French Countryside Elopement
This shoot aims to show the beautiful simplicity and intimacy of a French countryside elopement. A morning vow-sharing on the beach at historic Saint-Malo, unique sand-cast wedding rings, a romantic golden hour picnic with red wine and macarons in an orchard, a stylish couple in warm, autumnal tones, and stunning dried flower bouquet & buttonhole. We used a muted, terracotta inspired colour palette to complement the autumn scenery. Everything pulls together to showcase how a small, intimate elopement can be romantic and beautiful.
Words and Photography by Katherine and her Camera
Micro-weddings and elopements are so important at the moment, for couples choosing to wed now and celebrate later, or simply embracing the intimacy of a smaller wedding, so with this shoot we wanted to show just how gorgeous an elopement for two can be. The models in this shoot are a real couple, and I think their love and connection really shows.
We split the day into two halves – a morning vow reading on the stunning beach at Saint-Malo, Brittany, followed by a romantic golden hour picnic in a French garden orchard.
Despite the shoot being in October, the sun warmed the beach for our early morning vow reading, with personalised vow books with touches of luxurious gold. Our bride’s light one-of-a-kind dress moved beautifully in the coastal breeze, as did the soft and simple drop veil. Though light, the delicate sleeves on the dress gave an extra layer of warmth as well as style.
Later in the day, the warm autumnal colours of the garden matched perfectly with our groom’s terracotta suit and the stunning dried flower bouquet and buttonhole. The flowers were tied together with silk ribbons in shades of cinnamon, champagne and burnt orange, on which our couple’s vows had been written in beautifully hand-painted calligraphy for a really unique touch.
Other special touches came in the form of the unique rose gold wedding rings, which were sand-cast giving them a rustic yet stylish texture. We also thought about texture in other details of the shoot, such as the fabrics used to drape across the table, the cream clay earrings and terracotta name places impressed with herbs.
Instead of a cake, we chose salted caramel macarons and monogrammed sugar cookies as sweet treats for our couple – a lighter touch for an intimate elopement.
I am hoping that this will be an inspiration for couples who are looking at ways they can celebrate their wedding in a small way. Perhaps their plans have been affected by Covid-19 and they are postponing a large celebration, or even their legal ceremony; there are still ways they can share their love and commitment this year. Something special and private, making memories that can keep them going until the wedding they had originally planned. A bit like an intimate vow renewal, but before the actual wedding – a promise, a dedication, a joyful taster of things to come.
Credits
Concept and Photography: Katherine and her Camera / Dress: Kimberley Stone Design / Macarons & Cookies: The Jo Harper Cake Company / Rings: Justin Duance Contemporary Jewellery / Earrings: Muted Luxe / Vow books & Ribbon Calligraphy: Maria Manuscript / Flowers: Olive & Ochre / Veil: Sash and Veil / Place names: Ivy Inks / Styling Fabrics: Love by Design Weddings & Events / Ribbons: The Botanical Dyer
Concept and Photography: @katherine_and_her_camera / Dress: @kimberleystonedesign / Macarons & cookies: @joharpercakeco / Rings: @justinduancejewellery / Earrings: @mutedluxe / Vow books & ribbon calligraphy: @mariamanuscript / Ribbons: @thebotanicaldyer / Flowers: @oliveandochre / Veil: @sashandveil / Place names: @ivyinkspaperco / Styling fabrics: @lovebydesignweddings
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