This shoot wasn’t about making a bold impression. At Merryfield Farm in New Zealand, the design was tailored to the landscape rather than fighting against it. Every element was chosen with the venue and its atmosphere in mind. The creative team crafted a story around texture, natural form, and quiet confidence. Later, the shoot took on a new role, transforming into a live event that welcomed dozens of local creatives. What started as a styled editorial became a celebration in motion, connecting concept with community.
Concept
Set in Arrowtown, Merryfield Farm brings together raw scenery and restored stone architecture. The venue has a quiet presence that naturally draws focus. The shoot’s creative direction, spearheaded by Harriet from Alexandra Kate Creative Studios, focused on showcasing the venue’s flexibility for weddings and events. Rather than imposing a bold theme, the team embraced the environment. Green was chosen as the focal color, not only for its on-trend status, but also for how naturally it blended into the surrounding landscape.
The lower lawn, used for the outdoor ceremony scenes, already felt like a hidden garden. Styling here stayed understated: the intention was to complement, not compete. Inside, the beam-lined dining room offered a contrasting intimacy. With help from Silk & Sorcery, the styling played up the room’s cozy charm with soft draping and candlelight.
"Fitting a full creative shoot into a 4-hour window is no mean feat. Every vendor was excellent, and it's a pleasure to work with people who are all putting in such a great effort to move from one look to the next."
Bridal Fashion
The gowns, provided by Hera Couture, were selected early in the planning process and for good reason. Both looks offered structure and softness in equal measure. One gown featured a subtle floral texture that quietly echoed the natural elements outside, while the second played with light through its fluid, pleated finish.
To balance the detail in the dresses, the beauty direction took a more minimal approach. Liv King kept the bride’s makeup clean and modern, introducing a berry lip to nod to the darker floral accents in the veil. Hair was kept sleek, letting the silhouette and styling take center stage.
Grown, Not Placed
Little Botanica brought the vision full circle with florals that felt native to the space. Lush green arrangements mirrored the lawn’s tones and textures, almost as if they had grown there naturally. The ceremony setup made use of asymmetrical ground arrangements and existing tree lines for added dimension.
Later in the shoot, the team introduced a second floral look: burgundy anthuriums and sculptural plinths added edge and modern contrast. These elements wouldn’t typically make it into a real wedding day timeline, which made them all the more impactful. The switch invited couples to see beyond Pinterest trends and consider fresh ceremony styling ideas.
Art of the Table
Inside the barn, the table setup became the design centerpiece. The creative team had been waiting for the right moment to explore pleated velvet linens, and this was it. The creamy, gathered tablecloths softened the stone-and-timber setting and brought just the right amount of detail to the long tablescape.
Each place setting was anchored by contemporary green accents, from matte plates and deep green napkins to cylindrical desserts topped with matcha green tea. The monochrome plating, paired with slender candles, kept the look minimal yet intentional.
Sir Drink added a playful touch with custom botanical cocktails, and even the ribboned garnishes echoed the table’s layered textures. A tiered dessert tower closed the loop on this theme — a sculptural centerpiece that brought together form and flavor without leaning into tradition.
Making It Happen
Pulling together a full editorial in just four hours required a tight team and a shared vision. Each vendor brought their expertise to the table, from Flock Events with larger rentals to Tble Linen and Royal Laboratorie for tableware and details. Pleating the linens took over an hour alone, but the payoff was worth it.
Jonny Scott documented each stage of the transformation, capturing the energy between scenes.
What made the experience even more unique was the shoot’s ending: within 30 minutes, the entire setup was flipped into a real-life launch event. Seventy local vendors and creatives arrived to enjoy drinks, food by Artisan Catering, and a celebration of the season. It turned a styled shoot into something lived-in and real, grounding all the curated beauty in actual connection.
Styled shoots often fall into one of two categories: highly conceptual or strictly trend-based. This one struck a more lasting balance. The design was clear, but not contrived. The styling felt considered, not overly ornate. And every element, from the textured gowns to the stripped-back florals, was rooted in the space itself.
Alexandra Kate Creative Studio showed that leading with intention can make a quiet statement feel bold. The farm, with its thoughtful restoration and natural charm, proved to be more than just a backdrop. Together, they made a case for design that speaks softly, but stays with you.
CREATIVE DIRECTION Alexandra Kate Creative | PHOTOGRAPHER Jonny Scott | CONTENT CREATION Bowden Studio | VENUE Merryfield Farm | FLORALS Little Botanica | MUAH Liv King | GOWNS Hera Couture | DRAPING Silk & Sorcery | RENTALS Flock Events, Style Depot | LINENS Tble Linen | TABLEWARE Royal Laboratorie | CATERING Artisan Catering | SIGNAGE Paper Darling | ENTERTAINMENT Calico | BAR Sir Drink | MODEL Annabel Emery
