Spring bride 2013 – Briar Rose dress shoot at St. Audries Park

 

 I am currently working on the Spring Bride 2013 collection – 6 frocks with a spring theme of pinks, greens and ivories. The big photosoot is scheduled for the 23rd of April, but since we were in Devon and Somerset over Easter,  a lovely venue, St. Audries Park ,a greed to work with us ona small shoot for one dress ( alas, a bit too far away for the test of the team to travel for one day!).

 We already knew the venue is rather spectacular as we got married there – check out the blog post on the wedding here

our wedding day , 17October 2011…

 

   The day was brisk (just a few degrees over 0) but mostly sunny:-). We arrived at about noon and Alyson made us very welcome, arranging for the changing room, tea etc. it was amazing to be at the same venue where we got married not so long ago, and both of us were grinning wildly. Still, we were here for a reason, so it was time to lose the jeans and put the frock on…

getting ready

  The frock, Briar Rose was loosely based on late 17th century fashions. The bodice is fully boned, and although the shape was slightly changed ( it extends over the hips for a more natural look and more comfort – important issues for modern brides not used to  wearing historical attire), it behaved very much as the proper, authentic items.  It is made in 2 layers of coutil, lined with linen, andd the fashion layer, silk satin is backed with linen too to prevent the bones from showing too much.  It is slightly too big for me, and pulled my waist only a tad, but it was a comfortable fit::-) The bodice is decorated with antique metallic braid with pink silk yarn, and with an applique from the skirt fabric. The skirt  is very light – the 3D flowers fabric is laid on muslin base, and the whole lot is worn over a net petticoat and another muslin and lace petticoat… The bodice will need a bit more work to fit me better forr the big shoot, but otherwise very happy with the look!

 Since  I was without my usual team, I had to do my make up and  hair myself, so please excuse the unprofessional look!

 We  realised that shooting one gown in all the lovely places around the venue will be a bit monotonous, but decided to go ahead and concentrate on how much of the venue, alongside with the frock we can show.. the results are below….

  We started in one of the bedrooms – Lady Lake suite….

Then moved onto the gallery…

This chandolier always makes me think of the Phantom of the Opera scene!

 

And down the stairs to see the lovely statue

 

 and then down the stairs, into tha hall – and since the dining room was superbly decorated in pale gold and white, we just had to snatch a few piccies there…

the dining room looks out on a lovely garden and the deer park

 

The fireplace was lavishly decorated with lilies – everything lookd ready for the guests, we half expected a proper bridal party to turn up and chuck us out!

 

 Then it was time to venture outside…. brrrr

it is freezing outside!!!!

But it was worth it.  The sun shone most of the times, and although the bitterly cold wind blew some clouds around, we did manage to get a few shots in the sunshine!

 

 

The Garden was fresh and lovely with daffodils and heather. I was  pleasantly surprised the bees were hard at work despite the cold!

check out the deer in the background!

From the garden we moved on towards the orangerie..

The fountain in front of the orangery – in the backgrond, alittle retreat, and me- last time I was walking that path was on my wedding day!

and into the orangery – as always, absolutely stunning.

here we go again!

walking down that aisle again…

feeling a bit wistful here…

having a bit of a stretch!

 

 out of the orangerie into the bright sunshine:-)

 

 and a few last snaps in the numerouns features that abound around the venue….

 At that point we were joined by Faye, my ex bridesmaid whom we were meeting for lunch – and she took a few shots of me and Lucas together:-)

i have a feeling my groom is slightly underdressed..

And that was the end of the shoot,  I was able to run back to the suite and get warm:-)

hard work done, time for rest…

 

 The day was a lovely mixture of seeing the latest project of mine in action, and the sweet memories of the wedding day. Such a pity it is too far to have one of the bigger shoots there,  I can easily picture our Summer or Autumn bride collection there :_0. still,  the CVoutnry GHouse Weddings, of which St. Audries is a part, have some other venues, a bit closer to home –  and don’t they look magnificient as well?

 check out the  Clearwell Castle in Gloucestershire

 The Leez Priory in Essex

 and the Gosfiled Hall, also in Essex

 

 And obviously, if you want a fairytale gown to wear in those locations – check out Prior Engagement! We are offering a 10% discount on the bespoke gowns made for the brides getting married in any of the venues in 2013 and 2014!