Nettlestead Place photoshoot

Our first official photoshoot as Billy & Botany was at the fantastic Nettlestead Place,  a beautiful family home that dates back to the 11th century. Its robust aesthetic was more than enough inspiration for our small group of wedding suppliers. We conjured up the idea for a mystical and enchanted photoshoot that would ensure the historic features of the venue came to life in a new and exciting way. We also took inspiration from the wonderfully manicured gardens and used an abundance of foliage to mimic the historic landscaping.

On the morning of the shoot, we prepared our bouquets ahead of time to ensure we could focus our attention on the smaller details during the shoot. We used a beautiful selection of English and imported flowers, foliages and sundries to create a selection of naturally-styled designs. As the suppliers arrived, our wonderful host guided us to a small room in which we could add the finishing touches to the flowers whilst our models, hair stylist, make-up artist and dress provider headed to the bridal suite. Sharon from Adornare created bespoke looks for each of our models taking inspiration from the colour palette of the flowers and the neutral tones of the venue using a combination of airbrush and traditional techniques. Meanwhile, Jo from  Hair By Josephines created some exquisite bridal hairstyles including our gorgeous flowers and her bespoke handmade veils. 

We had three models wearing four different dresses from Bridal Reloved Rainham, including the incredible flower bomb dress pictured below. They ensured we had a fantastic selection of dresses to both match our theme, the venue and the current trends in the wedding dress market. Their pre-owned dresses are lovingly restored and refreshed ready to be loved and worn all over again to ensure that everyone can find their perfect gown for their special day. 

We designed two luscious, wild bouquets for the shoot that were reminiscent of the enchanting bouquets from the 1920s. An enchanting shower drop bouquet and a wide, asymmetrical hand-tied bouquet provided a cohesive look to our theme but also linked to current trends in the wedding flower industry. We used lots of Asparagus Fern, Eucalyptus and Dusty Miller to create a rustic, natural structure to the arrangements before filling each with a selection of flowers. 'Sarah Bernhart' Peonies and 'Charity' David Austin Roses were the stars of each bouquet, partnered with assorted Spray Roses, Lisianthus and Viburnum to compliment and enhance their beauty. 

A pair of simple floral anklets were also created for the big day- perfect for the barefoot bride who is looking to add a touch of whimsy and nature to her big day. These were easily tied onto the anklets and fastened with a hand-painted silk ribbon to provide an elegant yet secure fit.

If you have been inspired by our work- or the work of any other suppliers featured in this shoot- please do not hesitate to get in touch. We would love to help add that special touch to your wedding day!

Suppliers list:
Venue: Nettlestead Place
Photographer: Funky Pixel
Hair: Hair By Josephines
Make up: Adornare
Florist: Billy & Botany
Cake: Little Brown Fairy Cake
​Dresses: Bridal Reloved Rainham