A Contemporary Take On The 1920’s

Hollie from planning and styling company, Daisy Says I Do, always sends us the prettiest shoots. She's got great vision and brings it all to life beautifully - that's why you'll find her on our recommended supplier directory The List. I love how this one incorporates opulent and luxurious 20s styling with a more modern, paired back look. Elegant decadence I like to call it ;) Woodchester Mansion is a new discovery for me - it's always lovely finding new venues, especially ones as stunning as this. The crumbling brick walls, the wooden floor and THAT ladder. I'm seriously swooning over what the team here have done with the space...

The Inspiration

Hollie The Stylist: The 1920’s is a beautiful era, and perfect to draw inspiration from for weddings; luxurious, opulent and playful! As a stylist and designer it is important to capture the essence, rather than imitate an existing style and therefore incorporate elements and motifs whilst adding a contemporary twist. Planning and styling this shoot was a truly collaborative process, nothing was created in isolation which resulted in a style that seamlessly reflected through all the elements. Hollie from Daisy Says I Do oversaw each aspect to maintain the overall design. Our contemporary take on the 1920’s used many talented suppliers creating a seamless finish and beautiful style.

The Venue

Woodchester Mansion is an incredible unfinished Gothic Revival building and the perfect backdrop for our styled shoot, it has a truly unique character combining carved details and architectural arches with the unfinished spaces creating vast ceiling heights and contrasting scale. The mansion’s solidity of its stone walls juxtaposed our smaller delicate details and its scale added a grandeur to the opulent theme.

The Photography

Samantha and Thomas from Bowtie and Belle photographed the day exquisitely using their light and airy style, adding a Fine Art contemporary quality to the shoot. The styling was designed in discussion with Bowtie and Belle to ensure the beautiful natural light from the large windows was utilised fully. The romantic quality in their work echoes throughout the whole shoot from every detail to the beautiful couple shots.

The Details

The tablescape was positioned under a giant arch and created using a luxury linen ‘snowdrop white’ cloth and a textured grey runner, topped with lots of delicately trailing foliage including: Asparagus Fern, Fern, Ruscus and Eucalyptus. Beautiful floral arrangements by Esther from Flower Style Co of a gorgeous variety of white flowers in a selection of vintage and antique brass vases were nestled amongst the foliage. Brass candlesticks with a simple ivory candle were added to the foliage along the center of the table. Emerald Paper Design created a beautiful table number which was placed in a simple gold frame. Antique balloon back mahogany chairs upholstered in crisp grey fabric allowed the styling to stand out against the stone walls. Each place setting was styled with simple gold rimmed plates which were then layered with hand dyed ombre grey and white linen napkins, gorgeous grey torn edged place names with gold handwritten modern calligraphy by Emma from Emerald Paper Design and finished with a gold or rose gold leaf decorated crystal by Sarie Joynes. Sarie also used the same technique to sumptuously decorate the champagne flutes and wine glasses. Each setting was framed with elegant brushed gold cutlery from The Cutlery Commission. The Giant Balloon Company provided an array of gorgeous balloons, some filled with feathers which reflected back to the 1920s beautifully, others filled with Asparagus Fern mirroring the other foliage used. Giant white balloons with blush and white tassels added a softness contrasting with the stone walls and the remaining balloons had greenery attached to them by Flower Style Co. The balloons were used in a variety of locations and stood boldly against the fragility of some of the elements, they were perfect with the high ceilings at Woodchester Mansion to draw the eye up into the space, highlighting the architecture further.

The Cake

The three tiered cake displayed on a mahogany chest of drawers was created beautifully by Sophie from the Cheltenham Cakery using a lattice mould to create the beautiful repeated pattern echoing the 1920’s on the first layer, the top two layers were hand painted to create the grey ombre and completed with a gorgeous David Austin sugar rose. The elegance of this cake felt both luxurious and contemporary through its simplicity. The exquisite stationery was created by Emerald Paper Design using gold hand written modern calligraphy on luxurious ripped edge white and grey paper and a beautifully drawn foliage motif finished with a gold wax seal depicting a bee in flight. This bespoke design was incorporated throughout the entire stationery collection, including the table plan which was placed on a grey easel.

