Blog Post

Winter Woodland Wedding

  • by Natasha Gilchrist
  • 23 Nov, 2021

PHOTOSHOOT - DEEP IN THE WOODS!

As a wedding co-ordinator so many of the weddings I co-ordinate are in the summer, which means the majority of my imagery are of bright sunny weddings. For that reason, I thought it was about time I showed everyone that winter weddings can be just as beautiful and somewhat mystical!

Image by Rachel Elizabeth Photography

Having previously organised several photoshoots at the wonderful DIY wedding venue The Old Milking Parlour at Cavokay House, I knew that within their 12 acres they had the perfect location to create my wintery wedding vision. 

Down at the bottom of their grounds is a Christmas tree clearing which is the most idyllic space to bring a winter inspired wedding to life. Along with a team of very creative Dorset and Hampshire wedding suppliers I was so excited to be given the opportunity to make this 'Winter Woodland Wedding'... 

COME ALIVE!

Image by Rachel Elizabeth Photography

Our photographer Rachel Elizabeth Photography never fails to impress me with her incredible photography skills. The richness and clarity of the colours in her images were absolutely perfect for this shoot, so she was our girl!

Of course, I should mention our fabulous shoot featured in the November/ December edition of Your Hampshire & Dorset Wedding magazine and guess what?

We only went and got ourselves on the...

FRONT COVER!!

Originally this shoot was planned for early spring of 2020, however, with Covid rearing its ugly head this wasn’t meant to be! It was then moved to November 2020, but once again Covid put a spanner in the works! 

I was determined not to let Covid beat me so I moved the shoot date again, now to April 2021 once hair and make-up were allowed back to work.

At last, our shoot could go ahead and with so many changes along the way I was somewhat relieved!

Image by Rachel Elizabeth Photography

With our winter themed moodboard in place this gave Blooming Marvellous Creations a small challenge to tackle. Although we wanted wintery florals it was now spring and the daffodils were coming up. However, this didn’t get in Laura’s way, she created the most beautiful deep and wintery floral arrangements using what she could get her hands on. The black baccara rose and blue eryngium in the bouquet worked perfectly and matched the floral table centrepiece and the cute little side arrangements too. Everything worked together perfectly complimenting the styling of the table by Tiger Lily Occasions.

Image by Rachel Elizabeth Photography
Image by Rachel Elizabeth Photography

I don’t know about you but when I think of winter and Christmas I think of wreaths. With the enchanted little wooden door wedged between two Christmas tree trunks it was the perfect place for Blooming Marvellous Creations to showcase a winter and naturalistic door wreath!

Image by Rachel Elizabeth Photography
Image by Rachel Elizabeth Photography

Working hand in hand, Laura and Lisa discussed how they wanted to style the woodland clearing with florals and props. Tiger Lily Occasions grabbed the brief by the horns and styled a rich voluptuous table setting. Using a deep green crushed velvet drape, decorated with brass candlesticks and scattered moss and pinecones from Laura, it all looked right at home in amongst the Christmas trees.

Image by Rachel Elizabeth Photography
Image by Rachel Elizabeth Photography
The fabulous tableware was supplied by Fabulous Company...

PARDON THE PUN!

With their variety of coloured glassware and unique crockery and cutlery, it couldn’t have been a better match to fit with the style of this shoot.

Image by Rachel Elizabeth Photography
Image by Elizabeth Photography

In order to create the right atmosphere the lighting was very important to me. In my head, winter isn’t winter without twinkling lights! Maidmans Marquees supplied the festoon lighting which we draped across the tree trunks and the fabulous chandelier which we hung from the centre of the clearing. Putting all this together was such hard work and a feat in itself, but seeing the final gallery made it so worthwhile!

Image by Rachel Elizabeth Photography
Image by Rachel Elizabeth Photography

Not only did Maidman Marquees supply the lighting but they also supplied the rustic trestle table and crossback chairs. If you want something a bit different and more rustic looking, then these are the answer you have been looking for...

AND YOU DON'T NEED TO HIRE CHAIR COVERS AND TABLE CLOTHS!

Image by Rachel Elizabeth Photography

Some people may disagree, but to me a wedding isn’t a wedding without a cake! 

