Posted: 23rd October 2017
Over a steaming cup of coffee and cake one cold December morning in a crowded cafe the seeds of a dream were sown ….
I had originally met Emma through previous WIRE events and we had met that morning regarding a commission for a collection of bespoke silver bracelets.
As we were chatting Emma began telling me of her plans for The Barn At Lees Farm and that was it ….. My imagination began to run wild!
As part of my business Gilly Page Jewellery I had recently launched a collection of bespoke bridal headpieces and accessories and wanted very much to co-ordinate and photograph a styled shoot to showcase my work. As with most things in business the fear of the unknown and financial restrictions can very often hamper our progress and dampen our dreams which I have to confess , at that time was proving to be the case with me! I had a head full of dreams and knew exactly the look and story I wanted to tell but absolutely no experience of co-ordinating and actually successfully pulling off a styled shoot that could seriously be considered for publication! However, the more I listened to Emma talk of her plans the more I instinctively knew the this was the place to tell my story! So, over that coffee and cake I set about talking Emma into being a part of my plan!By the time we left that cafe, fired up on enthusiasm and lots of caffeine we had our ‘to do’ list! My job was to find a photographer,wedding dress designer , model,hair & make-up artist,wedding stationary designer and source props to style the venue and Emma’s job was to well …. turn a muddy field in the middle of the beautiful Shropshire countryside into a place where magic is made….!!!
In the three months that followed that initial conversation there was blood sweat and tears and mud , so,so much mud to turn Emma’s dream of an ‘away from the world’ retreat featuring a yurt,wood fired hot tub and a fire pit nestled in the woods and on my part engage others to be a part of our dream.
For my part,it was a very steep learning curve regarding co-ordinating the smooth running of the day of the shoot,whilst having enthusiasm and creativity in abundance,all the creative aspects of the day were in place however, as the co-ordinator of the shoot managing personalities that had not worked together before was an element that proved surprising …. However, the stress was worth it and lessons learned for next time which is invaluable.
Our Alone In The Woods Just You And I styled shoot was featured on Want That Wedding Blog , which is one of the top 5 UK wedding blogs and also a three page editorial in Your West Midlands Wedding Magazine which is part of the County Weddings Magazine group,it is also scheduled to be featured on So Your Getting Married wedding blog in Spring 2018
As a result of our collaboration and the subsequent press coverage we have received Emma and I are launching a new venture in January 2018 so , watch this space …. and follow your dreams!
Gilly Page Designer Maker Gilly Page Jewellery
Emma Cantillion Home at the Barn
