Hawkstone Hall – editorial shoot

by Corrie McDonald | Sep 22, 2023 | Wedding Design

Hawkstone Hall – editorial shoot

Nestled within the hills of the rolling Shropshire countryside, you will find the magnificent, Grade 1 listed, Hawkstone Hall & Gardens Estate; A truly sumptuous venue perfect for an editorial photo shoot with Charlotte Palazzo Photography & many more talented suppliers…

Ceilings gilded in gold, sweeping staircases, intricate detailed arched windows & breathtaking marbled floors; Hawkstone Hall offers a combination of heritage & modern luxury…a perfect space for Charlotte Palazzo to showcase her timeless photography style.

I was beyond excited when Charlotte invited me to be part of her editorial photo shoot aptly named “Petite Dauphine”. Her vision was to embrace the joys of romance in full bloom with a colourful yet delicate palette & a touch of French blue. Charlotte wanted to draw inspiration from the BBC TV drama Marie Antoinette but didn’t want to take anything literally from the drama, just little nods to the style & elegance. Overall the shoot was to provide a dreamy yet bold hint of French romance & hues, working in harmony with Hawkstone’s impressive interior features.

DESIGN & STYLING

The bridal gowns were a huge inspiration for me during this entire shoot so I brought elements of the exquisite embroidery design through the table linens and crockery. Other styling elements were kept very clean & minimal to create a backdrop for the dreamy floristry by Sarah at Hope & Flora Style. Sarah is quite possibly one of the calmest people I’ve ever met & watching her gracefully go about her work on the day was quite inspiring!

Hawkstone Hall Editorial // Petite Dauphine

STATIONERY

A sweeping, elegant typeface paired with bold botanical illustrations gave a timeless yet modern edge to the invitation suite & the exquisite bridal wear continued to spark my imagination!

For table stationery, I used a tactile linen cardstock for the menus to elevate the simplicity of the overall place setting.

DREAM TEAM

Concept, planning & photography: Charlotte Palazzo

Design, Stylist & Stationer: moi !
Venue: Hawkstone Hall
Flowers: Hope & Flora Style

Cake: T S P Cake
MUA: hannahdoramakeup
Hair: hairbyhollydaybell
Model: @justalexroberts

Model couple: @lausandjack
Dresses: @millia.london @130atelierbridal @dollybluebridalshrewsbury

Dress Designers:

Blue Dress Camille @millia.london

Dress Mist with Bow Cape @Watters from @130atelierbridal

Ornate Dress with pearl Cape @wtoowatters from @130atelierbridal

Floral dress with sleeves from @dollybluebridalshrewsbury

Strapless dress with large bow on the back from @dollybluebridalshrewsbury

Accessories: Flower hair vine and flower earrings @laurellimebridal

Accessories: All crowns and clay flower earrings @megantheresecouture

Pink Shoes: @di_hassall @harrietwildeshoes

Blue Shoes: @harrietwildeshoes

Suit: Models Own

Assistant: @fran_macenroe

Ok, now what?

I’m here to help you…

Get in touch

Not too sure what level of Design & venue styling support you need? Let’s chat!

To find out more, head to my contact page below or you can email me directly at hello@soireestudio.co.uk

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” How much does all this stuff cost?” – A guide to wedding budgeting

by Corrie McDonald | Sep 2, 2023 | Wedding Design

” How much does all this stuff cost?” – A guide to wedding budgeting

Wedding budgeting… let’s face it, it’s not the most exciting job during your wedding planning journey (unless you love a damn good pivot table…)

It’s one of those jobs however that needs attention (before you even step foot in a bridal boutique) & I assure you, spending some time putting your budget together will massively reduce those wedding planning stresses.

Every couple will have their own specific priorities & will want to allocate different parts of their budget to certain areas of their day so there’s no generic rule, it’s your day!

Suppliers will also provide pricing based on their experience, talent, knowledge & quality of their work, so knowing your budget for each category can really help narrow down your supplier search.

Below you will find my average breakdown for a wedding budget & some handy tips to kick off your budget planning.

Remember, this is just a guide; you may want to allocate more of your budget to those dreamy wedding heels/sumptuous invitations/billowing florals over a towering cake…or not!

Starting with some averages will really help when you’re crunching those numbers so grab a glass of bubbly & pull up a chair!

Neutral wedding table styling and floristry

TIP 01.

Pick your top 5 budget areas that spark the most joy & make them non-negotiable –

There’s a lot of choice out there so before shiny object syndrome creeps in, think about those absolute must haves for you both & keep them at the forefront of your wedding planning.

TIP 02.

