This blue winter wedding styled shoot is still one of my favourite shots. I just love the venue, again it is definitely one of my favourites here in the UK. I love a weekend wedding, why not make the most of it right? This venue is suited perfectly for that vibe.
This shoot was organised by Fiona couture and she wanted it to showcase the blue winter dress she had designed. Her brief was a snowy winter wedding. I wanted to really use the power of design to give a snowy feel even if we didn’t luck out with snow on the day. Which we didn’t unfortunately.
I think it is hard to find a venue that has everything. This venue has gorgeous outdoor areas to marry or host some of the day’s events. It has historic indoor areas, even a pub! However, they also have the tipi for a modern, relaxed feel. The indoor interiors are as beautiful as the views from the windows. A rare all-round stunning venue. It is for sale so hoping it continues as a venue with the new owners.
Let’s get on to the winter blue styling! Even though we were working with blue I wanted a muted blue, a dusky blue as they would say. This is explained more in my colour theory blog but toning down the blue is adding grey, here I wanted it so toned down it is hard to determine if blue or grey. Blue/grey my just be one of my favourite colours. I also used pops of a darker blue for the added interest. Then as the brief was winter and snowy we had a white base.
The ceremony was set up in the chapel. I beautiful historic space in the venue. The room is very dark and even though I wanted a warm moody feeling I also wanted its soft light and snow-like. I decided to cover the back in chiffon a tule, a mix of grey, dusky blue and white. Draping it as organically flowing as possible. I wanted it to soften the dark wood but also naturally mol with the setting not look harsh or stand out too much.
We set the table up in the same room. So we got to use the fire and the insane lighting installation by Peter Lockwood Events and flowered up by Perfect bouquet full of flower. The table set under the lighting I wanted lots of layers to add depth and interest. I added a pop of darker blue with the glassware. Glasses are always a great way to add some colour without it being overpowering. And ass each guest receives one it also adds to the guest experience, everyone loves a fancy glass!
The other area I wanted to make a feature was the cake area. I always love to go all out with the cake area. Its a chance to get creative, add unique personal touches and it a space that every guest sees so should always have that extra detail of attention.
Charlotte Wilcox cakes made not only one stunning cake, she made lots of extra treats. This is a great option for dessert or for snacking later. It also adds to the styling and is a great way to make a feature area of the cake table.
Another amazing part of this day was the access to the outdoors. We got the bride in her winter coat and they spent a couple of hours together and we got some amazing shots. It is the perfect alone time and also you have memories captured forever. Always pre-plan your photo time, how long, what your guests will be doing and what shots you want. Then add on an extra 15/20 min for you both to just be alone and take in the amazing day.
I hope you enjoyed this blue winter wedding styling blog at Upper House Hayfield venue. If you are looking for someone to help design your wedding in any season I would love to chat so please get in contact. Check out all the suppliers involved.
Victoria warehouse wedding shoot was my first ever styled shoot and still has a huge place in my heart. I wanted it to be a celebration of my beautiful home town city of Manchester. Also about the great Manchester suppliers and incorporate the rich industrial heritage Manchester is known for. The vision was born, an industrial luxury style with elements that give a nod to Manchester and its history.
First up was the venue, well this wasn’t a hard choice, my mind was set on the amazing Victoria warehouse from the start! Being a Manchester wedding designer and stylist there are certain venues you just can’t wait to get your hands on. Victoria warehouse played a huge part in Manchester’s industrial past and was one of the biggest cotton mills. It is also such an iconic building, you may not know it by name but one look and you know exactly the place.
With the venue decided the fun began. I started work on the mood boards, just like I would for styling a wedding. Researching unique items and textures to bring together to compliment each other perfectly and create our vision. It really is in the detail with wedding design! Each small part of the design plays its part and either compliments or adds needed contrast to build the ultimate style on the day. I went for cold, harsh industrial elements like copper, steel and concrete and softened these up with cotton and velvets. I kept a neutral colour palette with grey and silver shades with pops of greenery and copper. Of course cotton had to be a huge focal point throughout the shoot and Sian at The Flower Lounge didn’t disappoint with her amazing cotton floral displays.
I got to have so much fun with the cake area, I wanted to make this a focal point and showcase the hard work that goes into an incredible cake like the one supplied by Little Button Bakery. The cake is one of the elements I tell my couples to get personal with and one of the parts I enjoy most as a wedding stylist. This can be the one thing that really celebrates you as a couple and also can be a lot of fun designing. I personally feel a 3ft table and white tablecloth just doesn’t do it justice.
Here we displayed the cakes and treats on a selection of our plinths! All come as part of our wedding packages. I love contrast of textures so we mixed our copper pipe plinths with our concrete ones and some clear plinths draped in one of our velvet table runners. Adding little touches with the candles and copper trays makes all the difference. I then finished it off with a crazy amount of cotton plants! You can never have to much cotton right? This all sat under the most gorgeous Edison bulb lights that were adorned with some amazing foliage.
So speaking of lights next on the design list was the aisle, I knew exactly what I wanted! The only problem was it didn’t exist. Not to worry though as Peter Lockwood had me covered. After just one meeting at the venue I left him to it, unsure if he fully understood my waffling but OMG he did! They were more than perfect, exactly what I wanted and looked like they was made for the venue itself.
So for the table, my pride and joy, like with most wedding stylists. Every tiny element of this table was meticulously picked. To start was the velvet runner, these runners are from my collection and available with all of our wedding styling packages. With so many cold harsh elements in the styling and such a raw venue I wanted to add luxury and softness and velvet was the obvious option. In a grey/silver colour it was still in keeping of the colour palette and was the perfect contrast for the table. I then rummaged my stock of candlesticks and tea lights, I chose to use my copper geometric, glass and collection of silver and grey tea lights. Our copper pipe candlesticks fit the design perfectly. Adding some luxury with glass candlesticks, these both had a mixture of grey taper candles.
Well any way I feel like I have waffled enough! Here is a collection of photos to hopefully inspire you for your wedding styling. If you are feeling overwhelmed or like you may need a pair of helping hands then give me a shout!
To never miss a new blog sign up here
All suppliers involved : PHOTOGRAPHER – KERRY, FLOWERS – SIAN, CAKE – KATE, DRESSES – BECCA, HAIR & MAKEUP – ROW, LIGHTING – PETER, CHAIRS – CHAIRMAN, PLANNING – MICHELLE, MODELS JENNY & HARRISON, VENUE – VICTORIA WAREHOUSE.