Fashion Inspiration to Celebration: DVF + Lounge Appeal Modern Beach Wedding Inspiration
Summer Dreamin’: Bold Colorful Modern Glamour Beach Wedding Inspiration
Summer Dreams are in my head… A few months back when the weather was warm and the sun was shining, I designed what I consider to be a shoot so expressive of my own personal style and taste that it screams me! Lounge Appeal had just released their new Luxe Collection and asked me to design a shoot to showcase their modern new pieces. I have always been a huge fan of Diane Von Furstenberg and when her home collection came out I was jumping with joy. Bold, splashy colors, contrasting patterns and textures, and most of all…. GOLD! For me the most important thing about working with color is balance. The bright and daring color palette could easily look garish if not done correctly, but its the balance of the soft sea, sand and natural woods and burlap that help balance out this vivid tablescape.
So as you start to plan your summer wedding or event, here are some not so shy design ideas for your beach (or city) bash!
To offset the bold DVF china palette I infused a lot of warm and native feeling china in the form of exaggerated tortoise shell and hand painted vases in shades of amber to sand. Isari Flower Studio worked their magic again and brought in dinner plate dahlias, peonies and orchids ranging from hot fuchsia to raspberry to peach for a warm feminine palette.
For a natural and soft base to the centerpiece I lined up sun bleached planks of wood, complete with mossy green details on them natural from aging.
I love the contrast of the gold paint details on the dark wood napkin rings. The contrast of modern glamour with raw, natural materials is a design trick I live for.
For a modern yet clean touch, I brought in mirrored cube risers and sleek lucite votive holders to elevate and accentuate our centerpiece pieces.
Design & Styling by Alchemy Fine Events & Invitations
Photography by Scott Lawrence
Furniture by Lounge Appeal
Flowers by Isari Flower Studio
China by DVF courtesy of Bloomingdales
‘Once Upon a Bride’ Fairy Tale Wedding Inspiration Shoot for Utterly Engaged
Every little girl has dreamt of becoming one of the the fairy tales that they grew up reading. Whether they wanted to be saved by a kiss from a prince, felt that someone was the Evil Queen in their lives, or just find that fairy tale romance that sometimes doesn’t seem real. I had so yearned for Ă¼ber long hair to throw out of my bedroom window to be rescued when I was grounded!
So when Lucia of Utterly Engaged asked me to design a bridal shoot inspired by the classic fairy tales we all know and love, the little girl in me definitely came out to play . We also spoke of mixing in the feeling of Scandinavian folk art undertones to bring out the textures and laces and patterns of this elaborate artistic style. With an incredible team behind me here are the creative results.
Rapunzel, Rapunzel, Let down thy hair to me.
Instead of the classic ‘Red Riding Hood’ I wanted to play off of a more updated and stylish version of a ‘Pink Riding Hood’. We paired this ruffled lacy gown by Provence Bride with yards of flowing scarves for a rich and stylish take on this character. Knitted gloves, a suede claret Ferragamo belt and darling porcelain basket of flowers completed this damsel in distress’s look.
You know, my dear, it isn’t safe for a little girl to walk through these woods alone.
…as pure and white as snow, and as red as blood, and her hair was as black as ebony…
When I think of Snow White, I think of the sweet animal loving forest nymph who attracted all things good with her beauty. We actually had another gown planned for this character but a serendipitous moment on Facebook happened after I saw an old friend getting married in one of Tara La Tour’s gowns and I was immediately floored by her stunning designs. This periwinkle ombre work of art (along with the evil queen’s gown) was over-nighted from Minnesota just in time to grace our shoot. The hand work and detail on this gown are simply unparalleled and a true masterpiece! Tara La Tour’s wedding dresses are definitely worthy of a fairy tale wedding.
For our Snow White look Alex wore stunning rough diamond chandelier earrings and a coral rose ring by the talented Leslie Fastlicht Russo.
Snow White wouldn’t be complete with out the Evil Queen lurking in the shadows. This dramatic indigo blue gown worked wonderfully for the dark and mysterious character longingly looking for answers in her mirror. Her dark bouquet of burgundy blooms and spiky succulents created the perfect sinister look for this stunning sinner.
