Those of you who read this blog regularly will recall that earlier this year, I became an Ambassador for Oxfam Weddings and worked with them on a wedding auction to raise almost £40,000 for their charity. We could only raise all of that money because so many kind and generous wedding suppliers came forward to give away their products and services so that people wanting to support the auction could bid for them.
One of the services that was donated was an engagement shoot by photographer Kat Hill and I'm so absolutely delighted to be sharing the actual shoot with you today - it is utterly dreamy, my heart jumped out of my rib cage when I first saw these images taken at Brick House Farm in Kent!
Love My Dress Wedding Blog - Photography Copyright (c) 2012, Kat Hill
The lucky couple are Melina and David. Before we speak to Melina, let's hear from Kat Hill about how these glorious images came to be...
"The shoot was absolutely magic - a great combination of the perfect venue, amazing couple, fantastic styling and incredible light..."
"Melina and David had examples of the look they wanted to achieve and so that was our starting point. Within days we had a Pinterest board going and it all fell into place after that. We wanted to create something a bit rustic, a bit boho - with lots of soft light and sunkissed colours..."
"Our Stylist Meryl Tabner found the perfect venue by way of Brick House Farm in Kent - it has a little fishing shack, gypsy caravans, gorgeously styled barns - the works! It couldn't have been more perfect and the owners were so generous in allowing us to shoot there. Best of all, it's an actual wedding venue and one that I think needs serious consideration by brides. It's amazing!"
"Melina and David brought a few props themselves, including some books and an old photograph of Melina's beautiful grandmother. The rest was styled absolutely perfectly by Meryl Tabner. The icing on the cake was the wonderful florals by Gwenda of The Vintage Floral Design Company.
Melina's headband really made the shoot, I think - it was absolutely gorgeous and suited our theme so well. It also smelt divine! Melina's make up was by Ana Ospina, who's magic kept Melina looking gorgeous and fresh as a daisy all day, despite the 30'c heat!"
Meryl Tabner styled this shoot beautifully, here she talks about how she did it...
"My involvement with the Oxfam engagement shoot was to assist Kat with the overall look and style. We knew we wanted this to be something special as it was part of the auction but we also wanted to make sure it matched the couples expectations.
Using the information from the couple and a link to an engagement shoot they both liked the look I managed to find the perfect location. Brick House Farm is a working farm and venue. It has outdoor barns, tipis, vintage caravans and a lake with a fishing shack built on the edge. It embodied so many possibilities that Kat and I were squealing with joy when we were able to photograph there..."
"I was extremely grateful when I managed to get Gwenda from Vintage Floral Design doing the head crown. With my handy bottles I sprayed them all gold so we could also have flowers dotted around the shack. I also brought with me some crepe streamers to create a whimsical look. With a few more additions for styling the whole shoot came together quite quickly..."
Bride to be Melina told me...
"David and I met at Sheffield University, introduced by our joint
friend Alice, who is now a bridesmaid alongside my sister. It was love
at the first sight and we talked all night, drinking Gin and Tonic and
putting the world to rights. The rest is history: we got engaged in
January this year and will get married in July next year. There are
honestly no words to describe how in love and how excited we are for our
wedding day and I think it has been clear since the day we met that we
will get married. I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with David!"
"Never in a million years would I have dared to dream about getting married in a real Palace, and we are absolutely thrilled about getting married at Westminster Palace in London! Our ceremony and drinks reception at Westminster Palace will be followed by the wedding breakfast and dance at One Whitehall Place, just across the river Thames..."
"My bridesmaid Alice told me about the Wedding Oxfam auction on Ebay and I was really excited about the idea of a styled engagement photo shoot and knowing that the money would go to charity was great. I always wanted a boho/rustic engagement shoot and we are absolutely thrilled with the results!"
"The location was magical and the weather couldn't have been better. We had a great time during the shoot and Kat Hill is truly amazing - taking pictures with her felt really easy and the results are stunning. Thank you so much to the rest of the team for the beautiful styling by Meryl Tabner, the phenomenal flower garland by Gwenda Wilkes and the pretty make-up by Ana Ospina Ruiz - we had a wonderful day and can't wait to share the pictures with family and friends..."
The Florist for the shoot was Gwenda of Vintage Floral Design...
"When Meryl and Kat sent out a request for help on this shoot I immediately jumped at the chance to work with them. I knew it would be something quite magical and I wasn't the least bit disappointed. The weather was exceptional and Kat's use of the natural light gives every image an aura of Boho beauty. Meryl's styling was perfectly suited to the location, as well as to the sense of romance and fun one felt from the gorgeous couple.
I interpreted the inspiration board into various tones of peaches, pinks and yellows, keeping the overall look natural, feminine but with a hint of vivaciousness. It was a wonderful day, so exquisitely captured - I hope Melina and David have great memories of the day and wish them both a lifetime of love and happiness together..."
Totally adore these images - they capture the essence of true love.
Thank you so much Kat and the whole team for sharing with me today, these are exquisite an I'm so proud that Oxfam and Love My Dress had a little part to play in them happening :)
And anyone interested in using the location as a wedding venue should look up Brick House Farm which is available as a wedding venue for up to 150 guests...
"Darling
Buds of May’ is the way people usually describe the style of wedding
that we have here on Brick House Farm . An old canvas marquee festooned with
bunting and chandeliers. Long trestle tables decorated with floral table
clothes and jugs of flowers. Cricket teas of cakes and sandwiches. Tea
served from an eclectic collection of china cups and saucers. Straw bale
seating and a very casual approach to wedding formalities. Pig roasts
on an oak fire and apple sauce."
I'd love to hear what yo think of this shoot?
Much love all,
Annabel
Photography : Kat Hill
Styling: Meryl Tabner
Venue: Brick House Farm
Florals: Vintage Floral Design
Make Up: Ana Ospina
