Bride With Alopecia at Glasshouse Elopement

Not only is this intimate elopement inspiration shoot at The Glass House in Sussex incredible, but it also raises awareness of brides with alopecia. Planned by Nikki at Toast and captured by, Recommended supplier, Elena Popa Photography. Featuring sequin bridal capes, flower crowns and roll-top baths full of flowers. Plus, real bride-to-be, and, alopecia sufferer Jen, sharing an intimate letter to her fiance Oli about what his support means to her. As you can imagine there wasn't a dry eye in the house.

Bride with Alopecia at an intimate elopement in a glasshouse with wildflowers, sequin capes and crowns.

During this time when Covid dictates a lot of what we can and can't do. I wanted to show that turning a few wedding traditions on their head can make them 'just as' and 'even more meaningful and personal when you haven't got an audience. The shoot details everything from the couple helping each other get ready, a first look, a simple but lavish and emotional ceremony (Jen read out a letter she wrote to Oli about what his support means to her and the whole room was in tears!)..., a bath scene, eating cake to a romantic first dance.
Nikki at Toast

Pink wedding bouquet with dahlias, roses and anthuriums tied with ribbon sitting on a wooden chair

Black bride in a patterned getting ready robe showing her ruby engagement ring

Black bride with alopecia helping her groom put on his cufflinks on the wedding morning

Wedding stationery suite and his and hers vow books tied with dusky pink ribbon

Bride and groom toasting on the wedding morning with coupe glasses

Bride with alopecia wearing a flower headpiece

Roll top bath at Our Beautiful Glasshouse in Sussex decorated with wildflowers

Bride with alopecia in a satin chamise sitting in a roll top bath on the wedding morning

Beige wedding veil with flower applique detail and platform shoes draped over a velvet chair

It was important to me that the styling was sympathetic to the glasshouse, I didn't want to take away or mask the beauty of the brick walls and original features but instead highlight and celebrate them. Having been inspired by old pictures of the glasshouse in its overgrown and dilapidated state before it was restored, the florals were really important to me and I was keen to bring some (or a lot!) of the wildness back for the shoot. Emma from Tigers to Lilies jumped on the brief and created some incredible floral displays using seasonal early autumnal blooms and foilage that looked like they were literally growing from the brick floors and walls.
Nikki at Toast

Black bride with alopecia in a light pink Julita Bridal London wedding dress and Ophelia Ren Bridal accessories headdress smiling at her groom

Elopement at Our Beautiful Glasshouse in Sussex with wildflower altar and wool rug detail

White blonde groom in glasses wearing a black tuxedo and bow tie with a pink flower buttonhole

Groom in a black tuxedo with bow tie holding his vow book tied with ribbon

Black bride with alopecia standing at the altar in a blush pink Julita Bridal London wedding dress with cape with her groom in a tuxedo surrounded by wildflower arrangements

Intimate elopement wedding ceremony at Our Beautiful Glasshouse in Sussex with wildflower arrangements and bride and groom exchanging vows

Black bride with alopecia sitting at the altar in a blush pink Julita Bridal London wedding dress with cape and Ophelia Ren Bridal headdress

Bride and groom portrait at an intimate elopement at Our Beautiful Glasshouse with bride in a blush pink dress

Black bride and white groom holding hands at intimate elopement

Bride in a Julita Bridal London wedding dress with embellished detail and cape standing at the altar with her groom in a black tuxedo

Blush pink and green wedding bouquet with anthuriums, roses and dahlias tied with ribbon sitting on a wooden chair

Bride and groom exchanging vows at a vertical wildflower arrangement with foliage and pillar candles altar

Bride and groom first look with the bride in an embellished wedding dress with cape and the groom in a black tie suit and bow tie.

Black bride with alopecia in a floral headdress and bridal cape

Wedding ceremony flowers at Our Beautiful Glasshouse in Sussex with wool rug

FRAGILE LIKE A FLOWER

The first look showcases Jen's bravery to just be herself with a really ethereal and feminine look perfect for the ceremony scene. Ophelia Ren Bridal made an exquisite bridal headpiece especially for the shoot that was covered in intricate handmade flowers. Jen wore the Ekaterini Rose dress from Julita London Bride featuring beautiful embroidery and the most amazing cape-like 'sleeves' of translucent tuille gave the whole look a fairytale feel.

