Blog Post

The Horseback Bride

  • by Natasha Gilchrist
  • 31 Jan, 2021

...at Warborne Farm

Boy what a shoot!

Image by Nadja Litau Photography

Honestly if I told you just how many changes were made before this photoshoot you wouldn’t believe me!

If I told you a back-up location was needed in less than 24 hours, I doubt you would believe me either!

Image by Nadja Litau Photography

I am a true believer in the saying ‘Everything happens for a reason’ and I couldn’t be more pleased that everything did happen as it did for this shoot. When you look through these awesome images by Nadja Litau Photography, you will understand why I am saying that. In my opinion it is an absolute beauty of a photoshoot and we couldn’t have asked for a better end result.

A huge thank you to the amazing Warborne Farm in Lymington, Hampshire for giving us the go ahead to turn up with the team and our model Charlotte and her horse, Ruby... the next day!  I really can’t shout about this farm and wedding venue enough. If you love the great outdoors and farm life and are also looking for beautiful onsite accommodation, then this really is the place to look at for a DIY wedding.

Image by Nadja Litau Photography

I am going to kick this blog off by sharing this fabulous short film produced by Joe from Lovecrafted Wedding Films, a fantastic videographer.

To some people a wedding mixed with animals may ring alarm bells, but if you ask me your pets are part of your family, so I say why not have them at your wedding?!

For quite some time my vision had been to organise a photoshoot with a lone bride and her horse. To see a bride riding  her horse, cantering across the grassland with her stunning dress floating behind her,  would just make the most beautiful image.

So, that is exactly what we did! 

Image by Nadja Litau Photography
Image by Nadja Litau Photography
Image by Nadja Litau Photography
This stunning dress supplied by Minster Bridal Boutique really was something else. A delicate 3D flower embroidered lace dress with two thigh high slits and an A-line tulle skirt, teamed with an elegant and delicate cape.  Both the dress and cape were by designer Riki Dalal...

...truly WOW! 

Image by Nadja Litau Photography

Just look at all those beautiful layers...

Image by Nadja Litau Photography
Image by Nadja Litau Photography

If you are going to ride your horse and have your wedding on a farm then there is no point having impractical shoes! 

To match our colourscheme Custom Wedding Converse supplied these beautifully embellished orange converse boots. A comfortable and quirky surprise hidden under the wedding dress, which made riding Ruby so much easier for our model Charlotte.

Image by Nadja Litau Photography
Image by Nadja Litau Photography
Image by Nadja Litau Photography

Everyone loves a feather...right? 

Well, I know I certainly do! 

This statement head crown of feathery wonderfulness was handcrafted by the super talented Ritz & Sass and as you can see for yourselves was just incredible.

Image by Nadja Litau Photography
Image by Nadja Litau Photography

The head crown was positioned perfectly on Charlotte's loosely braided and twisted updo, elegantly styled by Sapphire Styling. This hairstyle was just perfect for the shoot. Braided enough that it wouldn’t blow in Charlotte's face while riding Ruby but still looking graceful and free in the wind...if that is such a thing!

Image by Nadja Litau Photography
Image by Nadja Litau Photography

Every bride deserves to be pampered on their wedding day, so I say, get in the professional make-up artists like Carina Allen-Jones Artistry.

Image by Nadja Litau Photography
Image by Nadja Litau Photography
Image by Nadja Litau Photography

If you want to bring a bit of colour to your wedding day then why not do it through your flowers? 

As always Dorset Flowers never fails to disappoint. Ellie and Annette brought the Pinterest board to life by creating their own take on the brightly coloured brief...

Image by Nadja Litau Photography
Image by Nadja Litau Photography
Image by Nadja Litau Photography
Image by Nadja Litau Photography

...and of course, they couldn’t forget Ruby who was the perfect four legged model for flowers!

Image by Nadja Litau Photography
Image by Nadja Litau Photography
Image by Nadja Litau Photography

You can’t get married without wedding rings and choosing them is a big decision to make. If you are looking for something handmade and that little bit different then Georgina Ettridge Jewellery is your ‘go to’ lady! 

Georgina’s nature inspired rings and jewellery are simply exquisite...just take a look for yourself!

Image by Nadja Litau Photography
Image by Nadja Litau Photography
Image by Nadja Litau Photography
Image by Nadja Litau Photography
Image by Nadja Litau Photography

Beautiful stationery is the start of your wedding journey once you have sent out your invites to your friends and family. Taryn from Live Laugh Create designed this beautifully bright and colourful stationery set which looked just perfect against the bright florals.

Image by Nadja Litau Photography
Image by Nadja Litau Photography
Image by Nadja Litau Photography

CAKE!! 

Who loves a beautiful cake?....ME!

How lucky were we to have the uber talented cake artist Helen Jane Cake Design create this absolute beauty of a cake for our shoot.

Image by Nadja Litau Photography
Image by Nadja Litau Photography
Image by Nadja Litau Photography

Now you are married why not have a sign to shout about it?!

Just look at this super cute ‘Just Hitched’ sign made by the wonderful stylist Laurel Designs...such a lovely memento to remind you of your very special day.

Image by Nadja Litau Photography
Image by Nadja Litau Photography

With so many stunning images by Nadja Litau Photography I had to share some of the others with you too!

A sleepy Ruby after all her modelling!

Ruby doing her little leg dance! 

Image by Nadja Litau Photography

In true farm style I couldn’t end this blog without sharing these lovely little goats with you. 

Such great company and they certainly had the ‘b---aahhh’ factor on shoot day!


If you are planning a DIY wedding, you might find you need extra help in co-ordinating your big day. Afterall, there is no point in spending all that time putting everything into place and then not actually being able to enjoy your big day. Let me take that pressure away from you by doing all those jobs for you, meaning you can relax and enjoy yourselves with your friends and family.

Feel free to get in touch so we can chat through your plans, I would love to hear from you.

Lots of love

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