Mocha & Moody
So whenever Suzie from Lily Rose Wedding & Events comes to me with “Helen, I have an idea!” I know I am about to experience something super awesome.
I’ve had the pleasure of knowing and working with Suzie from Lily Rose Weddings & Events for many years now, and our very first collaboration together three/four years ago is still one of my favourite styled wedding photoshoots to date - I plan to dig it out of the achieves and blog it soon, watch this space! Together, we created the most dreamy wedding setting in The Orangery, transforming the space into a romantic and elegant scene that truly showed how beautiful a wedding can be without costing the earth. What I love most about Suzie and her service at Lily Rose Weddings & Events is her passion for offering affordable wedding décor that doesn’t compromise on style. Her designs prove that couples can achieve a stunning, thoughtfully styled wedding while still keeping their budget in mind, making luxury-inspired wedding décor accessible for everyone.
I may be bias but there’s something truly magical about weddings here at The Kedleston - warm tones, candlelight, soft textures, and an atmosphere that feels both intimate and elegant. This recent styled photoshoot perfectly captured that feeling, bringing together an incredibly talented team of local Derbyshire creatives to create a romantic, modern mocha wedding vision - colours we haven’t seen before here at The Kedleston.
Beautifully styled by Suzie at Lily Rose Weddings & Events, the shoot embraced rich copper tones, soft blush fabrics, and delicate floral details to create a setting that felt effortlessly romantic. Every element was carefully curated to complement the stunning industrial-meets-elegant backdrop.
Modeling the bridal look was Emily, known to many couples as an amazing wedding singer aka Emily Rose Wedding & Events. Emily brought a natural elegance to the shoot, perfectly embodying the relaxed romance of the concept.
Her stunning gown was provided by Tracey Lea Bridal in Derby, featuring delicate lace detailing and a flattering silhouette that felt timeless yet modern. The dress moved beautifully and complemented the soft colour palette of the styling.
Completing the look was flawless makeup by Robyn Strong Makeup, who created a soft, glowing bridal style that enhanced Emily’s natural features while keeping the look fresh and romantic.
We can’t forget to mention the queen of wedding cakes, aka Toni at Red Velvet Bakery to created a showstopper. The dramatic style, the mocha ombre finish with the gold detail was perfection. Toni’s cakes don’t just look amazing, they taste amazing too…I can fully vouch for that!
Capturing the magic, the entire shoot was beautifully photographed by the super talented Sasha at Sasha Pepper Photography, whose signature style captured the warmth, texture, and emotion of the day. From the intimate close-ups of the cake details to the atmospheric wide shots of the styled reception table, every image reflects the thoughtful artistry behind the shoot. I first met Sasha when she photographed the wedding of Hollie & Mick here at The Kedleston back in the summer of 2025.
Within 10 minutes of meeting Sasha on the morning of Hollie & Mick’s wedding day, I knew she had talent. The way Sasha approaches the
soft lighting, the natural romantic tones, and then digs into the gentle depth of field bringing the entire wedding to life, is magical. And I am sure you’ll agree, she captured this styled photoshoot perfectly too.
Styled photoshoots often get a bad reputation in the wedding industry, with some critics arguing that they create unrealistic expectations for couples. Carefully curated details, elaborate unaffordable styling, and perfect conditions can make them seem unachievable in a real wedding setting. But the truth is, I love styled shoots as I feel they play an important role for wedding creatives. They give photographers, florists, planners, stylists, and us as a venue the freedom to collaborate, experiment, and fully showcase their skills without the time pressures of a live wedding day. At The Kedleston Country House, we see styled photoshoots as an opportunity and a chance to inspire couples while demonstrating just how beautiful and creative a wedding here can truly be whilst still being achievable and affordable…and this is certainly what happens when we collab with Suzie at Lily Weddings & Event.
It was such a joy to be part of this creative day, and I hope the sneak peek gallery below inspires you just as much as it inspired me.
Helen x
Below images captured by Sasha Pepper Photography
