Bridal Inspiration for The Alternative Bride

Oooooo do we have a bridal treat for your eyes today lovely people!

We love it when we receive inspirational wedding content that aims to push the boundaries of a traditional wedding. Content that inspires couples to dare to be different. To not conform. To channel everything that is so wonderfully unique about them and pour it into every aspect of their wedding day.

We have always obtained that ‘anything goes‘ on your wedding day and today’s bridal editorial shoot is testimony to that. Together, model Laura Harwood and photographer Weddings by Martin S, have created an urban, edgy, chic bridal shoot that features four alternative looks with stunning black, red and ivory wedding dresses from the amazing ‘Cornucopia’ collection from Poppy Perspective. Couple the dresses with fashion focused accessories (look out for the biker boots), a Harley Davidson and an overall vibe that oozes confidence, and you have a shoot that is alternative in all the right places. These women know who they are, and they are loud and proud about it! Martin explains…

We decided to take a step away from the traditional white dress, in that we wanted to promote and showcase the creativity of suppliers that catered to a more edgy, darker style with different bridal looks. We found that this style is not promoted enough and we wanted to help shine a light on it.
Martin J Sylvester

Get ready to channel the rock chick within you!

Martin shares with us more details on the shoot and the awesome suppliers involved that helped make it happen.

Make sure you check out the brilliant film from Hanh Made Films who we are very proud to say are a member of our Festival Wedding Directory . If you are looking for unique and talented suppliers, our directory is most definitely the place to be so check it out!

The Film…

The Images…

Unique & Eclectic…

Words by Weddings by Martin S

In addition to having years of experience as a wedding photographer, my background lies as an internationally published contemporary photographer focused on fashion and urban photo shoots. So when Laura approached me for this exceptional spin on a bridal shoot I jumped at the chance to showcase not only my talent but I wanted to elevate the industry that has suffered during this pandemic. Rather than succumb to despair we set about to inspire and create a unique and eclectic styled shoot. Combining the creative talents of our suppliers to inspire future couples.

Originally we were only going to have two female models, but decided to make this shoot even more editorial and inclusive with the addition of a third model, which definitely paid off as a genuinely aspiring collaboration. We also decided to take a step away from the traditional white dress, in that we wanted to promote and showcase the creativity of suppliers that catered to a more edgy, darker style with different bridal looks. We found that this style is not promoted enough and we wanted to help shine a light on it.

As the theme of the shoot was a biker style, we sourced the shoes from House of Elliot Lace Boots, who graciously sent us three pairs of their handmade black lace boots in different lengths: ankle, knee high, and a pair of over the knee ones for an ultra glam luxe feel. It provides the modern bride with an exclusive and alternative accessory to add to their bridal look. The black boots not only worked with the black gowns but also paired with the ivory gown for a pop of alternative rock chic glamour.

We sourced our amazing wedding dresses from Poppy Perspective who provided us with non-traditional, alternative dress options that were the perfect addition to fit the style of the shoot. These one of a kind pieces from her vintage lace range ‘Cornucopia’ without a doubt made an impact. The black dresses worked so well with the styling and each dress was handmade in a mix of reclaimed vintage laces, fabrics, trims and tassels making them totally unique and sustainable.

As we can see for the flower bouquets, from Jo at Moody Blooms, they all shared a prairie vibe but with different colour schemes to show how colour can work with different dresses. The first bouquet used soft blush roses teamed with bleached foliage, astilbe, dried larkspur, pampas and lagurus grasses for a soft, feminine style. The second bouquet used blush roses, white dillie and deep burgundy dahlia amongst a riot of foliage for a rich, bold, yet classic look. The third bouquet used a bright and eclectic mix of summer flowers and mixed foliage. Blue delphinium, purple larkspur, blush roses, orange helenium and burgundy dahlia contrasting against each other for a fun and striking look.

The icing on the cake was Maidstone Harley-Davidson provided us with a 2020 Forty-Eight Special motorbike with stone washed white pearl accents to compliment the styling.

You can’t have an edgy biker styled shoot without some custom made leather jackets, so the lovely Hollie at Berry and the Bee provided our girls with three options. They added a special touch of creativity to our brides, making the vision look effortless. Deep down we all love the biker jacket bridal look as it is chic, chilled and stylish. The feminine and evocative artwork on them adds colour and texture to any outfit and with just the right amount of effortless appeal together with sentimental customisation.

The earrings for our shoot were also sourced from Hollie, Oh Poly Earrings. They are lightweight modern clay earrings that are handcrafted and designed in Kent. Quirky and unique statement pieces that take a more contemporary approach to wedding jewellery.

The sunglasses from Neck Candy were a lovely addition for the last set of looks, just as the sun went down captured in the golden light.

And finally the location we selected for the shoot was originally planned to be at the Nurstead Court main venue, but when the owner explained she had open fields nearby with rolling hills we took a decision to base the shoot there to fit our styling. My favourite moment from this shoot was when the horses came over to see what we were up to, so I just had to make sure they were included in the background.

This area is often used for the couples shoot at the venue, and as the pictures show you can see why.