What bride doesn’t dream of wandering around a palatial French château in the middle of the woods in a voluminous satin gown with sleeves that are bigger than your head and a cape that goes on for days? This dreamy editorial is like something straight out of a fairytale from the epic gown to the delicate glass-domed floral arrangements that grace the reception table. Even the boudoir session is other-worldly with a silk tulle veil and not a hair out of place. If you’ve been dreaming of your own fairytale wedding, this shoot is the ultimate inspiration!
We could stare at these gorgeous photos by Sophie Kaye Photography, with their soft lighting and beautiful movement, forever. J Bennett Design planned this over-the-top romantic shoot at Château Bouffemont. The organic soft pastel floral arrangements by Jessica Bennett complement the rest of the design beautifully. Yana Kishko was also there getting the entire shoot on video. See the full gallery for even more from this inspiration shoot and keep reading to hear more from Jessica Bennett about all of the vendors that made this magic possible.
AN INSPIRING VENUE
Located in the heart of the Montmorency Forest just outside Paris, Château Bouffemont, surrounded by majestic trees and gently rolling green hills, provided a backdrop of quiet solitude for a bridal editorial designed by J Bennett Design and captured by Sophie Kaye Photography and cinematographer Yana Kishko. Stationer Isidore And Augustine played off the château’s terrace with her selection of muted stone-colored handmade papers for an invitation suite, complete with a gold floral seal and vellum jacket printed with delicate floral motifs in white ink. Engraver, Focus And Light also echoed the venue’s stonework by inlaying a marbled acrylic illustration of the château into white acrylic on a brass tray.
A BOLD BRIDAL LOOK
The bride’s boudoir look included a soft ivory bustier accented by French silk tulle veiling by Blossom and Bluebird and Bella Belle ‘Esther’ kitten heels with delicate tulle bows. For her wedding, dressed in ‘Admire’ by Monique Lhuillier from La Jeune Mariee, the bride was at once elegant and timeless in smooth silk satin with a modern long-line cape and voluminous sleeves reminiscent of bygone eras in French fashion. Champagne ‘Frances’ Bella Belle Shoes paired beautifully with a custom Victor Barbone ring set with a 2.38-carat transitional cut light brown diamond set in 18 karat yellow gold with two old European cut diamonds set on each side.
Hair and makeup artist Jenya swept the bride’s tresses into a soft bun with gentle twists and curls to echo the romanticism of the nineteenth century when the venue was built to host exquisite parties for a Marquise and later a Baron. Like her gown, the bride’s makeup was at once a mix of classic elegance with a dramatic flair. Openwork gold floral statement earrings by A. B. Ellie played off the gown’s sleek lines and gave a more modern finishing touch to the bridal ensemble.
MODERNIZING A CLASSIC COLOR PALETTE
The florals by Jessica Bennett were composed of soft ivory roses, white lilies, purple freesia, and statice, with peach, purple, and blush orchids adding modernity to a classic bridal palette. She set the table with La Tavola‘s ‘Topaz’ linens in ‘Fog’ and ‘Blush’ and paired matte white china with fluted glassware, blue and gold flatware as a modern take on “French blue,” and dainty garden roses under glass domes. Traditional French Louis chairs from La Maison Options completed the reception look.
