A Magical Midsummer's Night Dream
Imagine a fairytale wedding that transports guests into the enchanting world of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream", featuring lush secret gardens overflowing with vibrant flowers, whimsical decorations, romantic candlelight and sparkling chandeliers, creating a dreamlike atmosphere where magic and love intertwine...
Concept, Styling & Planning / Florals & Decor Hire: Little Lace Flower Company / See vendor credits for the dream team at the end of this feature.
This glorious styled shoot was brought to life by The Little Lace Flower Company and Photography by Andie, with support from an incredible team of Wellington creatives.
The enchanting grounds of Atwood Gardens were the inspiration for this romantic wedding styled shoot. The pergola, lake, avenues of trees and all the secret nooks and crannies were the ideal setting for a fairytale wedding that brings together the whimsy of Shakespeare’s Midsummer’s Night Dream and the magic of a Faerie celebration.
Gorgeous bride Risha was styled like an ethereal faerie drifting through woodland with fabric floating around her. This was realised through the ‘Genevieve’ Gown by Sally Eagle Bridal, a floaty gown trimmed with lace, teamed with wing veils. A romantic hair and makeup look complimented her gown, and was paired with gorgeous jewellery from Zoë Porter Jewellery.
Lillie, the darling flowergirl faerie, wore an original dress designed and created by her Mum, Little Lace Flower Company styling assistant, Liesl. Groom Deniel, real-life partner of Risha, was dressed in a Barker’s suit, waistcoat, shirt and tie. The deep green suit, taupe vest and ‘Strawberry Thief’ tie pattern were chosen to reflect the whimsical woodland setting of the shoot.
The warm, spice-coloured palette includes the 2025 colour of the year, Mocha Mousse, and creates an inviting, sumptuous and luxurious vibe.
A ceremony arch with flowing, oversized drapery that pools on the ground, along with masses of peach-hued flowers and clusters of pillar candles create the perfect setting to say ‘I do’. Surrounding trees and a boatshed add an interesting backdrop and another gorgeous location for photos.
The fabulous little spaces that a visitor to Atwood will discover as they walk around the gardens, lend themselves to decoration with special details. Down a path is a tiny dell overhung with trees and ferns, the perfect “secret garden” seating area where a bride and groom could relax in for a moment alone to share vows, a glass of Champagne and treats. The lush space is serene, with a sofa, plush cushions, chandelier and table adorned with delicious delights.
No Faerie wedding would be complete without a feast. The pergola at Atwood was the perfect location for the table and chandeliers, featuring candleabras and antique brass candle sticks, ombre candles, luxury velvet and linen napkins, and placesetting names displayed on the stems of the tamarillos. Thick green velvet table cloths echo the woodland setting and add a mossy vibe, with the dreamy ivory tuille table runner to adding a touch of ‘ethereal fairy’. Each place setting was marked with paisley printed velvet napkins. Masses of faux flowers arranged meadow-style were nestled between brass candlesticks and candleabra to continue the abundant, luxurious look of the table.
A final touch on the table was the little bottles of the cocktail “Love Potion’ at each placesetting. A fabulous cheese and dessert buffet was set up as a focal point at the end of the dining table. Antique brass candlesticks were teamed up with wood and brass platters for a luxurious ‘feasting’ look.
‘Love Potion’ Cocktail recipe
1/3 cup vodka
1/4 cup peach schnapps
1 cup ruby grapefruit juice
Add to a shaker with ice. Shake. Strain.
Enjoy!
A stunning cake decorated with buttercream flowers and surrounded by candles created a gorgeous glow and cascading florals made it a real centrepiece.
At the reception masses of faux flowers, rows of candelabras, metres of luxury fabrics and sparkling chandeliers were used to evoke an indulgent celebration worthy of a Faerie wedding. The chandeliers and candles created the most magical space at night – a real Midsummer Night’s Dream.
