Season of The Witch – Styled Shoot at Ashfield House

Our Autumn Equinox styled shoot at Ashfield House created an unforgettable atmosphere, combining dark romance with Gothic drama. Autumn provides the richest colour tones and is often referred to as the ‘spooky season’ with supernatural aspects creating an ambience of eeriness and witchcraft. Combine all these elements together and you create our incredible styled shoot, the Season of the Witch.

AM Flowers styled the restaurant within Ashfield House with tones of red, amber and gold with the addition of a stunning teal blue which electrified their styling. The team at AM Flowers specialise in creating bespoke fresh floral arrangements and are also experts in silk floristry too. They also provide bespoke venue styling and gave us an asymmetrical broken arch set against a wrought iron archway as a wonderful backdrop; and lanterns, jewel-coloured glassware, Gothic black candles and candelabras added drama to their stunning table styling.

Cupcake Creations by Catherine created a simple three-tiered cake, yet featured a decorative layer finished with hundreds of hand-piped roses, all produced in complementary Autumnal tones with added gold leaf embellishment.

Emma Shafi Cake Design produced a stylish and edgy design using the theme of Autumn Equinox as inspiration, concentrating more on astrological and Gothic vibes. Dark moody colours with added texture and hints of iridescent metallics create the drama, whilst the incredibly beautiful handmade sugar flowers provide the romance.

A Pocketful of Posies created the most mystical and magical circular ceremony with such
an effective use of colour and floral elements. The fireplace was adorned with greenery and wrought iron pillars topped with bold, seasonal floral arrangements were displayed in matt black urns. Set in a circle, various glassware filled with black pillar candles and delicate flowers
were used to complete the look.

Skelmersdale Flower Centre designed the most enchanting autumn equinox aura; their hand-painted, back-lit moon on the staircase just encapsulated the whole mood, drawing us all into the ethereal drama of our theme. The stairs were strewn with earthy toned flowers including roses and anthurium, ferns and foraged greenery and fallen branches from the Ashfield House grounds. The overall look was completed with strings of fairy lights, thanks to Peter Lockwood Events for providing that all-important finishing touch.

Skelmersdale Flowers also styled the entrance of Ashfield House with the moon and stars, finished with foraged foliage, setting the scene for what awaits inside…

Amelias Brides provided our bridalwear, including a statement sleek black gown which exuded sultry Gothic tones, a fitted white gown and veil encrusted with crystals, and white fitted gowns with intricate lace detailing and long fingerless gloves for dramatic flair.

Autumn equinox needs a makeup look that is both striking and ethereal. Warm honey and amber blush tones on a soft, slightly pale foundation base; add a dramatic, almost smoky effect on the eyes coupled with jewel tone shadows, boldly defined brows and a dark, dramatic lip to complete the look. Thank you to our makeup artists Kerry Baker Makeup Artist and Nicola Bird for each of their sultry Gothic looks, and our hair stylist Jenni Ward of The Bridal Artists Co perfectly completed both looks.

Raven Millinery are simply your must-have headpiece designers. All their creations are individual to you, your personality, your style and your theme. For this shoot, their headpieces worked seamlessly with our palette and styling. Adorned in amber jewels, warm copper and gold leaves, each headpiece heightened and enlightened our witchy vibes.

Signed by Jen created tarot card stationery and signage which not only was unique in design but added more thought-provoking relevance to the styling – after all, tarot cards are said to symbolise your journey through life.

Ashfield House, with its Georgian architecture and period features, was an immediate choice of venue for our styled shoot. Ashfield House is a veritable blank canvas where you can let the imagination run riot and be as creative and as wild as you choose – but as the team at Ashfield point out, not so hipster your Nan won’t approve!