A boho themed bridal shoot in Norfolk

Photographer Sophie Elliott takes us behind the scenes of her boho bridal shoot at Urban Jungle in Norwich

Using high street wedding dresses and shooting at a local venue, Norfolk-based photographer Sophie Elliott aimed to showcase what brides can achieve on a tighter budget.

What was the inspiration behind the shoot?

I was initially planning on setting up a big shoot with lots of suppliers, but instead decided to represent the more DIY, boho bride. We used bridal dresses and accessories from ASOS that are affordable for brides on a tighter budget, and I asked Megan to do her hair and make-up in a way that felt comfortable and natural to her.

Tell us a little bit about the venue and why it was chosen

We shot at Urban Jungle in Costessey, Norwich, which is an exotic plant nursery and café. I wanted to use the greenhouses and tropical plants as a backdrop to add to the modern boho vibe. My favourite greenhouse was the one that housed the succulents and cacti – I wish I’d taken some home with me.

What kind of look did you want to achieve with the make-up, hair and outfits for the bride?

I wanted Megan to look natural yet sophisticated. The dresses I selected were very low budget, but looked amazing: I was intending to show that you don’t have to spend thousands and thousands to get the look you’re aiming for. I wanted to work with Megan because I’d photographed her at Norwich Fashion Week and loved her curly hair and natural English Rose-esque features. I knew she’d be perfect for a low-key shoot, so asked her to wear her hair down and simply do some everyday, basic make-up.

What kind of accessories were used to create these looks and why?

The first dress was so intricate that we didn’t use any accessories as we didn’t want to draw attention away from the patterned lace and other details. For the second dress we used a silk flower crown with a veil as the dress was a little bit plainer. 

Get the look:

Venue: Urban Jungle
Accessories and dress: ASOS Bridal
Photography: Sophie Elliott
Model: Megan Roose