Avington Park bridal fashion editorial with The Drunken Jockeys

The Drunken Jockeys are no doubt the most exciting bar company I have worked with. Over two events at The Chapel the team have shown that their design led bar installations elevate an occasion. Their cocktails as delicious as they are innovative. The drinks are the definition of taste and style in a well-chosen glass.

When Zack, the driving force behind The Drunken Jockeys, asked Miss Bush to partner with them on a shoot at Avington Park the temptation, like their Negroni, was too great to resist.

Avington Park is a jewel; a privately owned estate in the heart of Austen country. Available as an incredibly luxurious private hire venue for weddings, I couldn't wait to create looks inspired by the historic parties and couples hosted at the house. Nell Gwynn and Charles II lived and partied here as did George IV and mistress Mrs. Fitzherbert.

Famous couples, more specifically, how we view them creating a private sphere in a public space, was the jumping off point for my fashion mood board. Intimacy on the red carpet, the power of a pair of beautiful faces, the glamorous aura of celebrity, their seemingly hedonistic lifestyle.

I kept the style of dresses fun and flirtatious. And yes, a little impossible to achieve. I promise there are very easy ways to adapt all of these looks for those of us without a Zendaya level of toned midriff.

I wanted The Drunken Jockeys cocktails to be the ultimate accessory, a perfect pairing with each look and each part of a wedding day.

Bellinis for getting ready, champagne cocktails on arrival, martinis for aperitifs, and the perfect Bloody Mary for the morning after.

Inspired by the comeback couture of recent celebrity weddings and their extended wedding wardrobes, I picked flexible separates and wear-again pieces from Sophie et Voila and Jesus Peiro.

The Couture Veil made me two special veils; one ultra-short and full and one Ivy Getty-inspired beauty that is beyond cathedral length. I mixed in vintage pieces from Old But Gold vintage from ASOS Marketplace, burlesque pants from Unmentionables lingerie and earrings from Miss Clemmie.

I love a shoe and for the shoot I wanted to reflect my own taste. The indulgent disco-balled beauties the Yes Darling mule from Aquazzura were a must. The cocktail shoe to rule the world. I added them to the sheer robes and the short Sophie et Voila Daniella dress.

Freya Rose black suede boots with their signature inlaid mother of pearl heels from the Miss Bush archive were paired with the Sophie et Voila Fiorela dress. The leather gloves for this were an impulse buy from Zara a couple of months ago. I knew I needed them...

For the main event dress, I chose a very Gucci-esque platform sandal from Zara in metallic ‘something blue.’ The cropped top and skirt from Sophie et Voila’s Fermina was paired with its original chiffon over dress, a pearl cape from Jesus Peiro, THAT Jesus Peiro puffed sleeve opera coat in silk organza and a boyfriend jacket steal from the Favourbrook wardrobe.

The menswear throughout was from Favourbrook. The stars aligned; not only could the team borrow an extensive selection of menswear but, Oli Spencer himself, founder of Favourbrook and Oliver Spencer, was actually able to be on set and style Joe our male model. Having never styled menswear I am eternally grateful that for every look I put on Aimee, Oli found the perfect pairing. From traditional formal morning wear, through must-have velvets, dinner jackets and linen suits, the ease and elegance of the man's wardrobe was remarkable.

I asked florist Ali from Mad Lilies to keep the bouquets and florals modern and monochromatic to match the black-tie feel. A deadly dark bouquet to match the bold accessories, bleached ruscus and black velvet and Halston inspired orchids for the glasshouse.

The hair and make-up team were my longtime collaborators Sharon Roberts Hair and Carolanne Armstrong. A posh pony tail, rollers and a big beauty queen up-do were matched with barley there skin and lips that intensified with the drinks.

Of course, light and loveliness play a huge part in a successful shoot but not as much the artistic eye, creative genius and photographic wizardry of Voyteck Photography. Through his lens the images move from an almost voyeuristic intimacy to bold staged celebratory looks. Candid behind the scenes moments tell the story of the day and the constructed images tell the story of the style.

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