This styled shoot at Daalarna Garden, a new venue in Hungary opening its doors to weddings this summer, was inspired by the venue’s focus on recycled materials, sustainable luxury, and a connection to nature, embodying an escape from the city concept.
Concept
The shoot aimed to showcase the warm, homely, and friendly side of weddings, opting for an intimate autumn and winter theme with cozy elements like fires, fireplaces, and natural wood materials. The chosen colors reflected a Christmas palette, including green, purple, pomegranate, and rust. Every detail was carefully considered, with natural glitter in materials and the ambience illuminated solely by candlelight and glassware. The shoot aimed to demonstrate that a venue can be beautiful not only in bright sunshine but also in a slightly gloomier environment, emphasizing Daalarna Garden as a four-season venue with a distinctive mood for each season.
Slow Wedding
The concept of a “Slow Wedding” is a wedding philosophy rooted in environmental awareness, emphasizing the importance of organizing your big day at a relaxed pace and savoring each step of the process. This approach involves enjoying every moment, from the “she said yes” to the altar. Rather than rushing through the months of preparation, a slow wedding encourages couples to take their time, seek guidance, and not succumb to the pressures of fashion or societal expectations. It means leisurely selecting flowers, choosing favorite dishes, and dreaming about the music for the occasion.
In the context of Daalarna Garden, the slow wedding concept extends to having the venue exclusively for the entire weekend, from Friday to Sunday. This allows for an extended celebration, enabling couples and their guests to party all night and sleep in as desired the next morning. The slow wedding philosophy allows for a more peaceful and relaxed farewell to guests, without the need to rush through goodbyes. Daalarna Garden becomes a personal space for the couple for the entire weekend, fostering an unhurried and enjoyable wedding experience.
Decoration
In this styled photo shoot, the goal was to highlight the venue without overshadowing its beautiful interior. The use of lemon cypress added a magical touch, emphasizing the importance of scents like pine and eucalyptus to create an intimate, at-home atmosphere. The choice of handmade ceramic plates and cups by a Hungarian ceramist emphasized uniqueness and a focus on harmony, sustainability, and a connection to nature’s imperfections. The table decor included muslin napkins, bouquets, and a variety of fruits and vegetables like aubergines, pomegranates, melons, grapes, and pumpkins, bringing nature back into the setting. The commitment to sustainability included the use of organic waste and zero plastic.
We were intentional about incorporating gold elements to bring a sense of solemnity, including gold cutlery, ceramic rims as a coating, and jewelry. When it came to the cakes, we opted for unusual colors such as red, evoking the festive season. This departure from the classic white reflects a natural and bold approach, encouraging brides to choose colors and elements that align with the season and mood, fostering a more daring and personalized wedding experience.
Clothing
The bridal attire for this styled shoot features two distinct Daalarna dresses, each representing different aspects of the celebration. The first dress, aligned with 2024 trends, was a simple and minimalist gown tailored generously but elegantly—a fitting choice for the ceremony. The second dress, designed for the cocktail hour/registry, was adorned with sequins and glitter, reflecting the latest trends and intended for dancing.
Additionally, a third dress, referred to as “menyecskeruha” in Hungary, traditionally red and symbolizing the new wife, was chosen in a modern pink shade for a 21st-century twist. In Hungary, it’s customary for the bridal dance to take place after midnight, and the bride often changes into the “menyecskeruha” for comfort. This strong and eye-catching cocktail dress is a versatile choice for holidays, Christmas, and various venues, bringing back the vibrant colors of summer and adding a cheerful touch to the occasion.
All the dresses were paired with matching Jimmy Choo shoes. The groom’s outfits included a dark red suit, almost appearing black due to its deep burgundy shade, and a brown suit. The decision to steer away from classic black for the groom’s attire aimed to encourage more adventurous color choices on the wedding day. There was also a turtleneck version that the groom could wear for the party, offering a stylish and modern touch to the overall ensemble.
About Daalarna Garden
Daalarna Garden , located in Szentendre, Hungary, is a sustainable luxury event venue near Budapest. Situated close to the renowned Kő-hegy vineyard, this five-hectare estate is not only a beautiful setting but also a testament to sustainability.
This unique venue harmoniously combines the creators’ passions for nature, minimalism, and landscape architecture. It offers an array of amenities, including a fully equipped kitchen, an exceptional wine cellar, a 20-meter infinity pool, extensive lavender gardens, a themed greenhouse, a wildflower meadow, and more. With three elegant suites, indoor and outdoor bars, a cinema room featuring a grand six-meter screen, and a cozy campfire area, Daalarna Garden aims to cater to all senses and demands.
Sustainability was a pivotal design objective, with a focus on minimizing environmental impact during construction and operation. The principles of “greenology” and green architecture guided material and technology choices. Notably, repurposed materials, such as wood and cast iron from a historical monument, and salvaged roofing pots were integrated into the design, while skilled artisans contributed to the blending of wood, stone, glass, and wrought-iron elements. Wildlife preservation is a priority, with biodynamic solutions like wetlands, water retention features, wildflower meadows, and nesting sites.
Daalarna Garden promises a memorable experience for every season and welcomes inquiries for weddings and events of up to 150 people, starting in 2024. More information can be found here.
Photographer: Gerencsér Gréta @gerencsergreta, Flowers and decoration: Viola Violetta @violaviolettaflorals , Invitations and set cards: Natural Wedding Decor @naturalweddingdecor, Cake: Martin’s Cakes @martins_cakes, Ceramics: Error N’ More @errornmore, Models: @estilaura & @jordakiz / Visage Models Hungary, Shoes: Jimmy Choo @jimmychoo, Perfume: Jo Malone @jomalonelondon, Headpieces and jewelry: Rienne Bride @riennebride, Rings: Németh Karikagyűrű @nemethkarikagyuru, make-up: Vass Vanda @vandavassmakeup, Hair: @wellahairhungary - Wella Professionals Hungary @bride_hairstylist, Bridal dresses and evening gown: Daalarna @daalarnaofficial, Wedding venue: Daalarna Garden @daalarnagarden
