CHARLES & BEN I STYLED SHOOT I CAMBRIDGE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

INSPIRATION AND STORY BEHIND THE SHOOT:

A styled shoot is always great fun, a chance to try out some creativity and work with some amazing other local wedding industry specialists. I’ve always wanted to do an Italian renaissance themed styled shoot. I am inspired by decadence and opulence of this era. Oxnead Hall in Norfolk was the only setting for me. The outside fountain courtyard and the richly laid out sunken parterre with its neat, symmetrical hedge rows and inter connecting paths. A sense of order and calmness. Style and sophistication was the starting point for planning the styled shoot, involving local suppliers that would be able to deliver the vision was high on my list of priorities. I always knew it would be a same sex male shoot. Both boys were similarly dressed complementing each other with variations on a theme.

Theme

I visualised both Ben & Charles in black dinner suits but was drawn to a deep, rich blue velvet jacket for Charles. Matched with black tailored dinner suits trousers and patent shoes topped off with a coordinating silk scarf and rich velvet bow tie. Ben wore a tailored classic tuxedo and trousers with a crisp white stud fastening dress shirt. This was held neatly in place with a deep silk cummerbund and bow tie. The boys outfits for the styled shoot were on loan from John Lewis. Nick and the team at John Lewis Cambridge worked effortlessly to create a capsule wardrobe offering alternative styles and looks. Therefore John Lewis may not be the obvious wedding suit destination shop but for that reason one that shouldn’t be over looked.

Venue Styling

The lavish banqueting style table setting came into its own. The long wooden tables were dressed with a abundance of flowers, candles and elegant cut crystal glass. With every place setting encased by rose gold cutlery. Plain white crockery was laid out so not to distract from the elegant place settings. Amie from ForKeepsUK had styled each place name and table name onto a marble effect hexagon shaped acrylic. The welcome sign was also made from the same materiaL. 

Emily from Thatch and Roses created three, one metre high columns supported the lavish flower arrangements that lined the centre of the top table while nestled underneath were small posy arrangements. The towering masterpieces contained white chrysanthemums, pale green and cream roses, white carnations and an abundance of assorted trailing foliage. Pillar candles, Candelabras and swathes of organza brought a softness to the tablescape created by Jo from Little Jem weddings. Small ornate terrariums with floating candles were suspended between the statement floral arrangements.

Cake Designer

Keeping with the theme Amber produced a four tier wedding cake. Amber created the illusion the top three tiers of the cake were suspended on a perspex cube provided an additional layer. Simple gold monogram of the couples initials adorned the middle layer. Handcrafted sugar roses topped of this culinary masterpiece.

Stationery

It was important for me that everything about this shoot weaved seamlessly throughout. From the signage, cake design through to the stationery. Suzanne from Silk and Ink Designs had gone about to create an elegant stationery suite complete with gold leaf detailing and incorporating again the couples monogram. Hand tied in a black velvet ribbon and presented in black, gold lined envelopes. Furthermore it was important for me for the styled shoot to have a cohesive story weaving through it with consistency on the style and the boys names so it was critical the stationery suite, signage and cake all reflected this.

Venue

Built around 1580 The site at Oxnead has a long and fascinating history.

The site has been occupied since pre-historic times, and archaeological finds include axe heads, knives and spearheads. During Roman times, Oxnead was a busy fortified town on the banks of the River Bure. At the time of the Doomsday survey (1086) the estate belonged to the Halden family. In 1368 it was acquired by Sir Robert de Salle, and by 1420 the estate had been sold to the Pason family.

The Paston family lived at Oxnead between 1420 and 1732 and much of their lives at Oxnead are recorded in a unique collection of letters and papers. Following the demise of the Paston family, the main house was demolished and only the service wing was left standing. The estate was bought by Admiral Anson (the first man to circumnavigate the world) in 1735. From that time a number of families have occupied Oxnead Hall including John Adey Repton (son of Humphrey Repton) and John Hedgecoe (photographer). The estate is currently owned by the Aspinall family.

Suppliers

Suzanne Merrylees – Silk and Ink Designs

Amie Childs – For Keeps

Kerry Ellis – Epic Event Hire

Amber Briggs – Love Wedding Cakes

Emily Lambert – Thatch & Roses

Jo Griffin – Little Jem Weddings

John Lewis & Partners – Cambridge

If you are planning your perfect day please get in touch via my Contact Me page at Mark Nortcliffe Photography. By phone 07982 077883 or messenger on my Instagram page

Read here My Review of 2019. A collection of my work from an amazing year!

Featured in Country Wedding Magazine – Your East Anglian Wedding and GAY Wedding Blog