Photography by Gail Secker
A luxe styled shoot with an edgy Marie-Antoinette vibe full of frivolity and excess; Marie-Antoinette was a rule-breaker celebrating individuality and a femininity.
After two years of restrictions, we wanted to capture the spirit of couples everywhere that are ready to indulge in a wedding party like no other, in a love story like no other – their own.
Featuring the billowing layers of tulle, luxe florals, rich styling and a cake to rival an accompanying Millia London dress – at the stunning Newburgh Priory.
Location
Set in the house and grounds of Newburgh Priory; an exclusive-use country wedding venue in the idyllic village of Coxwold nestled in the rolling hills of the North Yorkshire countryside, just 15 miles from York.
This versatile Grade I listed wedding venue originally dates to 1145 and is rich in period features, with three Georgian drawing rooms, a long gallery ruin with optional marquee and stunning landscapes to offer an incredible backdrop for a wedding ceremony and reception.
Steeped in history and political scandal, Newburgh Priory was a perfect backdrop for our rebellious bride Queen.
Inspiration & Styling
A luxe tablescape is created with layered textures, fabrics and materials to create a wedding party fit for a Queen. Rich velvet and silk pink fabrics, ornate glass and gold candle sticks and pools of candlelight is paired with luxe toffee and teal florals and acrylic place names and seating plan. An incredible statement ruffle cake to rival that Millia London dress takes centre stage. After all, “let them eat cake” she said!
A luxe floral backdrop of teal and toffee cascade from the baroque mantelpiece frame the couple, featuring toffee roses, peach orchids, ranunculus and delphiniums set in feathery silver and blue foliage. “I regularly encourage couples that colour makes your flowers work even harder”.
Fashion & Beauty
A Georgian woman’s beauty and couture was a powerful asset, used by clever ladies to cultivate a public image. Rulebreaker Marie-Antoinette led Rococo fashion with huge, poufy hairstyles, enormous pannier skirts and all manner of decorative frills, feathers and bows.
The tumbling teal tulle in this statement Giulianna gown from Millia London breaks all the rules of what we expect from bridal. It’s exuberant, over-the-top romantic and delightfully feminine.
“Makeup trends were heavily influenced by the French court, who emphasised scarlet rouged cheeks and lips, dark brows and smoothed skin. My interpretation for this shoot portrayed these trends in a more delicate, modest manner, to soften but also to modernise, to relate and appeal to modern day brides.
I hope this chosen genre can showcase to our audience how makeup can be used to create bespoke, personalised looks unique to each individual”. Lauren McCabe
“Marie Antoinette was known for the “Pouf” hairstyle. For this shoot I wanted to draw inspiration from that hair style but provide a modern take on it” . Colette Sudlow
Collaborators
Venue: @newburghpriory / www.newburghpriory.co.uk
Photographer: @gailseckerphotography / www.gailsecker.com
Videographer: @lucysayersphotoandfilm / www.lucysayers.com
Florals: @fox_flora / www.foxflora.co.uk
Stationer: @graystarlingstudio / www.graystarling.com
Stylist: @storiesof_events
Cake: @poppypickeringcakes / www.poppypickering.co.uk
MUA: @iambridal.makeup / www.bylaurenmccabe.com
Hair: @haircreationsbycolette www.haircreationsbycolette.com
Dress @millia.london / www.millialondon.com
Suit: @asos / www.asos.com
Rings: @jewellers_loupe / www.jewellersloupe.co.uk/
Shoes: @charlottemillsshoes / www.charlottemills.com
Model couple: @hisandhers_collective