Editorial: Spring Romance at Gunnersbury Park
A tactile celebration of softness, style, and modern-day grandeur
There’s a quiet kind of magic to Gunnersbury Park. Nestled in West London yet worlds away from the noise, this Grade II-listed Georgian mansion brings together everything I love in a wedding venue – layered architecture, history with heart, and light that dances beautifully through each room. It was the perfect backdrop for this editorial: a seasonal celebration of spring’s softer side, brought to life through texture, colour and thoughtful design.
Led by Zoe of Burtons Blooms and creative director Sarah Shuttle, the vision was clear from the start – to tell a story filled with modern romance, tactile layering and fine art details. From floral archways to champagne towers, every element was chosen with intention, and I was delighted to contribute a full invitation suite and coordinating day-of stationery that tied the narrative together.
A Palette of Pastels (With a Twist)
Our palette combined ivory, dusty pink, peach and pale blue – soft, painterly tones with a freshness that felt unmistakably spring. But there was also a touch of the unexpected: bold black-and-white elements that brought contrast and definition.
That play between softness and statement filtered through into every corner of the shoot – from the Rothschild Rooms with their interlinking symmetry and tall painted ceilings, to the Orangery and gardens, where structured florals softened the grand stone setting.
A Story in Paper
For this editorial, I created a stationery suite that was both tactile and refined – combining letterpress and hot foil printing with embossed textures, delicate pearls, and distinctive die-cut shapes. Black wax seals added contrast, while soft neutral stocks kept the look timeless and elegant, with pastel accents of blush and blue lending a spring freshness.
Menus carried the story through to the tablescape, each oval die-cut piece paired with an embroidered bow from The Embroidered Napkin Company, featuring my calligraphy design. A lovely example of how wedding stationery can move beyond paper, layering print, texture and fabric into something truly memorable.
The detail cards, captured beautifully in the flat lays, showcased the same tactile approach: soft-hued cardstock, subtle foiling, and considered finishing touches. For me, it was about creating pieces that didn’t just photograph beautifully, but felt exquisite in hand – the essence of everything I do at Ink & Paper.
From Florals to Fashion
Zoe’s floral designs were full of sculptural energy: roses, orchids, delphiniums, anthuriums and hydrangeas grouped minimally to feel both natural and curated. Her broken arch was a standout feature, used first for the ceremony and then repositioned behind the sweetheart table, showing how floral design can evolve seamlessly throughout a celebration.
The cake table installation, meanwhile, was a masterclass in focal design: florals draping around a two-tier pearl-accented cake, creating the kind of visual impact every couple dreams of. The pearl theme from my stationery suite was echoed here too, continuing the story in subtle, elegant ways.
Fashion played a key role in the overall styling. Both bridal looks – from Ines Di Santo via The Wedding Club – embraced movement and texture. The first: a voluminous strapless ruffled gown with soft Hollywood waves and statement pearl accessories. The second: a more playful, dancefloor-ready mini styled with a bow-tied ponytail and glitzy comb. Both were paired with Freya Rose London shoes, keeping the pearl motif firmly in focus.
A Thoughtful, Layered Editorial
What I loved most about this shoot was how each detail contributed to a wider story – not competing for attention, but working together to create something cohesive, elegant and considered. It’s exactly the kind of wedding design I love to be part of: grounded in beauty, guided by intention, and elevated by craft.
Whether you’re dreaming of a spring wedding or seeking inspiration for a soft yet contemporary design story, I hope this editorial captures a little of the magic that happens when pastels, pearls and paper come together in a place as special as Gunnersbury.
Creative Team:
Venue Gunnersbury Park | Shoot Host + Florist Burtons Blooms | Creative Direction Sarah Shuttle | Photographer Sammy Taylor Wedding Photography | Hair + Makeup Artists Jo and Lauren for The CGH Collective | Dresses The Wedding Club Official and Ines Di Santo | Shoes Freya Rose London | Cake Designer Bloom Bakehouse | Furniture Hire + Tableware Options Great Hire | Fabric Signage Bewilderly | Stationery Ink and Paper | Accessories Victoria Percival Accessories | Rings Moments Jewellery | Bows The Embroidered Napkin Company | With thanks to Models Laura and Jack