INSPIRATIONAL EDITORIAL - Sustainable 'New Normal' Summer Wedding Style By Sofia's Weddings & Events, Captured By FJS Photography At The Old School, Wolverton

28th September 2020


INSPIRATION - Sustainable 'New Normal' Wedding Style By Sofia's Weddings & Events, Captured By FJS Photography At The Old School, WolvertonHarnessing the talents of local vendors with an eco-conscience, this styled shoot is certain to inspire weddings in a post-COVID world!

Sofia Gallo of Sofia's Weddings and Events was responsible for the concept, the styling and the planning of the day, which was beautifully captured by FJS Photography:

"When The Old School, Wolverton asked me to collaborate on a styled shoot with sustainability in mind, I was thrilled. It had been a very strange time for everyone, and all the amazing suppliers involved really could not wait to organise a wedding, even if it was for a styled shoot.

It took me about a couple of weeks to shortlist and select the appropriate suppliers and all have been chosen for their eco-credentials or as local as possible to the venue to reduce the carbon footprint. The main colours for the shoot were green and white, where green also symbolised the balance and the harmony purposely throughout the shoot and also used for the ceremony."

The Venue

Sustainable Wedding Inspiration - FJS Photography - The Old School, Wolverton - VenueThe Old School, Wolverton, is a Grade II listed Victorian school and schoolhouse. Beautifully restored and converted, the building opened as a community hall, guest house and cafe in 2019. The building is owned by a not-for-profit organisation and is offered as a wedding venue as part of their commitment to serve the local community and to enable everyone to enjoy an important heritage asset. They have a Green Tourism award recognising the commitments made to operating sustainably, and the organisation is keen to support couples to have a sustainable wedding, with access to a local suppliers list and professional support to realise a green wedding of your dreams! 

Look One: The Bride & Groom

Sustainable Wedding Inspiration - FJS Photography - The Old School, Wolverton - Indiebride LondonSustainable Wedding Inspiration - FJS Photography - The Old School, Wolverton -  BrideSustainable Wedding Inspiration - FJS Photography - The Old School, Wolverton -  Indiebride London - The Flower BoutiqueLocal models, Dolly and Anthony, were chosen as their bride and groom.

Hair by Duboux, who strives to make a positive change with cleaner, greener and vegan-friendly beauty products, created a lovely half-up style, perfect for relaxed outdoor ceremony. 

The hairpiece was by Rachel Sokhal, who offers an alterations service for her bridal accessories, meaning they can be deconstructed and recreated into something else that can be worn for special occasions or every day!

The floral arrangements were created by local artisan florist; the bridal bouquet was adorned with ribbons by The Botanical Dyer, who use home-grown and locally sourced plant ingredients. The vegan-friendly ribbons are made from bamboo silk with a lovely finish of both satin sheen and matt.

The gown was by GREEN UNION partner, Indiebride London (read all about them here!)

Look One: The Celebrant-Led Outdoor Ceremony

Sustainable Wedding Inspiration - FJS Photography - The Old School, Wolverton -  The Handmade Sign CompanySustainable Wedding Inspiration - FJS Photography - The Old School, Wolverton -  The Handmade Sign CompanySustainable Wedding Inspiration - FJS Photography - The Old School, Wolverton -  Celebrant-Led CeremonySustainable Wedding Inspiration - FJS Photography - The Old School, Wolverton -  Outdoor Ceremony - Kelly Hawes CelebrantSustainable Wedding Inspiration - FJS Photography - The Old School, Wolverton -  pinkie-promise ritualThe beautiful wooden signage was created by The Handmade Sign Company, who provide a range of eco-friendly wedding signage and décor carefully and individually crafted by hand to the highest quality and materials are sourced from local, sustainable suppliers wherever possible, like this range of 100% reclaimed pallet wedding signs.

Celebrant, Kelly Hawes, introduces a new self-tying 'pinkie-promise' ritual that respects COVID-secure measures, as opposed to the usual hand-tying one:

"In order to be an Eco-friendly Celebrant I am mindful to keep my road miles minimal.  Rather than travelling UK wide, I prefer to offer my services in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire.  To further support this I am happy to offer zoom consultations to my couples if they wish. I use recycled paper in my office though I prefer not to print anything unnecessarily.  I am also proud to source many of my work clothes from local charity shops - recycling at it's best, whilst supporting charities too!" 

