Modern Romance in the English Countryside

Sophie Warren channelled her idea of modern romance into “a concept that fused modern day style with the classic charm of the quintessential English countryside.” Using a minimalist colour palette of soft stone and taupes, white and subtle dove grey, and Chafford Park as the shoot location I think she’s gone on to create something really beautiful, and incredibly romantic!

Keep scrolling for feminine blooms, al fresco dining and the chicest of bridal-wear.

Sophie says…

Located in the heart of the Garden of England on the Kent and Sussex border, I chose the stunning Chafford Park Estate for the shoot location. The country estate was the perfect backdrop as it allowed me to create a concept that fused modern day style with the classic charm of the quintessential English countryside.

Modern Romance in the English countryside. The juxtaposition of the modern styling aesthetic enveloped within the rustic backdrop of sweeping grass meadows embodies the sophisticated elegance of a British wedding celebration.

I chose to create and style two looks for the shoot, both a day and evening ensemble for the bride. Both outfits are from The Own Studio, a modern and sustainable bridal aesthetic created by founders Jess Kaye and Rosie Williams. Their ambition is to create modern bridal wear that lives beyond a wedding day.

For the day look, the model wore a stunning off-white slip, fully lined with silk and boasting a striking back. This was paired with a pearl covered veil from Story of my Dress and pearl drop earrings, necklace and bangle from the home of pearl wedding jewellery, Lily & Roo.

To finish, the look was completed with a chic low hair bun and stunning makeup by award winning makeup and hair stylist Tamara Tott of Wedding Day MUA.

For the evening look, the model wore an open back, wide-leg crepe jumpsuit (again, from The Own Studio) paired with the same accessories and finished with tight curls and bold eye and lip makeup.

The groom wore a stone three-piece linen suit, complete with a dark taupe tie, handkerchief and dark grey loafers.

For the overall styling aesthetic, I wanted to create a contemporary romance with a sense of feminine fluidity and free-flowing silhouettes. Pippa of The W Collection was the perfect partner to provide modern and stylish furniture.

For the tablescape, I paired Victoria ghost chairs with a reclaimed trestle table from Pippa’s collection. I then intertwined two silk runners from Cfleursdesign and completed the table with contemporary glass candle holders, glass vases and linen coloured candles.

For the place settings, I layered a side plate and dinner plate and set an imperfectly placed silk napkin (also from Cfleursdesign) with with crystal glassware from Ellen of Harriet’s Table.

To finish, each place setting had a personalised place name, handwritten in gold by Louise of LouPaper Wedding Stationery and a beautifully designed plant based menu in dove grey.

The ceremony set up again featured the Victorian ghost chairs against a 3D white block backdrop, acrylic plinths (all from The W collection) with dried lunaria placed inside and an assortment of silk flowers, pillar and tea light candles to finish.

Invitations and signage were crafted by LouPaper Wedding Stationery. Simple, modern and chic – we opted for a minimalist design in soft taupes, white and grey, which perfectly matched the overall style of the shoot.

To elevate the shoot further, I chose to feature a classic Mercedes 190SL from Webbs of Weybridge. To give these particular shots an elegant and vintage vibe, the bride wore a classic white headscarf, 50’s style!

The three tiered contemporary cake by Serena of Cobi & Coco was designed using subtle textures and muted warm colours, styled with handmade sugar ranunclus and orchids and finished with a floating silk ribbon.

Artificial flowers are set to play a very important part in wedding trends and Gwenda of Bohotanical created a beautiful arrangement of silk florals and foliage in feminine and muted tones of soft taupes, creams and whites for both the bouquet and styling arrangements throughout. The silk flowers brought together a mix of assorted roses, orchids, tweedia, poppies, pom pom chrysanthemum, dried lunaria, bleached ruscus and pampas.

Venue Chafford Park

Creative, Stylist + Planner Sophie Warren Weddings

Photographer Rebecca Searle Photography

Video Toast Films

Bridal Wear The Own Studio

Florals Bohotanical

Hair & Make-up Wedding Day MUA

Stationery Loupaper Wedding Stationery

Mercedes 190 SL Webbs of Weybridge

Furniture The W Collection

Cake Cobi & Coco

Jewellery Lily and Roo

Silks Cfleursdesigns

Veil Story of my Dress

Glassware Harriet’s Table

With thanks to Models Katy Ann Howman and Solly Corr