Wedding styled shoot: Shades of Wuthering Heights at the Bishop's Palace

Handwritten wedding invites, envelopes and RSVPs make an elegant addition to a invitation suite

Calligraphy quote on a paper ribbon for wrapping around bouquets and keeping as a special keepake

Back in January I was asked by Chloe from Kennedy Events, who’s also the Wedding Planner at the Bishop’s Palace in Wells, to design and create the stationery and calligraphy for a Wuthering Heights inspired wedding styled shoot.

Of course, I said yes.

The impressive moat and entrance of the Bishop’s Palace is the perfect location for a medieval yet modern style wedding

The inspiration behind the shoot merged the wild landscape of Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights with the impressive and medieval setting of the ruined Great Hall in the Bishop’s Palace; a truly enchanting location.

Chloe describes her inspiration perfectly:

“Shades of Wuthering heights is a modern love story, incorporating the shades of the Yorkshire Moors, set against the history of one of the most historic wedding venues in Somerset.

“The Palace attracts quite a traditional style of wedding and I just wanted to show it can be so much more.

“The moment I saw the ruins of the great Hall at the Palace, with the grey skies rolling over it, I was transported instantly to my Northern roots.

“Now living in Somerset, I wanted to bring the two together ”

Chloe’s creative vision was brought to life by a host of talented wedding suppliers based in the West Country where you’ll find their details at the end.

In this post I’m going to walk you through my inspirations for the calligraphy collection and behind the scenes processes - including how my calligraphy ended up on a cake!

I’d like to especially thank Chloe for dreaming up the concept and organising everything, along with James and Kerrie from James and Kerrie Photography for capturing my calligraphy so beautifully.

And not forgetting Byron from Powerhouse Videos; if you thought wedding videos have no place at a modern wedding then see here to change your mind.

[Photo credits to James and Kerrie Photography unless otherwise stated. Work in progress photos are mine]

Wedding Calligraphy - inspiration

No wedding is complete without stationery and, in my opinion, calligraphy.

It adds a perfectly personal note to an occasion that’s imbued with a one-of-a-kind love story and with so many opportunities for hand lettering to feature this was a dream come true for me.

From those first-glimpse save the dates to on-the-day details and handwritten vows, all serve as heartfelt heirlooms that can admired and treasured for years to come.

That’s one of the things I love about calligraphy; not only does it tell a unique love story in the most beautiful way, but it becomes an integral part of it.

Luxury wedding stationery for a blue-theme wedding shoot at the Bishop’s Palace, Wells

ENQUIRE ABOUT WEDDING INVITATIONS

Knowing Wells my whole life and having lived here for the past 3 years, I’ve always been enamoured with the splendour that is England’s smallest city.

The magic of the moat and its swan stories, the grandeur of the Cathedral that rivals any other, and of course the beauty of the Bishop’s Palace.

It’s so easy to feel like a tourist here in Wells and in some way it felt perfectly right that the story of the Bishop’s Palace would someday entwine with my own.

The view of Wells Cathedral from the Palace grounds adds a sense of grandeur that’s made softer and intimate by the planting in the gardens and around the water

The Inspiration

I adored Chloe’s vision from the start and it was one that I couldn’t wait to explore by visiting the Bishop’s Palace.

The impressive architecture of the Palace and it’s ruins is one that inspired me straight away; the texture of the crumbling stone juxtaposed with majestic arches that frame the sky instantly took my breath away.

I worked my way around the grounds capturing photos then ventured inside.

Having only ever experienced the Palace from the outside I felt like I was finally being let in on it’s secret; and what a story is has to tell.

The historic buildings with all their texture were an inspiration for my calligraphy

The Wedding Stationery

The wedding stationery design had to reflect the grandeur combined with the magical intimacy of the Bishop’s Palace, its relationship with Somerset - and of course the wild and rugged elements from the novel.

There was only one option for the paper and that would be my go-to paper which is made in Wells, Somerset at St. Cuthbert’s Mill - in fact just a mile away from where I live.

I love that it’s made in one of the last paper mills of its kind in the world, using the same time-honoured methods of 300 years ago.

Part of the paper making process uses naturally filtered water from the River Axe that’s journeyed through the Mendip hills; a link with the rugged landscape depicted in Emily Bronte’s novel.

This paper’s also of the highest quality which means it’s made to last - something that I value dearly.

Off-white and pale blue textured paper featured throughout the stationery suite, combining hand-torn and straight cut edges to reflect the landscape and the setting, whilst giving it a romantic and timeless look.

Chloe’s concept of featuring blue throughout the aesthetic was a refreshing break away from the traditional which brought everything up-to-date.

It made me think of how the sky and the landscape below merges into one through tempestuous weather - an experience that’s familiar to Yorkshire and certainly no stranger to Somerset.

References are made throughout the novel to mist and wildness so I also wanted to include a soft and ethereal feel to the stationery which I did with layers of blue watercolours of different tones.

Using watercolour in this way felt like the landscape was being put back into the paper, telling the story of where it came from.

The watercolour elements were used on the wedding invite, RSVP, seating chart, table names and the place cards - they really had to hold their own on the adorned table despite their diminutive size.

The Calligraphy

I’ve always been intrigued by the characteristic qualities of handwriting and what it says about it’s writer, and it felt only right that I should create a new calligraphy alphabet for this suite.

I love getting lost in a book and although the inspiration for the shoot wasn’t to be taken directly from the wild love story I couldn’t help but sneak in some elements.

At the beginning of Wuthering Heights, Catherine’s name is found scratched into the paintwork on the window ledge. Maybe it was written out of longing and boredom, while Catherine hopelessly waited by the window for Heathcliff’s return.

This led me to look at Emily Bronte’s handwriting from her notebooks and letters and some elements were a perfect fit and would convey a sense of time passed.