Look Two: The Church Ceremony

Sustainable Wedding Inspiration - FJS Photography - The Old School, Wolverton -  bride and groomSustainable Wedding Inspiration - FJS Photography - The Old School, Wolverton - first lookSustainable Wedding Inspiration - FJS Photography - The Old School, Wolverton -  church ceremonySustainable Wedding Inspiration - FJS Photography - The Old School, Wolverton -  Holy Trinity ChurchSustainable Wedding Inspiration - FJS Photography - The Old School, Wolverton After a quick outfit change and hair restyle for both the bride and groom, the team created an alternative ceremony setting in the local church of Holy Trinity, just 5 minutes walk from The Old School.

Portraits

Sustainable Wedding Inspiration - FJS Photography - The Old School, Wolverton - The Handmade Sign CompanySustainable Wedding Inspiration - FJS Photography - The Old School, Wolverton -  portraitsPortraits taken for both sessions made use of more signage from The Handmade Sign Company.

The Stationery

Sustainable Wedding Inspiration - FJS Photography - The Old School, Wolverton - Tiggity Boo - Wedding Calligraphy by RachelSustainable Wedding Inspiration - FJS Photography - The Old School, Wolverton - Tiggity Boo StationeryThe stationery suite was by Tiggity Boo:

"The card I have used is beautiful quality making it the perfect choice for discerning clientele but as it is manufactured from 100% virgin ECF fibre, it is also a product which supports the environment. Its production eschews the environmentally damaging use of fossil fuels or electricity as well as traditional bleaching methods, and with the material originating from well-managed forests, it holds FSC certification as well as its 100% acid-free properties giving it its ECF label. 

The invitation suite is finished with jute twine which adds to the eco-friendly qualities of the design. Derived from plant fibre, jute is readily grown and sustainable without the need for fertilizers or pesticides and as well as being ecologically sustainable, it is also 100% biodegradable making it the ideal finishing touch for this design."

The calligraphy on leaves was created by Wedding Calligraphy by Rachel:

"For this sustainable shoot, I purposely sourced some dried Magnolia leaves. The white ink and the paintbrush I used is also vegan."

Look One: The Outdoor Tablescape

Sustainable Wedding Inspiration - FJS Photography - The Old School, Wolverton - The Handmade Sign CompanyFurniture was sourced from local vendors, Jaspers Event Hire; the tableware was supplied by another local supplier, Wren Prop Hire, with sustainably hand-dyed table linen by Mia Sylvia. 

Honey pots as favours and elegant taper candles were sourced from The Buckinghamshire Beekeeper, and the latter were placed in Sofia's glass candlesticks purchased from West Barn Country Interiors, selling natural homewares, rustic furniture and vintage garden finds.

Look Two: The Indoor Tablescape

Sustainable Wedding Inspiration - FJS Photography - The Old School, Wolverton - indoor sweetheart tableSustainable Wedding Inspiration - FJS Photography - The Old School, Wolverton - indoor tablescapeThe alternative indoor sweetheart table had an enhanced luxe look.

The Cake

Sustainable Wedding Inspiration - FJS Photography - The Old School, Wolverton - Cakes and Leaves wedding cakeSustainable Wedding Inspiration - FJS Photography - The Old School, Wolverton - Cakes and LeavesThe cake (beautifully styled upon a reclaimed whisky barrel from local supplier, Something Borrowed) was by the very talented Dina of Cakes and Leaves; she only uses natural plant-based powders to achieve the most beautiful colours. This particular cake was coloured with hibiscus, beetroot, matcha green tea and green spirulina and the natural flavour was honey and citrus. 

Credits

Venue: The Old School, Wolverton

Concept, Styling and Planning: Sofia's Weddings & Events 

Photography: FJS Photography

Florals: The Flower Boutique

Tableware: Wren Prop Hire

Table Linen: Mia Sylvia

Candles and Honey Favours: The Buckinghamshire Beekeeper 

Glass Candlesticks: West Barn Country Interiors

Stationery: Tiggity Boo

Calligraphy on Leaves: Wedding Calligraphy by Rachel

Signage: The Handmade Sign Company

Hairstylist: Hair by Duboux

Hairpiece: Rachel Sokhal

Celebrant: Kelly Hawes

Cake: Cakes and Leaves 

Models: Dolly Kaur Majithia and Anthony Impera  

Gowns: Indiebride London 

Furniture: Jaspers Event Hire 

Whisky Barrel: Something Borrowed 

Ribbons: The Botanical Dyer


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