WEDDING INSPIRATION
Hodstock Priory, Nottinghamshire
It was such an honour to be asked to collaborate on this styled shoot for Buckinghams Wedding Magazine alongside some very talented people including my friend and fellow photographer Mandy Carter. I fell in love with the venue as soon as we drove through the Tudor Gatehouse of Hodsock Priory, a beautiful country house in Blyth, Nottinghamshire. Hodstock Priory boasts a wealth of history, it's said that Henry VIII once visited in 1541. The rooms in the house retain many period features and are sympathetically decorated making it the most divine wedding venue.
By the time we arrived the models were getting hair and makeup done, Joanna, the dress designer, was preparing the outfits and the table styling was a hive of activity with flowers, vintage tablewares and sweet treats. The shoot was starting to come together and it wasn't long before we grabbed our cameras and started capturing some fantastic images.
The dresses on this shoot were stunning and so different. First up is ‘Florence’ - A beautiful pleated silk bodice with a fine tulle skirt, long sleeves and veiled shoulders, accented with exquisite embroidered flowers, adorned with pearls and crystals. This dress oozes drama and romance and would be perfect for a Spring or Summer wedding.
Next up is 'Little Bow' - Joanna designed this gown especially for the Hodsock Priory shoot, she was inspired by a pair of vintage silk gloves. The sophisticated silhouette echoes the elegance and glamour of Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's.
The final dress of the shoot is 'Birdy' - the most unusual of the three. the semi-sheer bustier and relaxed tulle skirt are reminiscent of lingerie. The hem of the dress and bustier are decorated with embroidered roses and hummingbirds in hues of magenta, blue and green. The gown encompasses everything that is sexy yet edgy - perfect for the confident bride wanting to make a statement.
The Wedding Breakfast - EJ's vision was an Al Fresco experience with a double depth top table, using the front section to display the desserts with the cake as the centrepiece. The table was draped in soft fabrics of pink and peach tones, peonies and roses continued the soft colour palette and greenery meandered through the details bringing everything together. Finally adding the finishing touch is beautiful harpist, Soraya Vermuelen.
After an exhausting but oh so fabulous day, we wrapped the shoot up and headed home to start work editing the photos. There were so many amazing pictures to choose from it was hard to choose just a few! We hope these images leave you inspired....
CREDITS
Venue Hodsock Priory, Nottinghamshire
Creative Direction & Production – EJ Wright, Buckinghams
Styled Shoot Photography – October Willis Photography and Dottie Photography (all photographs in this article are taken and edited by October Willis Photography)
Wedding Gowns – Joanna Leigh Couture
Wedding Cakes, Sugar Flowers & Favours – Storeybook Cakes
Flower Arrangements & Bouquets – Frances & Rose
Grooms Wear – Christopher Scotney Mens Hire
Chair Sashes, Ceremony Decor & Draping – Nuptia
Cutlery, Glassware, Candle Sticks – Dottie Events & Hire
Gold Chargers & Votives – Nerissa Eve Weddings
Place card holders – Editor’s own
Female Model – Sadie Straw
Male Model – Josh Oxley Adams
