INSPIRATIONAL EDITORIAL - A Dark But Joyful Jewel-Toned Boho Wedding Shoot At Rockliffe Hall, County Durham, Captured By Emma Ryan Photography

28th February 2020


A Dark but Joyful Jewel-Toned Boho Wedding Shoot at Rockliffe Hall, County Durham, Captured by Emma Ryan PhotographyI just LOVE receiving images that make me stop for a 'Hell, Yeah!' moment, and these beauties by Emma Ryan Photography did just that with this gloriously dark, but eminently joyful inspiration shoot, which pairs jewel-toned pinks and reds with deft strokes of black and bohemian touches. Read on, as Emma shares details of the contributions made by this fantastic team of creatives, and their eco-ethical credentials...

The Venue

A Dark but Joyful Jewel-Toned Boho Wedding Shoot at Rockliffe Hall, County Durham, Captured by Emma Ryan PhotographyThinking outside of the box, I decided on Rockliffe Hall for our location venue. I wanted to prove that you absolutely do not need a barn or outdoor wedding venue to channel bohemian vibes. That in choosing your photographer and suppliers wisely you really can have bohemian yet opulent styling on your wedding day. 

Rockcliffe is a popular luxury wedding venue in the North East and was first on my list of places to approach. I was very keen to keep the suppliers as local as possible, with a view to all suppliers being sourced in the North of England. As it happens everything but our lovely rings and hair accessories was provided by suppliers in the north. 

The Bridal Party Preparations

A Dark but Joyful Jewel-Toned Boho Wedding Shoot at Rockliffe Hall, County Durham, Captured by Emma Ryan Photography - Alice & Astrid robesDressing robes by Alice and Astrid were worn during bridal prep. These gowns are timeless and luxurious. Available in shorter lengths and pyjamas, these UK-made silk robes are perfect for a morning of pampering getting ready for your wedding day. 

The Hair and Makeup

A Dark but Joyful Jewel-Toned Boho Wedding Shoot at Rockliffe Hall, County Durham, Captured by Emma Ryan Photography - Anna Cordelia MakeupA Dark but Joyful Jewel-Toned Boho Wedding Shoot at Rockliffe Hall, County Durham, Captured by Emma Ryan Photography - Anna Cordelia MakeupMakeup by Anna Cordelia Mason (a local Guisbrough girl) was to be natural. Steering away from false lashes and bold brows Anna creates a soft but smokey bridal look on all three models. 

A Dark but Joyful Jewel-Toned Boho Wedding Shoot at Rockliffe Hall, County Durham, Captured by Emma Ryan Photography - Hair by Charlotte RileyHair by Charlotte Riley was, as always, perfection; she styled our models with the loose braids and delicate curls she seems to throw together with ease, plus hair accessories by Janie of The Lucky Sixpence which had been designed perfectly to fit the dark jewelled tones of the brief.

A Dark but Joyful Jewel-Toned Boho Wedding Shoot at Rockliffe Hall, County Durham, Captured by Emma Ryan Photography - The Lucky SixpenceA Dark but Joyful Jewel-Toned Boho Wedding Shoot at Rockliffe Hall, County Durham, Captured by Emma Ryan Photography - The Lucky SixpenceJanie from The Lucky Sixpence creates hand made hair accessories and jewellery using vintage elements, Swarovski crystals and pearls along with other high-quality materials. Janie sources beads and wire from local small businesses and buys her vintage elements at local antiques shops and fairs. Custom designing and making pieces to tie in with the wedding theme, bride’s style and look each piece is completely unique and a one-off. Janie is able to use pieces of treasured family jewellery in her designs so that the piece is not only sentimental but jewellery that may go unworn can be enjoyed and loved. Recycling and reworking items ensure less goes to landfill and by creating truly beautiful pieces they can be passed down from generation to generation.

The Dress

A Dark but Joyful Jewel-Toned Boho Wedding Shoot at Rockliffe Hall, County Durham, Captured by Emma Ryan Photography - BexbridesRebecca Lombard-Earl of Bexbrides provided our wedding dress. Hand made especially for this shoot using vintage fabric Bex put a lace twist on her popular ‘Rowan’ gown. With a low back, wild flowing sleeves and a vintage broach to finish, Bex hit the nail on the head with the design for this stunning gown.

A Dark but Joyful Jewel-Toned Boho Wedding Shoot at Rockliffe Hall, County Durham, Captured by Emma Ryan Photography - BexbridesBexbrides is a talented seamstress who creates bespoke dresses designed and made to the bride's requirements. In her studio she holds a range of dresses of her own design, often using recycled or reworked vintage fabrics. She is proud to offer the most extensive stock of vintage dresses in the North-East: over 200 original dresses from all eras, in excellent condition. These can be up-cycled or customised to any size. She also stocks an extensive range of ex-sample gowns in pristine condition. There is no need to go trawling the high streets for mass-produced gowns - Bex either has the perfect style, or she can create it for you!

The Groom

A Dark but Joyful Jewel-Toned Boho Wedding Shoot at Rockliffe Hall, County Durham, Captured by Emma Ryan Photography - Dandy ThreadsA Dark but Joyful Jewel-Toned Boho Wedding Shoot at Rockliffe Hall, County Durham, Captured by Emma Ryan Photography - Dandy ThreadsOur groom was fitted in a suit by Nicholas of Dandy Threads who have a newly opened store on Guisbrough High Street - a family ran gentleman's outfitter specialising in tailoring clothing for all occasions. A well-fitted black three piece suit with pops of emerald green brought some structure to the wedding party. 

The Bridesmaids

A Dark but Joyful Jewel-Toned Boho Wedding Shoot at Rockliffe Hall, County Durham, Captured by Emma Ryan Photography - Lielle WomenswearThe bridesmaid dresses were provided by Lielle Womenswear, an increasingly popular brand which creates made to order pieces right here in the North East. 