I was drawn to the way that the scratchiness of the pen and ink from nearly 200 years ago resonated so closely with the dip pen I use today, along with the perfectly imperfect letter formations.

The ink I chose was an antique gold to give a high-end luxury look that hinted at time gone by as well as tying in with the dark tones of the stonework and vaulted ceiling in the Undercroft.

This antique gold ink is impressively metallic due to the natural mica minerals which come from age-old rock, another echo of the landscape.

The Invitation Suite

Any wedding invitation suite should reflect the couple’s story and set the tone for the wedding to come.

As well as providing all the important information it should be a treat for the guests to receive and keep.

Although the entire suite was handmade with original artwork it can easily be reproduced with handwritten touches enhancing the experience with calligraphy names and envelopes.

Calligraphy invites and RSVPs for luxury weddings with blue and antique gold

Vintage stamps add a decorative finishing touch to a wedding invitation suite

Calligraphy wedding place cards, white, blue and antique gold theme

Pen and Ink Drawing

I wanted to include a drawing as part of the invitation suite as the Bishop’s Palace is such a feast for the eyes and it would give the guests a sense of what’s to come.

The Bishop’s Eye or Palace Gate is a familiar sight to anyone who lives in or has visited wells. Situated on the Market Square it guards the entrance to the Palace grounds and once you walk underneath it you’re transported back in time to a magical world beyond.

This postcard-like addition to the invitation works as a lovely keepsake for guests.

Calligraphy Monogram

The design for the monogram inside a shield was inspired by the wooden shields carved into the pews in the Chapel at the Palace.

Each one was different, but I found a shield that was just right and if you visit the Chapel at the Palace then you might even find it.

The couples monogram added a sense of tradition and grandeur but with a personal touch and featured as decorations on gift tags for wedding favours and envelopes.

A hand-drawn couples monogram on an envelope is a lovely way to personalise wedding invites

Calligraphy Vow Book Covers

His and her wedding vow book covers were made to store those uniting words, decorated with calligraphy and floral pen and ink drawings.

Both were tied with luxury silk ribbons that gave the impression of morning mist moving across a landscape.

Calligraphy Wedding Vows

I wanted the words of the vows to be the star of the show here so decided to keep the calligraphy wedding vows simple. Soft blue textured paper for her and off-white for him, the torn edges gently frame them.

Handwritten wedding vows make a heartfelt keepsake and are a way of treasuring those binding words for years to come, serving as beautiful heirloom that can be passed on.

Mirrored Welcome Sign

A mirrored welcome sign with an ornate gold frame was designed to welcome guests to share the ‘first chapter’ with the bride and groom.

The mirror was sat on an easel, reflecting it’s grand surroundings.

Scrolled Seating Chart

The seating chart was presented on a large fabric scroll featuring table names that referred to local places which had historical links with the Palace and Wells.

Each seating arrangement featured blue layered watercolours with the top table sign finished with pen and ink florals.

Bronze wax seals decorated the others tying in with the historical surroundings.

Calligraphy Table Decor

The long top table was adorned lavishly with layers of coloured silks, cranberry vintage glassware and shimmers of gold tableware, all softened with a loosely arranged floral centrepiece.

With so much going on, the calligraphy had to hold it’s own as well as tying everything together.

The blue and gold theme continued and each place card was personalised with the guests names - you may even find a Wuthering Heights reference or two hidden amongst them!

The table sign was named after an area of the Bishop’s Palace ‘The Gatehouse’ and attached to a book so it stood up. I tore down only one side of the paper so that it would mimic a page torn out of a book.

A scroll detailed the menu in calligraphy and was presented on a pewter tray.

Wedding table decor with a blue and cranberry coloured theme featuring bespoke calligraphy

Bespoke calligraphy place cards for weddings and events look beautiful on this decorated table

Wedding place cards in calligraphy on textured paper with watercolour blues that suggest a landscape

Elegant calligraphy table names for weddings on torn paper for a romantic look

Calligraphy on a Cake

And finally a show-stopping cake with a calligraphy twist.

When Kerry from Angel’s Kitchen said that she could put my calligraphy on the cake I never imagined that it would turn out as incredible as it did - even though Kerry claims it was nothing!

It really was something - as the photos will attest.

She worked her magic to craft calligraphic edible paper petals at the base of the wedding cake, featuring words from the most famous of the Wuthering Heights quotes uttered by Catherine about Heathcliff: “He is more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.”

I sent a photo to Kerry of a very rough sketch (below) on paper that’s terrible for calligraphy ink - after hastily rubbing out the pencil lines only moments.

The various shades of blue somehow saved it and I’m glad I didn’t send a more polished version.

You’ve probably worked it out by now, but I absolutely loved working on the calligraphy for this styled wedding shoot.

Bespoke calligraphy has so much to offer and can be an integral part of a wedding, marking moments not only on the big day but before and after it, as well as adding that finishing decorative touch.

Calligraphy is more than just words on a page, but is a reflection of the words and stories that bind us together.

I’ll finish by saying thank you to the amazing suppliers who brought Chloe’s concept alive.

You can see more of this styled shoot featured on Boho Weddings and Magpie Weddings

I hope you’ve enjoyed finding out what goes on behind the scenes as much as I’ve enjoyed sharing it. Let me know what your favourite part was by leaving a comment below :)

Supplier list

Stylist & planning – Kennedy Events

Venue - Bishops Palace Weddings

Photographers – James & Kerrie Photography

Videographer – Power House Videos

Stationery – Mirabelle Makery

Florist - Goldfinch Floral Studio

Wedding props - Kennedy Event Hire

Table hire – Prestige Hire

Cake – Angels Kitchen

Hair pieces - Lucky Sixpence

Wedding Dress – Dandelion and Pearls