Mirror, mirror, on the wall…
Gretel, sans Hansel, stumbled upon a deliciously tempting trail of sweets by Scootabaker and Elizabethan bakeries while wearing a pale taupe BHLDN gown and basket lush with wildflowers. This would make for such a wonderful intimate wedding at the courthouse dress!
Sweets and treats did tempt the children into the witches house made of bread and cakes…
When I told Heather of Scootabaker of my vision I described elaborate shapes of flora and fauna and woodland creatures in layering textures of white on white. As if she crawled into my head, Heather literally made by elaborate vision come to life with so much detail and precision it was amazing!
Alex wore carved bone earrings and cocktail rings by Leslie Fastlicht Russo. The diamond button detailing on the back of her dress was stunning!
And from this slumber you shall wake, when true love’s kiss, the spell shall break.
Krista Jon created the most gorgeous and interesting florals for each look that could not have portrayed the lightly dark yet romantic look of this shoot. The variety of blooms with vines and greenery and succulents were so forward thinking and stunning.
This vintage Roberto Cavalli jacket donned by our amazing stylist Adrienne Baravetto worked wonderfully to frame our Sleeping Beauty’s gorgeous face.
Creative Direction by Lucia Dinh of Utterly Engaged
Art Direction, Design & Invitation Design by Alchemy Fine Events & Invitations
Photography by Schnack Studios
Flowers by Krista Jon of A Humble Abode
Fashion Styling by Adrienne Baravetto
Jewelry by Leslie Fastlicht Russo
Props & Furniture by Archive Vintage Rentals
Make Up by Devon Duff
Hair by Caitlin of Flawless Face
Cake & Pastries by Scootabaker
Pies by Elizabethan
Model Alex Grace with Elite Models
Press & Publication: Alchemy made the COVER of Bride & Bloom!
 Our Greco Roman Inspirational Shoot on the COVER!
We are over the moon excited to tell and show everyone that our Greco Roman wedding inspirational shoot which was the 2nd installment of our Art History for Brides series made the COVER story of one of our all time favorite wedding magazines Bride & Bloom. They have always been one of my favorite magazines that excite and delight me with fresh new inspiration and style so it is such a great honor to grace their beautiful covers. Thank you Jill Thomas for your gorgeous work again capturing this stunning real couple who were only weeks away from their own big day at the time of the shoot. I guess real love really does transcend beautifully through the lens. I am still in love with that beautiful fishtail braid that Kat of Katwalk Styling created for her.
Thank you Bride & Bloom for this wonderful honour!
We just completed our 4th installment for Art History for Brides in which we explored the Renaissance period for inspiration. You can get a sneak peak over on our Facebook page. More to come soon!
Event Design, Coordination & Invitation design byAlchemy Fine Events & Invitations
Flowers by Isari Flower Studio
Photography by Jill Thomas
Props by OC Prop Girl
Cake by Erica O’Brien
Dress by Allyson Simone Provence Bride
Bride & Groom styling by Stylish Silhouette &Alchemy Fine Events & Invitations
Jewelry byRachel Leigh
Hair & Make up byKatwalk Styling
Pastries provided by Opera Patisserie
Inspiration to Colorization: Mint, Blush, Lucite and Gold Event Inspiration
Sweet and Chic Mint, Blush, Lucite and Gold Event Inspiration
There is something so romantic and chic about a soft blush and pale mint mixed with bold gold color palette. It reminds me Paris, the Rococo era, with fluffy little dogs, macarons and powdered white wigs. Maybe I love this color combination so much because it’s almost the same colors of my logo and branding, or because I used it for our Posh Pastel Pop Art Table, or because it can be so effortlessly feminine without being overboard girly. They are soothing and calming colors that bring smiles to our faces and little girls in petticoats to our minds, but it’s the infusion of the non-apologetic bold gold and modern lucite pieces are what takes it from sweet to sophisticated in no time flat. Pair these darling duo of shades with some major bling in the form of a massive gold chandelier, a gold bar dripping with crystals or a barely there lucite table and chairs.
See more of the mint green wedding invitation shown above seen here! Our Gatsby Glamour Wedding Invitation.
