When Susie from Vintage Chic asked if Darby & Joan would like to be involved with a vintage styled photo shoot, it took me all of three seconds to say yes please.  The idea behind the shoot was to help promote the fast approaching Vintage Chic Wedding Fair at The Centenial Centre in Birmingham on 22nd April.

Susie was keen to work with suppliers who would be exhibiting at this fair, so a few weeks ago we met up with Luxe Bridal, The Red Cake Company, Liezl Croft Photography, Cheryl Williams and Emily Hall.

We had a lot of fun producing these images and hope that is reflected here.

We were hoping to capture the femininity, elegance and glamour of the 1920s and 1930s.  Our our brief from Susie that we were to smile, smile, smile…which was pretty easy for Ulle & I as we had such a giggle during the day.

Becky & Shelley from Luxe Bridal arrived laden down with a selection of the most beautiful  original vintage wedding gowns, and the trickiest part of the day was deciding who was to wear which dress as we both fell in love with all of them.Cherished Vintage Bridal Accessories supplied the stunningly gorgeous headpieces.

Susie had chosen The Botanical Gardens in Birmingham as the venue because it offered us a gorgeous art-deco backdrop and it’s architecture, colours and gardens perfectly suited the theme of the shoot.

The light fittings, the wooden panelling, the stage area, the light streaming into the room all made for a series of stunning shots. 

While we were being made up and having our hair curled Liezl, from Liezl Croft Photography had plenty of time to decide on which parts of the building to use.

She time to take some lovely shots of our props which I am thrilled with.

Emily Hall was the make up artist on the day and did a fantastic job in transforming us into glamourous, authentic looking vintage brides.  Our hair was styled byCheryl Williams and she really was superb.

Both ladies were on hand throughout the shoot to do touch-ups, swap head pieces and change looks.

And the cakes!  These were supplied by The Red Cake Company and they really were stunning.

I had decided to take lots of silverware, crystal, faux fur and lace as styling props for the day.  I wanted to try and capture the glamour and opulence of the roaring Twenties. 

One of the highlights for me of the day was discovering a piano tucked away in a corner, finding a nice chap and asking if we could use it as a prop.  Of course he said, where would you like me to move it too… one of my mottos is “always ask, because you never know…” so when I said I would like it lifting onto the stage area I was pleasantly surprised that he agreed!  Watching four burly men trying to lift the piano onto a stage that was three foot high was like a sketch from Only Fools and Horses!  But bless them, they managed it, so thanks guys!  I suspect the piano is still there…

I hope you enjoy this post as much as we all enjoyed putting it all together.

We styled a photoshoot along with Susie from Vintage Chic Wedding Fair at The Botanical Gardens last week and were more than a little in love with the amazing dressed supplied by Luxe Bridal.  We are desperate to see the images, so whilst Liezl Croft works her magic on the photographs, we can post a link to her blog which has a few images from the day – Botanical Garden Shoot 

We have met so many mutually supportive, friendly and talented wedding suppliers over recent months, none more so than Becky Butterworth of Butterworth Photography.  She interviewed me for their blog, and you can click here to have a read.  Interview with me. 

A spreadsheet beckons…can’t put it off any longer. x

The shoot was a lot of fun & gave us all lots of opportunity to indulge our love of beautiful table settings – I’m sure you will agree that the photographs are gorgeous.

I hope the dresses, table settings, hair, flowers & styling gives you some inspiration if you are thinking of incoporating some vintage loveliness into your wedding day.  You don’t have to embrace the whole theme wholeheartedly – small, well thought out touches can turn an event into something really special & will give your guests something a little bit different to enjoy & remember.