that did appear soft and muted, maintaining the integrity of the theme.
We chose the Gallery of Antenna Studios as the location for this shoot due to its ideal interior colour scheme and its beautiful light. All the other team members fell into place beautifully and everyone got behind the concept. On the day of the shoot, we started with hair and make-up, as Lisa explains: “To ensure the makeup looked dramatic in both colour and black and white photos, I produced a flawless base using Airbase Airbrush foundation and defined Gwenda’s eyes with contrasting shadows. I wanted to create a strong, bold liner to extend the eyes and used a deep berry Bobbi Brown lipstick to enhance Gwenda’s beautiful lips. The whole look was completed with an unstructured side bun, which I also styled for our gorgeous younger model.”
To the bridal hair do, Lisa added an intricate diamante lace headpiece by Comeuppance, hand made by Michaela using fine silver wire and Swarovski elements. We later changed up the look with Dornellie’s ‘Carrie’ veil made in black net, a single satin flower with a birdcage veil and a frilled headpiece in black and white satin with a lace panel, hand-beaded with black glass beads. Marsha provided us with a gorgeous pair of nude leather peep-toe booties, overlaid with hand-stitched black lace. They are ingeniously fastened down the back with black two-way tied ribbon and are finished with black patent detailing down the heel. Exquisite hand-made jewellery was provided by Caroline of Rosie Weisencrantz, each using genuine vintage elements and glass beads. Nadia also wore one of Caroline’s black lace and bead headbands.
The bridal look was completed with a bouquet I created from hydrangeas, anemones and trailing soft ruscus, sprayed gloss black, creating a dramatic contrast between the textures as well as the colours.
Experience has taught me that there is always at least one significant hiccough in the shoot process – and this one was no exception! The intended dress failed to arrive, but in true ‘the show must go on’ fashion (and by the power of ‘bridal shop in Crystal Palace’ Google search), Melissa and Michaela went to discuss our plight with the Love Bridal Boutique, who quite literally saved the day! They returned with a pale ivory gown by Pretty Maids, to which we added floral feather sashes and beaded dress embellishments also by Comeuppance. These versatile pieces that can also be worn as headdresses, they are hand-made from the finest modern and vintage elements, which give them a subtle aged sparkle.
Michaela is a woman of many talents – she also created the wonderfully subtle white paper flower backdrop to the table set-up and the black paper lace motif which adorned the place settings. Both were hand-crafted from beautifully textured Italian paper. The rest of the paper goods were provided by Sarah of Russet & Gray. She created a modern and striking monochrome design using strong graphic elements, softened with a touch of lace. The invitations, save the date card, RSVP, menu and name tags were all printed on a luxury textured card and finished by hand.
The table was styled using small vases of pure and simple white hydrangea and a sparkly black sequin tablecloth from The Sweet Hostess. This we also used for the cake and dessert table. The stunning cake by Nevie-Pie is a double-barrelled tier on top of two conventional sized tiers, decorated with cut-out painted roses, painted leaves and edible lace. All of Natasha’s painting is done with food colours so everything is completely edible. I have a terrible sweet tooth, so I just had to ask Melissa for some more treats. She gives this great piece of advice for styling this sort of table: “Monochrome themed dessert tables are not only striking but they look so elegant. Finding black or white sweets and cakes maybe slightly more challenging than your standard candy cart but focus on textures instead. Have a mixture of cookies, sweets, cakes and chocolate – it will add lots of interest to your table. The sequin tablecloth looks amazing with contrasting props such as white ceramic cake stands and glass jars.”
As well as anything sweet, I’m also a sucker for a giant balloon and Bubblegum Balloons kindly provided us with some large round helium balloons in matte black and clear with black confetti inside. They are a great decorative prop for wedding of all themes and are a great hit with all ages (and species!) Being gluttons for a photo shoot challenge, Cristina and I decided to test the ‘never work with animals or children’ idea with her two poodles and my daughter! I’ll leave you to decide who stole the show!”
Super Suppliers – Photography: Cristina Rossi Photography// Hair & Make-Up: Essex Wedding Beauty// Shoes: Marsha Hall Handmade Shoes// Jewellery: Rosie Weisencrantz Vintage Jewellery// Paper Decor & Hair Accessories: Comeuppance// Flowers: The Vintage Floral Design Co.// Veils: Dornellie// Stationery: Russet and Gray// Painted Cake: Nevie-Pie Cakes// Sequin Table Cloth & Sweet Table: Love Linen & The Sweet Hostess// Balloons: Bubblegum Balloons// Dress: Pretty Maids at Love Bridal Boutique// Venue: Antenna Studios// Models: Gwenda, Nadia and Cristina’s fabulous pooches, Skye and Luna//
I am not sure if I will get into trouble with Gwenda but for me the pooches definitely stole the show what little cuties. Of course I am a little animal mad so I am biased 😀
Much Bespoke Love
Emily x
Oh wow these are absolutely stunning everyone! Skye and Luna are just adorable. beautiful styled shoot.
What a gorgeous shoot. Luna and Skye are adorable and the styling is beautiful. I love the cake and flowers especially.
Looks amazing – love the colour scheme & those gorgeous pooches x
Obsessed with this – it’s amazing!
This is just incredible- I always love a Cristina Rossi shoot, you always know its going to be a feast for the eyes! I really want a monochrome theme but who knows if I will be brave enough?