A SEQUIN KIMONO & A TOP HAT (SOMERSET WEDDING)
THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS WHICH MAKE THIS WEEK'S WEDDING SUCH A TREAT TO BLOG. SO MANY DETAILS MADE THIS A STYLISH DAY; FROM THE STUNNING RUE DE SEINE BRIDAL GOWN TO THE HANGING RAILWAY SLEEPERS AND BARE BULB 'CHANDELIERS'. BUT ALL THE STYLE IN THE WORLD WILL NEVER CARRY A SET OF PHOTOS LIKE A STORY, AND OLLIE & GEORGIA'S DAY WAS PACKED SO EQUALLY WITH BOTH, I COULDN'T PUT MY CAMERA DOWN...
Important Note- Should any suppliers wish to use or share these photos, please contact me directly at gemma@thewardettestudio.com. Any unauthorised commercial use of these images is in breach of copyright. Any personal use of these images must be fully credited to The Wardette Studio, with no cropping of logo.Important Note- Should any suppliers wish to use or share these photos, please contact me directly at gemma@thewardettestudio.com. Any unauthorised commercial use of these images is in breach of copyright. Any personal use of these images must be fully credited to The Wardette Studio, with no cropping of logo.
If I had to break down a wedding album into it's most essential elements, it'd comprise of two equal parts. The first would be style. And often, when you start out taking photos you work super hard to make things 'look good'. It can also be easy to want to shoot things that are already innately good looking.. models, plush locations, perfect landscapes etc. And it's an important part of the journey. But imho, it will only ever take you so far. When it comes to weddings, the same applies. It can be tempting to gravitate towards the instagram-perfect weddings, those pinterest-informed hipster vibes and wish for every wedding to look that way. "If only I got those kinds of weddings..."
BUT YOU KNOW WHAT, IF THAT WAS TRUE, EVERY WEDDING WOULD LOOK LIKE A STYLED SHOOT. YAWN. AND THAT'S ABSOLUTELY NOT OUR JOB.
All that said, Ollie & Georgia did pack some serious style into their day. Staying true to their rural home roots, they celebrated their wedding at the family home. Everything was super personalised, from the watercolour stationery and table names, (which described and depicted places of personal significance in Minorca, by Terry Whitworth) to their favourite delicious cocktail they served after the ceremony.
AND DAMN IT ALL LOOKED SO GOOD.
When I first walked into the Marquee, which was all laid and set for their Wedding Breakfast, I took a step back. Hanging over each table, like long gorgeous chandeliers, were what looked like railway sleepers, decked with foliage and dozens of low hanging bulbs. Their gentle glow created such an atmosphere, and the way those features dressed the space was seriously cool.
And what about the bride's style? I've waited a while to get a Rue de Seine bride, and it was worth the wait!
THE LEVEL OF DETAIL, AND THE CUT OF THE GOWN WAS SERIOUSLY ON POINT.
The way the skirt pulled out behind her as she walked photographed so well too. Georgia also paired it with a jaw-dropping Jesus Peiro kimono-jacket, with aquamarine sequins and detailing. I mean come on, talk about style. I was given so much to work with!
But.. and it's an important but, the second and most important element to any set of photos, is story. It's why I spend time getting to know a couple, and why I always try to photograph them before the wedding. It's why I like to integrate with the family and friends from the get go. It's why I get so involved in the emotion of the day;
IT'S WHY I WELL UP DURING THE VOWS EVERY, SINGLE, TIME.
Story is what gives photos their substance and soul. The characters, personalities, expressions and connections are the life that run through every image... if we are doing our job right, each photo should really communicate something.
This is what struck me most about this wedding, especially on the day. These guys, and their friends and family, were brilliant fun. When Ollie and Georgia got to the end of their confetti tunnel,
WHERE ALL THEIR BRIDESMAIDS AND GROOMSMEN WAITED FOR THEM, THEY ALL WENT COMPLETELY WILD.
Cheering, dancing, throwing everything in the air.. THAT'S how you celebrate a wedding guys. THAT'S the sort of bridal and grooms party you want!
And that's a pretty darn good reflection of the whole day tbh. I can frame things well, or choose great locations; I can tick all the boxes and take all the right shots; be in the right place at the right time... But if I cannot connect to the story of the people I am working with, it means nothing.
IF THERE AREN'T BRILLIANT CHARACTERS AND WONDERFUL SOULS TO WORK WITH, ALL THE STYLE IN THE WORLD WILL MEAN NOTHING.
Huge thanks to this brilliant couple, who gave me another excuse to venture to the SW and get stuck into such a brilliant day. Also, big shout out to all your friends and family who were such fun. I even got to stay with a previous bride and groom of mine (and mother of bride) for wine and catch ups.. it's not a bad job sometimes ;)
GWx
Credits for all the awesome suppliers below...
Dress - Rue de Seine @ Leonie Claire Bridal
Head piece - Hushed Commotion
Jacket / cape - Jesus Peiro - https://www.jesuspeiro.com/en/
Band - The Lightyears
Makeup - Mariam Jenson
Florist - Tess Farrington
Food - Victoria Blashford Snell
Invitations, table plan and all name cards - Terry Whitworth
All waistcosts & Ollies morning dress - Oliver Brown
