Blog Post

The Notebook - Styled Photoshoot

It’s a New Year – It’s a New Blog!

This beautiful photoshoot deserves to be shouted about so that is exactly what I am going to do!

Nothing could be more stunning than a riverside wedding venue in the New Forest, so when I was fortunate enough to co-ordinate a wedding at Gins Barnon the Beaulieu River, I knew it would make an idyllic photoshoot location.

With its natural beauty and peaceful surroundings Gins Barn, managed by New Forest Escapes instantly sparked that ‘Notebook’ feeling.

With the stillness of the river...

...the simplicity of the wooden pontoon...

... and the clucking of the chickens in the background...

...this theme wasn’t hard to recreate with the help of some very talented Hampshire and Dorset wedding suppliers.

Check out this team of talent!

Award winning photographer Ann Aveyard Photography captured our styled shoot perfectly alongside the very talented Russell from Bride & Zoomwho produced this amazing video...

Just click and watch!

Our model Becki, owner of South Coast Marquees and South Coast Glamping was a complete natural, you would never have guessed she hadn’t done anything like this before!

Wearing two stunning dresses from Minster Bridal Boutique , Becki looked like a true professional.

Becki's first dress was by designer Martina Liana...

...with added angelic sleeves.

Becki's second dress was by designer Riki Dalal...

...and with the optional veil designed by Minster Bridal Boutique it gave the extra WOW factor!

Nikki Mullard Hair & Make-upwas our creative hair and make-up artist and boy did Nikki make Becki look even more beautiful with a natural and subtle look to fit with the simplicity of our Notebook styling.

Working with the colour scheme of our flowers Nikki used muted colours for Becki’s make-up and she curled Becki’s hair adding clip in extensions to create volume and texture.This was complimented by a beautiful floral comb made by Jess, our florist.

Hair Up...

Hair down...

Flowers can be one of the main ingredients to a wedding and for this shoot the main focus for Jess, owner of Jessica Hillier Floral Designwas the lovely wooden pontoon leading out to the river. Without a rowing boat to decorate we decided to use some old wooden oars to make a spectacular ceremony arch.

To match the oar arch, Jess made a bouquet and button hole...

...a candelabra arrangement for inside the barn ...

...and two very grand flower arrangements using the stone pots that were already in situ.

Inside the barn our stylist Carol from Laurel Designs set up a cosy table for two using dusky blue and gold props to match her stunning handmade table numbers and menu cards.

Carol's invitations were something else with dip-dyed macramé tassles, designed and created with her own fair hands.

To match, Carol made this amazing driftwood table-plan which the resident cockerel modelled so well!

The dusky blue and gold colour scheme continued throughout the shoot with Helen from Cakes by Helenmaking this romantic four tier wedding cake.

With its gold edging, dusky blue ribbons and handmade sugar flowers, it looked just as at home outside as it did inside ...

...LOVE LOVE LOVE!

With breath-taking views and a variety of seating areas dotted around the grounds, we had to have a cream tea set up close to the river’s edge. Who better than Gemma and Laura from Fifteas Vintage Pop Up Tea Parties & Eventsto do it!

With their selection of quaint vintage china and scrummy cakes it looked so inviting...

...as Becki will tell you...one lump or two?

Using the outdoor table by the entrance of Gins Barn we also set up a luxurious dining set with a selection of gold crockery and cutlery from Fifteas Vintage Pop Up Tea Parties & Events...

...with of course a bottle of fizz!

Gemma and Laura also supplied the vintage parasol which I am sure you will agree gives the perfect Notebook elegance to the shoot (and an unintentional Mary Poppins vibe!)

We were spoilt for choice with the different backdrops to use and the small orchard by the owner’s home was an idyllic spot to capture a few extra shots.

In amongst the long grasses...

...and we can’t forget the feeding of the chickens!

We had such a wonderfully chilled out day at Gins Barn...

...which really is the perfect location for a wedding!


You can imagine how thrilled we were when our shoot featured in Margot’s Wedding online magazine and then on their blog...we do love to receive a new badge!

I hope you enjoyed looking through our stunning gallery of images as much as I loved organising it.

There are definitely some huge perks to being an ‘On the Day’ Wedding Co-ordinator!

If you are planning a DIY wedding and need someone to help ensure everything runs smoothly for you on your special day then get in touch, I would love to hear from you.

Lots of love

Supplier Credits:

Venue: Gins Barn managed by www.newforestescapes.com
Shoot Co-ordinator: Me - www.tasha-mae.co.uk
Photographer: www.ann-aveyard.co.uk
Dresses: www.minsterbridal.co.uk
Hair and Make-Up: www.nikkimullard.com
Stationery and Styling: laureldesignstudio.co.uk
Flowers: www.jessicahillier.co.uk
Cake: www.cakes-by-helen.co.uk
Videographer: www.brideandzoom.co.uk
Vintage China and Cream Tea: www.fifteas.com
...and of course our wonderful bride model Becki, owner of www.southcoastmarquees.co.uk and www.southcoastglamping.co.uk

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