Bank holiday weekend May 2013. Ahh, I remember it well, that hazy sunny afternoon, so warm in fact it felt like a July summer's day somewhere on the continent. Just beautiful. But things are a little cooler now, and so I'm left to dream about the warmth of sunnier climes, of having the opportunity to down tools with my family over the summer and relax, feeling a gentle breeze caress my bare arms as I lounge next to the pool reading my book. With a G&T close by, of course.
It's incredibly how good photography can evoke so many feelings and emotions – memories of the past or a desire to be elsewhere. These images you see here today, submitted by international wedding photographer Sarah Falugo (whose work under the guise of Sarah Falugo and Green Photographic, we're pretty big fans of here at Love My Dress) make me want to pull out all my maxi frocks and go and stand by the sea and feel the soft fabric of my dress flutter around and embrace my legs in the breeze. Aren't these photographs beautiful?
The model in these photographs is non-other than Vicki of Pocketful of Dreams – the creative event design duo who regularly contribute to Love My Dress (watch out for their latest inspiration board coming up this Friday morning).
Photography Copyright (c) 2013, Sarah Falugo
When Sarah Falugo was invited to photograph a
wedding on the breathtaking island of Hvar in Croatia, she knew it would
provide the most perfect opportunity to create a totally different
styled shoot – pared back and utterly gorgeous. Working with Vicki
DeBlasi from Pocketful of Dreams the stunning backdrop of Hvar was the
muse for their laid-back look, designed to inspire the free–spirited
couple wanting to break away from rigid structures and traditions.
Drawing
from the beauty of the surroundings and the relaxed vibe of the
Mediterranean, an intimate elopement picnic scene was designed by Sarah
and Vicki…
"Our vision was always to celebrate the beauty of the
surroundings so we created a colour palette of simple neutral tones and
then added a pop of yellow to perfectly complement the rocks and the
vivid turquoise sea. Simple yet thoughtful styling touches enabled us
to embrace the Mediterranean way of life with a relaxed and laid-back
look".
'In keeping with our free-spirited concept, we were keen to ensure
that we kept a beautiful simplicity to the look and did not overload
with excessive amounts of décor and detail. We wanted to give the sense
of a bohemian couple so in love that they simply couldn't wait and
planned a very a spontaneous wedding, followed by a celebration picnic
at sunset. In keeping with that concept, details needed to be stripped
back with key focal points to create a very beautiful, but effortless
look.
Naturally weathered wood was laid on the rocks to create an informal table and cushions were covered in a 1970s
inspired fabric providing a vibrant flash of yellow. Fresh produce,
flowers and herbs were at the centre of the picnic scene to ensure that
we stayed true to the surroundings.
A trip to the local fruit and
vegetable market gave us the most delectable local product: fresh figs,
capers, beautiful dusky purple plums, lemons and freshly baked bread.
Warm gold goblets, ivory handled cutlery with an intricate fish design
and a yellow glass bottle were vintage finds that perfectly complemented
our look. Food was then displayed on rustic wooden platters and in
woven bread bags from Rowen and Wren.'
'Lavender grows wildly in Croatia and was used as a key visual motif
throughout the shoot, adding the cool grey lilac colour to our colour
palette. We created a simple lavender bouquet, loosely wrapped in
fabric and used individual lavender flowers to create floral ice cubes
for our bride to enjoy. Rosemary is traditionally given out at weddings
in Croatia so to pay homage to that, we incorporated sprigs of the herb
into the table set up.
The beauty of this shoot is in
the pared back nature of the styling; details were kept to a minimum but
well thought through, incorporating fresh produce and incorporating
local wedding traditions to capture a romantic and peaceful look".
This inspiration shoot also doubled up as a 'rock the dress' shoot for Vicki,
who had the opportunity to carefully pack and transport her wedding
dress out to Croatia for the opportunity to wear it again in a more
casual setting. Hair was left loose with plaits adding a bohemian feel
and she wore exquisite jewellery pieces designed and made by the
extremely talented London jeweller, Anna Loucah. Jewellery pieces drew
inspiration from nature, pulling you back once again to that beautiful
backdrop.
"The outdoor and international nature of this shoot
certainly threw up some challenges from a styling and photography
perspective, but it was a real thrill to work on creating something
fresh and different from the standard wedding inspiration shoot. And
what better place to spend a few days working than on such a beautiful
island where jumping dolphins watched us set up our picnic?!"
Heavenly!
May I just say, how stunning you look in these photographs Vicki! You made such a gorgeous bride (readers, you can see Vicki's actual wedding here) but there is something about these photographs that I adore – a combination of Sarah's beautiful photography, your natural elegance and the heavenly Croatian backdrop.
Thank you so much for asking us to share these divine images with our readers.
I have to be honest, I never thought Croatia would be a place I would like to visit, now I'm determined to see it soon as I can.
Anyone planning a beachside destination wedding right now – have these images whet your appetite sufficiently? 🙂
Annabel
Photography: Sarah Falugo
Design and styling: Pocketful of Dreams and Sarah Falugo
Stationery: Charlie Scribble
Dress: Jenny Packham
Jewellery: Anna Loucah
Platters and Bread Bags: Rowen and Wren