Hold onto your er, veils, and get those pinning fingers at the ready, we're about to up the glam factor by about 1000%.
I'm so excited to share these exquisite images from a bridal shoot I designed with a team of some of London's finest wedding professionals, ‘as featured in this month's issue of Your London Wedding magazine‘. (Love saying that!)
If you missed Deneemotion‘s gorgeous film of the shoot last week, you can watch it here.
Sam of A Little London Wedding and I set out to create an inspiration shoot with modern, stylish, city dwelling brides and grooms in mind.
Our vision for the shoot was ‘editorial’ as opposed to typically ‘bridal’. We were particularly inspired by Vogue and GQ editorials as well as Tom Ford’s sultry, ad campaigns so Parisa Walklett’s evocative, high fashion photography was the perfect fit.
‘Post Nuptial’ depicts a dark and moody honeymoon night in a luxurious London hotel suite. We joked that it was an interpretation of what happened after James Bond tied the knot with one of his Bond girls!
It’s modern, sexy and impossibly glamorous.
The Town Hall Hotel
The location for our shoot was the Town Hall Hotel in East London – a unique hotel that seamlessly blends the historic character of the building’s former purpose as Bethnal Green’s town hall (couples can get married in the council chambers!) with clean, modern design.
The De Montfort Suite, where most of the shots were taken, is the largest one bedroom hotel suite in London and the ultimate honeymoon suite. Think soaring triple height ceilings, multi levels, art deco furnishings, ornate plasterwork, a four poster bed, state of the art kitchen, sleek glass partitions and a huge, plasma TV. There’s even a grand piano!
Inbal Dror Wedding Dresses
Inbal Dror’s elegant, subtly sensual wedding dresses played an essential part in the direction of this shoot. We wanted to showcase a selection of fashion forward yet timeless wedding dresses designed for brides who aren’t afraid to show off their curves.
It was such a pleasure working with the team at Morgan Davies Bridal, who are the exclusive London stockists of the Israeli designer. We chose a variety of graceful, corseted gowns in lace and silk from Inbal Dror’s 2012 collection featuring delicate, shimmering details and one particularly glamorous dress that included ornate, sparkling straps and a deep, plunging back.
Hair & Make Up by Hepburn Collection & Mariam Jensen
Hairstylist, Severin Hubert of Hepburn Collection and make up artist Mariam Jensen worked their magic to create two distinct ‘high glamour’ looks for the shoot.
Vintage waves and feline eyeliner flicks evoked the glamour of old Hollywood while a sleek chignon and bold plum lip took our beautiful, Brazilian model bride, Anna, from ceremony to evening black tie reception.
October House Suits
Bespoke tailors October House dress the most stylish grooms in London – they supplied a classic black three piece suit and grey check suit with a secret ‘something blue’ silk lining. Deano, our sharply dressed groom could’ve given James Bond a run for his money!
The State Of Grace
We also incorporated a sumptuous silk gown in the perfect bridal shade of dove grey by London’s premier bespoke design and styling house, The State Of Grace. They also provided a fine selection of vintage jewels and accessories to adorn our bride.
Ricky Paul Flowers
A luscious rose bouquet and dozens of fragrant single stem roses in pale pink and ivory hues were supplied by Ricky Paul Flowers to create a romantic feel to help soften the dark and moody vibe of the shoot.
I'm so grateful to the creative team involved in this shoot for believing in me and Sam's vision to create a shoot that's not typically ‘bridal'. And for all the hard work and talent they poured into creating these beautiful images. I can highly recommend each and every one of them (and regularly do when friends and family ask me who they should hire for their weddings!)
If you found this shoot inspiring, please leave the team a little love in the comments.
And tell us, are you having a city wedding? Any Town Hall Hotel brides out there? How about any Inbal Dror fans?
Elizabeth xx
Ps. Here's hoping none of your honeymoon nights are this moody and tense!