FRAGILE LIKE A BOMB

The second look was much more dramatic, stronger and sexier to reflect defiance in the face of alopecia - a kind of two fingers up to the condition! Jen looked stunning in layered crowns by Tilly Thomas Lux. We also played with fabulous ear cuffs by the designer and my personal favourite, some 'killer' statement earrings that looked amazing against the full-length sequin cape, again by Julita Bridal.

single tier wedding cake with intricate design on a wooden cake stand

pink flower bouquet with anthuriums, roses and dahlias tied with ribbon leaning up against the glasshouse door with an elopement in progress sign and pillar candles

Intimate tablescape with blush pink table cloth, wooden chairs, taper candles and blush and green wedding flowers

place setting with ornate tableware, natural linen and classic wedding stationery

Bride and groom holding hands at their sweetheart table with ornate tableware, silver cutlery and natural linens

Romantic pink and green wedding flowers with anthuriums taper candles and votives

Bride with alopecia sitting at her intimate elopement reception in an embellished blush pink wedding dress with watteau train and floral headdress

Bride with alopecia standing next to her groom at their intimate reception in a blush pink Julita Bridal London wedding dress with watteau train

Bride with alopecia sitting at her wedding breakfast in a backless wedding dress with watteau train

Always and forever fabric wedding sign hanging in the glasshouse reception

Sweetheart table next to an exposed brick wall dressed with taper candles and natural linens

Natural linens and wedding flowers draped over the tablescape with pink anthuriums, roses and dahlias

Candlestick and taper candle wedding table decor with votives and figs

Romantic blush pink wedding bouquet resting on an ornate cream sofa tied with ribbon

Bride with alopecia sitting at her intimate wedding breakfast in Our Beautiful Glasshouse in Sussex in a blush Julita Bridal London with watteau train

Wedding table decor with velvet tablecloth and blush pink and green wedding flower arrangements

I was due to help Oli and Jennifer (the couple featured in the shoot) style and prop their wedding this year. But, like so many others, their wedding has been postponed. Jennifer suffers from alopecia. A condition I know only too well as my mum suddenly lost all her hair (absolutely every strand, even her eyelashes) 3 years ago. I‘ve watched my mums painful battle with the condition these past few years and seen how it stripped away from her identity overnight. I’ve seen the effect it's had on her confidence and how she flits between being vulnerable and embarrassed to defiant and strong in order to cope. It's the same for Jennifer. I managed to convince Jen and importantly her fiancé Oli to model for the shoot. As much as I wanted to do something positive and empowering for people around the globe that suffer from alopecia. (Or other health conditions that affect the way they look.) Encouraging them to be strong and defiant and give them confidence that they can and will be beautiful on their wedding day.
Nikki at Toast

Bride with silver toe polish putting on her silver sandal wedding shoes

Bride with alopecia enjoying her intimate first dance on a wool rug surrounded by chandeliers

White vintage sofa with gold guilt design surrounded by wildflower arrangements in Our Beautiful Glasshouse in Sussex

Sparkler moment with bride with alopecia wearing a black glitter bridal cape and Tilly Thomas lux statement earrings

Single tier wedding cake for elopement wedding resting on a wooden cake stand surrounded by coloured taper candles

Groom in a tuxedo kissing his bride with alopecia in a black shimmering bridal cape

Stylish bride with alopecia in a satin wedding dress and black bridal cape with gold crown and statement earrings

Bride and groom laughing whilst cutting their wedding cake at their intimate Our Beautiful Glasshouse elopement

Black bride with alopecia wrapped in a black shimmering cape and wearing a pink floral headdress

Black bride with alopecia in a beige satin dress and black shimmer cape wearing a gold ear cuff

Chandlier's and pillar candles resting on a wool rug to create an intimate ambience in the Our Beautiful Glasshouse wedding venue

Bride with alopecia in a black and silver shimmers bridal cape statement gold earrings and bridal cown

Bride and groom holding sparklers in the doorway at Our Beautiful Glasshouse in Sussex

Black bride with alopecia wearing a statement cuff earring

Black bride with alopecia sitting on an ornate sofa in Our Beautiful Glasshouse wearing a satin wedding dress and sheer wedding veil

An emotional yet empowering elopement shoot to raise awareness for alopecia through raw beauty, femininity and strength.

I wanted the shoot to highlight the meaning of marriage and what it is to find someone that loves you for who you are. And just simply wants to spend the rest of their life with you...no matter what. I think there is a lot to be said for the person that stands by you when you suffer from a condition like this and it was something I was keen to capture in the styling and set up of the shoot.
Nikki at Toast

It's so important to us at Rock My Wedding to ensure everyone can see themselves represented in our content. We can't thank Nikki from Toast enough for sharing this beautiful glasshouse inspiration with us that not only inspires couples to just go for it and have an intimate wedding but most importantly raises awareness for alopecia.