Or.. how to look hot when it’s cold outside.
Now it’s Christmas, many of you will be taking a well-earned break and have a little time on your hands. And you may well be thinking to the year ahead or beyond, and thinking about what to wear on your big day, or perhaps even what to wear to your friend’s, your sister’s, your daughter’s big day. And some of you will be looking for something a little different, a little bit glam, a little bit individual. And this was the inspiration that got us as a gang of girls (and me, the one token guy, behind he lens) to put together a little styled shoot.
For fun. For inspiration. And for the glamour of it all.
Sure, most of you will be having your wedding in warmer times, with the sun beating down, with the chaps in three-piece woollen suits bravely trying not to curse the groom for choosing tweed in the baking midsummer heat, with the girls cooling off with prosecco as that hot summer sun beats down on the canopy of the marquee.
But you still need to look good when the sun goes down, and you still need that magic and sparkle. You may even be having a magician. Or sparklers! And you may well need some fresh alternative ideas for what to wear and how to look good.
And this is our little yuletide gift from me and designer Felicity Westmacott. We decided to celebrate Christmas by getting a little inspiration for all you brides looking for something a little different when you’re not busy stuffing the turkey. So without further ado, well, maybe a little bit more ado, here is our magical winter wonderland London Christmas Styled Shoot.
We chose classic London landmarks, Regent Street, Covent Garden and Fortnums and Mason. Lit up in their sparkling Christmas finery they became elegant and joyful backdrops for our shoot. Sophisticated bridal make up by Anusha Solanki made our model, Elodie Foray, into the perfect winter bride. We allowed the fun we were having on the shoot to bubble up into the pictures, as we hope any bride on her wedding day would feel. Like Christmas come early!
Dressing a bride for a winter wedding is a very different task to a breezy summer day. And adding the Christmas season into the mix means it's really important to make sure the bride stands out even amongst all the beautiful and atmospheric decoration and lights. I designed two very different dresses as inspiration for Christmas Brides. Ethereal 'Cassiopeia' is a cloud of tulle in pale ivory and palest blue with subtle sequins glinting through. And Felicity made a tulle overskirt with invisible 'whisper' waistline so a dip-dye look can be added to your wedding dress without actually colouring your dress at all!
'Elodie' our second look is for a modern, bolder bride in red silk with a glittering sequin bodice. The statement back features a tiered back necklace and sash and bow train.Claire Cain of Birds and Sirens Milinery added accessories and jewellery made in leather, crystal and French veiling. We added uniquely Christmas season details with sparkly shoes by Marsha Hall and a wreath style bouquet by Darvall Design.
A lot of photographers are scared of the dark. No seriously. Using the right controlled lighting and the right lenses to create a magical, glamourous look is not easy for everyone and not a challenge that everyone wants to take on. For me, it is always a great pleasure and a challenge. The night brings so many creative and beautiful opportunities that the day cannot. But that’s enough about me and how fabulous I am, the shoot could not have been possible without the amazing team that put helped me put this all together, and they are:
Dress, http://www.felicitywestmacott.co.uk/ | MUA, https://www.facebook.com/AnushaSolankiMUA/ | Accessories, www.birdsandsirens.com | Model, Elodie Foray | Florist https://www.darvalldesign.com/ | Shoes, https://www.facebook.com/MarshaHallHandmadeShoes/
I hope this helped relieve the pre-Xmas rush, or helped break up the Boxing Day torpor, the post Christmas lull, or was simply a fun and joyous couple of minutes looking at beautiful dresses on a beautiful lady. And maybe hopefully we gave you a little inspiration.
Merry Christmas x