Helen Jane Cake Design never ceases to amaze me and once again worked her wonders with this spectacular three tier wedding cake with matching biscuits and macarons. Matched to the colour scheme of gold, navy and deep red and using glitter for some serious sparkle, this cake had winter and woodland written all over it!

Image by Rachel Elizabeth Photography
Image by Rachel Elizabeth Photography
Image by Rachel Elizabeth Photography

WHO SAYS YOU CAN'T HANG YOUR CAKE AS A CENTREPIECE?!

Image by Rachel Elizabeth Photography

We can’t forget our stunning bride model, Roxy. I don’t have to tell you how absolutely beautiful she looked as you can see that for yourselves!

Image by Rachel Elizabeth Photography
When choosing a dress for Roxy I knew I wanted one with long sleeves to fit with the winter theme. I can always rely on Minster Bridal Design to have a dress perfect for my shoots and of course, they did!
Image by Rachel Elizabeth Photography

Roxy’s hair and make-up was by Nikki Make-up and Hair. Nikki styled a chic braided bridal updo to compliment the beautiful headcrown by White Designs Bridal and the amazing drop earrings. 

Image by Rachel Elizabeth Photography
Image by Rachel Elizabeth Photography
To create the magical wintery 'Wed-mas' bridal look, Nikki used a Berry lip and autumnal shimmery eye, enhancing it with gems and sparkles.
Image by Rachel Elizabeth Photography
Image by Rachel Elizabeth Photography

The headcrown by Tracy at White Designs Bridal was handcrafted using bronze leaves with Swarovski crystals and pearls in green and gold tones. Worn with gold hoop earrings with dainty leaf detail and freshwater pearl drop, they looked absolutely beautiful together.

Image by Rachel Elizabeth Photography
Image by Rachel Elizabeth Photography

Tracey didn’t stop there, she gave us the choice of two headpieces, with the other one made using antique brooches and Swarovski pearls. Not only that but we had a choice of earrings, gold hoop earrings with a dainty leaf detail and a freshwater pearl drop, as well as gold hoops adorned with pearls. 

EVERY BRIDE DESERVES TO WEAR PEARLS ON THEIR WEDDING DAY!

Image by Rachel Elizabeth Photography
Image by Rachel Elizabeth Photography

If you are getting married then you need rings and Georgina Ettridge Jewellery couldn’t have fitted the brief any better. With Georgina’s love for nature and wildlife, her bespoke handcrafted rings relay her passion by using oak leaves, acorns and anything nature inspired within her work. 

For our winter shoot Georgina designed the ‘Oak Leaf & Curling Tendril’ ring using an ethically sourced Australian green sapphire. Set in 18ct yellow gold and 18ct white gold detail it was beautifully unique and perfect for someone who wants a bespoke wedding ring. Alongside this ring Georgina also crafted the ‘Two Mini Leaves’ ring and the 'Leaf & Two Tendrils’ ring.

WHICH WOULD YOU PICK?

Image by Rachel Elizabeth Photography
Image by Rachel Elizabeth Photography
Image by Rachel Elizabeth Photography
Image by Rachel Elizabeth Photography

If you are planning a winter wedding then you need to shout it from the rooftops and invite your guests. If you need some help then what better way than to ask I Do Event Stationery to design it for you. Sonya focused her wintery stationery set on the forest green colour which sat perfectly amongst the trees. Edged with gold it gave a sophisticated and luxurious feel with a touch of class!

Image by Rachel Elizabeth Photography
Image by Rachel Elizabeth Photography
Image by Rachel Elizabeth Photography
Image by Rachel Elizabeth Photography

This is one shoot I am so happy to share with you and hope that it will inspire you to consider a winter wedding when you are planning yours.

SUMMER WEDDINGS ARE BEAUTIFUL BUT WINTER WEDDINGS CAN BE JUST AS BEAUTIFUL!

Whenever and wherever you decide to hold your wedding, if you are planning a DIY wedding, have you considered a wedding co-ordinator?

If not, then let me take your worries away by ensuring your special day runs just as you would like it to. With so many jobs that need doing on your big day, you don’t want to be giving your friends and family a spreadsheet of jobs to do!

If you would like to find out more, I would love to hear from you, so don’t hesitate to get in touch. We can chat through your wedding plans ready for me to write up your tailored time-plan, so you don’t need to worry about a thing!

HAPPY WEDDING PLANNING!

THE AMAZINGLY CREATIVE TEAM:

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