Styled Shoot and Q&A with Afmena Events

I’m so excited to share this exclusive Styled Shoot with you. One of my goals for Show The Bride this year was to launch a Wedding Channel on Youtube. My goal is to bring the experiences I learned while planning our wedding day to as many brides as I can. I also want to offer something different. My channel aims to shed a spotlight on the wedding industry as well as tips and advice for brides. With that being said, my first video on my channel features a sit down Q&A session with Event and Floral Styling experts, Afmena Events, at one of their glitzy styled shoots.

I was so excited to head down to Twickenham, to York House, to witness a styled shoot by Afmena Events. You’ll remember that I featured a Q&A with with Barbara, from Afmena Events, over the Christmas period- Venue Styling with Afmena Events. This focused on getting to know the business, their expertise and styling tips for brides. This time around I was invited to see the team transform a venue and make it “wedding day ready” while also getting to assist the models behind the scenes and witness the beautiful shots that were taken.

I arrived at York House camera ready (well, my husband did as he’s a Photographer/videographer and obviously has my back, as they say). I was really impressed by the grandeur of York House. Twickenham is a lovely area but I still wasn’t expecting to see such a grand and imposing building. One reason being that the entrance to the venue is underwhelming. To the front of the building is a car park which is overlooked. The real wow factor hits you once you’re inside the building and witness the high walls and ceilings, the grand chandeliers and the view of the gardens.

The back of the building is simply breathtaking. The gardens are well manicured and seemingly go on for forever. There are so many locations to capture breathtaking wedding photos.

York House- View from the back of the house

One of my favourite spots in the garden is a beautiful area with a water fountain and a pond that can be found over the stone bridge at the back of the gardens. It was so grand, and so hidden. A real secret garden. Typical of our British weather it started to rain as soon as we got outside, right in the middle of our beautiful shoot! I say ‘our’ because I was assisting the models as they had their pictures taken. You’d be surprised at how awkward it can be to walk across grass, in the rain, with a long train. Plus, it was freezing. Gabriela, one of the models, and I bonded as we tried to keep her warm in between takes. So, yes, I’m claiming this shoot also! *lol*

Rain also equals frizzy hair so unfortunately my perfectly styled hair for the Q&A didn’t last long. I really didn’t care though as I had so much fun getting in the thick of everything and I’d do it again!

Back inside the building, I was blown away by the transformation of the room. Just an hour or so earlier the room had been completely bare- a blank canvas. It’s quite fascinating to see a team of people work so quickly, elegantly and creatively. Barbara, the owner of Afmena Events, is clear with her direction and her team are perfectly in sync with her and with her style. They critique each other, the way the plates are laid out, the position of the flowers. Rather than becoming an artistic struggle, this leads to alternative suggestions/positioning and Voila! They’re happy.

Afmena Events- Room Transformation- Traditional

Afmena Events- Beautiful Gold Place Settings adorn the table in line with the Traditional Theme

Afmena Events- Traditional Setting

Sapphire Models Management

We had a fantastic day watching Afmena Events put together this creative styled shoot, incorporating a traditional, classic look in The Salon. This style worked really well in the venue.

I sat down with Barbara towards the end of the shoot to find out more about her company, her team, her tastes and most importantly, her inspiration behind the shoot.

You can watch our Q&A session on the official Show The Bride Wedding Channel. This is the first in a series of Q&As/Behind The Scenes features with creatives/suppliers within the wedding industry.

Stay tuned for more creative videos featuring the best creatives and suppliers in the wedding industry at the moment. I’m having so much fun putting together these videos for you. Let me know what you think after you’ve viewed and don’t forget to subscribe!

A Big Thank You to Barbara and her amazing team at Afmena Events for inviting us along and for making us feel so welcome! Both styled shoots are also due to be featured in Style and The Bride and Whimsical Wonderland Weddings.  You can see a sneak peek on Afmena Events, Styled Shoots.

I’d also like to thank my Mr Huggins for his assistance at the shoot and for his amazing editing of my first youtube video and for the amazing photos.

If you’re planning your dream day and you’d like some help and support from me and a network of brides to be, join my Bridal Glam Community now on Facebook. It’s a closed group so you can ask questions with discretion and without all your wedding rants appearing to all on your newsfeed.

Happy planning! xoxo

Contributors to the shoot

Creative director, styling and flowers: Afmena Events | www.afmenaevents.co.uk 

Photograpy: Beatrici Photography | www.beatriciphotography.co.uk 

 Cinematography: Richvision Studios | www.richvisionstudios.com 

 Wedding Dress: Ritva Westenius| www.ritvawestenius.com 

 Suit: Indivisual by Keye | www.indivisualbykeye.com

Author: showthebride