Tags
Fetcham, wedding dress, wedding industry, wedding photoshoot, wedding reception, wedding stylist, wedding suppliers, wedding venue
Share it
In the midst of an affluent village, along a road wedged into suburbia, past houses with gateways and at least 3 en suites, a small sign points discreetly to a concealed treasure chest…
Through wrought iron gates, weaving between hedges and trees, glimpses of red brick and white quoin stones is hardly enough to give away Fetcham’s beautiful secret…
A 300 year old house with rows upon rows of sash windows beneath the Mansard roof remains quietly nestled into the heart of Surrey, no longer bathed in the thousands of acres of Capability Brown landscape but standing proudly in its manicured gardens next to its small church…
Inside, the vestiges of the great craftsmen who worked at Chatsworth, Blenheim and Burleigh are juxtaposed with the work of an entirely different, although equally as decadent craft…
A streak of chiffon disappearing down a hallway…
The glint of sequins catching the afternoon sunlight…
An army of artisans painting, coiffing and decorating a brigade of girls into the most opulent, beautiful version of themselves…
A tousled blonde head peaking round a doorway, eyes wide in curiosity, seeking out someone, something, anything…
A room full of jewels to make the mouth water and the heart beat faster, all individually designed, all exuding personality, all fairtrade no matter what colour or cut the gem…
A pile of decadent peach lingerie, strewn haphazardly across a bulk-bought contemporary desk, caressing the MDF with its soft silk and sexy satin, suspenders hanging tantalisingly off the edge…
Landings bursting with rails full of the most exquisite gowns, in white and gold and silver and ivory, embellished with crystals and pearls and beads and sequins, in silk chiffons, satins and lace…
From the low-cut jaw-droppers to the high-necked piety, each dress portraying its own unique story, waiting to be interpreted in the styling, the modelling and the capturing…
Hanging on from picture frames, pieces of furniture, backs of doors and filing cabinets, dresses decorated every available wall of the first floor, from the prettiest pastel bridesmaid gowns to the tiniest spurts of frocks for the flowergirls…
Boxes and boxes of shoes in every conceivable shape and style stacked up in one room after the other, lids gone haphazardly astray as bejewelled heels and precarious platforms all strutted their way out of their boxes and through the house…
A couple posing in front of a mural depicting the marriage of Cupid and Psyche, unknowingly influenced by the love story above them as they affectionately bow their heads towards each other, whispering teasing words & lightly holding hands…
A dressing table under a tree, paper flowers hanging from the branches, larger than life balloons and Minnie mouse ears, all transforming bridal models into playful dolls…
Photographers up ladders and down on their knees, standing on chairs and peering through windows, patiently waiting for people, props and weather to clear from the back of shots as stylists watched the vision in their mind transform into a breathing picture…
A dining table laid out with genuine family heirlooms, with vintage Cristal in the crystal glasses and lashings of fresh strawberries and grapes in the antique chine bowls, whilst mini cupcakes and cookies adorn the plates around the enormous table…
A parade of classic cars swing round to the front door, acting as individual stage sets for Daisy Buchanan, Kate Moss and Catherine Zeta-Jones look-alikes…
Draped across dining tables, sofas and windowsills, huddling on the backseat of a car, splayed out on the grass and running past fountains, women of all ages frolic beneath the intermittent rain clouds, revelling in the sensation of being draped in the finest materials and fawned on by onlookers…
And then finally, with one last burst of the flashbulb, each and every person responsible for contributing to the magic of the day congregates on the grandiose cantilevered staircase, pulling one last pout beneath Laguerre’s imagining of The Choice of Hercules, surrounded by the enthusiasm and passion that has driven the day…
12 comments
August 29, 2011 at 3:34 pm
I feel like I’m back there. Jude x efc photography
August 29, 2011 at 3:50 pm
This is so good! I’m delighted that you have given a real insight into the architecture and the classical imagery of the murals. I am such a dimwit as far as art history goes. The day was rather lovely – thanks for being there!
August 29, 2011 at 5:45 pm
Oh how I wish I could have been there.
August 29, 2011 at 6:37 pm
Delightful report as usual from Emma, would have loved to have been there. x
August 29, 2011 at 6:54 pm
Oh Emma, you are so talented. Your report captures every detail of the day and I just wish you had been at our wedding. You really are one special lady and we loved having you with us x p.s. you scrub up quite well!
August 29, 2011 at 7:38 pm
Emma, you convey the picturesque Fetcham with such panache and style and authority. You are a very clever lady – wish I could have been there x
August 29, 2011 at 7:41 pm
Thanks so much for all of these fantastic comments. It really was my absolute pleasure to be part of the day and I am honoured to be involved in what I am sure will be a very exciting and popular new wedding venue!
August 30, 2011 at 9:38 pm
Emma – this really brings it all back; such a fun day working with a great team of professionals who after yesterday are now extended Fetcham family.
September 2, 2011 at 12:52 pm
This looks like a very exciting project.
October 1, 2011 at 3:40 pm
This all looks so magical and beautiful – what a wonderful project!
November 2, 2011 at 4:47 pm
A literary picture! Very impressive…..nice to meet you at Fetcham. Steve @ Shaken&Stirred
November 2, 2011 at 4:52 pm
Thanks Steve!