DREAM TEAM
Design, Styling & Planning: Lyndal, Little Lace Flower Company @littlelaceflowercompany
Venue: Atwood Gardens
Main Photography: Photography By Andie
Second Photographers: Kirsten Walsh Photographer
Mahana, Two Oceans Meet
Floral Design: Little Lace Flower Company
Styling Assistant: Liesl, Sanctuary Home Staging
Wedding Gown: Sally Eagle Bridal
Wing Veils: Veils and More
Suit: Barkers
Jewellery: Zoë Porter Jewellery
Makeup & Hair: Antoinette and Laura
Laura Simpson Makeup / Hair by Antoinette
Flower & Decor Hire: Little Lace Flower Company
Signage & Stationery: Little Lace Flower Company
Table Linen Hire: Little Lace Flower Company
Chandeliers, Decor & Accessory Hire: Little Lace Flower Company
Secret Garden Sofa, Cushions & Table Hire: Handmaid
Candles: Lazy Sheep Homewares
Cake: Flourette
Catering: Simply Food
Models: Risha and Deniel, with flowergirl Lillie
Lyndal from the Little Lace Flower Company drew inspiration for this styled shoot from the painting The Reconciliation of Titania and Oberon by Joseph Noel Paton for the shoot’s colour palette. She appreciated the warm, muted tones that evoke a dreamy midsummer night’s ambiance. The soft, romantic colours reflect an enchanted woodland atmosphere. Lyndal aimed to incorporate elements from Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream with the notion of a grand faerie marriage between Oberon and Titania, culminating in a lavish feast. These verses inform the various features of the shoot, adding depth and creativity to the overall concept.
beautiful, ethereal bride
Her wings, like whispers, lace the sky,
A gossamer of dreams gone by,
With hues of opal, pale and bright,
That catch the breath of silent night.
So let the winds weave silken air,
Let blossoms dance within her hair,
For she, the bride, so light, so free,
Is love’s own whispered poetry.
faerie
king groom
Oberon stood with steadfast pride,
His love, the stars could not outshine.
In dark green cloth, both fine and true,
A suit of earth’s own richest hue.
the secret garden
Beneath the boughs whispers weave,
They join as one, just love and leaves.
With trembling hands and steady hearts,
They vow their souls, 'til death departs.
the wedding arch
In a woodland glen, where shadows play,
A wedding arbour leads the way,
With silken drapes that softly glow,
A place where love and magic flow.
Peach-hued roses, petals bright,
Adorn the arches, bathed in light,
While magnolias, kissed by dew’s gleam,
Bow like dancers in a dream.
flower fairy
In a glen where moonlight gleams,
Fairies dance in golden streams,
A wedding’s whispered, soft and sweet,
Where petals fall beneath their feet.
the wedding table
Along the table, roses bloom,
In blush and peach, their pretty sight,
A tender touch where dreams are fed,
In colours soft as twilight’s spread.
Above, the chandeliers alight,
With crystals catching firefly’s flight,
Their gentle glow a starlit dance,
A spark of joy, a lover’s trance.
And candles glow with flickering flame,
Their light a soft, enchanted claim,
In golden holders, etched with grace,
They cast a glow on every face.
Oberon lifts his goblet high,
His eyes alight as fireflies,
“To love, to light, to woodland cheer—
Let magic thrive another year!”
buffet feast
A banquet waits, a feast so grand,
Set forth by fairy hand.
Cakes as light as drifting mist,
With sugared violets, amethyst,
Meringues like clouds in dawn’s embrace,
That melt like whispers into space.
And all around, the fairies dance,
Their laughter light, eyes entranced,
For at this feast, no heart is cold—
A magic tale in flavors told.
the centrepiece
A cake adorned in candle’s glow,
With sugar petals soft below.
Oberon smiles, Titania sighs,
As magic swirls beneath the skies.
the love potion
Brewed from petals soft with dew,
A love potion, bright and true.
Not to bind, nor twist, nor tame,
But only fan the tender flame.
So drink, dear hearts, of love so bright,
Where fairies dance in silver light,
For love’s true potion needs no art,
It lives within the faithful heart.