Wedding Inspiration at The Riding School

Whimsical Fairytale Wedding Inspiration


In the heart of Derbyshire, Calke Abbey is one of the most atmospheric and beautiful wedding venues, full of texture from the crumbling walls, history and romance. When Molly Frances Studio reached out to ask if I’d like to collaborate on a styled shoot to showcase her beautiful handmade bridal hair accessories, I couldn’t say no.


Together, we dreamt up an idea of something dreamy in nature and like a fairytale that would be set in the Riding School at Calke Abbey, managed by the wonderful Ivy House Weddings.

The Vision: Romantic, Textured, and Real


To begin the process, I created a mood board that captured our shared love for romance, fairytale and nature. We wanted it to feel dreamy and whimsical to match Molly's enw range of super romantic boho style hair pieces .


Once we had come up with the vision Molly began to get in touch with a set of incredible wedding suppliers to bring together the vision and add their own creative touch to each aspect.


A dreamy bridal portrait with flowing white gown and sheer curtains creating an ethereal atmosphere in soft lighting.
A person lies down while reading a book in dim lighting with white flowers visible in the background.
A series of artistic bridal portraits showing flowing white dress movement against sheer curtains and brick walls.
A person in a flowing white wedding dress twirls gracefully on an autumn path near a grand building at dusk.

The Creative Team Behind the Shoot


No styled shoot comes to life without a team of talented, creative professionals. Each supplier brought their unique artistry, and together we created something truly special. It was such an incredible experience to work with a team of creative women to build the vision together.

A dark and moody candlelit portrait series showing a bride in a bohemia white lace dress from behind.

Hair Accessories:

Molly Frances Studio


Molly creates one-of-a-kind accessories inspired by Goddesses, Fairytales, Songs and Nature. Hand crafted in my Nottinghamshire studio.

A person in a white sweater poses by a window with dramatic shadows creating an artistic portrait effect.

Content Creator:

The Relaxed Bride


With her iPhone and nostalgic 90's camera, Chloe captures an intimate collection of emotions and stories. Providing a genuine behind-the-scenes perspective with an added touch of nostalgia. ​​ ​​

Elegant wedding table setting with white linen tablecloth, candlesticks and greenery against a rustic brick wall.

Stylist:

Bobbi Wren Events


Bryony is a free-spirited wedding and event stylist, dedicated to crafting soulful and expressive settings. Specialising in creating romantic, enchanting and unforgettable atmospheres that capture the essence and significance of your most meaningful moments. Bryony designs stunning, one-of-a-kind spaces while promoting mindful choices and embracing sustainable values. 

Elegant sheer curtains with a warm beige tone drape gracefully across multiple windows, creating a soft, romantic ambiance.

Florist:

Poppy Scout


Hattie creates flowery magic from bespoke arrangements, elegant handties to homegrown, seasonal stems from my very own cutting garden.

A person in a light coat spins playfully on autumn leaves in front of a grand historic manor house.

Venue:

Ivy House Weddings


Ivy House Weddings and Events are innovative wedding co-ordinators and event planners who strive to go the extra mile to ensure that your event is as individual as you are.

A bride in a flowing white gown twirls gracefully against white curtains and exposed brick walls in a series of motion shots.

Dresses:

Susanna Greening Designs


Susanna offers made-to-measure bridal gowns that are romantic, stylish and luxurious. Designed to help you feel your most authentic self on your wedding day.

A curated collection of wedding dresses and bridal separates allows you to piece together an outfit that represents your own unique style and personality.

A romantic candlelit scene with lace details and soft lighting creates an intimate wedding atmosphere.

Model:

Jane

A hand holds an elegant wedding invitation with gold script lettering and ornate details in warm lighting.

Stationery:

The Whole Caboodle


Lorraine offers a personal service creating exquisite stationery for weddings and special events. She sources the most beautiful objects, papers and inks to create hand written calligraphy and specially printed pieces.

A series of vintage-style portraits in sepia tones displayed in a row showing elegant Victorian era fashion and poses.

Cake:

Flourish & Flotts



Flourish & Flotts, a renowned bakery in Yorkshire, specialises in crafting rustic style wedding cakes that exude artisanal elegance.

A dreamy close-up portrait series in warm sepia tones showing delicate details of lace and soft lighting.

Hair & Makeup:

Helena Rose Makeup Artist


Award-winning luxury makeup artist using cruelty-free & vegan products to create timeless, radiant looks for modern brides.

A dreamy portrait in soft lighting shows a person in a white tulle dress holding a vintage hand mirror.

Model:

Natalie

The Photography:

A bride in a flowing white ballgown twirls gracefully, creating a dreamy motion effect with the tulle skirt.
Hands holding an elegant wedding menu card at a candlelit reception table with romantic decor.
A person in a white dress spins gracefully among fallen autumn leaves near a grand historic building.
Black and white artistic photograph of delicate flowers with soft bokeh effect creating a dreamy atmosphere.
A series of moody candlelit portraits showing the back of a person in white lace against a dark background.
Close-up portrait of someone wearing a delicate lace veil in warm, romantic lighting.
A figure in a flowing white dress moves dramatically through a dark, atmospheric hallway with arched doorways.
A series of maternity photos showing a person in a flowing cream-colored dress posing against a dark leafy backdrop.
A flowing white wedding dress twirls in motion against a dark grass background creating an ethereal effect.
A moody artistic photo of a white cat illuminated by warm candlelight against a dark background.
A series of black and white photographs showing a draped white fabric creating dramatic shadows and texture.
A vintage black and white photograph showing people in white dresses sitting on a porch in a casual summer setting.
A bride in a flowing white wedding dress stands by large windows in a sunlit room with indoor plants.
Elegant wedding table setting with white linen tablecloth, taper candles and greenery in a rustic venue with brick walls.
A figure in a white wedding dress sits in front of a bright window in a dark, moody industrial space.

Why Styled Shoots Matter


Styled shoots like this one are more than just creative projects, they’re opportunities to collaborate, inspire, and push the boundaries of what wedding photography and design can be.



They give couples fresh inspiration for their own days while showing what’s possible when talented creatives work together.

Artistic black and white silhouette series showing a figure behind sheer curtains in different poses.
Moody black and white forest scene with blurred tree trunks creating an ethereal, haunting atmosphere.
A dreamy sequence of black and white photos showing a flowing white wedding dress in ethereal motion.

Final Thoughts


This day at Calke Abbey was filled with creativity, passion, and collaboration. Every supplier brought something unique to the table, and together, we created a story that reflects everything I love about wedding photography, emotion, connection and dreamy fairytale inspired artistry.


If you’re planning your wedding at Calke Abbey or anywhere in the UK and you love moody, romantic photography, I’d love to tell your story.