The Bar

Speakeasy Bar Hire was styled using a grey panel decorated in bespoke gold laser cut shapes reminiscent of the Art Deco era. A playful ‘cheers’ sign written by Emerald Paper Design and created by Daisy Says I Do was placed behind the bar. ‘Guests’ were invited to add a choice of accompaniments to their gin with a selection of fruits and herbs in copper terrariums to choose from. Brass candlesticks and vases decorated the bar with a stunning, statement floral arrangement from Flower Style Co combining a rich mixture of foliage with luxurious white flowers. Sam from Speakeasy Bar Hire created a refreshing gin and tonic in a gold leafed glass garnished with grapefruit and rosemary along with a delicious gin cocktail called English Garden in a tall glass decorated with a cucumber rose and a sprig of thyme.

The Flowers

The gorgeous florals from Flower Style Co embodied the extravagance from the Art Deco period, with a luxurious mix of white Hydrangeas, David Austin Roses, Ranunculus, Freesia, Tulips, Anemones and Green Parrot Tulips adorning the stairways and window sills both in vases and amongst the cascading greenery, the flowers were incorporated throughout the styling creating a cohesive scheme.

The Fashion & Beauty

Our ‘bride’ Sophie Organ exuded glamour in her bespoke full length fitted crepe and silk satin gown with Angel wing back detail designed and created by Lisa Keating. The deep plunge 'V' neckline added a contemporary feel whilst the full graduated train with bustle loop detail suggested opulence. The simplicity of the gown’s silhouette contrasted with the detail and indulgence of the decadent beaded ivory tulle cape. Ostrich feather trim, scalloped edge, embroidered detail and peacock feathers enhanced a playful quality. The back finished with linear bugle bead detail, reflecting the 1920's era with pearl focus detail to accentuate the waist. The silhouettes that Sophie created with the cape were dramatic and striking, contrasting the transparency and delicate qualities of the cape which Bowtie and Belle captured beautifully. The gorgeous organic bouquet by Flower Style Co, was full of white blooms and textured foliage, the delicate ferns mirrored the feathers in the headdress and cape, whilst the cluster of flowers created a focal point. Glimpses of the gorgeous Betty shoes by Charlotte Mills embodied the style of the shoot with their shape reminiscent of Art Deco with contemporary champagne glitter and leather detailing. Charlotte Tillyer Hair & Make Up created a classically inspired 1920’s style make up with a strong lip and defined eyes and brows. The neutral colour pallet used for the eyes created definition whilst maintaining a fresh and contemporary style. The deep red lips evocative of the 20’s created a focal point. Sophie’s gorgeous hair style was created by Annie Russell from Honeystone Hair. Annie worked with the pink tones in Sophie’s hair to create a textured style echoing the shape and structured feel of the 1920’s style with the softness of the curls in place of the iconic finger curls for a contemporary twist. The style perfectly complimented the beautiful headdress made with vintage diamanté and a silver tipped ostrich feather plume by Gemma Sangwine Millinery and Headwear. Sarie Joynes Bespoke Jewellery created a bespoke platinum Art Deco diamond ring weighing 2.20cts with a platinum, channel set brilliant cut diamond wedding ring. An Akoya pearl bracelet with 18ct white gold and diamond beads completed the look. Our groom Liam Dunn wore a sharp blue and grey three-piece slim fitting wool suit with a champagne tie and Flower Style Co created a beautiful button hole. Liam and Sophie made a gorgeous couple and created an authentic chemistry. Bowtie and Belle captured the couple throughout Woodchester Mansion maximising the variety of beautiful carved corridors, unfinished rustic spaces and the stunning natural light that poured in.