Set a budget before you start to shop around –

Trust me on this one, there’s no worse feeling than trying on ‘the dress’ before setting a budget to then discover it’s out of your budget reach… I had to learn the hard way with this tip!

TIP 03.

Add a miscellaneous fund of 5% to your budget –

There will always be something that crops up such as hotel for the night before, beauty treatments, supplier meals… or your misc fund comes in handy if you decide to upgrade/invest a little more in other areas of your wedding that bring you joy.

TIP 04.

Be honest with suppliers over your wedding budget –

Most suppliers will ask about the investment you wish to make to help them put the right products/services in front of you – It saves you time too because you won’t end up with an inbox full of quotations that aren’t aligned with your budget.

BUDGET breakdown

Venue, catering & bar – 40-50 %

Photography & videography – 10-15 %

Music & entertainment – 8-10 %

Wedding design & venue styling – 10-15 %

Floristry – 10-15 %

Wedding planner 8-10 %

Wedding attire – 8-10 %

Stationery & signage – 3-6 %

Cake – 2-4 %

Transport – 1-3 %

Ok, now what?

I’m here to help you…

Get in touch

Not too sure what level of Design & venue styling support you need? Let’s chat!

To find out more, head to my contact page below or you can email me directly at hello@soireestudio.co.uk

contact me

Explore my services

Learn more about my Design & Venue Styling services & how I can help

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THE

dreamteam

Big love to these talented souls for being part of this blog post…

Safrina Smith Photography

Marta D Weddings

The McHendry’s

Relaxed Autumnal Wedding at Wyresdale Park

by Corrie McDonald | Aug 23, 2023 | Wedding Design

Relaxed Autumnal Wedding at Wyresdale Park

REAL WEDDING : Claire & James

VENUE: Wyresdale Park

Nestled in the heart of the Forest of Bowland, on the outskirts of the picturesque village of Scorton, Lancashire, Claire & James were instantly inspired by the homely charm & spectacular country views that Wyresdale Park had to offer.

With a shared love of the great outdoors, Claire & James opted for a colour palette of pine, chestnut, cinnamon & Latte which complimented the surrounding Autumnal countryside wonderfully, not to mention the abundance of beautiful blooms available at this colourful time of year.

DESIGN & STYLING

The overall aesthetic was influenced by natural materials found throughout the venue such as the stone floor in the ceremony room & towering oak beams over the dining area. I wanted to ensure these textures were reflected throughout the styling so opted for stoneware plates, natural linens & a beautiful wooden banqueting top table.

Tableware & decor was kept within a neutral colour palette to provide a backdrop for the sumptuous Autumn blooms by Gemma at Bluebells and daisies. Working with Gemma was a total breeze; her workshop is based on the grounds of Wyresdale Park which made set up & communication totally effortless. Her attention to detail & sheer passion for floristry shone through on the day, not to mention her infectious energy & love for all things weddings!

STATIONERY

Claire’s intricate gown was a real source of inspiration for me & incorporating the foliage embroidery details delicately through the stationery suite was a must! I used a debossing technique to press the foliage design into a gorgeous Italian hammered cardstock which gave a subtle, tactile quality to the inviations & incorporating a cinnamon block colour for the details card added contrast & elevated the overall suite.

For on-the-day stationery, I kept the overall designs clean & minimal with subtle pops of colour to add contrast against the Autumn blooms.

DREAM TEAM

Claire & James were an absolute dream to work with & after meeting at the Brides up North wedding fair at Capesthorne Hall, we instantly hit it off with a shared love of dogs, old school Land Rovers & the great outdoors!

Their wedding day was a collaboration of some of the best suppliers the North West has to offer including:

Photography – The McHendry’s

Floristry – Bluebells & Daisies

Cake Maker – Sugar Wishes

Dress – Essence of Australia at Ava Rose Hamilton

A NOTE FROM CLAIRE & JAMES

” working with Corrie was an absolute pleasure from the moment we met at a wedding fair in 2021, I now miss have emails from Corrie.

Not only was Corrie really easy to work and communicate with, she is patient and is happy to take suggestions/ideas from you and even taking last minute requests for on the day stationery. On our wedding morning we were completely relaxed knowing that Corrie was at the venue and styling it to perfection.

When we first approached Corrie it was mainly for Stationery, but after meeting her and chatting at a Wedding Fair (even having a tour of her fantastic Land Rover) we knew that we had to hire her to style our venue as well – this was honestly one of the best decisions we made throughout our whole wedding planning process, our venue looked better than I could have ever dreamed of!

I would not hesitate recommending Corrie to any future Brides & Grooms.

Thank you so much Corrie! “

Ok, now what?

I’m here to help you…

Get in touch

Not too sure what level of Design & venue styling support you need? Let’s chat!

