A Chinese rice bowl was the starting point for this striking styled shoot at Eversfield Lodge, a new wedding venue hugged by wooded valleys and rolling hills in the heart of Devon’s countryside.
“The owner of the venue, Li, has Chinese heritage, and I really wanted to nod to this with a theme based around one of my vintage Chinese rice bowls,” explains Phoebe Stanaway of Elisabeth Shell Events, who styled the shoot. “I was born in Hong Kong and so have plenty of this china floating about the place, and a beautiful ceramic elephant plant stand that has travelled the world with me. The entire concept was put to our amazing suppliers for them to run with whatever they picked up on in the bowl’s features.”
“The beautiful blue and white bowls have a geometric pattern, a floral leaf motif and usually a dragon or interesting scene depicted in swirling blue at the bottom,” continues Phoebe. “They have a delicacy to them and also a strength – they are everyday objects which have been designed to be beautiful.”
Set up in the charming courtyard flanked by converted stone barns, the minimalist tablescape carries the palette and delicate charm through tulle draping, smoky grey glassware and petrol blue vases topped with oak chopsticks and rice bowls layered over gold-rimmed porcelain plates. A handcrafted chandelier and hanging flower installation in shades of cream and blue frame the focal point of the intimate celebrations, while the exquisitely hand-painted bird and florals of the cake beautifully echo the fine design of the bowl.
The finer details also nod to its intricate beauty, from the stationery gilded with gold leaf and wow-worthy blue sapphire engagement ring to the ceramic floral headpieces and earrings which crown the whimsical dresses, embellished with bohemian lace and dainty blooms.
Photography Venetia Norrington venetianorrington.com
Styling Elisabeth Shell Events elisabethshellevents.com
Venue Eversfield Lodge
Celebrant Sabine Smith, Perfect Day Ceremonies perfectdayceremonies.co.uk
Hair Bridal Hair by Roseanne bridalhairbyrosanne.co.uk
Make-up Laura Le Page lauralepagebridalmakeup.com
Dresses E&W Couture eandwcouture.co.uk
Groom’s outfit Bristol Men’s Hire menshire.co.uk
Headpieces & earrings Claire Austin England claireaustinengland.com
Rings Erin Cox erincox.co.uk
Flowers Poppy’s Flower Studio poppysflowerstudio.co.uk
Cake Emily Hankins emilyhankins.co.uk
Stationery Love Struck Stationery lovestruckstationery.co.uk
Table décor Glas Events glasevents.com
Chandelier Stories and Light octoberstudios.co.uk/stories-light
Chairs South West Event Hire southwesteventhire.co.uk
