Today, extracted from our current issue, we’ve got an uber-cool inspirational shoot for you. Shot in my hometown of Southsea, Portsmouth and involving some of my very favourite supplier folk, this shoot was a no-brainer for our issue 17 cover. The only problem was choosing which image to use!

The shoot was organised by my good friend and colleague Alex Cvijovic who runs The Vintage Parade and The Wonderous Wedding Fair. With a background in art and design, Alex always comes up with unique concepts and executes them perfectly.

This shoot took place at The Queens Hotel in Southsea, a magnificent Edwardian hotel overlooking the Solent. The hotel boasts ornate stone-carved balconies and neoclassical decoration. The styling team took over the disused top apartments, as the hotel carried out a complete renovation.

I was looking for a venue that had decaying walls, a feeling of abandonment… like the house of Miss Havisham in Great Expectations

Photography – WEDDINGS BY TOM

Concept – THE WONDEROUS WEDDING FAIR

Styling  – EVENTS BY DESIGN

Venue – THE QUEENS HOTEL

Dresses  – Justin Alexander via CREATIQUES

Hair accessories – ASHLEY WILD BRIDAL

Earrings – ALABASTER DREAM

Shoes  – SASHA ARCHER SHOES

Flowers  – WILLOW AND WISPS

Cake – HARTT CAKES

Place names – THE LOVELY LITTLE DETAILS

Hair + Makeup Artist – THE ID

Model – CHARLOTTE GODFREY