Two days until Christmas lovely peeps and we are certainly getting in the party mood in the Dunstone household. Whilst I am so sad to not be seeing family this year (we live in tier 4 in the UK), this is the most chilled and relaxed I have ever felt at this time of year. Usually, I am rushing around trying to get the last bit of shopping done, thinking about what clothes to pack for me and the children ready to stay with family (carefully considering what ones I own that have an expandable waistline), whilst stressing about what last bits of work I have to do for Festival Brides. This year though, it is totally different. We have no where to be and no one to see. The pressure is off and I kind of like it! Don’t get me wrong, I would swap it in a heartbeat to be with family but, as someone who always try to look on the positive side, I am embracing this unusual sense of calm and running with it!
Before we sign off for Christmas, we have 2 more days of awesome wedding inspiration to share with you all, starting with today’s 70’s inspired shoot by hair and makeup artist Melinda Grant of Mels Brides.
Planned during the first lockdown, Melinda wanted to create a styled shoot that provided vibrant and fun intimate wedding ideas for couples facing tough restrictions for their 2020/21 weddings, whilst using suppliers who have a focus of sustainability and care for the environment. She says…
Take inspiration from the 70’s and channel your inner nature child with your ethical credentials intact! Our shoot, like most weddings today, was small but perfectly formed. The emphasis was a relaxed and fun day whilst effortlessly giving back! We chose brands and people who care about sustainability and the joy of nature.
Featuring a gorgeous real couple, Melinda and the team transformed Samsara yoga retreat in Kent, the venue for their shoot, into a bold and beautiful space using a seventies inspired colour palette of yellow and orange hues. It is a delight and has certainly brought some sunshine to our pages today.
Melinda shares with us more details on Times-A-Changin’ and the suppliers who helped make it happen.
The Film…
The Images…
Times A Changin’…
Words by Melinda Grant of Mels Brides
I was first inspired to create this shoot at the beginning of lockdown when I still wanted to keep creative. I had come across the brand Mudu London and instantly fell in love with their hats. I put a moodboard together and sent it over to the brand creator Anna, who instantly said yes and loved the idea. Once lockdown restrictions lifted for beauty I went straight to work with making this moodboard idea into a reality.
Samsara Retreat, our venue, deep in the Kent countryside comes complete with an Oast house, apple orchards, Bedouin tents and shepherds huts. All set in gardens to delight. I thought it would be the perfect location for a seventies inspired intimate wedding. A perfect location that’s not to big but not to small to have an intimate wedding.
With local flowers from independent Kent flower farms Hannah from Buns n Roses brought my vision to life with her floral designs. I wanted to move away from the traditional pastel floral colours and opt for vibrant flowers which included Sunflowers and big orange dahlias.
Natalie the wedding designer and stylist of The Elysian Styling company brought romantic and seventies nature-inspired touches. The wedding table colour palette was enhanced with green plates accompanied with crystal glasses, embracing the relaxed atmosphere. Large textured cushions in bright prints added to the bohemian theme, showcasing that future brides and grooms don’t have to always stick to traditional norms of white dining plates and opt for colour and perhaps introduce crystal glasses to the table decor.
Our free spirits Laura (singer, songwriter and model) and her boyfriend John (photographer) had the perfect fun personalities for this shoot. For effortless white tailoring, the bride wore an elegant bridal jumpsuit by Savannah Miller provided by Brides Do Good – an ethical bridal company who encourages brides to shop more ethically and sustainably where sales are invested in charitable projects to end child marriage.
Wedding day hair is becoming more effortless with brides opting for fuss free natural styles rather than traditional overdone updo’s. I created soft tousled curls on Laura’s hair and braided sections of Freeya’s hair for a relaxed boho vibe.
A feature of the seventies wedding is the bridal hat. I turned to Mudu London who created a beautiful white Ecuadorian straw boater hat made from 100 percent organic straw featuring a flirtatious veil. Whilst the bridesmaid Freya complemented this romantic look with a natural woven straw boater with a contrasting ecru grosgrain ribbon.
Our groom wore a modern dandy look with a burgundy double breasted blazer together with a white buttoned shirt, check trousers and black converse trainers.
The VW camper van brought a fun vintage touch provided by Buttercup Bus.
To add more fun to the proceedings I opted for a vintage style video, where I handed the task to videographer Luke Batchelor Productions.
Even in the midst of Storm Francis the fun and love shone through which made great footage for the video.
The Line Up…
Creative Direction & Makeup/Hair: Melinda Grant at Mels Brides; Photography: Wild Meadow Photography; Venue: Samsara Retreat & Yoga; Florals & Cake: Buns n Roses: Bridal Jumpsuit: Savannah Miller provided by Brides Do Good; Hats: Mudu London; Jewellery: Dainty London; Grooms Blazer: ASOS; Shoes: Converse; Bridesmaid: Freya Coombs; Videography: Luke Batchelor Productions; Styling & Props: The Elysian Styling Company; Celebrant: Justine Celebrant UK; Camper Van: Buttercup Bus; Stationery: White Orchid Print & Design; Model Couple: Laura Wiesmann and John Renait
