The shoot, titled 'Old School Elegance' took place in October 2018. Photographer Nikki, and her team of makeup artists, florists and a stunning model, created this breathtaking array of photos. Find below a selection of her images and her blog post about the shoot, taken from her website: www.nikkikirkphotography.com.  

The winning photo (below) was taken on Rendcomb College's grand staircase of which is seen to be adorned with enchanting stain glass windows and an atrium style ceiling, immersing the room with natural light.  The photo was recently awarded Highly Commended by The National Photographic Society; an accolade the inspiring photographer rightfully deserves.

Old School Elegance

The elegance of a bygone era with a twist of modern sophistication…

As a photographer I want to create and evolve bridal fashion shoots to reflect the fashion lead brides of today. This photo shoot celebrated a carefully curated selection of bridal gowns to compliment the historical and elegant Rendcomb College with its graceful history.

Rendcomb College

Rendcomb College is located in the picturesque Cotswold village of Rendcomb near Cirencester. There has been a house on this site since the 12^th Century with the current buildings taking shape in the late 17^th Century.

The Bridal Gowns

Following a recce of the College with their Events Director Harriet Hall, the next step was to find exquisite bridal gowns a little bit different to the norm. Wedding Days of Cheltenham have just started to stock the Enzoani Collection which brings together traditional and modern European styles handcrafted into exquisite bridal gowns. The gowns have a serious wow factor; sexy, elegant, yet modest; perfect for the modern fashion lead bride.

Flowers & Make Up

Next was finding a florist and a make up artist who would both compliment and challenge the brief by adding their own exquisite artistry.

When I spoke to Clare at Lilyfee Floral Designs and Madeline at Wedding Paint they both knew immediately what I was after. Having worked many, many times with both Madeline and Clare I knew I was in safe hands. So much so that once the briefing was complete I just let them get on with it! And of course the results were perfect!

The dresses were accented with rich wintery reds and pinks to enhance the colours already at Rendcomb College. These mirrored the stained glass windows and highly polished floors. You can feel the history at Rendcomb the moment you pull up to the entrance. It has the grandeur of a grand country estate with the comfortable familiarity of school days.

Getting Married in Old School Style

So if you went to Rendcomb College and have fond memories of your school days there, or perhaps you want an old school style wedding (I was a huge fan of Mallory Towers as a kid!), then book ASAP as there are limited dates left for 2020. Contact Harriet Hall on venuehire@rendcombcollege.org.uk or 01285 832367.

The Rendcomb Wedding Team:

Photography & Lighting: Nikki Kirk Photography

Hair & Make Up: Wedding Paint

Flowers: Lilyfee Floral Designs

Bridal gowns: Wedding Days of Cheltenham

Photographed on location at Rendcomb College, Rendcomb , GL7 7HA

Model: Rachel Peace

The Rendcomb Collection…

The Juri

The first dress photographed was Juri. Billed as modern sexiness meets timeless elegance in this sophisticated, full-length mermaid gown.

This gown has a sheer Guipure lace bodice and sweetheart neckline creating a perfectly romantic and sultry look. Its thin spaghetti straps adorned with stones that trail along a breathtaking low illusion back neckline.

Sexy and curve-hugging, the soft stretch georgette skirt drapes down to an illusion lace train that is sure to keep all eyes on you…

The Keaton

Nikki’s Notes… When driving to Rendcomb on the main Cirencester road I noticed these incredible gates. A stunning backdrop for the Keaton gown. And we managed to take this whilst dodging the traffic! A big hello to one of my Clients; Sarah, who beeped as she drove past! 

The Keaton is shown here in ivory champagne.

Vintage elegance meets modern sophistication in this full-length, overlace mermaid gown perfect for the chic bride looking for the perfect blend of boho and formal.

Short sleeves provide a touch of coverage while a gorgeous illusion jewel neckline complements a sexy keyhole back.

Nikki’s Notes… share your vision of your day and your dress details with your florist and your make up artist and hairdresser. The flowers here perfectly compliment the dresses. The colours mirror those of the season and of the venue.

Nikki’s Notes…This stunning hairpiece works with the up do created by Wedding Paint – team work!

Nikki’s Notes… There are so many wonderful photography backdrops at Rendcomb. As I would do for a wedding day, I walked a recce of Rendcomb to plan out the best places for this photo shoot. I work with my Clients to plan out their wedding days. Helping you to keep everything on track and enabling you to spend as much time with family and friends as possible.

The Journey

The next dress is called Journey and is in ivory for these photographs.

Nikki’s Notes… On my walk about of Rendcomb I had seen this tree and fallen in love with it! Its been standing for so many years and must have seen so much during its lifetime. I knew I wanted to get Rachel up in the tree but given that the bough was a good 8 foot off the ground this was going to be a challenge. So how did I do it…

Nikki’s Notes continued… We got Rachel up into the tree with the help of a lovely chap from the marketing team and a tall ladder! Rachel and the dress were bundled up in a long bathrobe to protect the dress and the ladder was climbed. Once Rachel was up on the bough we let the bathrobe drop around her. Tucking it in underneath her so that you wouldn't see it. It made a bit of a cushion! Rachel then decided to tell me she suffers from vertigo! What a pro! She got on with it and we got the shot. I love this girl!!!

This impossibly gorgeous and ultra-romantic  this full-length, tulle and lace mermaid gown is sure to make anyone swoon. Delicate spaghetti straps with crystal stones provide a soft hint of shimmer to complement the figure-flattering V-neckline. With its embroidered lace and scalloped hem lace on the chapel-length tulle train adding the loveliest finishing touches along with crystal buttons along the invisible back zipper.

The Koren

Another stunning backdrop for the photographs of the Koren gown shown in Blush. I noticed this double archway and courtyard as I drove out on my first visit to Rendcomb College. The perfect blue skies add to the jaw dropping backdrop. We could be at a chateau in France with these skies (not Gloucestershire on a late October day!).

Sweet and charming, Koren features a romantic and dreamy tulle A-line skirt along with a strapless sweetheart lace bodice accentuated with a soft tulle sash at the waist to flatter the figure. Complete with invisible back zipper closure.

The Mercedes

And finally the show stopper…

The Mercedes bridal gown

Nikki’s Notes… This was the gown that started the whole creative process for this bridal fashion photo shoot. I had seen this dress on the Instagram account for Wedding Days and it sparked my imagination. 

Dramatic, elegant, and guaranteed to impress. This is a full-length mermaid gown featuring intricate beaded lace on a deep sweetheart neckline bodice. It also has rhinestones along its delicate spaghetti straps.

 

Nikki’s Notes… The staircase at Rendcomb College was THE prefect backdrop to show case this show stopper of a wedding gown…

A showstopper of a back showcases a low illusion design embellished with criss-cross rhinestone straps and a jaw-dropping, tiered lace and tulle train. 

And then just for some fun I found a veil and got creative! Thank you Rachel for indulging me…