These days we’re more conscious than ever about making ethical choices. Cutting out single-use plastics, slow fashion, supporting charitable causes with our purchases. We believe it’s important that couples have the option to make ethical choices when it comes to their weddings too. With that in mind, Saint Fleur planned this beautiful styled shoot with a collection of vendors big on thoughtful consumption and sustainable practices, showing that ethical can be stunning too.
This romance-imbued scene was held at The Freedom Hub cafe, a spacious warehouse-style venue decked out in a glow of festoon lighting. It is more than just a space with a great vibe. All the profits of events held here support people who have experienced modern day slavery or human trafficking within Australian borders, which is sadly an underground problem that still exists in many ways.
The stunning gowns, worn by model Kenzie Sinclair, come from The Barefaced Bride, a boutique filled with carefully curated once-worn gowns perfect for the thoughtful bride wishing to keep her consumer footprint small. The Barefaced Bride owner Melanie Bowman says, “We believe that modern-day brides can make smarter, savvier and more sustainable choices when it comes to buying a wedding dress. We have strived to create a unique and conscious shopping experience for mindful brides who share in our values and want to leave less of an impact on the world and our environment.”
And when it comes to the organically sprawling florals styled by Saint Fleur, all were sourced from local Australian flower growers, reducing the larger footprint that imported blooms clock up and supporting local small-business flower farms. Creative director Bethan Waterhouse explains, “Saint Fleur is a sustainable florist-stylist, embracing the no-floral-foam movement to reduce plastic landfill and harm to local wildlife. Instead, in this scene the hanging floral installation, filled with dried hydrangea, weeping magnolia, sorghum, roses and tulips, was constructed foam-free with a chicken-wire-wrapped branch. Similarly the wild botanical pillar, surrounded by blush and latte eco candles, was constructed with a reusable wire structure and water-filled vases and buckets.”
Our talented photographer, I Love Wednesdays, used a range of techniques to create unique pictures, from polaroids and double exposures to standard stills that capture the mood lighting perfectly. We hope these beautiful images inspire you to think about the positive impact your choices can make, and to bring a similar dreamy romance to your own wedding day.
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Originally shared on Mindfully Wed, this story is now part of Polka Dot Wedding. Find out more about the move here.
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