Blog Post

The Brick & Bridal Photoshoot

Hurst Castle in Hampshire

This stunning shoot is exactly what it says on the tin...a bridal photoshoot with lots of brickwork!

Living in Barton on Sea in Hampshire I quite often walk along the clifftop and look over to the Isle of Wight and Hurst Castle. Believe me this is a view that no one could ever tire of. As an ‘On the Day’ wedding co-ordinator I am constantly on the lookout for exciting wedding venues to organise styled photoshoots. If possible, I like them to be unique and ‘out of the ordinary’, so you can imagine my excitement when Jason, the manager of Hurst Castle said ‘YES’ to me organising a shoot there.

With the striking brickwork, steel lighthouse and the stone and wrought iron staircases there was plenty of opportunity to create some stunning images. Inside the Tudor Fort the lighting was dim giving that raw and edgy appearance which I loved! It instantly screamed flickering candles, foliage and brick style props a plenty. Incorporating all of these ideas with hints of copper and teal, the team created a dramatic wedding set-up with quite a poignant feel to it.

So, to kick this blog off I am going to start with this fabulous short film by Simon from Final Cut Wedding Films. If this doesn’t make you want to read on...

...I don’t know what will!

We were extremely lucky to have Abi Chadwick Photographycapture our shoot . Abi’s photography style was perfect for this shoot as you will see from this stunning gallery!

Get ready for a treat...

This beautiful shimmery A-line Martina Liana dress was supplied by Minster Bridal Boutique...

WOW to the dress and WOW to the images!

Most people wouldn’t dream of putting a leather jacket with a wedding dress but we say...

...‘Why Not?’

By combining the lace and sparkle from the dress with this incredible hand-painted leather jacket from One-Off Designs, it worked really well in the castle environment.

Our model Abbey suited her striking make-up perfectly with a dramatic copper eye applied by Carina Allen-Jones Artistry. This prominent look was complimented with a beautiful copper head-crown and matching bracelet handcrafted by Ritz & Sass.The crown sat quite regal looking in a textured updo bun, also styled by Carina Allen-Jones Artistry.

How do you dress a castle?... With flowers of course!

Dorset Flowersbrought out the moody tones of the castle using dahlias, amaranth, scabious and antirrhinums in varying shades of deep dark red. To create a quirky twist they incorporated copper anthuriums and copper asparagus fern together with teal bunny tails.

How WOW does this look against the brickwork and candlelight?

Even better knowing the backdrop is foam free!

Making a vision come to life is certainly something Laurel Designs will do for you!

This ‘off the scale’ styling is just to die for, with draping petrol blue crushed velvet, copper pipe framework with hanging festoon lighting and gold candlesticks mixed with floral and foliage arrangements from Dorset Flowerscascading down from the table with an abundance of flickering candles, it couldn’t have worked better within the castle fort.

Keeping with the brick theme Laurel Designscreated these very effective hand-painted table numbers...

Who would have thought a brick could look so stylish!

Oh, and we mustn’t forget the hand-painted copper & petrol blue stationery set on handmade paper and table menus that Laurel Designscreated...

...and the incredible statement table-plan...

...truly luxurious!

A bride needs their partner to look good too!

Darren modelled a brown check tweed suit teamed with a burnt orange tie and pocket chief, all supplied by Charles Gale Formal Wear Hire.

Absolutely perfect for our brickwork colourscheme!

Two words...Buttonholes and bouquets!

Stylishly arranged by Dorset Flowers.

Q. Can you have a wedding without a cake?

A. Not when they are as magnificent as this!

Designed by Sparkle Bakesthis wedding cake embraced rich and warm tones along with sharp lines and stone effect fondant fitting the brief just perfectly. Not only that but the handcrafted sugar flowers of caramel carnations matched the flowers in the bridal bouquet...

...so clever!

If you just want to kick your shoes off at the end of your special day then why not swap your heels for these delicate and very pretty barefoot sandals handcrafted by Ritz and Sass...the perfect solution!

With so many little hidey holes around Hurst Castleand beautiful views all around you can capture so many different styles of photo...you really are spoilt for choice here!

The team and I were so excited to see our shoot feature on Perfect Wedding Blog...check this out!

perfectweddingmagazine.com/edgy-chic-bridal-inspiration


As you can see this venue is something else!

