A Late Summer Renaissance-Meets-Fantasy Themed Bridal Shoot

Fantasy meets Renaissance in this themed bridal shoot featuring on the blog today… continuing with our Game of Thrones inspired blogathon, this wedding shoot highlights perfectly how to bring that regal inspired bridal fantasy to life – and we love it!

Smoke bombs anyone? Yes, please.

Images by Heline Bekker Photography.

GWENDA (Flowers, Styling & Stationery: Bohotanical)

“Heline and I have collaborated together on many styled shoots – each time, we explore a concept or technique which is new to one or both of us, for a bit of a creative challenge.

On this occasion, we took on a Renaissance-meets- fantasy theme, with flowing fabric and smoke bombs for good measure! I used Ammi, Scabiosa, Lisianthus, Spray Roses, Waxflower, Hydrangea, Mentha, Clematis and Passion Flower vines to create a textured and romantic bouquet, with an informal structure and flowing elements.”

HELINE (Photography: Heline Bekker Photography)

“I love collaborating with Gwenda and it’s just amazing to photograph styled shoots where everyone is so creative. I love to capture a bit of drama with a touch of romance.

Details and colour are also my favourite things. This shoot was so much fun to photograph and perfect for my style of photography.”

TANIA (Makeup Tania Claire Make-up Artist)

“An ethereal look was called for – to create it, I used products by Smashbox, Make Up Forever, Inglot, Ben Nye, L’Oréal, Red Cherry, Clinique, Dinair, and Crown Brush.”

JAMES (Hair: James Blaquiere Hair Stylist)

“Our beautiful model Verity has a pretty face with delicate features so I wanted to show those off by keeping the hair completely off her face. The statement jewellery that she is wearing and the corset style top half of the dress also needed to be shown clearly, therefore “hair up” it was to be!

The setting for the shoot was in medieval ruins in Kent. I thought it would fun and rather in keeping with the location to style the hair as a kind of regal, medieval Queen-like figure but with a modern and slightly softer feel.

Although Verity’s brown hair is all one natural colour, by styling, curling and pinning in this way the light really catches those natural sun-kissed hi lights. This is a very soft, durable and comfortable style for Brides to wear as it will stay in place all day and night long.”

JESSICA (Dress: Jessica Turner Designs)

“When I was asked to collaborate for a renaissance styled shoot, I had in mind my Everlasting Corset. A knitted design with hints of gold and detailed pearl beadwork reminiscent of this era, along with the corset style itself.

The tulle skirt encapsulated the essence of a real-world reverie and made the outfit complete.”

NICOLE (Shoes: Nicole at House of Elliot)

“House of Elliot designs handmade lace boots inspired by the original wedding boots of the Victorian and Edwardian eras.

For this shoot, we chose our classic Beatrice Elliot Ivory lace boots which feature an elegant pointed toe and satin lace ribbon at the side which complimented the corset back detail of Jessica Turner’s gorgeous dress.”

SAMANTHA (Tiaras: Samantha Walden)

“The first piece I contributed to the shoot was Golden Leaves, a beautiful and intricate headdress, with clusters of golden leaves and flowers, perfect for a rustic-luxe wedding. The silver Campbell tiara was inspired by a Swedish royal tiara called the Connaught, a features silver wreaths adorned with Swarovski drop crystals and vintage diamantes. Finally, the gold Cooper crown, an ethereal and romantic piece adorned with pearls, crystals, and delicate flowers. Each piece evokes an air of royalty and is of heirloom quality.”

The silver Campbell tiara was inspired by a Swedish royal tiara called the Connaught, a features silver wreaths adorned with Swarovski drop crystals and vintage diamantes. Finally, the gold Cooper crown, an ethereal and romantic piece adorned with pearls, crystals, and delicate flowers. Each piece evokes an air of royalty and is of heirloom quality.”

Finally, the gold Cooper crown, an ethereal and romantic piece adorned with pearls, crystals, and delicate flowers. Each piece evokes an air of royalty and is of heirloom quality.”

ANNALIESE (Jewellery: Annaliese Rivers)

“My brief for this shoot was leafy, floral with gold and blush tones. I had recently bought some stunning gold toned leafy vine bases which served as my inspiration for a statement necklace with matching bracelet.

The delicate flowers were hand-wired using blush coloured seed beads and ivory toned bead chips. I then attached these to the vine bases. Gold toned metal tubes added an extra element for the chains. I was thinking of adding further embellishments, wired sprays, but once I had made a matching pair of earrings I decided that less was definitely more.

I also wanted to offer a slightly more intricate item to contrast against the more simplistic pieces. So I created a piece that could be used as either a statement necklace or as a hair accessory. Sticking with the leafy and floral theme I hand-wired leaves using gold coloured beads, complimented with blush toned seed beads.

The blush tone continued in the individually wired focal flowers alongside pear shaped pearls. Then I finished it off with some pearly accents. These items are feminine, elegant and definitely eye catching.”

MILLIE-ANN (Cake: Millie-Ann at Ever After Wedding Cakes)

“The cake table had three cakes and I loved making them. Decorated with flowers and figs and a touch of gold… A 3 tier vanilla buttercream cake, decorated with roses and delicious fresh figs… A 2 tier naked cake with a tier each of vanilla and chocolate cake, filled with fruit preserve and caramel. And a bold gold and purple 5 tier cake to add a modern splash.”