Living in the French Alps serves as an epic landscape inspiration. Every bend and turn in the road reveals another valley opening up into the distance; mist settling into the mountains and snowy topped peaks.
I spent my entire Winter dreaming up my ideal elopement with this backdrop and landed on something relaxed, young and edgy. Something which felt like my life out here.
Words and images by Gemma of The Wardette Studio.
Elopements are fast becoming a popular choice amongst younger couples. The traditional set up presents so many limitations and checklists, it’s unsurprising some are ‘running away’ to marry somewhere fantastic and in their own way. I wanted this shoot to feel as care-free and un-staged as possible, drawing inspirations from the surrounding landscape.
Natural textures and colours were used throughout the shoot; browns, caramels and creams in the clothing, and greens, yellows and greys in the florals and settings. I wanted it all to feel as if it all organically grew out of the place.
The mountains were also a key theme, and working with ‘My Mountain Boutique’ we were able to incorporate lots of Alpine details. Namely the wedding rings, which were handmade especially by Chamonix Jewellery.
The two rings fit together to create one ring, with a mountain range line cut through the centre. It serves as a gorgeous and subtle centrepiece for the entire shoot. Other details such as the embroideries and art prints were also sourced from ‘My Mountain Boutique’.
The stationery is typed up on an antique typewriter, using sections of French poetry. The place-names were attached to antique French poetry books with leather string and decorated with the buttonhole floral and mosses.
And the gorgeous centrepieces were traced from calligraphy designs by Polly & Me. The combination of a little DIY and some supplier talent makes for something truly unique. This stationery design was even repeated on the bride’s leather jacket.
Many of the focal points of this shoot were collected or customised. The bride’s dress is an Asos buy, with customised leather detailing. The leather jacket is vintage, with Polly & Me’s beautiful calligraphy work traced on.
I collected various leather off-cuts and stitched pieces together to create the table centre. And finally, many of the glass jars, antique papers and interesting objects were collected from vintage and second-hand stores here in France.
The florals, sourced and designed by Sonya in Chamonix, are an array of rockery succulents, vibrant mosses, thistles and ferns. The colour scheme was cream, tan and coffee. The floral pieces included a flower crown, a large statement bouquet, a buttonhole and lots of added texture and foliage sourced from nature.
The cones, moss and spindly twigs were foraged on the Chamonix mountainside. The bouquet needed to be organic with a relaxed and natural feel, complimenting the beautiful mountain scenery of the shoot. Flowers included were blush and cream stocks, tanacetum, white sea holly, ammi, rosemary, eucalyptus, fern
What an incredible and inspirational alpine elopement. I’m loving how edgy this is and all the different textures and materials used are gorgeous. Thanks so much to all the talent involved in creating the shoot (credited below) and for sharing this of-the-moment unique wedding inspiration!
Love leather and tan wedding inspiration? Me too. Follow the link for even more cool ideas.
credits: photography: the wardette studio / wedding dress: jarlo slink cowl back maxi via asos / flowers: sonya pollitt / accessories: chamonix jewellery / calligraphy: polly & me / props: my mountain boutique / videography: delicate motion videography / makeup: becca knubley
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