Time for something a little bit different from me today. Last April a team of fellow wedding suppliers and I got together for a fierce and wonderfully whimsical Norse-inspired styled shoot. Styled shoots are the opportunity for us wedding creatives to really flex our imagination muscles, and put together looks that showcase what we can do for you. It’s also a fabulous chance to meet other talented people. And, if you’re planning your wedding, you can gather inspiration, and see what photographers, florists, stationers, stylists and bakers can come up with when we break out of the box.
This was my first styled shoot, and I knew exactly what I wanted to create. My idea was super fierce, very feminine, a little bit wild and a touch darker than we’re used to seeing. I love the trend for all things Scandinavia, but quickly decided that I wanted the inspiration for this shoot to be more woodland Vikings than minimalist Ikea! I reached out to Jen and Rebecca at The Wedding Spark to help me make my idea of a fierce and whimsical Norse-inspired styled shoot a reality.
We quickly decided that we wanted the key words for the look to be ‘strong’, ‘fierce’, ‘feminine’ and ‘mysterious’. That, coupled with the realisation that we wanted to go for ‘Norse’ rather than ‘Nordic’ was enough to get our Pinterest mood-board exploding with ideas.
Finding a wild, slightly dilapidated venue with a wilderness feel in the middle of London proved a challenge (no kidding!). But we eventually stumbled on Abney Park Cemetery and nature reserve, which with its overgrown pathways and Gothic chapel was absolutely perfect.
After the venue was sorted, things started to fall into place pretty quickly. We fell in love with the delicate but strong look of Catherine Deane’s Ariel top. The beading immediately made me think of an awesome feminine suit of armour. How freaking great is that and juuuuust perfect for our Norse-inspired styled shoot! Paired with the flowing silk skirt, we knew we had the look we wanted. Our gorgeous model Rebecca’s dark hair was teased and plaited into one of the most EPIC styles I have ever seen. Cass Rizzuto is nothing short of a hair wizard. Cass, you should put that on your business cards.
Abney Park is not short on greenery and wild flowers, but the bouquet created by Sarah from The Flower Bird for this Norse-inspired styled shoot was something else. Loose and wild and rich and textured, and bursting with foxgloves, which I’ve not seen in a bridal arrangement before. I just loved it.
We brought in elements from Scandinavian culture and Norse romance with the cake and stationery. Emily from Maid of Gingerbread made us a stunning Kransekake – a traditional Skandinavian towering ring cake flavoured with almonds and covered in delicate white and silver piping. I tell you what, the EFFORT it took not to immediately scoff the lot was enormous. I was v proud of myself and my willpower. Shoot first, eat later. #whipesawaycrumbs
Then the stationery. Oh it was so cool.
Zoe at The Golden Letter not only provided us with beautifully calligraphied leaves and pebbles for our place settings, but she designed a suite of sage green stationery that included Norse runic love notes on the RSVP cards and envelope liners. So unique.
And don’t even get me started on the Fox Mask from Curious Fair. Just perfect for our Norse-inspired styled shoot or how about a bucket list Venice Carnival inspired wedding? Sigh!
Lots of the suppliers involved in the shoot were there on the day, and we had a proper giggle. I can’t quite believe it was almost a year ago. We need to get some plotting and planning in place with this awesome team of ladies for another shoot soon.
So tell me, brilliant brides-and-grooms-to-be, what sort of themes would you like to see?
Leave me a comment below with your ideas, I’d love to hear from you. And, of course, if you like what you see in the gallery and want to chat all things wedding photography, give me a big old HELLO!
Norse-Inspired Styled Shoot Suppliers
Photography: Maria Assia
Co-ordination & Styling: The Wedding Spark
Venue: Abney Park Cemetery
Dress: Catherine Deane
Flowers: The Flower Bird
Cake: Maid of Gingerbread
Stationery: The Golden Letter
Hair Styling: Cass Rizzuto
MUA: Harvy Raino
Fox Mask: Curious Fair
Crockery & Tableware: Classic Crockery
Model: Rebecca White
Whimsical Norse-Inspired Styled Shoot Favourites
