Soft Florals, Reimagined: Bridal Editorial Photography
This bridal editorial for Wilden London was created with one clear intention – to explore a quieter, moodier side of bridal that still feels deeply romantic.
Shot in the studio on Hasselblad medium format, this was an exercise in slowing everything down. Fewer frames. More intention. Letting shadow, texture and stillness lead.
The result is bridal editorial photography that leans into softer, more cinematic, and a little bit darker. For me, it was a chance to slow things right down. Weddings are wonderful, but oh my, they are hectic. To work at a quieter pace is always very welcome.
The starting point for this shoot came from an image I’d seen – a photograph of a young Susan Sarandon on her wedding day. Her hair was styled high and strong, threaded with bold, fresh flowers rather than something delicate or decorative.
It felt powerful. Unapologetic. And completely different to the way florals are usually used in bridal styling. Whilst I do love a flower crown, there are many more options to explore.
That image became the foundation for this editorial – Soft Florals, not as an accessory, but as part of the structure of the look itself.
The Finer Details
SOFT FLORALS WILDEN LONDON | BRIDAL EDITORIAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Bridal Florals, Done Differently
We couldn’t find a florist for this shoot, so on the morning of the editorial, I headed to my local flower market and chose blooms instinctively – soft whites, gentle textures, stems that felt sculptural rather than pretty.
Ellie, our HMUA, then pinned the flowers directly into Kristina’s hair. No crowns. No symmetry. Just considered placement and a willingness to let florals feel bold, architectural and slightly unexpected.
There is so much more that can be done with fresh flowers in hair than the traditional flower crown – and this shoot was about showing that restraint can still be impactful.
Shooting on Hasselblad – When Medium Format Elevates
All of the images in this editorial were shot on Hasselblad medium format, and that choice was deliberate.
Medium format demands a slower pace. Each frame has to be considered – it simply allows more room to think through composition, gesture and light before pressing the shutter.
For Bridal Editorial Photography, that slower rhythm is invaluable. It creates space for subtle expression. For softness. For the in-between energy that often disappears when things move too fast.
This approach also suited the tone of the shoot perfectly – serene, considered, and quietly confident.
Working in a Studio for Editorial
The Brighton studio gave us exactly what we needed – controlled light, neutral tones, and a space that allowed the gorgeous silk gowns, florals and expression to lead. The negative space. The shadows. For this editorial, it worked to strip things back to a more minimal palette.
It’s a reminder that editorial bridal work doesn’t need an elaborate location to feel elevated. Sometimes, less really is more. This beautiful collection by Wilden London didn’t need lots of distracting elements – for this Lookbook, we took a quieter approach.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
This editorial sits at the intersection of fashion, portraiture and bridal. It’s quiet, floral, and deliberately slower – both in how it was made and how it’s meant to be viewed.
For me, this is where Bridal Editorial Photography becomes most powerful. When you stop chasing trends and instead build images with intention, reference and feeling.
And sometimes, all it takes to spark something new is an old photograph, a flower market run, and the confidence to do things a little differently.
Huge thanks to Hasselblad in the UK for allowing me to work with their cameras in my role as a Hasselblad Heroine. It is an honour that I will never get over this significant accolade. It has been given to a select group of female photographers worldwide. I am one of only two wedding photographers ever to receive the award.
Using these cameras has elevated my images, my craft and my passion for creating.
If you have a bridal brand and you need images, let’s talk…
