Inspiration

Laid back luxe is definitely my favourite style when it comes to weddings. I love beautiful details and pretty elements, but I also love for things to feel relaxed and not overly curated. This shoot is very much an example of how to do laid back luxe - with a barefoot bride, gowns fit for a Grecian Goddess and a dreamy tablescape filled with white details and foliage. It's a showcase of some of the very best talents of the South West, so if you're planning a wedding in that region then do get in touch with these ladies...
The Team Behind The Shoot: A wedding is the celebration of the meeting of minds, the joining of singles to form a harmonious partnership. Our creative Bath-based duo Abigail Constanza and Sarah Baker met when they worked together on a leading South West fashion event team. Instantly forming a friendship, Abigail and Sarah discovered that they had a similar eye for detail and design, and a passion for creating unique editorial imagery. That coupled with bringing like minded creatives with serious passion together. On this, their Barefoot Bride photo shoot, Abigail & Sarah enlisted the skills of fashion-forward wedding photographer Christopher Daw who battled the extreme heat and harsh sunlight on this shoot, directing the gorgeous Rachel Harvey who patiently and professionally worked hard to remain unflustered, cool, calm and ultimately looking fresh all day in a collection of relaxed, feminine and flattering bridal gowns from award winning Anna Campbell and Charlie Brear, both uncomplicated and feminine modern designers, supplied by Perfect Day based in Bradford-On-Avon. Our venue, a tucked out of the way Palladium, Temple of Minerva, was an intimate affair enveloped by the Bath’s Royal Victoria Park’s Botantical Gardens, and the perfect backdrop to show-case the green, white and gold palette selected by the girls. Gold accents throughout the styling showcased in areas such as hair accessories and make-up from bridal favourites Britten and Christy Waterfall, offset with abstract accents from nail expert Laura Streeter.
Another supplier destined to be involved was new kids on the block, Riot Balloons, recently at Chelsea Flower Show, adding an extra, and modern dimension to their natural, soft and light wedding dressing complimenting the artistry of Flowers of Bath seen on both table and in their bouquet. The partnership love the idea of collaborating with independent businesses to produce beautiful, elegant and quality images that demonstrate contributors products and skills seeking out new, eclectic, artisan professionals to work with. On this project their brief was to capture the essence of the Australian style wedding trend, where styling takes its influence very much from nature, their love of the outdoors and a move towards a more fluid and natural finish. The pair achieved this by layering shades of verdant greens throughout their images (table additions, ribbon, backdrop, bouquet), nestling soft and off whites together with hints of metallic as highlights (gold make-up, cutlery, dress adornments), where gold foiled nails and the addition of single white balloons, give this bohemian styling a fresh and current lease. Keeping the make up fresh faced and glowing teamed with the soft relaxed hair styling, adding chains, braids, greens and vines meant the bride looked effortlessly cool, even in the extreme heat this shoot was shot!
Fern Godfrey

Written by Fern Godfrey

Creative Direction: Abigail Constanza | Sarah Baker | Dresses: Charlie Brear | Anna Campbell | Boutique: Perfect Day Bride | Model: Rachel Harvey | Venue: Temple Of Minerva | Accessories: Britten | Nails: Laura Streeter | Table Styling: Prezola | Balloons: Riot Balloons | Flowers: Flowers Of Bath | Make Up: Christy Waterfall | Hair: Abigail Constanza

Inspirational articles you may also find useful