Elope! It's The Way To Maximise The Minimal!
The gorgeous couple look relaxed in this intimate shot captured in front of the bold ‘So Lets Talk’ statement graffitied on the red corrugated metal door.
Written by Helen-Louise Dudney
Photography by Lauren Elliott Photography
This shoot is a two-finger salute to everything you thought you knew about elopements.
This shoot is filled with personality and love and opens your eyes and mind to what an elopement could look like. There are so many reasons why couples are now choosing to elope. So whether it’s to make you feel more comfortable, to make it more affordable, to have an intimate wedding where you are able to narrow the focus and funds onto each other and express yourselves and your love exactly as you like, or just BECAUSE, then this shoot is inspiring!
When it comes to elopements the term has previously had negative connotations, that of secrecy, suddenness and necessity. However this styled shoot captured by Lauren Elliott Photography shows how wildly outdated that notion is! The vision by the awesome Bec at Jean Jackson Couture was “to create the ultimate contemporary LGBTQ+ friendly city inspiration” and in spite of it being a styled shoot the authenticity of the couple was crucial to the whole team throughout.
The fabulous couple are captured sharing an intimate moment, touching noses and laughing. Their beautiful soft pink and red florals contrast beautifully to the hard wall and graffiti behind them.
Location at the heart.
The grit and glamour of the Northern Quarter in Manchester was the perfect location to capture this gorgeous couple, not only does it hold a place in their heart, but the city is a cheerleader for bold and unique, for going against the grain and standing out whilst being true to itself. As a leading LGBTQ+ friendly city within its mismatched architecture it embraces love, and true love at that.
The brides are stood next to each other holding hands and their bouquets in front of a beautiful piece of art framed against an exposed brick wall.
The team wanted to create a shoot that was different whilst being chic and contemporary, which was not a problem for the fabulous Esme and Rebecca. Not only were this gorgeous pairs personal aesthetics an inspiration to the shoot, but they were involved and consulted throughout to ensure their personalities were captured. It was important to the team that the couple were consulted about all aspects so that they felt comfortable and confident in whatever they chose from the collection and that their hair by The Halo Rooms and make-up by Louise Freelance Makeup Artist fit within the style of the shoot, as well as making them both feel amazing.
In Manchester with a stunning old pub behind them, the beautiful he brides are laughing and having fun, holding each others hand and their bouquets, whist walking down the road. They are both wearing different style Jean Jackson Couture dresses.
WOW the dresses.
The dresses exude love, care and attention to detail whilst being free and sassy. The brides looks were incredible. The dresses are a collaboration by Moonchild Bridal and Jean Jackson Couture and are exclusively sold at Jean Jackson. The mixture and contrast of fabrics and styles reinforced the fun and personality that this shoot was capturing and the couple looked stylish and fierce. All the looks are perfect and it’s hard to pick a favourite, from the floaty knee length dress with a beautiful ribbon bow at the back and the most gorgeous collar and cute cuffs, to the sleeveless jersey top with a taffeta skirt creating it’s own train at the back. And we cannot move onto the shoes before highlighting the ingenious beret which was used as “a modern twist on the classic veil”.
The floral clash of pinks and reds in the wedding bouquet stand out against the white of the brides dress.
The shoes
These leopard print platform sandals with a block heel are to die for! But from the fringed cream stilettos and cream platform ankle boots to the leopard print stiletto heeled boots they all work SO well and would be interchangeable with the various dresses.
Flowers.
The florals by Emma Cox Floristry were the perfect contradiction and clash to bring the concept to life “sweet peas and butterfly ranunculus for floaty romance in bright pinks and reds for a sassy city colour clash.”
A stunning wedding bouquet in pinks and reds. The colour clash is enhanced by the orange on the floor.
Stationery.
The leopard print that Bec at Jean Jackson Couture chose to use as a neutral throughout was subtle and stylish in the stationery produced by Mama Inc Studio with the soft red tassel against the black card adding a touch of sass.
The leopard print is the perfect neutral with this stunning wedding stationery in pinks and reds.
Cake.
The spectacular wild frosting cake was by the The Palms Bakery. They continued the neutral leopard print and red colour scheme to create the perfect cake for our Un-Wedding couples. It is sheer joy to look at.
The ultimate leopard print shaggy cake!
Eloping doesn’t mean being under the radar.
Choosing to elope could allow you the freedom to have an intimate day that is authentic, unapologetically selfish and all about you and celebrating your relationship in whatever amount of detail you choose, or not…..but having fun and looking HOT whilst you do it!
Suppliers.
Photography: Lauren Elliott Photography @laurenelliottweddings
Dresses: The dresses are a collaboration by Moonchild Bridal and Jean Jackson Couture and are exclusively sold at Jean Jackson. @moonchildbridal jeanjacksoncouture @jeanjacksoncouture
Florals: https: emmacoxfloristry @emmacoxbrocante
Makeup: @louisefreelancemua
Hair: @thehalorooms
Cake: The Palms Bakery @thepalmsbakery
Stationery: Mama Inc Studio @mamaincstudio
Couple: @rebeccaesme_couple