Colour-popping beauty, contemporary bridalwear and chic styling come together in this luxe shoot to perfectly demonstrate how brides can style both themselves and their venue in a harmonious but not overly orchestrated manner.
Led by award-winning hair and makeup professionals Kelly Hanks Hair Design and Natalie Kate Makeup Artist, the talented duo decided it was high time that they combined skills and work together on a creative project that would showcase all the things that they truly love about weddings.
Countless ideas and inspiration chats later they settled on their desired look for a dreamy editorial shoot – cool boho combined with absolute elegance centred around a burnt orange and natural palette. Then to execute it, they called upon a host of equally skilful Yorkshire suppliers who they knew would share that vision.
The result? A captivating set of highly inspiring images reflecting aspirational yet obtainable styling for both the bride herself and also the setting in which she weds.
Created by beauty experts, the modern day makeup is off-the-scale gorgeous and we at UNVEILED echo Kelly and Natalie’s sentiments that there is no need for ladies to try to fit a typical bridal mould – it should be about individuality, style and a hint of sartorial sass.
With images by Tiptoe with Eve Photography
Model Emily Hudson
INSPIRATION
Kelly & Natalie say: We contacted some of the best suppliers in Yorkshire to help us on our shoot journey – these guys know their craft so it was really important to us that we let them do what they wanted creatively. We all see lots of the same things, so we just wanted to do something a little different, get our creative vibes going and create a real WOW look!
We wanted to completely get away from the traditional pinks and pastels and show brides that there is so much choice. We absolutely love the burnt oranges, rusty browns and the natural colour schemes and so was keen to work with this palette.
Our basis around the whole shoot started with the hair and makeup, initially for us this was all about a beauty shoot. When it came to flowers, we wanted wild and thrown together, nothing too finished but lots of gorgeous texture. Dresses had to be simple yet unusual.
SETTING
For the venue we decided to go over the border, only a little way outside Yorkshire, of course, and that’s where we found the amazing award-winning Hirst Priory in Lincolnshire.
Hazel the owner was an absolute dream and gave us total free reign to do whatever we wanted. This place is truly stunning! A complete blank canvas for us to work with. Rooms with high ceilings, white walls, chandeliers and wooden floors to transform into anything we wanted.
They also have a basement called ‘The Vault’ dark and intimate for smaller weddings. Exposed brick walls create a dark and moody atmosphere and with the right amount of candlelight you could create the most beautiful ambience. All these things fitted our brief perfectly.
ATTIRE
We were so lucky to have the most incredible Willowby by Watters dress provided by Claire at TheWhite Yard in Elsecar.
Speaking of the dress choices Claire says: “This look is all about modern laidback luxury. About the bride who wants to feel unique, herself and yet oh so different. The Willowby pearl dress stood out as emulating these feelings, creating an opulent yet contemporary vibe for the ultimate modern princess – shot in scenes to showcase those all-important bridal preparations. When she takes that first look in the full-length mirror, our bride is tingling with excitement, shimmering pearls adorn her dramatic sleeves, and the plunging neckline is the perfect partner for the long floaty skirt, soft enough to feel incredible all day – and dramatic enough to take her beau’s breath away.
The second dress was also from the Willowby by Watters collection, teamed perfectly with a gorgeous jacket from Savin London for the more rock chick bride. If you want to reveal a little skin, this lush gown of illusion tulle laid over with Wildfell lace is an ideal choice for the slightly bolder bride.”
Distressed flowers and Pampas and a stunning handmade custom headpiece from our friend Geraldine at Folky Dokey was created to finish the look.
BEAUTY
Our vibe for the hair and makeup us was bold orange eyes, orange lips, fresh freckles and the hair worn down with gorgeous voluminous beachy curls. So many brides are now opting to wear their hair down going for a much more laid back and relaxed feel. We really feel as creatives that you can actually choose a wedding style based on how YOU want to look, rather than having to match the colour of the napkins!
STYLING
The table styling was created by Emily K Weddings to showcase the mix of eclectic boho details with the elegant and opulent crockery and glassware from Whitehouse Event Crockery. Pockets of details and clusters throughout the table design were included to add interest and show couples that those little details all add up to create an impact.
The mix of textures including flowing fabric and pearlescent charger plates contrasting against the natural stone plates and concrete accents added a natural feel to the tablescape. It was Emily’s aim to showcase an ethereal boho style with luxe details for a more elevated and aspirational style.
To complement Emily’s look, Typical Type provided us with their amazing Edison canopy tables.
Our incredible flowers meanwhile were put together by Lynn of Stem Designs in Huddersfield. The incredible texture was created using the likes of Pampas, Bulrush and other dried grasses mixed with elegant Orchids, Anthuriums and Roses.
RESULTS
The shoot day itself was incredible, what can we say other than what a team! We have to give so much of the credit to our amazing photographer, Eve, of Tiptoe with Eve. This girl is just so talented! Her photos are dreamy and moody, everything we wanted our shoot to be. She has the most creative vision and direction and worked our brief to perfection! Using clever gadgets to create stunning reflections she was able to execute that ethereal, dreamy look that we fully envisioned.
Commenting on the shoot, Eve says: “What a day! I had so much fun. We had multiple versions of looks based on our aesthetics brief. The day was directed around the natural light we had around Priory Hirst, so we started with our close ups in the midday light, using one or two reflectors to bounce back light in darker areas of our model, capturing those catch lights in her eyes, and having the burnt orange eye makeup really pop! I really feel we created something truly magical, it was a real honour to put my creative head on with such a talented bunch of people.”
It was really important to us that our ‘bride’ wasn’t a professional model. Someone not just pretty but curvy and a real woman! Someone that would appeal to anyone out there as a look that was achievable for them.
As a group of suppliers everyone just really got it! All professionals and experts in their own fields, our brief to them was pretty basic other than this is the colour scheme and these are the styles we love. These incredible girls and guys provided us with the most amazing dresses, flowers, venue dressing etc. and we could not have asked for more!
