Geeky Wedding Inspiration with Corset Wedding Dresses, Blue Bouquets and a Doctor Who Theme

Doctor Who has graced our screens through many a generation and with the new series starting in a few weeks- and may we add with the first female Doctor! – we couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than with this geeky wedding inspiration with a Doctor Who theme! It shows us a paired down version of geeky wedding, displaying beautifully how easy it is to get the things you love into your wedding day without going full on theme. Here we catch up with shoot co-ordinator Charlotte from Charlotte Laurie Designs and the team involved who tell us all about how they created this geeky wedding inspiration with a Doctor Who theme…

Geeky Wedding Inspiration with Corset Wedding Dresses, Blue Bouquets and a Doctor Who Theme

“As an alternative bouquet maker, I’m often getting asked to create pieces that incorporate the couples favourite things, more and more these things are linked to film and TV. Favourite shows like Doctor Who are becoming a much larger part of a couples big day. I wanted to create a geeky wedding shoot that had a Doctor Who theme running through it but woven into the details, often if people hear about a wedding theme especially a sci fi or fantasy one people assume it will be all Giant Daleks or Iron Thrones, obviously that can be a lot of fun but what I really wanted to show was that you can take something you love and weave it into the styling and still have that beautiful wedding you have always dreamt of.”

“The shoot had the television show Doctor Who at its core but giving the whole shoot an additional Victorian Steampunk twist seemed to go hand in hand with the idea and really pulled the whole concept together”

“Papplewick pumping station just outside Nottingham is a wonderful alternative wedding venue. It is one of the finest surviving Victorian waterworks in England and when inside, especially on a steaming day it is like going back in time which fitted the theme perfectly. I new the venue well having volunteered there as a child and then later getting married in this beautiful location.”
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Styling – The Black and White Cat

“Our styling for the Doctor Who inspired styled shoot was all based around time and space. Specifically, the cogs and pocket watches on the place settings represented the ticking clock of time. This was also pulled into the stationery and cake. The copper candelabra was based on an orrery with the perfect centrepiece as the centre of the universe (oops tablescape!). The dark blue worked well alongside the earthiness of the venue and the copper provided that bit of luxury alongside the Victorian Pumping station detail.”

Photography – Yvonne Lishman Photography

“I immediately thought of using strong striking lighting and metal elements to convey the interior of the tardis with steampunk elements for the Victoriana theme. Papplewick Pumping Station was an excellent location for creating the feeling of going back in time, to a time of gas lamps and dark interiors, and was perfect for bringing out the industrialised elements I had in my mind for showing off the amazing products created by the wonderful suppliers involved, as well as creating an authentic love story between the two fantastic models. The grounds too were great for conveying the intimacy of the two girls, framing them with foliage while using the lens to isolate them giving the impression of being photographed unseen while focusing on their expressions and the beautiful detailing in their outfits.”

Bridal – Powdered and Waisted

“When I was first approached about taking part in this shoot my signature scaled corset seemed to be the perfect fit, the Moonlit Angel corset. With it’s iridescent white scales, removable hip fins and stunning silver clasps, it’s a very contemporary design on a piece of clothing steeped in history, so fitted well with the themes. The sheer ‘de-structured’ tulle bridal skirt is inspired by the many layers of underskirts of the Victorian age. Think Victorian saloon girl meets Angelic Mermaid! Olita channelled this perfectly with her angelic curls, wearing a pair of gorgeous House of Elliot lace ankle boots. The customised leatherette jacket went perfectly with this ensemble for some great images.”

“Inspired by both the time travelling Dr Who and Steampunk themes and also by the beautiful setting at the Victorian Pumping station, I created the Daphne Corset, a mesh and satin corset, overlaid with antique Victorian lace, pearls and tiny Swarovski crystals, which Tori wore under an antique Victorian lace blouse I restored recently. I hand cut pieces of the Victorian lace and arranged them to form the shape of a heart on either side of the corset, for the romance of the occasion….2 hearts for 2 hearts. As this look was very sheer on top, I created a simple, modern, satin mermaid style skirt with a small train for elegance, the complete antithesis to Olita’s skirt, whilst echoing the mermaid scales of her corset.”

Florals – Charlotte Laurie Designs

“My husband suggested I embrace my inner geek and create a Doctor Who bouquet for wedding shows – I took his advice and did just that. I loved it, and it became the starting point for this whole shoot. I wanted to create a pair of alternative bouquets that followed the same theme but were different in style showing how you can express different personalities and tastes but still have things come together.”

“The first bouquet was a combination of buttons and charms with embroidered felt Gallifreyan symbols very Doctor who based but with a steampunk twist with the colouring and cogs used throughout. The second bouquet continues the theme with Doctor who charms and the colours used but this bouquet has a slightly more traditional feel with an alternative edge – blue felt roses and copper trailing leaves – leaves carefully embroidered to make it look almost like metallic riveting where the thread goes through the felt. The bouquets although very different in style compliment each other and their brides perfectly. Each bouquet is completely unique and is able to stand the test of time (Sorry couldn’t help myself)”

Cake – Debbie Gillespie Cake Design

“I wanted my cake to celebrate the Victorian heritage of the pumping station. I took inspiration from the other suppliers and used corsetry and lace to reflect the fashion style of the era, coupled with copper and gold highlights to match the station’s interior and add the steampunk feel. And of course, no Dr Who-inspired cake is complete without a Tardis!”

Hair and Make Up – Beautiful You Beautician and MUA

“For Olita’s hair look I was very much inspired by the Victorian era and the classic up dos of the time, as well as Missy, the character from Dr Who, who channels Victorian styles with a modern touch. Olita had amazing curly hair to work with making it easy to get a volumized up do with minimal hassle. I added some pearls as a finish for more of a wedding feel. To compliment Olita’s up do I decided classic waves would work best for Tori’s naturally long hair.”

“For Tori’s hair look I took inspiration from simple vintage waves, adding peacock feathers for a splash of colour. With the dress being fitted, and simple, it made sense not to draw the eye away with something too over the top. For the make up I wanted to create something darker and bolder than your average bridal make up to go with the theme and setting.”