Last October I held my first workshop in France - here are the behind the scenes photos! On the last day I planned a Midsummer Night's Dream styled shoot. I organised the shoot with crazy ideas person and veil and crown maker Rachel and superstar wedding stylist Claire. and it took place at the Moulin de la Materette (who also hold actual weddings).
We planned the shoot to inspire cosy winter weddings with a difference. From heavy embellishment and a statement crown to a medieval groom, it all works together to be dramatic, magical, dark, gothic, ethereal, otherworldly. It was created as an antidote to light, airy, pretty wedding styling.
Stevie Nicks was a big influence, as was Chelsea Wolfe and Fever Ray music videos. We chose a dress with a boho 70s vibe complete with drapey sleeves, with woodland life motifs. Jo at the Couture Company created the dress – a floaty kimono dress with a woodland belt and shoulder detail and a shimmery gold sequin slip.
We wanted to showcase just how beautiful winter weddings can be, with candles, fairy lights and lanterns. The red velvet tablecloth, spray painted gold plates and cutlery, autumn colour flowers and fur stool covers (which were actually found near the venue in a dilapidated caravan – we’d originally bought faux fur to use and do not endorse real fur!) added to the cosy, winter wedding vibe.
The cake is my piece de resistance - a woodland scene, covered in moss (edible!) and insects (also edible – and real!) crawling up it, with marzipan mushrooms on top.
The dramatic go-big-or-go-home crowns were made by Rachel. We also felt that grooms don’t have nearly as much attention or accessories as brides, so we created a gold-sprayed pine cone crown and King Henry VIII-esque cloak and cravat.
The shoot was intended to take place in the woods, but as we started to prepare, the heavens opened – not what you expect in the south of France! We moved it into the terrace, which was surrounded by bamboo, creating an indoor woodland.
After the shoot I told all the students to go and get changed while Claire and Rachel changed the room around lightening fast for a surprise BBQ banquet for the students - all with their own leaf place names!
Workshop / Kick Ass Workshop / Venue Moulin de la Materette in the French Pyrenees / Models Real couple Rachel and Steve who got married in Brighton two years ago / Stylists Claire Louise Creates and Rachel / Stationery design and calligraphy Claire Louise Creates / Crowns and veil and make up and hair RebelRebel Stitches / Dress Couture Company / Cake Baked by Fran at La Materette, styled by Emma and Rich Warley / Leaf names Ivy & Inks / Rings Ebon Crow Adornments / Flowers Foraged from around the venue / Invite cutouts The Glittery Hands Box / Candlesticks, cups, plates and metal bowls Scott’s Margate / Film Emma and Rich / Calligraphy Oh Wonder Calligraphy
Midsummer Night's Dream Styled Shoot from Emma + Rich on Vimeo.
