These beautiful images, sent in by wedding planner and designer Elizabeth of Elizabeth Weddings, set out to capture a sense of modern and oriental East Asian wedding day vibes.
They were photographed at The Matara Centre, a beautiful wedding venue located in Gloucestershire, that is dedicated to the wellbeing of people and place. I thoroughly recommend you take a look if you’re planning a Cotswolds wedding and are looking for a very special and unique place to celebrate. Words below are by stylist Elizabeth…
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“We chose the colour palette of white with accents of burnt orange and china blue, combined with oriental bamboo and dark woods, this was heavily influenced by Chinese heritage and culture as much as possible.”
“We felt it fit quite well at The Matara Centre being an East Asian inspired venue.”
“Although I originally wanted to have an all East Asian supplier list to represent our East Asian culture and to keep the shoot as authentic as we could, this was incredibly difficult due to location.”
“But I was so pleased to see the incredible work from all the suppliers to achieve the look we wanted.”
Table Design
“Pearl created the most beautiful flowers for our shoot. Taking inspiration from the art of Ikebana floristry, the table flowers are simple yet abundant. Using simple long stemmed blooms and delicate textural grasses which arched naturally in simple white bowls.”
“Whilst inspired by Japanese Ikebana techniques, the flower choices are seasonal and keeping the look as natural as possible, using the most delicate blooms combining vivid orange Chinese lanterns, white pom-pom dahlia and Chinese anemones with cottage garden varieties like rudbeckia, thalictrum, helenium and cosmos, we were able to create an Modern Oriental vibe. “
“The table was dressed with a paper table runner written with a calligraphy brush pen which is used for traditional Chinese writing. We thought a Chinese Wedding Poem was very fitting for the theme. Black candlestick holders with Ester and Erik candles matched with the dark wood of the bamboo looking Chiavari chairs.”
“For each place setting we had a lovely willow pattern China blue plates, napkins with a blue floral pattern, black cutlery, wooden chopsticks and Place cards were matched with burnt orange ink and menu cards with brushed china blue ink.”
“These were finished with mooncake looking favours which is traditional to Chinese Culture particularly for mooncake day, but I wanted to add a traditional sweet to the table which was a little original, these were placed on small bamboo place mats.”
Features
“The wooden structured door archway was one of our main focal points of the shoot, with bowing beech branches create the structure of this archway with florals and greenery to match the table decorations.”
The Dresses
“We had a couple of designs, One from Morgan Davies Bridal and a couple bespoke pieces from Felicity Westmacott.”
“Felicity made a bespoke ensemble to incorporate some Asian touches. Some features such as the skirt fastening to one side with a Chinese toggle clasp and has a hidden watercolour painting of koi carp to one side that can be revealed if the skirt is unwrapped and fastened the other way”
” Another beautiful piece was designed as a sweet cheongsam inspired shrug with collar and Chinese toggle fastening in wisteria embroidered lace.”
Accessories
“In all of the stunning details of this shoot, we were so happy to feature some of Hermione’s beautiful hairpins. Sakura Hairpins are gorgeous golden hairpins scattered with blush coloured mother of pearl florals on an organic base.”
“Also featured is Violette Hairpins, a gorgeous set of statement hairpins scattered with dainty mother of pearl flowers nestled within delicate branches of Swarovski crystals and pearl.”
Stationery
“Our flat lay included beautiful brushed calligraphy invitation suite and burnt orange calligraphy place cards, China blue crockery and Chinese orange love knots to finish. Chinese watercolour brushes were added.”
“Calligraphy Table plan featured several gold fortune cookies decorated by myself, which is a very western touch to this Eastern inspired shoot. Each name and table number was calligraphied on the piece of paper by Rachel that is known as the ‘fortune’ which you would normally find in a fortune cookie.”
Cake and dessert table inspiration
“The 3-tiered modern square cake was created by Mai. The sharp edges provided a modern and clean silhouette but balanced evenly with a wooden ring, resembling eternity, which was decorated with beautiful burnt orange and yellow Chinese lantern flowers.”
“A burnt orange ribbon added a hint of coordinated colour and splashes of edible gold leaf tied in with the luxury feel of the shoot.”
“The Fortune Cookie Tower was an Asian twist on the French classic, Croquembouche, using gold fortune cookies instead of macarons.”
“Two cookies are intertwined to create a “kissing cookie” and are carefully placed onto the cone in a spiral manner for a more unique look.”
“Again we added mooncakes to the cake table, which is very traditional in a Chinese culture for celebrating Mooncake day or the mid-Autumn festival, I thought it was a really quite original and special touch to incorporate this. These were made in contemporary white to fit in the fine art vibe and the design on the top matched the China blue and golds of the shoot.”
“The table was finished with candlestick holders and flowers to balance the look of the display.”
Annabel
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Annabel is the founder of Love My Dress. She lives in rural North Yorkshire with her husband and business partner Philip, two daughters Eska and Leanora and three dogs. She is passionate about photography, supporting women in business and in life, and is in her element being surrounded by nature and the countryside.