a Garden party elopement - Backyard Editorial

A garden party inspired editorial shoot
Aimed to inspire you to think differently about how you can fill your own wedding or elopement day, by consciously choosing elements created with the ethics you carry.

By encompassing sustainable options such as wearing slow fashion, finding things second-hand, and choosing brands, vendors, or companies that consciously care about the earth and work in ways that don’t damage our natural world.

The second part of this is simply doing things that 'feel like you’. It doesn't have to be specifically a ‘wedding dress’ just because that’s what everything seems to wear, it can be a cute dress (or any form of clothing) you feel beautiful and yourself in. You can even wear comfy shoes you already own and that you will wear hundreds of times afterwards.

Tamara wears the vintage cowgirl boots she thrifted, with a Shop Dôen dress. Levi is wearing second-hand clothing and his beloved Doc Martin boots he's had for years.

Set in his parent's luscious backyard, with the idea of a garden party wedding - celebrating your love in a space you feel relaxed in, enjoying the tranquility, and feeling at home, while experiencing the sacredness of that time.

Our beautiful florist Felicity created a dynamic bouquet and table setting. She creatively used seasonal homegrown florals. Making something so unique and beautiful. A favourite part was the speckled beans she gathered from her friend's garden, which hung from the bouquet adding such a fun and delightful touch.

I know there are so many different ways to make something special and meaningful, and I want people to feel that freedom to make things special for them, whatever that looks like.

This shoot invokes a non-traditional perspective on weddings and attire. There is beauty and novelty in a day designed by close friends and family, in the most comfortable of environments. I want those who view my images to be empowered to make their experience their own. What would you incorporate and what would make it special and beautiful for you? Using your mum's tablecloths and vintage chairs, lots of candles and flowers?

Tasteful and beautiful, but homely and imperfect, maybe all the plates or glasses aren’t the same - but they look lovely together in their difference, just like you and all your loved ones.

I think this also creates a space you feel at home in and will make your experience of your day so much more relaxed, fun, easy, and real.

Every element in this shoot was either ethically made ( meaning slow fashion brands who consciously use natural processes that do not harm the earth, as well as valuing and treating people well.) locally sourced, or second-hand. Showing that you can do all these things and still have a day filled with beautiful elements.

I don't take any of this lightly, I know it can be a lot easier said than done. But these options are getting more and more common and available.

I have listed below a few ( that I have found so far) of my favourite wedding vendors that are genuinely ethical and also potentially a bit nontraditional.

If you want to create something a little different for your wedding or elopement and would like to chat more about how you can make your day feel special in your way, feel free to reach out! I would love to hear your ideas and support you on this journey!