Memoirs Of A Bohemian Geisha!

Today’s beautiful wedding inspiration is soooo gosh-darn-pretty. I am crazy in love with all the detail!

For the longest time, I have loved the beauty of Japanese culture and just like the talented photographer and stylist behind today’s shoot, also fell in love with the book ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’ and happily wiled away hours imagining expertly manicured Japanese gardens, fluttering cherry blossom trees and traditional tea ceremonies.

Gemma of The Wardette Studio has taken the popular boho bridal look of the moment and turned it on its head by incorporating beautiful Japanese detailing. The inspiration still remains beautifully feminine with its lush, pinks, peaches and creams colour palette – absolutely perfect wedding inspiration for romantic, boho brides who love a bit of quirk!!

I was obsessed with the book ‘memoirs of a geisha’ when I was younger. I loved the romance of the culture, and the opulent descriptions of layered fabrics and seasonal flowers. On finding this stunning kimono, I got to thinking about how to photograph it, with this book in mind.

Boho is my bridal style of choice, but I wanted to try and create something totally new with it. I thought, if use the kimono as a central piece to the theme, I can change up ‘boho’ completely, and bring a new reference in. At the same time, Boho could do something really interesting to the geisha style.. It would pull it apart and loosen up the structure and symmetry, to create something with more flow.

The antique Kimono provided the centre piece for the entire shoot, and the colour palette.. Blush pinks and peaches over whites and creams.

The setting helped to give a less structured and more rustic feel.. More boho. The table setting, and backdrop for much of the shoot, is a set of old railway sleepers, which jut out into the rolling hills and lakes of the Lancashire landscape. So rustic, and so untouched.

The other table pieces are all found and antique.. The table names are handmade stamps, with hand carved details. The square formed place settings are comprised of classic starched linen squares, stacked rectangular white china plates, and antique floral, ceramic chopsticks. The glasses are small antique port glasses, with gold gilt details.

The table centre piece is built up out of peach roses, double white dahlias and single variegated dahlias, gypsophilas, peaches, pomegranates, tall white orchids, antique wooden chopsticks and tall glass vases, Japanese trinkets and teapots.

The ‘wedding cake’ is a Sicilian lemon and blueberry cheesecake, with a stunning (and spot on colour theme) glaze of citrus with fresh blueberries.

The kimono is a Japanese bridal piece which I found on eBay. The dress underneath, is a vintage ghost gown and the bridal bouquet is a simple bunch of peach gladioli bound with cream ribbon.

Absolutely gorgeous wedding inspiration! Think I’m going to read Memoirs of a Geisha again!! Are you in love with Japanese detailing? Perhaps you might love this Japanese inspired mood board.

Thank you so much to Gemma of The Wardette Studio for sharing this incredible shoot with WTW. See more of her work here.