A Dark Botanical Styled Shoot with a Sinister Charm at Rochdale Town Hall

Blog

7 Jun

In anticipation of the next Gothic Luxe Wedding Fair at Rochdale Town Hall on the 21st September, we embarked on a creative journey to design a styled shoot that encapsulates the haunting beauty of a dark botanical theme. The setting was a bewitching blend of darker hues, intricate details and dramatic features that would leave a lasting impression on anyone planning a unique gothic wedding.

The shoot team meticulously curated every aspect of this shoot, embracing elements like live snakes and cat skulls with such excitement - and the results are just incredible!

Venue and aesthetic:

Rochdale Town Hall is a wonderland of shadow and light, intricate stonework and incredible hand painted murals. The grandeur demands we plan a shoot that is both timeless and dramatic. Drawing the colours from the Great Hall, and picking snakes and cats from the stonework we couldn’t be prouder of how the ideas of the team were brought together.

Design elements:

The tablescape; a collaboration between Maddison Rocks Floral and Gilded Fox Events, epitomised gothic romance. The rich burnt orange table runner provided a striking contrast with the black and polished silverware. Magnificent swathes of meadow floral centrepieces, featuring dark-hued blooms interwoven with snakes and gothic arches, were accentuated with confetti from the Orchard at Woodend. Strategically placed candles enhancing the ambiance further.

The exquisite details of the stationery suite custom designed by WOW wedding stationery, with gold foil highlights and gloss embossed details is the embodiment of gothic luxury, while the metal etched seating plan took it to a whole new level.

The Cake Baroness created a breath-taking trio of cakes, draped in dark green, featured gilded snakes nestled in dark florals. The details on the snake cookies and jawbone sweets were next level and watching as one of the snakes explored the cake table was just next level.

Thematic details:

Central to our theme were live snakes - symbolizing transformation and new beginnings, what better emblems of starting a new phase of your journey with your partner? Their calm presence, complimented the exquisite details of the shoot. And these magnificent creatures, from Critters Interactive, stole our hearts!

Complimenting them were cat skulls, inspired by the many animal carvings in the stone work at Rochdale Town Hall and signifying protection and good fortune.

Both the snakes and the cat skulls we not only motifs used in the styling, but were integral aspects of the ceremony crafted by Dave at Rock the Vows. Tying the cords through the cat skull and allowing the snakes to intertwine with the hands during the hand fasting strengthening the bond.

Attire and styling:

Kayleigh wore the Lilith dress by Legend Bridal; a black glitter gown with intricate snake detailing, embodying an elegance that transcends traditional norms. The headpiece and bouquet by Maddison Rocks Floral, a moody arrangement of dark blooms and foliage and intertwined with snakes was nothing short of a masterpiece, and the snake and skull motifs hand crafted in the Jewellery pieces by Hjalte Jewellery were just stunning. The expert hand of Sira Rose Makeup and artistic nails by Chaz really brought all the elements together.

Chris, also rocking gorgeous jewellery and cufflinks by Hjalte wore Devil Fashion and Punk Rave for an alternative, more relaxed take on wedding attire.

Photography and vision:

Vicky Dubois Photography captured the haunting beauty and elegance of this shoot with an expert eye. The play of shadows and light in the incredible setting really showcased the depth and layers of out theme.

Keep an eye out also for the spellbinding video on it’s way from Shot by Rutley.

The Gothic Luxe Wedding Fair

This dark botanical styled shoot was more than just a collection of visual elements; it is a showcase of possibilities… our intention to invite attendees to the Gothic Luxe Wedding Fair, where they can meet and chat with every one of these incredible suppliers (plus many more) and see how we all work together to being your wedding ideas to life.

As we prepare to unveil this theme at the upcoming wedding fair, we hope to inspire couples to explore the beauty in darker elements and bring the bold, beautiful and the unexpected in their wedding planning adventures.

Join us at the Gothic Luxe Wedding Fair on the 21st September where you can see this styling up close in one of our feature displays and chat to all the incredible suppliers that helped bring it to life.