Natural Elements! A Fine-Art Inspired Wedding Editorial With Magnolia & Cherry Blossoms

I’m so proud to showcase this incredibly beautiful styled bridal editorial on the blog today. It is breathtakingly pretty IMO. Full of blush, copper and rose gold details, with a dash of powder blue – it might just be the perfect wedding inspiration!

The thing I’m the most obsessed with though in this ‘Natural Elements’ wedding shoot, is the magnolia and twig bouquet. It’s AMAZING and I’ve never seen anything like it…

Words and images by Jessica Davies Photography.

Mood: This spring a group of fine art artisans came together with a common goal: to capture stunning craftsmanship and attention to detail.

Organic textures in a minimalist style were accented with Japanese and Nordic influences, creating a striking look.

Palette: Romantic and delicate hues of blue and blush tones, combined with rough ivory knitted textures, set against lustrous rose gold and copper tints.

Venue:  The Manor Barn, a 17th century Grade II listed manor house, tucked away in the heart of Wiltshire.

The natural beauty of the area is only heightened by the historical brick and flint stone barn, and the curtilage is adorned with enchanting gardens crossed by pebbled pathways, a wooden bridge, and a babbling brook.

Bridal Separates: With bridal separates being ‘en vogue’ for the Spring Season, the ‘Cloudless’ collection embraces this trend whilst encapsulating the essence of a real-world reverie.

The skirt is made from a floaty silk chiffon with a subtle suggestion of pale blue fabric underneath.

The corset separate ‘Cornflower’ is knitted with a natural silk yarn and embellished with minute lace and bead detail. Off-the-shoulder sleeves add a romantic touch, yet can be detached to create a versatile new look.

The ‘Forget-me-not’ separate has a beautiful swooping low back and minimalist style, creating a fresh yet classically daring look.

The Flowers and the Cake: In keeping with the minimalist and textural style of the shoot, the inspiration for the complementing cake and flowers were borne from seasonal blooms and a somewhat more rustic piece of bark. Handcrafted magnolia branches decorate the icing.

The popularity in paper flowers has increased dramatically in the last year, and, given their versatility, you can see why: concerns of a wilting bloom and out-of-season favourites are swept away with this practical yet elegant solution.

Each individually made magnolia and cherry blossom was carefully wired onto real branches to create artful yet life-like arrangements.

The bouquet used here certainly suggests ‘big and bold’, but a smaller arrangement would be equally effective in achieving the same arresting look. Kate Cullen’s trailing ribbons complete the overall effect by adding a dramatic finish.

In summary: The shoot of the ‘Natural Elements’ embodies the enchanting notion of magical realism.  The immense detail involved – from the fine art photography to the styling, to the hair and makeup, the accessories, shoes and the garments – meet with worldly textures and intertwine with romantic, almost fantastical spring colours and tones.

This, set against the hideaway of the manor barn and accented by choice ornamental magnolia and cherry blossom, underscores this sense of a delicate yet all-consuming daydream. Truly it is a meeting of two worlds – the ethereal realm, grounded in very ‘real’ artisanal craftsmanship.

Oh lord. This is such a sublime shoot – my obsession with cherry blossom and magnolia will never abate…

credits: jessica turner designs: dress designer / photography: jessica davies photography  / the manor barn: venue / cake: little bear cakery / flowers: paper petal and wild / ribbons: kate cullen / hair and makeup: doubledutch / shoes: marsha hall / model: verity emanuelle anderson / jewellery: what katy did next  / styling and stationery: beyond vintage / ceramics: febbieday / knit accessories: wiltswoollens

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