After the trials of lockdown and the devastation of Storm Eunice, which ripped the roof off the beloved Bilsington Priory in Kent, England, unsurprisingly, the owners were left disheartened and had almost fallen out of love with the world of weddings.
The once-vibrant, multi-award-winning Bilsington Priory, built in 1253 and renowned for its charm and timeless beauty, had lost its sparkle and spent years hidden beneath scaffolding. Yet, the devoted team at the Priory refused to let this iconic venue fade into obscurity.
Determined to revive the Priory’s former glory, the team have embarked on a mission to restore the romance and breathe new life into this historic gem. As part of this journey, the team organized a series of stunning styled shoots to reignite the magic and showcase the Priory’s enduring allure. Today, we’re excited to share one of these captivating shoots.
Reawakening Love: A Styled Shoot at bilsington priory with Pretty Blush Pink Blooms, Romance and Elegant Vulnerability
After years of being closed, our first styled shoot embraced the soft, feminine palette of peach, pink, and apricot. These versatile and romantic colours add a touch of elegant vulnerability to any wedding theme. When paired with patterns and textures, they create endless possibilities for a truly unique look.
Pretty in Soft Colours!
For a memorable summertime look at the Bilsington Priory, consider a pink wedding dress. Danielle’s stunning ball gown, designed by British designer Victoria Kay, was worn in a blush colour. Featuring crystal and lace applique details on the bodice and a soft tulle skirt with a full-length train, this dress exudes a whimsical princess vibe. It’s a guaranteed showstopper that looks amazing in any setting.
Our second model wore a beautifully fitted gown by Italian designer Angela Bianca in an ivory and cappuccino palette. This gown highlights the ivory embroidered applique throughout the bodice, with full-length illusion sleeves and an illusion lace back lined with buttons. It’s a classically elegant, timeless choice that shines in any setting.
Timeless Hair and Makeup
For Danielle’s hair, we aimed for a timeless style with volume that framed her face and elevated her overall look. This classic hairstyle never goes out of style and always delivers a sophisticated touch. Her ‘Soft Glam’ makeup look embodied the essence of a classic bride, enhancing her natural beauty. Hues of peach and pink added warmth to her complexion, creating a radiant and ethereal glow.
For our second model with shorter hair, Tam crafted elegant curls that complimented her fresh and radiant makeup, allowing her dress and its intricate details to take centre stage.
Grand Arrival
Danielle made a grand entrance in a classic white Jaguar E-Type, a quintessentially English sports car. This iconic vehicle adds a touch of timeless elegance and sophistication, making it the perfect choice for a stylish wedding.
Floral Arrangements
Our floral designer created an enchanting stunning display of sugary pinks, apricots, and peach hues, inspired by the unorthodox style of the English Florist Constance Spry. These floral arrangements adorned deep-set Priory window sills, served as centrepieces, and filled oversized bouquets, creating a visual feast of flowers that were both gracious and dramatic.
Wedding Cake
Regardless of your guest count, consider a whimsical, intricate five-tier wedding cake. This feminine design features delicate lace, textured layers, pearls, and wafer-thin paper peach poppies. For a contemporary twist, use separators from Prop Options to add dimension.
Stationery and Tablescape
Imagine wandering through the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, handpicking cherished crystal, fine china, and antique glassware. Then, indulge in selecting linen, place settings, and escort cards, combining them to create a patterned, richly detailed tablescape that’s eccentric, witty, and wildly romantic.
Dim the Lights
As the evening approaches, it’s time to dim the lights, ignite the taper candles, and pour the champagne. The joy of wedding planning lies in dreaming up a colour scheme or theme that captures your essence and sharing it with your loved ones. All that’s left is for your guests to add laughter, bringing your special day to life.
The Dream Vendor Team
Venue: Bilsington Priory @bilsingtonprioryweddings https://weddings.bilsingtonpriory.co.uk/
Photographer @fleurchallisphotography http://fleurchallisphotography.com/
Wedding cake @cobi_and_coco_cakes https://cobiandcoco.com/
Cake separator @prop.options https://propoptions.co.uk
Floral designer @houseofmimifleur https://mimifleur.co.uk/welcome
Tablescape @tablescapebyhouseofmimifleur https://mimifleur.co.uk/t-ablescape
Stationary @longliveloveuk https://www.longlivelove.co.uk/
Makeup @elizabethjosephlove https://www.elizabethjosephlove.co.uk/
Hair @__glambytam__ https://www.glambytam.co.uk/
Wedding Dresses @miarosebridal https://www.miarosebridal.co.uk/
Model @daniellabyrne (Dark hair)
Food @blackbird_catering https://www.blackbirdcatering.co.uk/
Concept, direction and author @theweddingowl https://theweddingowl.com/ and @elopesoutheastengland https://e-lope.co.uk/
Do you have a real wedding or styled shoot that you’d like get to published, click here!
