An Eclectic Glamour Bridal Shoot With an Exotic Botanical & Literary Vintage Vibe

An ultra glamorous bridal shoot graces the blog today. Steeped in the mystique of a bygone area that conjures up vintage escapades in exotic far-flung places…

So if you’re a connoisseur of the finer things, fascinated by travel and botany – this Agatha Christie-esq “Death on the Nile’ shoot will blow you away with its old-school charm that oozes pure Hollywood glamour.

Words by Valentina Ring. Images by Kate Nielen.

This styled shoot was inspired by the uber-chic decor of the shooting gallery of the Haymarket Hotel, in the heart of London’s theatre district, which was our venue for the day.

The hotel prides itself on its bold, stylish interior design, and the room we used was no exception, with its fascinating blend of classical and modern artwork.

The most striking feature is the dramatic de gournay wallpaper lining the walls, featuring exquisite jungle landscapes in grey sepia tones.

The decor includes an eclectic collection of furniture, including 70’s lucite tables, grand wooden chandeliers, and pictures by Oliver Messel illustrating his costume designs for a production of Antony and Cleopatra.

As soon as I walked in, the space called to mind images of travel journals and mystery novels, luxurious galas on faraway cruises, and adventures in exotic lands.

For the shoot concept, I let the Egyptian-esque artwork inspire me, and combined elements of that with 1930s glamour. The aim was to create visuals reminiscent of Agatha Christie’s “Death on the Nile” novel: captivating, dramatic, and true to that golden era of literature.

An amazing team of creatives came together for this shoot, and we used plenty of ferns, rich shades of jungle green, bespoke bridalwear, and authentic vintage pieces of decor to bring the room to life.

Our aim was to embrace and amplify the personality of the venue while transporting the viewer to a time of discovery and effortless elegance, pearl-wearing adventuresses, and leather-bound secrets.

I’m a convention breaker at heart, and as a wedding planner, I love styling events marked with creativity, personality, and immersive storytelling.

As I am a huge Agatha Christie fan, as well as a hobbyist archaeology enthusiast, the opportunity to bring those elements together in a stylish and chic bridal photo shoot was a very exciting one for me – and I loved it!

It’s always fun to combine elements from various wedding trends to create something beautifully unique, and I hope there is something here for anyone who enjoys styles inspired by Hollywood glamour, vintage, travel, botanicals, and literature.