Forest Wedding Inspiration from Somerley, Hampshire

We love discovering what happens when super-talented suppliers come together to form a dream team and create an inspiring wedding setting. Today, we’re introducing you to the beautiful Somerley Estate, on the edge of Hampshire’s New Forest, where I recently had the pleasure of producing one amazing styled shoot.

Through What Peggy Did Next, my event and communications agency, I’m lucky enough to work with lots of clever industry folk and this shoot gave us the opportunity to work with some of Hampshire and Dorset’s most highly recommended. Anna Morgan photographed our day, with myself on styling duty.

Photography by Anna Morgan

Somerley’s historical out buildings and woodland provided the perfect backdrop for our model Nadia, who’s look was created by hair and make-up artist extraordinaire Farida Ghwedar. We worked with two beautiful gowns for these images, including the dress seen above, which is from the utterly gorgeous new Jenny Packham collection, more of which you can find via the Loobook here on Love My Dress.

We also had the opportunity to shoot the sublime ‘8020’ gown from Jesus Piero’s 2018 Metropolis collection – a first as Exquisite Brides are exclusive stockists of this gown in Hampshire.Flowers and props were provided by the crazy-good Joey at The Wild Fox, whilst we have Vicky at Purple Door Props to thank for our beautifully rustic furniture. Our callebaut belgium dark chocolate ganache cake was expertly crafted by Hayley Elizabeth Cake Design.

I’d wanted to work with Anna, Joey and Hayley for such a long time, admiring their work from afar for many years. Joey’s knack for wrangling wild foliage and perfectly imperfect blooms in to her unique floral displays is just so impressive – you have to check out her Instagram!

Timeless, super-chic and inspired by the wilds of our New Forest setting, our story follows our bride during her time at the estate, beginning with the all-important bridal preparation on the morning of the big day, capturing festivities as they unfold.

Laura, the founder and designer of Lulabee supplied her forest themed stationery (complete with little pencils for guests to easily fill out their RSVPs) to complete our tablescapes.

Somerley provided us with a huge array of options, from woodland with magical glades – perfect for an outdoor wedding – to the Hampshire Avon river meandering through the 7,000-acre estate and Old Somerley and its beautiful walled garden.

The garden is a regular spot for marquee weddings, with the main house, built in 1792, offering sumptuous reception rooms like the famed Picture Gallery and its formal gardens, set in a prime position to take in glorious views across the parkland. We even make use of the house’s swimming pool – a fabulously decadent spot for our muse to reflect on her day come sunset.

Love Sarah-Leigh x