Helmingham Hall Wedding

Helmingham Hall Wedding Shoot

13th July 2020 

I realise this shoot took place a little while ago, but having just finished reading Xa Tollemache’s A Garden Well Placed, a beautiful book about the gardens at Helmingham I wanted to share the images from this magical day with you all. 

Emerging from the very first COVID lockdown on this balmy summer’s day, with the gardens in full bloom and a group of wedding suppliers desperate to be creative again, it felt like a release. We were like caged animals finally escaping captivity. This was by far the easiest shoot I’ve ever put together because everyone was so eager to be involved. 

Having admired the gardens at Helmingham many times before, I wanted this shoot to capture not only the beauty of the surroundings but also the incredible work of the suppliers involved. Using different locations around the estate, we created scenes inspired by an enchanting midsummer fairytale. 

Suppliers 

Choosing suppliers was easy.
Ayshea and Lynnette are both friends and wingmen always willing to be dragged along for the ride, and thankfully so, as they are each incredible artists in their fields. 

Rashida, who has sadly since sold Lily Christina Bridal, was always amazing at lending me dresses for shoots. I would visit the shop, pick out some stunning gowns, and then proceed to have absolute kittens as they hung in my spare room thousands of pounds’ worth of dresses! Ruby was strictly banished to avoid any disasters, and I would spend the night imagining every possible thing that could go wrong, courtesy of my overactive brain. 

Kaye Souter, the best florist, always delivers. I give her a concept and she brings the floral vision to life without fail. 

Gemma, a fabulous stationery designer, consistently creates beautifully thought-out designs. I once learned the hard way that I should never stray (I gave someone else a shot, got badly let down), and Gemma rescued me the very morning of the shoot. 

Sassas Bespoke Cakes, a talented husband-and-wife duo who have since hung up their pinnies always produced cakes that tasted amazing and looked extraordinary. They also generously brought extra cake for us to sample. 

Jacqui from Wisheart Tiaras, another supplier who has sadly moved on, was a joy to work with. We’ve created some wonderfully creative shoots together, often leaning into more artistic makeup looks, which I’m always excited to do. 

Other brilliant suppliers kindly sourced by my trusty wingmen included Capture Edit Videography, Endless Story Prop Hire, and our two beautiful models, Lorna and Jade. 

The Day 

The day itself was beautifully hot, and the sun shone down on us (though I’m not sure the models were quite as thrilled as the rest of us). Aside from Ayshea and the videographer from Capture Edit, we enjoyed soaking up the sunshine and taking in the glorious surroundings of Helmingham Hall’s gardens. 

Sadly, Helmingham no longer hosts weddings, which is such a shame, but they do offer plenty of events and garden open days for people to enjoy. 

From the Helmingham Hall Website 

“It is hard to exaggerate the effect this beautiful park, with its red deer, spectacular moated Hall in mellow patterned red brick with its famous gardens will have on the visitor. The whole combines to give an extraordinary impression of beauty and tranquillity. 

The influence of the well-known garden designer Xa Tollemache, is clearly visible – the parterre was redesigned in 1987 and the new rose garden to east of the coach house was created in 1982, together with the knot and herb garden.” 

Garden Highlights from the Shoot 

We used different areas of the garden to set different scenes. I think my favourites were in the Rose Garden, but I’m also completely in love with the pixie-mix spiral of wildflowers, which created beautifully enchanting images. It was a privilege to work within these Grade I listed gardens, which the Tollemache family has cared for over five centuries. 

The Walled Kitchen Garden 

Entering through decorative gates topped with Pegasus heads, you’re met with herbaceous, colour-themed, grass, and topiary borders. There are vegetable gardens, scented tunnels of sweet peas and runner beans, and my favourite feature the beautiful waist-high spiral planted with wildflower seeds, which made the perfect photo location. 

Apple Walk 

A simple, charming walkway lined with fruit trees, surrounded by uncut grass and wildflowers. 

Rose, Knot & Herb Garden 

The main Rose Garden is flanked by two rectangular rose beds, followed by two box-knot gardens. Each knot garden is divided into four squares featuring the family fret and the initials of Xa actually an “A” and her husband’s initial “T”. This is a historically important part of the Hall’s gardens. 

Featured in CWM Wedding Magazine 

A truly magical shoot in one of Suffolk’s most enchanting locations.