The Flowers

A Dark but Joyful Jewel-Toned Boho Wedding Shoot at Rockliffe Hall, County Durham, Captured by Emma Ryan Photography - Ruffled FlowersA Dark but Joyful Jewel-Toned Boho Wedding Shoot at Rockliffe Hall, County Durham, Captured by Emma Ryan Photography - Ruffled FlowersA Dark but Joyful Jewel-Toned Boho Wedding Shoot at Rockliffe Hall, County Durham, Captured by Emma Ryan Photography - Ruffled FlowersJenni of Ruffled Flowers is an incredibly talented florist also based in Guisbrough; she never fails to blow me away with her talent. Using many foraged items alongside more exotic blooms Jenni’s installations and bouquets oozed a wild bohemian feel, whilst maintaining a structured feel in keeping with the venue. 

The Rings

A Dark but Joyful Jewel-Toned Boho Wedding Shoot at Rockliffe Hall, County Durham, Captured by Emma Ryan Photography - The Molten Wedding Ring CompanyA Dark but Joyful Jewel-Toned Boho Wedding Shoot at Rockliffe Hall, County Durham, Captured by Emma Ryan Photography - The Molten Wedding Ring CompanyI couldn’t think of a more well-suited wedding ring designer for this project than The Molten Wedding Ring Company. Their raw, textured rings are delicate and bohemian whilst still maintaining the look of a classic wedding band. 

The Molten Wedding Ring Company create unique wedding rings which have a traditional feel but a contemporary edge. They offer all the rings in their range in fair trade gold but are created with recycled eco gold as standard. All the rings can be personalised with engraving, stone setting and the type of finish (high polish or matte) but they also offer the opportunity for sentimental gold to be used to create the rings. This allows gold that would be sat unworn in a jewellery box to be melted down and used to form a ring which will be worn for a lifetime. 

The Portraits

A Dark but Joyful Jewel-Toned Boho Wedding Shoot at Rockliffe Hall, County Durham, Captured by Emma Ryan Photography

A Dark but Joyful Jewel-Toned Boho Wedding Shoot at Rockliffe Hall, County Durham, Captured by Emma Ryan Photography

A Dark but Joyful Jewel-Toned Boho Wedding Shoot at Rockliffe Hall, County Durham, Captured by Emma Ryan Photography

The Reception

A Dark but Joyful Jewel-Toned Boho Wedding Shoot at Rockliffe Hall, County Durham, Captured by Emma Ryan Photography - ReceptionA Dark but Joyful Jewel-Toned Boho Wedding Shoot at Rockliffe Hall, County Durham, Captured by Emma Ryan Photography - Table SettingsA Dark but Joyful Jewel-Toned Boho Wedding Shoot at Rockliffe Hall, County Durham, Captured by Emma Ryan Photography - Table CentreOur stylist and coordinator Kate Kennedy of The Destination Wedding Company was the glue that held the team together. Drawing all of the elements together using her eye for detail, Kate dressed our top table in textured jewel-coloured fabrics, brushed gold cutlery and accessories, with more arrangements from Ruffled Flowers and stationery by Darling Ivy completing the look. 

A Dark but Joyful Jewel-Toned Boho Wedding Shoot at Rockliffe Hall, County Durham, Captured by Emma Ryan Photography - Reception TableThere was also a second, more monochromatic and minimalist version created to provide an alternative look.

The Stationery

A Dark but Joyful Jewel-Toned Boho Wedding Shoot at Rockliffe Hall, County Durham, Captured by Emma Ryan Photography - Darling Ivy StationeryOur stationery was created by Stephanie Barwick of Darling Ivy. Another Guisbrough-based business, Steph has an incredible house collection of wedding stationery available to order. She also offers a bespoke service, creating stationery to your very own design.

A Dark but Joyful Jewel-Toned Boho Wedding Shoot at Rockliffe Hall, County Durham, Captured by Emma Ryan Photography - Darling Ivy StationeryA Dark but Joyful Jewel-Toned Boho Wedding Shoot at Rockliffe Hall, County Durham, Captured by Emma Ryan Photography - Darling Ivy StationeryThe stationery created for ‘Bohemian Opulence’ was nothing short of breathtaking. Bringing in dark green jewelled tones with hints of gold Steph created something completely unique. Scrolled place names, gold tassels and cleverly designed spinning invitations stepped up the wedding stationary game tenfold!

The Cake

A Dark but Joyful Jewel-Toned Boho Wedding Shoot at Rockliffe Hall, County Durham, Captured by Emma Ryan Photography - Gabriella Grace CakesA Dark but Joyful Jewel-Toned Boho Wedding Shoot at Rockliffe Hall, County Durham, Captured by Emma Ryan Photography - Gabriella Grace CakesGabriella Grace Elliott was the creative genius behind our black wedding cake. Shaking up tradition Gabriella teamed up black flocked layers with delicate gold ruffles. Topped off with the most intricate wild sugar flowers I’ve ever seen this cake definitely exuded luxury!


My thanks to the team for sharing this spectacular shoot with us.

KEEP SCROLLING TO VIEW THE FULL GALLERY!

Credits

Concept & Photography: Emma Ryan Photography 

Styling & OTD Coordination: The Destination Wedding Company

Dress: Bexbrides 

Flowers: Ruffled Flowers

Hair: Hair by Charlotte Riley 

Makeup: Anna Cordelia Mason

Accessories: The Lucky Sixpence

Rings: The Molten Wedding Ring Company 

Cake: Gabriella Grace Cakes

Stationary: Darling Ivy

Grooms suits: Dandy Threads

Robes: Alice & Astrid

Venue: Rockliffe Hall


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