It is an absolute joy, 10 years on from creating this gorgeous little Wedding resource of ours, to be considered a such a powerful platform for supporting small, creative businesses.
One of my consistent passions throughout the past decade has been supporting women in business, especially those working with cloth to create beautiful gowns, and so it really is a joy for me to be able to introduce you to Derbyshire based Susanna Greening Designs today. Susannah is a member of our Little Book Wedding Directory, within which you’ll find the most excellent suppliers listed. Take a look or bookmark today and enjoy a good browse at the weekend. Words by Susanna herself follow…
“Taking inspiration from heritage, nature and my love of the peak district, the Susanna Greening Designs collection is made up of a thoughtfully designed selection of luxurious gowns and bridal separates. Designed for the free spirited bride who wants to celebrate her true self, all designs are made to measure in my Matlock based studio, using only the finest silks and laces. To help showcase the beauty of the collection I enlisted some of the best local suppliers.”
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“Mariola Zoladz was the photographer for this shoot, capturing the vibe and feel of the dresses incredibly. Mariola manages to create a piece of art within every photograph she takes, and always manages to capture the details perfectly. The shots she took with the lace veil are out of this world.”
“The flowers for the day were created and supplied by Frances & Rose. The design idea for the flowers was soft, seasonal and simple, to showcase the stunning dresses and enhance their beauty, without overwhelming the looks. Marianne used her own plot grown hellebores, ranunculus, blossoms and ivy, along with roses and dried grasses to create soft arrangements.”
“The crown was created from pussy willow, a pre-blossom formation that adorns the trees for only a few weeks of the year, making this unique head piece even more special. We also decided that rather than having a bouquet with all the looks, that a wrist corsage would work equally well against the dresses, showcasing the beautiful ribbon colours and allowing the dresses to have centre stage. These are a great option for brides and bridesmaids alike who want to simplify their florals and show off their dresses!”
“Such stunning flowers and gowns deserved to be showcased in a setting that matched their beauty which is why Haarlem Mill was chosen as the backdrop for our shoot. Being just a stone’s throw away from my studio it was the perfect venue choice, fusing its industrial chic design with a touch of luxury, comfort and style. The former cotton mill has been finished to beautiful standards set amongst a glorious rural backdrop within Derbyshire’s rolling hills; it provides the perfect and unique venue for creative couples.”
“The glass vases used for the shoot were created and supplied by Jonathan from Lumsdale glass. Each piece is handblown in their Matlock studio. The use of the beautiful coloured glass vessels worked along side the floral colours so well and really enhanced the warm colours of the brick work in the mill. Having such beautiful glass would be a wonderful addition to any table or centrepiece of a wedding; Jonathan can design and create bespoke pieces, resulting in something stunningly unique.”
“Ribbons and silks were provided by LaikStyle. LaikStyle create not just beautiful fabrics and ribbons but those with eco credentials. Using natural plant dyes and organic and sustainable fabrics they use traditional methods in a modern way. LaikStyle is a celebration of the amazing colour palette achievable through natural dyes and how they can create that distinctive style for their clients. The colours chosen worked so well against the dresses.”
“Hair was styled by L.H. Professional Hair, creating two looks to showcase the various outfits. The first look was achieved with soft natural waves of Miriam’s stunning auburn hair, topped with the delicate pussy willow flower crown. The second look was a soft up do styled with a floral comb using real blooms from Frances & Rose.”
“Makeup was created by Makeup by Sophie Downing, keeping the look soft and natural and delicately enhancing Miriam’s natural beauty, the colours Sophie used really brought the whole look together.”
“All pieces in the collection are created on a made to measure basis meaning i get to work closely with each and every client, resulting in a perfectly fitting dress thats been made with them in mind from start to finish. This also allows changes to be made to styles; sleeve lengths, fabric colours, lace designs and necklines can all be adapted for each individual bride.”
“The collection focuses on timeless, effortless beauty and only the finest silks and laces are used meaning each piece truly feels as good as it looks and features a collection of separates that can be combined to create the perfect outfit for your day.”
Credits & Thanks
- Photographer - Mariola Zoladz
- Venue - Haarlem Mill
- Dresses - Susanna Greening Designs
- Florist - Frances & Rose
- Hair Stylist - L.H. Professional Hair
- Makeup - Makeup by Sophie Downing
- Silks - LaikStyle
- Glass - Lumsdale Glass
- Model - Miriam Rodriguez Juarez
Annabel View all Annabel's articles
Founder of Love My Dress. Passionate Podcaster and Editor. Annabel lives in rural North Yorkshire with her husband and business partner Philip, their two daughters and menagerie of furry hounds. She loves photography, meditation, walking, being outdoors and star gazing. She is fierce when it comes to championing talent within the wedding industry and when she's not working on Love My Dress, she supports her husband Philip in the running of the family's sustainable flower farm and floral design business, Moonwind Flowers. In 2013, she became a published author.