If you book Hurst Castle for your wedding it will definitely be a DIY wedding with a difference and one your guests won’t forget in a hurry. When considering a DIY venue you might find you need help on the day to ensure your big day runs smoothly, so don’t hesitate to get in touch. I can be there with my team if you need them, to do all those little jobs that need doing. You won’t need to worry about anything on your big day meaning you and your friends and family can relax and enjoy your special day together.

I hope you loved reading all about this photoshoot and seeing all the amazing images. Your comments below would be super awesome!

Lots of love

Awesome Suppliers Involved:

Photographer: Abi Chadwick Photography
Videographer: Final Cut Wedding Films
Organiser & Coordinator: Me!
Co-ordinator Assistant: Sociella
Venue: Hurst Castle
Florist: Dorset Flowers
Stationery & Styling: Laurel Designs
Headcrown & Jewellery: Ritz & Sass
Leather Jacket: One-Off Designs
Cake: Sparkle Bakes
Hair & Make-up: Carina Allen-Jones Artistry
Dress: Minster Bridal Boutique
Suits: Charles Gale Formal Wear Hire
Real Couple Models: Abbey Kearley & Darren Penney

by Natasha Gilchrist 20 October 2023
Your DIY wedding planning journey can be hard work with a lot to think about and organise. For that reason it is important you actually enjoy your day without having to worry about who will do what jobs and when. Here you can read about Georgia and Phil's big day at Tournerbury Woods on Hayling Island and find out just how valuable it was for them to have a wedding co-ordinator to ensure they had a stress free wedding day.
by Natasha Gilchrist 29 January 2023
In my opinion a DIY wedding is the perfect type of wedding as you can put your stamp on it and make it your own. Natalie and Jake had planned the most stunning DIY wedding at Bake Barn in Wiltshire and needed help with co-ordination on the day. Taking my team we made sure their day ran smoothly and to their time-plan doing all the jobs that needed doing. This meant they could enjoy every minute of their day with their friends and family - stress free!
by Natasha Gilchrist 21 January 2023
Planning a DIY wedding is always so much fun but on the day there are so many jobs that need doing. Bex and Graham planned a beautiful and relaxed wedding at Warborne Farm in Lymington, Hampshire where the Tasha Mae team were able to help ensure all the jobs were done and their day ran smoothly so they didn't need to worry about a thing!
by Natasha Gilchrist 10 December 2022
Planning your own DIY wedding can be hard work but also so much fun. Emily and Dom planned their own tipi wedding at their family home in Wiltshire. Taking the Tasha Mae team along to help with on the day co-ordination, we made sure all their carefully thought out plans ran like clockwork and to their tailored time-plan.
by Natasha Gilchrist 11 November 2022
You have to love a marquee wedding in a field overlooking the sea, which is exactly what Keely and Dan planned for their big day. The Tasha Mae team loved co-ordinating their special DIY day and despite the strong winds and rain we all had a fabulous time ensuring everything ran like clockwork.
by Natasha Gilchrist 5 November 2022
When planning a DIY marquee wedding there is a lot to do and you might find you need some help on the day. Read all about Emma and Ed's big day and how Tasha Mae and her team helped ensure everything run smoothly.
by Natasha Gilchrist 1 April 2022
Winter weddings can be just as beautiful as summer weddings and after co-ordinating Jake and Laura's big day in December, I can most certainly vouch for that! You don't need to think of a theme with a twinkling Christmas tree, roaring fire and mince pies as canapes, what more could you ask for? Not only that but you don't need to worry about the weather as you've already planned it for the winter so you know what to aim for!
by Natasha Gilchrist 11 January 2022
The beauty of planning your own DIY wedding is you can do exactly as you wish and after co-ordinating Cassie and Oliver's, I have to say there is something to be said for having your wedding at home in your back garden. With a relaxed, almost zen vibe, Cassie and Oliver had the most beautiful chilled out wedding day in the comfort of their family home and garden.
by Natasha Gilchrist 10 December 2021
Deciding on your wedding decor is the fun part but on the day you might need some help putting everything in place whilst you get ready to tie the knot. Rachel and Ben had planned a DIY marquee wedding and needed some help in the morning of their big day to make sure their venue looked pretty and just as they wanted before everyone arrived.
by Natasha Gilchrist 23 November 2021
As an on the day wedding co-ordinator so many of the weddings I co-ordinate are in the summer, which means the majority of my imagery are of bright sunny weddings. For that reason, I thought it was about time I showed everyone that winter weddings can be just as beautiful and somewhat mystical!
More posts
Share by: