Ballet Inspired Wedding: A Modern Swan Lake Shoot
I have always loved ballet, its elegance, beauty and the way it can transport you to another world and Swan Lake is my favourite ballet. I wanted to use Swan Lake as the theme for this ballet-inspired wedding shoot but to do a modern take on it and not be a carbon copy using swans and ballet elements. Within the ballet, the flowing and lyrical music evokes elegance and grace and this is reflected in the styled shoot through the stunning dress from Nortier Shallow. The dress has exquisite details of leaves on the bodice and lots of sparkle with a nod to the tulle and shimmering dresses the ballerinas wear on stage. The dress shone in the sun which provided an added level of detail.
The Colour Scheme
During the ballet, there is always a tussle between good and bad which is shown through black and white costumes, and I wanted this contrast to be shown in the shoot. This is why I chose the colour scheme of black, white and icy blue to reflect the shimmer on the lake, which was continued through into the tablescape with the icy blue table textiles from Mia Sylvia. The florals for the shoot utilised flowers that provided the black and white component in a modern classic style through the bridal bouquet, deconstructed arch for the ceremony and the elevated table flowers.
The Venue
The setting of Gunnersbury Park House, with its stunning glass Orangery, Temple, manicured gardens and two lakes with swans, provided a sophisticated background for the ceremony, tablescape and the all-important couple photos. The glittering chandelier in the ceremony room added to the graceful feel of the ceremony and with floor to ceiling windows flooding the room with natural light, it is a stunning room for a wedding ceremony.
The cake and stationery took inspiration from the swan’s feathers with Grania from Ink and Paper embossing a stylish feather at the top of the wedding stationery and using a modern font to elevate the suite. For the cake design, Emma Stewart designed asymmetric feather inspired icing on a hand-painted blue background to reflect the water in the lake.
The Ceremony
One of the unique elements of the shoot was a unity ceremony called The Harmony Glass Experience performed by Nikki Wood from Perfect Words Ceremonies. This is a wonderful unity ceremony where a couple’s relationship is symbolised by the pouring of glass crystals into a central heart-shaped bowl, other family members may also be invited to participate, symbolising the joining of two families. After the wedding ceremony, the crystals are sent to a talented, West Midlands, based glassblower, Kayleigh Young who turns the glass crystals into a beautiful glass art piece. We chose the teardrop for Kate and Ben’s Ceremony. Such a perfect way to capture the love, memories and the joining of two lives on such a special day.
The Jewellery
The finer details of the shoes from Di Hassall and jewellery by Jacqui Larsson continued the modern classic look of the shoot. The ruffled shoes reflecting the swan feathers and tutu material of the ballerinas. Jacqui is an award-winning gemmologist and her refined jewellery complimented both the setting and the dress. From the circle of life necklace symbolising eternal love to the exquisite diamond bracelet and “Cushette” cushion cut diamond ring, the bridal jewellery enriched all the elements of the shoot.
The Video
I’m absolutely loving this modern take on a swan lake inspired wedding. Do you love it too? Leave a comment for the wonderful suppliers listed below.
Need even more ballet wedding ideas? Following the links to be truly inspired.
Credits
Concept & Planning: Juno Weddings / Photography: Neli Prahova Photography / Wedding Dress: Nortier Shallow / Flowers: Unfauxgettable Flowers / Accessories: Jacqui Larsson Fine Jewellery / Shoes: Diane Hassall / Celebrant: Perfect Words Ceremonies / Model Couple: Kate & Ben the Robinson Couple / Groom’s Outfit: Cheshire Menswear / Table Textiles: Mia Sylvia / Stationery: Ink & Paper / Furniture: Options Great Hire / Cake: Emma Stewart Cake Design / HMUA: Dorota Wojcik / Harmony Glass Experience: Harmony Glass / Venue: Gunnersbury Park House / Videographer: Art of Life Films / Vases: Lsa International
The Supplier
Concept/planning: Juno Weddings @junoweddingconcierge / The Celebrant: Perfect Words Ceremonies @perfectwordsceremonies / The Bride and Groom: Kate and Ben Robinson @the_robinsons_couple / Florist: Unfauxgettable Flowers @unfauxgettable.flowers / The Dress Designer: Nortier Shallow @nortiershallow / The Jewellery: Jacqui Larsson Fine Jewellery @jacquilarssonjewellery / The Photographer: Neli Prahova @neliprahova / Groom’s Outfit: Cheshire Menswear @cheshiremenswear / The Shoes: Di Hassall @di_hassall / The Table Textiles: Mia Sylvia @miasylviaa / The Stationery: Ink and Paper @inkandpaper_ldn / The Furniture: Options Great Hire @optionsgreathire / The Cake: Emma Stewart Cake Design @emmastewartcakedesign / Hair and Make-up: Dorota Wojcik @dorotawojcik.mua / The Harmony Glass Experience: Harmony Glass @harmo_nyglass1 / The Venue: Gunnersbury Park House @ealingvenuehire / Videographer: Art of Life Films @artoflifefilms / Vases: Lsa @lsainternational
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