Pinterest to Reality to Dream Wedding
Wedding professionals love to play around and let their creative spirits run wild, and I am no different! Ever wish someone would pay you to assemble those elaborate Pinterest boards? That’s my life!
Before we jump into this fun project, a little info. A styled shoot is a photoshoot that simulates a wedding. Some can be smaller scale with just a few elements, while some can include all the pieces of a real wedding, without the vows and the dancing. When you are endlessly scrolling through Pinterest and dreaming of your big day, many (if not most) of the pics you see are from styled shoots. This has some good and some bad. First, the good! Looking at all these gorgeous images can really help you brainstorm ideas for your own wedding, and it can be a great way to start determining the styles you are drawn to and love. But…the bad news is that many brides see those Pinterest images and want an exact replica for their own real wedding. And, sorry to break it to you, but most of those looks are not reality for a real wedding. Trying to re-create a styled shoot for your own wedding would be impossible without a Hollywood budget.
So, how can a styled shoot help Sioux Falls brides? Behind the scenes, these little side projects give vendors a chance to work together and learn about each other’s quality of work. That means that when you come to me with a request for an elaborate floral headpiece or breathtaking vintage china, I am going to know exactly who to call. And, just like Pinterest, it is invaluable for generating ideas and fine tuning what you love. The key when looking at all the beautiful possibilities is to narrow down the 1 or 2 elements that really grab your attention or speak to your love story on a personal level. Then, we jump in with both feet to bring those details to life!
This photoshoot was born while on a lunch date with one of my favorite photographers in the area. She and I got to know each other working on my very first styled shoot, and now that we have done number of shoots & weddings together, we love when we get a chance to work together! I know that she is going to capture all the details and the joy of the day perfectly, and she knows that everything will stay on schedule and no drama will steal the show. When Patty, from Solis Photography, asked me if I wanted to work on an over-the-top romantic project, I didn’t hesitate! We started with her vision and a couple of inspiration images from Pinterest, then started contacting some of our favorite pros.
There are a few elements from this shoot that really put it over the top. First, has to be the jaw-dropping floral from the Flower Mill. Stacy outdid herself with this headpiece (fyi-it was so heavy the model could barely hold her own head up! Probably a look you want to tone down for your own wedding.). She also blew us away with the floral laden candelabras. They were so luscious, fragrant, and literally dripping with roses! Again, the real wedding application for brides who love this look would be to use these on a few tables or in a few photo-friendly locations at the ceremony and/or reception. The other element that would be a show stopper for your wedding would be to incorporate vintage china, like these pieces from Prairie Lane Vintage Rental. No matter the size of your guest list, you can incorporate this look by choosing 1 or 2 specific pieces for your tablescapes. I am a personal fan of elaborate water goblets. Using the small china plates as dessert plates at each place setting or the larger plates as decorative chargers would be a couple of other ideas that could easily work for a South Dakota wedding.
After working for many weeks to coordinate the shoot (just like a real wedding, styled shoots take a ton of planning!), Patty and I were thrilled to see all the pieces come together. We spent the entire day walking around with goosebumps! Just like a real wedding, it is truly magical when you work with the best in the business and trust them to shine at what they do best. In the end, you are left with amazing photos and memories of a day that was even better than you imagined.
Vendor Team
Planning & Decor: Plan to Party - Photography: Solis Photography - China & Glassware: Prairie Lane Vintage Rentals - Chargers & Napkins: Ideal Wedding & Events - Floral: The Flower Mill - Makeup: Bombshell Beauty - Hair: Vanessen’s Hair Design - Venue: Summit Events Hall - Stationery: Gracefully Made Art - Model: Sarah Westerman
