A ROMANTIC YORKSHIRE ELOPEMENT (STYLED WEDDING SHOOT)
I SEE SO MANY EPIC AMERICAN LANDSCAPES IN WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY AT THE MOMENT, I THOUGHT IT HIGH TIME WE CELEBRATE SOME OUR OWN ENGLISH WONDERS. THE YORKSHIRE DALES ARE JAM PACKED WITH STUNNING SETTINGS, AND THIS ONE IS NO EXCEPTION. RICH & SARAH CAME ADVENTURING WITH ME, ACROSS THE TOP HILLS OF MALHAM, TO STYLE A SHOOT AND SHARE A GENUINE AND SPECIAL MOMENT. ON SHOOT, THEY WROTE AND EXCHANGED SOME VOWS, OVER 3 YEARS AFTER THEIR MARRIAGE. AND LOOK AT THAT VIEW...
Credits
Photography & Art Direction: The Wardette Studio
Tulle Bridal Skirt: Edwina Ward Couture
Bouquet: House of Flowers
Ribbons: Recycled Sari Ribbon, ironed and pressed.
Paper: Cotton Paper, Khadi Paper ltd
Sarah's Styling: Grey Kimono, Vintage from Amsterdam. Sequin Jacket, Rat & Boa. Blue lace up boots, Free People. Headband, Asos.
Sarah's Make up: Gold Eye Colour, Stila Glitter an Glow Liquid Eyeshadow
Richard's Styling: Vintage Denim Duster, lace up boots, All Saints.
Location: Malham, Yorkshire Dales.
COLOUR PALETTE - BLUE/GREY, NUDE AND GREEN
Would you consider re-newing your vows? Or even exchanging your own private and unique vows in place of a traditional wedding? There is something very special about writing your own promises, and doing it somewhere meaningful, beautiful and totally unrestricted. No running orders, no expectations, no need to please anyone else. Just the two of you, speaking to one another, heart to heart. What would you like to say to your other half? And if you could do it anywhere, where would you do it?
We planned the most wonderful day. I wanted to style a shoot, but I also wanted it imbued with true feeling and occasion. At first Rich and Sarah spent time getting ready in their gorgeous home, relaxing together and spending time (something obviously missing at a wedding) We then took a huge antique chest up to the hills above Malham Cove, with flowers, ribbons and warm layers stashed away. We intended to end up at the top edge of Malham's limestone paving, but the weather closed in so suddenly and dramatically (as you'll see in the last photos of this shoot) that we were stopped half way.
The sleet came down so hard that the ink began running off their vows and pouring down their faces. This with the biting cold forced us to run our way back up the hills and rocks to shelter. It was certainly dramatic, and the moment where they finally spoke their vows and kissed was more epic than anything I could have planned.
The central piece for this shoot was a skirt designed and constructed by my mother, Edwina Ward (of The Bridal Dressing Room). You will no doubt see me shoot it a couple more times, as it's an absolutely stunning piece; with endless soft layers of nude and peach, and a beautiful train. It's such a romantic piece. However, for Sarah I teamed it up with a sequin jacket, lace up boots and endless frayed ribbons for an edgier look. To match this, Rich is dressed in a vintage denim duster jacket, lace up boots and braces.
When the wind took up the layers of skirt and blew the ribbons across the valley views, it felt so romantic. Everything in this shoot (apart from the one-of-a-kind skirt) is chosen and styled by me, sourced easily and affordably. For details about the skirt please do get in touch with Edwina Ward. Her work is outstanding, and having a skirt made (rather than a full gown) gives a bride so many possibilities to style up her look.
Huge thanks to Rich & Sarah who braved this crazy weather for these photos, and helped me to realise a vision. You guys are super special and I cannot wait to come back and see you after the Winter! More thanks still to my mother who, talented as she is, created this incredible skirt out of thin air! And to House of Flowers, Barnoldswick, who whipped me up a stunning bouquet not he day of the shoot. Her selection of flowers and eye of texture and colour was so refreshing.
GWx
