Amidst a captivating backdrop, where cacti and waxy palms meet desert-like climes and lofty ceilings of glass, a team of Devon's wedding creatives showcase the beauty of a sustainable wedding in this striking styled shoot.
'With people becoming ever more environmentally conscious, I wanted to see what challenges bride and grooms to-be faced when planning their weddings,' says photographer Eleanor Stobbart, who coordinated the shoot. 'It's very difficult to be completely eco-friendly; it's about having those core values and making conscious choices where you can and reusing the products that you already have.'
'We chose Paignton Zoo because of its conservation and environmental values, coupled with a beautiful arid environment,' she says, explaining that the zoo, owned by Wild Planet Trust, carries out vital conservation work across the planet and closer to home in local nature reserves, as well as international breeding projects to save and support endangered species globally.
Drawing on the arid desert environment for inspiration, succulents and distinctive plants take a central role in the styling, alongside lots of natural texture, warm tones and locally sourced materials.
Adding a splash of colour, the British succulents and foliage of the bouquet and buttonhole embrace the 'grown not flown' ethos, the zoo's garden team supplying the likes of pampas grass and bottle brush plant stems. Reusable materials such as dried ruscus were used as well as proteas which can be dried and kept.
The unique headpieces are made from sustainably sourced and recycled materials, with pampas grass providing a striking focal point, and feathers from Paignton Zoo's bird keepers bringing to life the beauty of locally sourced finds. Recycled materials can also be found in the stationery, printed on luxe recycled paper and featuring trending muted tones, and the rings, which incorporate leather pieces from an old DFS swatch book.
Then there's the bridal looks. Created with cruelty-free and environmentally friendly products, the textured hair styling and warm make-up tones mirror the environment. The bridal gowns, meanwhile, illustrate the growing range of fashion-forward options for eco-minded brides in Devon. From a delicate vintage gown from Days of Grace and a sustainable bamboo silk tea-length dress by The Alter Room to a design made from reclaimed silk by Ciéranne Kennedy-Bell, the intricately crafted designs prove that sustainable can indeed be stylish here in Devon.
Photography Eleanor Stobbart eleanorstobbart.co.uk
Venue Paignton Zoo paigntonzoo.org.uk
Headpieces Claire Austin England claireaustinengland.com
Flowers Hollyhocks hollyhocks-shop.co.uk
Hair The Up Do Girl theupdogirl.com
Make-Up Katy Short Makeup Magic facebook.com/katyshortmakeupmagic
Cakes Kismet Cakes kismetcakes.co.uk
Rings Naomi Davies Jewellery Design naomidaviesjewellery.co.uk
Stationery Knots & Kisses knotsandkisses.co.uk
Dresses Days of Grace Vintage daysofgracevintage.com
Ciéranne Kennedy-Bell ckbcostume.co.uk
The Alter Room facebook.com/thealterroom
Videography Charlotte Dart Photo & Film charlottedart.co.uk
Models Candice Peachey instagram.com/peacheyc
George Stahlmann instagram.com/georgie_the_explorer
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