To find out more, head to my contact page below or you can email me directly at hello@soireestudio.co.uk

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Learn more about my Design, Styling & Stationery services & how I can help

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Wedding planner or wedding designer – what do you really need?

by Corrie McDonald | Aug 14, 2023 | Wedding Design

Wedding planner or wedding designer – what do you really need?

Let’s be honest, planning a wedding isn’t really something you can knock out in one evening in front of Netflix…. & we all know the career/family/travel/children/social plates still need to keep spinning while planning is in full swing; It’s therefore no surprise why the modern day couple opt for support in the form of a Wedding Planner/Designer/Stylist…but what do these roles cover & how can they help?

THE WEDDING PLANNER

Typically, a wedding planner will begin by saving you time by sourcing the perfect supplier dream team. They may help find your venue, photographer, caterer, dressmaker etc. & then work closely with each supplier to ensure they all deliver on the day.

A wedding planner will also handle things like logistics, admin & creating a timeline in the run up to your day.

Some planners will also be there to coordinate your day, ensuring the day-of timeline is implemented & your soirée runs smoothly.

THE WEDDING DESIGNER

A wedding designer & stylist creates the look & feel of your day. From researching the perfect colour palette, to designing your tablescape with intention & personality; every tiny detail will be considered & implemented to ensure your design comes to life on the day.

Some designers & stylists also source & produce decor and manage any suppliers who contribute to the aesthetic of your wedding e.g. lighting/furniture.

Some planners are also designers & stylists or outsource elements of their role, while designers & stylists generally focus on the look & feel of your wedding.

So what support do you really need?

You may need a Planner if...

– Time is seriously not your friend & you don’t even know where to start with finding the perfect venue.

– There seems to be too much choice when it comes to other key suppliers & you don’t want to risk appointing the wrong dream team.

– You need someone to help with the general admin that comes with appointing all suppliers.

– You don’t want the stress of worrying suppliers won’t find the venue or your dad will wander off to the toilet just before you’re about to walk own the aisle; you’re in need of someone to take the reins on the day.

You may need a Designer if...

– You’ve booked your dream venue & other key suppliers such as photographer, caterer but when it comes to creating an overall look & feel, you’re starting to feel wedding stress kicking in!

– You have an overflowing Pinterest board full of alllll the things & you’re struggling to decide which colour palette is your vibe.

– You want to add your personality to your styling but design isn’t your forte.

– You don’t know where to source the right floristry/crockery/linens/signage/lighting/furniture/stationery & you don’t have the time to traipse around wedding fairs looking for the perfect napkins.

A wedding can take between 200-450 hours to plan, design & implement, so if appointing a professional to give you a gentle guiding hand sounds like the perfect plan, I’m here to help!

If you’re in need of a Wedding Planner, I work alongside some fabulous one’s & I’m always happy to recommend one that will suite your personality & the level of service you need.

If you’re in need of a Designer & Stylist… well you’re totally in the right place so pull up a chair!

Thanks Photography legends!

Charlotte Palazzo

Safrina Smith

The McHendrys

Ok, now what?

I’m here to help you…

Get in touch

Not too sure what level of Design & venue styling support you need? Let’s chat!

To find out more, head to my contact page below or you can email me directly at hello@soireestudio.co.uk

contact me

Explore my services

Learn more about my Design & Venue Styling services & how I can help

Find out more

The value of investing in a Venue Stylist

by Corrie McDonald | Jul 13, 2023 | Wedding Design

The value of investing in a Venue Stylist

Venue styling; A service that at times isn’t graced with its own little box on the wedding planning spreadsheet (sobs).

Investing in a venue stylist however, is becoming an essential service for the modern couple who are adamant they want to save time planning their wedding, reduce the stress of spinning all the venue styling plates & don’t want to waste even a smidge of their venue styling budget.

Below are just a handful of challenges I regularly hear from clients before they hire me & how my Venue styling service helps to:

SAVE TIME | REDUCE STRESS | PREVENT BUDGET WASTE

“ I don’t need a wedding planner because we’ve already booked the big things like venue/caterer/photographer ourselves, but I have no time to manage the ever-growing list of suppliers needed to style the venue. My work/travel/family/social schedule is making it impossible to manage this part of wedding planning. ”

I hear you; It takes me an average of 92 hours to research, design, source decor, manage suppliers, travel, style a venue & clear up the day after. I totally get why you can’t find the time to bring everything together due to your wonderfully busy world and I’m all for making this part of wedding planning a hell of a lot easier for you.

