Jazz Inspired Eco Chic Engagement Shoot

Hello there,

I'm so sorry for the delay in today's post (I've been having lots of trouble with le French wifi!)

I've got a delightful Jazz inspired engagement shoot to share with you. Think classic black, white and red details, silk dresses, sharp suits and chic, red lipstick. ‘Eco friendly' often conjures up images of rustic, ‘green' elements (the woods, burlap, twine etc.) but I love how this shoot demonstrates that you don't have to sacrifice your style/chosen theme to be truly eco chic.

Clarisse Elysée, a new Ethical Wedding Consultant from La Vie Est Un Voyage, organised a new style of engagement photo shoot in October 2011. Not only did the event have a strong vintage theme from the 1950’s, it was also what we affectionately call, ‘eco-chic.’ After meeting with the fiancés, she opted for the beautiful Cathedral Quarter Hotel in Derby where Kimberley and Troy, the recently engaged couple, embraced the role of 1950’s jazz icons such as Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong.

[audiotube url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeisCvjwBMo” caption=”Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong ~ Cheek To Cheek”]

Although daunted at first, the couple relaxed and took front stage under the advice of Shaun Taylor, the photographer. Clarisse comments: “This is an excellent, unique and fun way for engaged couples to experience what it will be like to be in the spotlight and to familiarise themselves with the camera and photographer. Because this particular photo shoot had a strong theme that was dear to the couple, approaching the project from a mixed vintage and eco-chic perspective made it both challenging and rewarding, particularly when I saw the final results.”

So, how eco-friendly was the photo shoot?

The “secret” resides in careful and sustainable planning. To reduce the carbon-footprint, Clarisse handpicked small and talented businesses based in or around Derbyshire. The make-up artist only used organic make-up, whilst the flowers were locally sourced, in-season, and grown by a florist based in Ashbourne. In true eco-friendly style (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) to avoid unnecessary waste, after the shoot Clarisse donated the fresh flower bouquets to a local care home ‘so the residents could enjoy them as much as we did on the shoot.’

Spreading the word about eco-chic weddings starts with Clarisse’s own business network. Shaun Taylor, the photographer said: “Participating in this project was great. Now inspired by Clarisse’s vision, I consider my carbon footprints and think of how I can go about reducing them.”

These images are so classic and romantic. Congratulations Kimberley and Troy! Many thanks to Clarisse of La Vie Est Un Voyage for sharing her eco chic styling ideas. I absolutely adore the idea of donating flowers from your wedding/engagement shoot to those who would really appreciate them after you've enjoyed them.