Countryside Estate Inspiration at Dundurn Castle

Canadian couples take note: you don't need to fly across the ocean to find the European setting of your dreams! Located in Hamilton, Ontario, Dundurn Castle is a little piece of the English countryside - tucked in a busy downtown core. It is the perfect spot for dreamy photos in the heart of the city and provided a beautiful backdrop for our English countryside editorial. Our talented team of local vendors was inspired by the colours, textures and scents of summer in the country. We were struck by the beauty of sweet cherries on the trees and the warm, caramel glow of sunsets in lush meadows. Imagining a beautiful bride running through a field in the English countryside set our hearts a flutter and we knew we had to capture that magic and share it with stylish brides and grooms-to-be. With this inspiration in mind, we chose a palette of peach, caramel and blush, which were a perfect warm contrast to the stone architecture of the castle. This mix of classic softness and modern, cool elements were carried throughout the editorial and gave it a beautiful depth. The sweetheart table, set in a tree-lined gravel lane, had a perfect view of the castle and the lush grounds beyond. We chose ivory linen with a soft blush runner and accented it with charcoal grey chargers, modern silver flatware and beautiful etched goblets. The stunning florals, golden miniature cakes and fresh local fruit added just the right warmth and texture to the tablescape. The paper goods coordinated perfectly in soft blush and metallic gold with sweet vintage stamps. Naturally, our blushing bride looked absolutely radiant in an off-the-shoulder gown and ethereal jewels as she explored the grounds. Our team loved being transported to summertime in the English countryside! We hope our editorial inspires stylish Dear Gray Magazine readers to share a bit of this feeling with their guests.

-Vivian Lyttle

I am sooo excited to say that you can find this shoot in the pages of the newest issue of Dear Gray Magazine!