Ahhh, I finally get to share this incredibly chic styled shoot! The actual execution was this past March, but we have been working on it for over a year! It was recently featured on one of my favorite wedding blogs, Grey Likes Weddings. Did you see it? Did you see it?

You already know this … I love love love doing fun, pretty styled shoots to inspire couples to really step out of the Pinterest box and do something entirely different on their big day + of course, to challenge myself! Pinterest can be a great way to draw inspiration, but also an easy source to copy copy copy. There is a world of ideas in your heart + head just waiting to happen! When I get to know my couples + learn what they enjoy doing together, that’s when I can really come up with unique ideas.

This Modern Romance styled shoot is so my vibe. It’s funny to think I got the inspiration from a python-print shower curtain (same backdrop we used for the stationery goods pictured)! It sparked an idea in me to do something with the python look, because it’s not a print that has been overly done or really incorporated into a wedding day. So I reached out to the sweet talents of Katie with Katie Saeger Events + Lauren with LiviaPaul Paper to collaborate. We worked extremely hard putting together the right vendors, models and venue. These shoots are never easy! There is a lot of time + heart involved. Like most weddings, we had a year to plan so there were many shopping trips (including several out-of-state) that were made to source the project. Ryan was like ‘how much did you spend?!’ 🙂

I was thinking … if you could learn from this shoot, I could point out some great tips that could really impact the design + details + overall look of your big day. So here goes!

Hire a planner. These people know what they’re doing. They not only come up with new ideas that aren’t on Pinterest yet, but they can also source really spectacular things. I hand-painted the vases + bouquet ribbon to add special personal touches. So just because you’re hiring a planner doesn’t mean you can’t add a little DIY.

Annie with Annie Heyward Styling did all the hair + make up. Annie is amazing, and someone you can completely trust. She has inspired me to get a micro crimper! (It’s seriously sitting in my Amazon wish list waiting for me to pull the trigger!) If you don’t want the added expense of a new crimper, have your stylist give it a whirl on you! Bridemaids – why not go bold and get a few little crimps or a unique undo like a mohawk? Yes, I said mohawk, and it’s stunning, I promise. It’s the new braid.

LiviaPaul paper is beyond perfection. I reached out to her because this totally gels with her M.O. too. You can see the heart + gusto she put into her paper goods. Hire an invitation designer! They have access to a library of fonts that aren’t the norm. They also think of other key components that you can even do yourself. Designers can also create unique personalized wedding monograms (huge in Saint Louis)! For this shoot, Lauren created a V/A (Vivian + Austin) wedding monogram. Decals are really popular right now, so we decorated the floor + even the cocktail glasses. I’m so in love with the drink cube noting the couple’s signature drinks!

It seems really trendy now to have written notes + details on a chalkboard or framed prints. Why not have your designer create signage instead of a chalkboard? It’s also a great idea to remove the glass from the frames. This cuts down on glare + a photographer can get a great shot from nearly every angle without the distraction of glare or reflection. How cool are all the graphic prints? They are meant to go straight from the wedding to the walls in your home.

Needless to say, I’m pretty sure there was not a detail missed in this shoot. I hope you enjoy it too! Fifty Shades of Grey has a whole new meeting, yeah?

THANK YOU to our models. You are amazing.

Enjoy!

xox

HSR

 

Event space – Palladium

Floral – Accents Floral Design

Dresses – Wai Ming

Jacket – Fauxgerty

Cake – Sarah’s Cake Shop

Rentals – Aries Company

Linens – Nuage Designs