Deep red hues and a hint of gothic romance combine in today’s dramatic editorial to create an elopement perfect for Halloween. Hauntingly beautiful with an Edwardian inspired bride, a riverside ceremony and a sweetheart table set within a woodland ruin; it is sure to give you goosebumps for all the right reasons…..

Here’s a few words about the inspiration behind this vision from Lauren of Swoon Soiree….. “This shoot was inspired by the Cardinal bird and the laws of attraction. The brighter red the male bird, the stronger a mate he will be.  I wanted this shoot to be about a deep romance, a strong courtship, and slightly reminiscent of a time past

The setting is The Mill At Fine Creek. This used to be an old grits mill alongside a creek.  It has since been turned into a venue but the old mill and creek still stand. We selected bright red colours and luxe details to showcase the elements of the attention demanding cardinal.  The tablescape was draped in satin and velvet, linens. The plates were stacked using natural elements, copper, stone, and glass.  The menu cards were handwritten and accented with a wax seal, and the black flatware and taper candles tied it all together.  The cake is hand painted and was set in the window of the old mill.  We really wanted the set to look intimate but bold.  We played with textures keeping them organic and cohesive.

The altar is actually on a rock in the middle of the creek.  I didn’t want the feeling of the altar to be too heavy. I wanted it to blend in with the natural beauty of scenery.  The dress and the jewelry are authentic vintage pieces.  The jewelry is gold and opal.   Diamonds just seemed a little too modern.  The boutonnière is more of an art piece.  The florist Black Iris Floral Events used copper pieces to create more of a statement.  This again ties back to being the most impressive cardinal.

Through the entire process I kept coming back to a quote I had seen.  I wanted the shoot to feel intense, bold, and slightly risky.  The quote reads: “You were a risk, a mystery, and the most certain thing I had ever known.”  – Beau Taplin.”

VIEW THE GALLERY

Oh isn’t it gorgeous?? I love the deep red of the florals, and that wedding cake is just perfection – who knew black could look so pretty? A huge thankyou to to all of the wedding professionals and creatives who lent their time and talents and especially to The Pinwheel Collective for capturing every detail and letting me share them with you here. If you love this shoot and would like to see more of their work do pop across to their website at www.pinwheelcollective.com.

For more Halloween wedding inspiration pop and take a peek at this oh so romantic elopement, and cast your eyes over this gorgeous (now ghoulish) wedding inspiration board. Or if its the Edwardian era you love so much then this Sunstone Winery inspiration shoot full of olde world elegance is for you! And ‘Love Letters from WIllowbank’ will be sure to have you swooning – especially all the greenery!

Amy

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Contributors & Credits

Photography – The Pinwheel Collective // Venue – The Mill At Fine Creek // Event Design & Planning – Swoon Soiree // Floral Designs – Black Iris Floral Events // Wedding Dress – Vintage // Wedding Dress Boutique – Meriweather Vintage // Hair – Rachel Shrader // Makeup – Phawn Lane // Wedding Stationery – Amanda Day Rose // Handmade Details – One Sweet Day in May // Wedding Cake – Commonwealth Cake Company // Rentals – Rent-E-Quip // Linen Rentals – La Tavola // Specialty Rentals – Swoon Soiree // Models – Sonnie Slagle & Justin Doerflein