EveryBrideisBeautiful

Becka Headley from Luno & Stella Weddings and Events decided to do something beautiful to celebrate International Women’s Day 2024. “I brought together eight amazing Devon women as models, following an appeal on social media,” explains Becka. “The group that formed were each different shapes, ages, sizes, styles, ethnicities and, in some instances, disabilities, both physical and hidden. I wanted to show off all their different features, characters and personalities, displaying that every single woman is beautiful in her own way.” 
 
The ensuing shoot that took place at Brickhouse Vineyard was a celebration of womanhood in all its diverse and dazzling beauty. “Becoming a bride can be exhilarating, exciting, daunting and emotional in equal measure. It can also accentuate perceived flaws and create the opportunity for both positive and poor experiences if hopes are dashed or confidences are shattered. It’s a rollercoaster! Media doesn’t often use imagery that women of all ages, stages, circumstances, cultures and ‘abilities’ can identify, but this project aimed to give ‘every woman’ the chance to shine,” she explains. “An amazing team of 20 female business owners within the wedding industry added their enthusiastic support and helped to bring the concept to life.”
 
“The colour palette was deliberately neutral to ensure that the focus of the shots remained our beautiful brides, and to allow the atmosphere and rustic charm of the venue to shine, says Becka. “Each bride completed a questionnaire to enable the stylists to create personalised concepts that would suit their wishes, and to build their confidence.”
 
Each woman completed a questionnaire to enable the talented team of 20 female business owners within the wedding industry to create personalised concepts to suit each individual’s wishes and build their confidence. The local team of creatives meant the shoot was also a celebration of Devon’s wedding industry, featuring locally grown blooms and handcrafted porcelain accessories through to creatives ranging from hair stylists and make-up artists to caterers.
 
From the style and fit of the bridal gowns to the shoes, accessories, hair, make-up and flowers, each element combined to create a gorgeously individual look for each woman, in which they would feel comfortable and beautiful.
 
“The overall feel of the day was fantastic – very relaxed but fun and uplifting for all,” says Becka. “My aim for the day was for everyone involved to have a fantastic and happy experience, including the ladies who were modelling. With confetti canons, fun sunglasses, and empowering music, it really was just that.”
 
Concept, planning & coordination Luno & Stella Weddings and Events lunoandstella.co.uk
Photography Freckle Photography frecklephotography.co.uk
Videography Capture Weddings captureweddings.co.uk
Venue Brickhouse Vineyard brickhousevineyard.co.uk
Content creation Meraki Moments Media merakimomentsmedia.co.uk
Dresses Somerset Bridal somersetbridal.co.uk
Hair Cindy Beddard Bridal Hair cindybeddardbridalhair.co.uk
Natalie Nichols Bridal natalienichols-bridal.com
Bridal Hair by Rhian bridalhairbyrhian.co.uk
Ocean Waves Hair Styling oceanwaveshairstyling.com 
Make-up Millie Elizabeth instagram.com/millieemua
Laura Le Page https://www.lauralepagebridalmakeup.com
Nicola Redman nicolaredmanmakeup.com
Makeup by Zoe L instagram.com/makeupbyzoe.l
Accessories Claire Austin England claireaustinengland.com
Flowers From The Wild fromthewildflorist.com
Décor Fika Event Hire fikaeventhire.com
Furniture Virginias Vintage Hire virginiasvintagehire.co.uk
Catering Graze & S’more instagram.com/graze_and_smore
Stationery Inviting Memories instagram.com/invitingmemories
Caricatures Cornwall Caricatures cornwallcaricatures.co.uk
Models Ellie Eaton @ellieeaton_ 
Tamia Carmen @tamiacarmen_
Millie Reynolds @millieelizabethhh 
Jan Wood
Lydia Bailys @lydiabailysandco
Lucy Lowe @lucynjl
Elly Nagy @xelly_nagyx