Old World Romance Wedding Inspiration

Award-winning stylist, wedding and event planner Kate O’Dowd of Love & Gatherings approached me last summer to contribute to an Old World Romance wedding inspiration editorial for Image magazine to be shot at Gloster House, a beautifully restored 17th century mansion that is a lived-in family home as well as a magically elegant wedding venue.

Kate has an effortless and confident style; unafraid to embrace maximalism and mixing patterns, bright yet delicate colours and vintage items for a fresh, romantic yet old world feel. Inspired by the venues antique details and patterned toile fabrics, the brief for the shoot was ‘chintzy maximalism’, mixing patterned decor and using a colour palette of dusty corals, powder blue and sepia to create a truly romantic old world story.

Kate had a clear vision for the cake, asking me to continue the maximalist aesthetic by recreating the signature floral borders of the custom-designed Emily Rose Ink stationary.

I chose powder blue and brown as my colour palette, echoing the muted tones of the walls of Gloster House and the vintage patterned crockery, faithfully recreating the floral border in delicate hand drawn detail.

The shoot was captured by talented photographer Paula O’Hara, who took advantage of the light and airy rooms of Gloster House to dramatic effect.

Hollie at The Rosehip and Berry created soft and pretty floral urns that lent a soft romantic air to the toile prints of the table setting. Additional and varied floral installations were used for the fashion photographs, with my favourite being the orchid ‘cloud’, demonstrating how varying styles and arrangements can exist in a cohesive manner.

I loved how the cake complemented the patterns and tones of the stationary and venue…

The fashion was exquisite…with directional modern brands mixed with vintage and Irish-made pieces, styled against the bright and airy architectural backdrop and visionary floral arrangements. 

As well as being featured in the June edition of Image magazine, we were all thrilled to see this Old World Romance Wedding Inspiration shoot get global coverage in prestigious wedding blogs Green Wedding Shoes and Magnolia Rouge. Follow these links to see more!

Thank you to Kate, Paula and all the amazing suppliers!

Suzanne x

PhotographyPAULA O’HARA|Styling, planning & propsLOVE & GATHERINGS|FloralsTHE ROSEHIP & BERRY|VenueGLOSTER HOUSE|StationeryEMILY ROSE INK|CakeCOVE CAKE DESIGN|HairMICHELLE GRIMES FOR HAIR MAVEN|Make-upORLAITH SHORE|ModelKATE AT NOT ANOTHER AGENCY|Two-piece dressMIRA ZWILLINGER|Off-white wrap gownEMILIA WICKSTEAD|Blue tulle vintage gown & lace capeletDIRTY FABULOUS|Off-white silk breeze dress; and organza bow coatHALFPENNY LONDON|Gold crownAB ELIE AT ARCHIVE 12|Structured bodice dress with detachable skirtHELENA KOLAN AT THE ONE