“ We have guests arriving from all over the world in the week leading up to our wedding & we will be too busy socialising with them to manage all venue styling suppliers. “

I’ll be really honest with you, your wedding day will go by in a flash & having a meaningful conversation with every guest on the day (without being interrupted for photos/first dance/cake cutting etc.) is pretty unrealistic.

The days leading up to your wedding therefore become vitally important when it comes to creating precious pockets of time with your guests; so meet those long distance relatives at the airport, book that last brunch as a Miss with your girls & I beg of you, don’t miss the pre-drinks with guests arriving the night before. Let the week running up to your day become an extension of your soirée & a stress-free one at that!

“ I just want to focus on styling myself & keeping calm on the morning of my wedding instead of stressing over the venue set up & the name cards being in the right place! “

Making memories with your bridal party, not rushing off after your hair appointment, not missing your wedding bouquet arrive & generally having the space to just relax & breath…these are just a few moments my clients never missed when they left the venue styling in my creatively organised hands.

” Our venue requires us to have the space clear of all decor by 8AM! We can’t possibly manage the clear up this early after our wedding and we were planning on having breakfast with our guests! “

No one wants to be picking cigarette butts out of candle holders or locating missing napkins with the hint of a hangover at this hour. Venues all have different ‘de-rig’ times (some as early as 2am!) so I make sure I’m there with my team in good time to do the dirty work; your only job is enjoying your breakfast/hangover as newlyweds…& maybe leaving me a slice of wedding cake ; )

LET'S HEAR IT FROM THE

Newlyweds

” Corrie’s style, taste, talent & exceptional eye for detail meant that I could relax completely & utterly. It was especially nice knowing that the morning of my wedding I didn’t have to worry about what everything looked like “

LUCY + MATT - MANCHESTER UK

” I was s happy that I could spend the day before the wedding & the morning relaxing & getting ready instead of worrying about table decorations & name cards etc. “

louise + peter - cheadle, cheshire

” Not only was Corrie really easy to work with & communicate with, she is patient & happy to take on last minute requests “

claire + james - wyresdale park

Ok, now what?

I’m here to help you…

Get in touch

Not too sure what level of venue styling support you need? Let’s chat!

To find out more, head to my contact page below or you can email me directly at hello@soireestudio.co.uk

contact me

Explore my services

Learn more about my Venue Styling services & how I can help

Find out more

Wedding invitations matter, here’s why

by Corrie McDonald | Jun 30, 2023 | Wedding Design

Wedding invitations matter, here’s why

” They only get thrown away anyway” …

“I’ll just do one of those wedding website thingy’s” …

“I’m just going to buy one of those Etsy templates & print them at work”…

These are comments I sometimes overhear at wedding fairs/venue open days (I don’t think anyone is actually brave enough to say them directly to my face)!

Before I head off to scream into a pillow, let me be completely honest with you…

Wedding invitations set the scene

Without a doubt, your wedding invitations set the scene for what’s to come. From the carefully considered typeface inscribed on your guest envelopes, to the deliciously tactile cardstock chosen to present the details of your soirée; When your invitation suite is intentionally designed with your style/personality & love for each other at the heart, guests instantly get a glimpse of what lies ahead & oh boy, the excitement for your day begins to blossom!

Amazing stationery DOES NOT get thrown away...

The guests that matter do keep your wedding invitations & drop dead gorgeous stationery that feels just as fabulous as it looks is really damn hard to throw away.
I’m always transported back to my wedding day when I visit my mum who has our wedding invitation beautifully framed in her hallway. I guess it kind of creates a little piece of family history too.

Wedding websites have their place

I think wedding websites are brilliant (no honestly, I’m not being sarcastic for once)! I believe they play a great role in helping couples share additional info like links directly to accommodation recommendation, restaurant spots etc. however I draw the line at wedding websites riding solo without the gentle guiding hand of a physical wedding invitation.

They reduce stress in the final week's of wedding planning

In the lead up to your wedding, guests start preparing themselves for your nuptials which often includes double checking the venue postcode/directions, ceremony time, dress code, directions to accommodation etc. When they haven’t received a physical invitation from you (that’s proudly displayed on their fridge obvs), they start the panic inbox search for your ‘E-invitation’. When they finally locate it (most often in the depths of their spam folder), guess what they do? Yep, thats right…they print it. And as for those guests who ‘don’t do emails’ & don’t have time to scramble through their inbox, they will be filling up your WhatsApp with allll the questions which is just what you need in the run up to your wedding. not.

” Oh my goodness, I don’t have enough words to thank you. The invitations arrived in perfect condition & so beautifully packaged. I have sent them all out & have had so many messages telling me how beautiful they are!

I’m so glad we found you Corrie “

MICHELLE & ROBERT - WYRESDALE PARK