IN STYLE Upcycle Sustainable weddings can still be beautiful and this shoot shows you how Mercedes Gale, owner of event décor business, 4YaParty Weddings and Events, is on a mission to make the wedding industry more inclusive. She wanted to organise a shoot that not only represents diversity in the wedding industry but also shows how to throw a sustainable celebration… in rustic style! “As a bride-to-be, I’d been struggling to see brides that look like me and inspiration that resonates,” says Mercedes. “A plus size bride and an interracial couple is just the type of big-day inspiration that I would’ve loved to see while wedding planning, so I create the inspiration I longed for”. It’s also Mercedes goal to reassure couples that going down a sustainable route doesn’t mean compromising on beauty. “This rustic-styled shoot inspired by the bold red tones associated with love was made up of almost all reused items. The suit was one the groom already owned, the props and décor were upcycled, reusable or made from reclaimed wood and the jewellery is made from reclaimed silver,” says Mercedes. Almost all the suppliers were local London based and if they weren’t, they posted their items to reduce the carbon footprint. “It’s no secret that the world needs to move towards a more sustainable future and your wedding day can be a big part of that!” she says. LOCAL INSPIRATION 77
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