We’re enamoured by this fresh styled shoot, in-part inspired by the city of love, in-part a love letter to the local Murray River/North East Victoria region.
Luxury holiday abode Chouchou is where it all went down, with photographer Ellen May there, doing what she does best behind the lens. “It truly felt like stepping into a little Parisian paradise hidden in the heart of Albury,” shares Ellen. “Every corner felt like it had a story to tell and I instantly knew we could create something really special.”
Leading the charge was multi-talented celebrant Samantha Conroy, who planned and coordinated the project with a clear vision: to showcase the rich beauty and talent of the area. “North East Victoria has an incredible mix of landscapes, venues and talented creatives, and this shoot was about bringing those people together to create something that felt modern, intentional and inspiring,” shares Samantha. “My goal was to celebrate our region while giving couples a fresh perspective on what a wedding here can look like.”
Join us below as we pore over these pics and chat with the creatives involved.
A French-inspired holiday getaway for intimate weddings and celebrations
Dripping in charming architectural details, decadent decor, and warm, inviting tones, this holiday abode couldn’t be more of a magnifique fit. “Inspired by the romance and effortless charm of Paris, Chouchou was designed to transport guests the moment they step through the front door,” explains the team. They add that while Chouchou functions as luxury accommodation, Victoria Tonkin, the creative entrepreneur, storyteller and host behind the home, envisioned this Albury address as something far more meaningful than a place to sleep. “It is a destination for intimate celebrations and thoughtful hosting; a backdrop for bridal mornings, engagement parties, editorial photo shoots, milestone birthdays and elegant gatherings that deserve a setting as memorable as the occasion itself.”
Parisian wedding styling with bold florals, luxe draping and European-inspired stationery
Throughout each space, The Faux Flower Bar serves up sculptural arrangements of subtle green, juxtaposed by moody burgundy, and peppered with pastel pink roses. Specialising in luxury artificial florals, these creatives collaborate with couples to design installations unique to the space and celebration. “Every piece is custom-made to be hired and reused — offering a more sustainable approach to event florals without compromising on impact,” Faux Flower Bar explain. “For this collection, I wanted to explore something a little different: blending our signature edgy, modern aesthetic with softer, romantic elements to create a look that felt both bold and timeless.”
Playing so harmoniously with these petals are Jamila Events’ eye-catching styling details. “I love creating bespoke pieces that add texture, movement and personality, transforming beautiful spaces into unforgettable experiences.” In addition to final styling support, this pro is responsible for the chic ‘BL’ acrylic ceremony monogram, bespoke handmade burgundy tablecloth, welcome signage, handcrafted wishing well, custom drapery, and generously flow-y dining tablecloth. A delicious assortment indeed.
Palm Creative Studio places the cherry on top in the form of stationery. They’re all about bespoke wedding and event stationery including signage, menus, place cards and more. “The Chouchou styled shoot was inspired by the effortless elegance within the French culture. Blending romantic details with a modern aesthetic, the concept captured the charm of long lunches, delicate florals, refined textures, whilst showcasing the Parisian style,” shares Palm Creative Studio.
Wedding content creators capturing the moments that matter
One sister with a decade of wedding makeup experience under their belt, another who hails from the digital marketing, content creation and storytelling world — add them together and you get Two Sisters Socials, wedding content creators passionate about capturing those genuine moments that make each wedding day unique. “Having both of us by your side means your celebration is captured from two perspectives, ensuring no special moment is missed,” say the sisters, Kellie and Jodie. Here, the sisters say they were inspired by timelessness and refined elegance. “Our vision was to showcase the incredible talent of every vendor involved, capturing not only the stunning venue and thoughtfully curated styling, but also the love story between the couple at the heart of it all.”
Silk satin gowns and romantic, feminine bridal style from Jennifer Bowden
As a bridal designer, I rarely get to witness my gowns in the moments they are made for, so styled editorials like this are a wonderful way to see every creative element come together and share that inspiration with future couples,” shares Jennifer Bowden, the designer behind this duo of gorgeous, modern gowns, and member of our Hello May Directory. “At Jennifer Bowden Designs, I work closely with each bride to create a gown that reflects not only how she wants to look, but how she wants to feel,” shares the artist. “For this editorial, I approached the mood board as though it were a bride’s vision for her wedding day. Drawing on some of my signature design elements, I allowed the gown to evolve organically through the process of draping, pinning and sculpting my favourite silk satin directly on the mannequin. With every adjustment, the silhouette revealed itself until everything felt perfectly balanced – a design inspired by both the creative brief and the intuitive nature of couture craftsmanship.”
Rounding out the team was Filter’d Aesthetics, who, on makeup duties, brought out the natural beauty of this bride. “As a bridal makeup artist, my goal is for every bride to feel confident, beautiful, and like the very best version of herself on her wedding day, while still feeling completely like herself,” says the artist over over 10 years. “The makeup look I created was soft yet impactful, while still being timeless. I wanted the look to feel elevated, effortless but still polished enough that it would tie in well with each dress and hairstyle change.”
More good stuff
Find more moments captured by Ellen May Photography here. Access expertly curated wedding inspiration just like this, or check out these real weddings, rich with pin-worthy ideas and valuable insights direct from Aussie newlyweds.
CONTRIBUTING VENDORS Photographer Ellen May Photography Venues Chouchou, Dux Bridal Gowns Jennifer Bowden Designs Stationery Palm Creative Studio Celebrant/ Planning & Coordination Samantha Conroy Content Creation Two Sisters Socials, Wedding Edit By Taylor Hair Studio Modern Mane Makeup Filter’d Aesthetics Florals The Faux Flower Bar Hire & Styling Jamila Events Cake Cakes By Tay
FAQs
Where can I find European-inspired wedding styling ideas?
Not to be biased, but here on the virtual pages of Hello May you’ll find quite the collection of European-inspired wedding ideas. Check out this Queensland-based shoot inspired by France’s wine region, or this one if elevated Euro-summer energy is what you’re going for.
This shoot and its collaborative assembly serves to remind us all that wedding pros are as close-knit as they are talented. So our tip? Once you have one vendor locked in (perhaps your photographer or venue), don’t be afraid to ask them for local recommendations. Wedding suppliers have worked side-by-side with countless peers and are usually all too happy to share the details of like-minded vendors they reckon you’ll gel with.
This shoot and its collaborative assembly serves to remind us all that wedding pros are as close-knit as they are talented. So our tip? Once you have one vendor locked in (perhaps your photographer or venue), don’t be afraid to ask them for local recommendations. Wedding suppliers have worked side-by-side with countless peers and are usually all too happy to share the details of like-minded vendors they reckon you’ll gel with.
Have you started connecting with awesome vendors (like these ones) and wondering what to ask? Here’s a go-to list of questions that are relevant to ask almost every wedding vendor. Then, click here for a comprehensive round-up of more supplier-specific questions…
– What is your rescheduling or postponement policy?
– Where can we see examples of your previous work?
– What is your process and timeline for communicating with couples and locking in details?
– What are your package and pricing options, and do you offer midweek discounts?
– Are there any additional costs we should know about, such as travel fees?
– Would we be able to see a copy of your contract in advance?
– Do you share your weddings online or on social media?
