Afternoon Lovely People. We hope you’re all having a great week so far, although we have a sneaky suspicion that maybe you’re not. Things aren’t too great out there are they? I am now finding myself actively disengaging with the news and, to some extent, social media. It is just taking way too much out of me at the moment. I am not one for burying my head in the sand but I have to admit, since the latest government announcement, I have been. I am avoiding talking about it, reading about it and thinking about it. I just can’t go there yet.
We just wanted to say that if you are a couple planning your wedding who has been affected, yet again, by the latest restrictions, or you’re a supplier who is facing financial despair because of the pandemic – we feel you. We really do. This is so tough. We just wanted to let you know that we are thinking about you and are trying to conjure up more ways we can use our platform to help. Whether that be celebrating everything that is wonderful about micro-weddings (because love isn’t cancelled – you can have the coolest of small weddings and then renew your vows when this madness has passed), offering business support to suppliers by coaches and professionals who can give us the tools to survive the pandemic, and thinking of ways our readers and followers can support the wedding industry. When this numbness has passed, we will get to work on offering you all more support. Until then, we are sending you all so much love.
We have something a little bit different to share with you all today. It is a gorgeous family shoot that has been put together to celebrate Josh and Stevie’s two year wedding anniversary and their gorgeous two daughters Ruis-Lu and Indi. It was captured and styled by Margo R Photography and Ivy Rose Florals and took place within a wildflower meadow where Stevie and Josh used to spend time together back in their teenage years! Margo explains…
When Josh & Stevie approached us to organise a photo shoot, we automatically knew what sort of shoot we were getting ourselves into! Stevie and Josh are a very one-off couple within their own unique style and approach for life. They wanted the session to be a little 2nd-anniversary celebration with their family. It was very important for them to have the session in the fields where they were walking together throughout their early relationship as teenagers. This perfect meadow is filled with peace, love, nature and beautiful memories.
Margo R Photography
Just wonderful.
Look out for the girls outfits made from recycled material, the sustainable jewellery handmade by Stevie, the natural seasonal flowers and the overall focus on respecting nature.
Margo tells us more about this beautiful anniversary shoot.
Wilderness & Magic In The Meadow…
Words by Margo R Photography
When Josh and Stevie approached us to organise a photo shoot, we automatically knew what sort of shoot we were getting ourselves into! Stevie and Josh are a very one-off couple within their own unique style and approach for life.
They both met back in school, although they didn’t actually get together until a few years later when Josh had left to join the merchant navy. She was only 16 and he was 18, and today 12 years later they have two beautiful little girls and a big dozy dog! They fell in love fast and full, and they haven’t stopped since. They have grown together in their own world and spent their free days out in the elements with their little family exploring the wilderness. They got married in July 2018 on Dartmoor with just two witnesses and their daughter Ruis-Lu, while Stevie was heavily pregnant with their second daughter Indi.
They wanted the session to be a little 2nd-anniversary celebration. This time Indi could join in with the fun and they could celebrate their love in their own little family of five. This time around Stevie could fit into her dream dress from Free People. It was very important for them to have the session in the fields where they were walking together throughout their early relationship as teenagers. This perfect meadow is filled with peace, love, nature and beautiful memories.
Stevie is an amazing jewellery maker and they both were wearing Stevie’s creations which can be found at Botanical Boheme. They even designed each other’s wedding rings and made them together at Stevie’s workbench! Funnily enough, they argued about making them, but it wouldn’t be them without a little fallout.
The girls’ outfits were designed by Stevie’s sister using recycled fabrics. Indie’s was an old skirt that Steve wasn’t able to fit into for a few years and Ruis-Lu’s was made from a white throw that they used during their original wedding ceremony at the Moors. Check out Handmade by Mandy Diana on Etsy for some unique treasures.
They are the happiest when they are relaxed outdoors together, so the choice of scenery was a no brainer. As we are in the middle of the lavender blooming season and we got very jealous of pictures of lavender fields popping everywhere, we decided quickly on the theme and colours. We wanted to use natural and seasonal flowers and also show respect for nature. As we turned the field into an anniversary sanctuary, we focused on lavender, different shades of purple and natural colours, and then we added interesting textures. Lavender is a symbol of love and devotion; it also brings good luck. The bouquet incorporated white roses and thistle so all shades of purple could stand out. The tablespace had this carefree mood, as the garland was freely flowing in the middle of the table blending greenery with royal purple, lilac, lavender, and whites. To finish it off we added mismatched unconventional seats, which definitely grab loads of attention. But the star of the show was a little teepee whipped out of long sticks, which turned into a fluffy rest area that we couldn’t get the kids out of.
An Authentic Experience…
Words by Margo R Photography
Moving onto cutting the cake was a natural progression. The cake was beautiful with almost-glazed sided, dripping chocolate and all the adornments. That didn’t stop the girls as they dug into it with the speed of light and help of the dog.
This was definitely a beautiful option to celebrate their anniversary this time with both of their girls. They were free to focus on their little family and celebrate their love in an uninhibited way. The day emphasised their true selves and brought authentic experience. Both Stevie and Josh value experiences over tangible things and that was why they were drawn to an intimate celebration. These intimate adventures show loads of bravery in stepping out from traditions and definitely are taking the world by storm.
The Creators…
Let’s talk a bit about the creators of this styled shoot and their stories – photographer Margo and florist and wedding planner Monika. We first met years ago and, as our couple, we ‘fell in love with each other’ a few years later. Now we spend endless hours talking about all things pretty and ideas for photo shoots.
Margo – she is a storyteller and photographing people and making them happy is her biggest passion. She loves to show the real connection between people that’s why she adores weddings and wedding photography.
Monika – all her life she just wanted to ‘be happy’ and she never had a plan. The universe had one for her already. She never thought of herself as a girly girl and there she was – playing with flowers and having this floral feeling. Just like a flower, she had to be where the sun shines, so she moved to Florida, where they make it ‘BIG’. In a matter of a few months, she was running on full speed – weddings, elopements, rehearsals, and finally … Flowers! Now she’s back in the UK and revolutionising the act of making flowers through Ivy Rose Florals.
The Line Up…
Stylist: Monika Mucha; Photographer: Margo R Photography; Dress: Free People; Little Girls Dresses: Mandy Diana; Weddings Rings & Models Jewellery: Botanical Boheme; Florist: Ivy Rose Florals; Cake Designer: Anna Stasiak
