Ivory drapery flowing like clouds through gothic arches shaped a quiet contrast inside the roofless Monastery of Santa Maria de Vallsanta in Guimerà, Lleida. The old stone walls, worn and open to the sky, held their own presence against the soft fabric curves. This was the setting for Held in White, a bridal editorial captured by Vera Fleisner and planned by Maite Mach with The Perfect Match.
The concept was simple yet precise: let the natural ruin speak while introducing elements that create movement and lightness. The ivory drapes moved with the breeze, threading through the monastery's arches, their pale color distinct against the weathered stone. Chrome spheres added an unexpected modern touch, reflecting fragments of sky and stone, catching the eye without overwhelming the scene.
The Monastery of Santa Maria de Vallsanta is a gothic ruin with no roof, leaving it open to the elements and sky. This openness framed the editorial’s atmosphere, blending architectural history with contemporary bridal styling. The choice to work within such a space required a design that respected the structure’s emptiness, allowing the old stone to act as a natural backdrop rather than a blank canvas.
The Perfect Match’s approach centered on minimalism and contrast. Ivory drapery was chosen for its soft glow and ability to catch natural light, moving gently in the open air. The fabric’s motion brought a sense of life into a place otherwise frozen in time. The chrome spheres introduced a sharp, reflective element, playing with the light and surroundings in a way fabric alone could not.
Vera Fleisner’s photography captured this balance between ancient and modern, soft and hard, empty and full. The images show the drapery weaving through the arches, sometimes billowing like clouds, other times hanging still, a quiet counterpoint to the rugged stone. The spheres appear sporadically, their mirrored surfaces breaking the monochrome with subtle flashes of brightness.
Held in White did not rely on florals or elaborate decorations. Instead, the focus was on texture and form. The ivory fabric’s folds created organic shapes that contrasted with the monastery’s rigid lines. The chrome spheres, placed deliberately, added dimension and a touch of surprise, reflecting the open sky and the stone ruins in fragmented views.
The editorial’s color palette stayed firmly within whites, ivories, and the natural grays of the stone. This restrained choice emphasized the monastery’s historic character while giving the bridal theme a fresh, modern feel. The result is a quiet elegance where nothing competes for attention but everything combines to create a mood.
Held in White is a reminder that sometimes less is more. Using a historic ruin as a venue doesn’t mean filling it up with decorations. It can mean letting the space dictate the mood—and working with simple elements like fabric and reflective spheres to bring a bridal vision alive.
For couples considering a unique venue, this editorial shows how to work with what’s there, not against it. The openness of the monastery and its stone walls shaped the entire look. The ivory drapery and chrome spheres were chosen to complement, not to overwhelm.
Held in White’s images are a quiet dialogue between past and present, between solid and airy. It’s a look that feels both grounded and ethereal, crafted with thought but not fuss.
If you’re drawn to historic venues with character, this editorial provides a blueprint for making them feel fresh and bridal without losing their soul. The simplicity of ivory fabric moving through ancient arches alongside gleaming chrome spheres creates something both unexpected and memorable.
According to Green Wedding Shoes.
