Modern Rustic Snow White Inspiration Shoot

Posted on January 27, 2014 by Elisa

This post is long overdue. Like, more than a year.

Yeah, sorry… That happened last year.

Anyway, I’m trying to get back on the blogging bandwagon. Starting here. With one of my favorite photo shoots I’ve done to date. My Modern Rustic Snow White Inspiration Shoot from June 2012!

This shoot grew out of the Inspired Bridal Bowl table that Desiree of Penny Blooms Floral Design and I did together. We played with moss and wood, added in some pops of white and red, and created a fun and whimsical look. Of course, we had to step it up once we made it a “proper” photo shoot. So we called on a little help from our friends. 🙂

We had no less than ten wedding vendors, a fantastic venue, and a couple of amazing boutiques involved in this shoot, plus a couple of seriously gorgeous models. Throw in perfect San Diego weather, and I guess it’s no wonder that this shoot has been featured on Lover.ly, Every Last Detail, and San Diego Style Weddings!

Melissa Biador snapped these exquisite photographs, and Porcelain Rose Productions filmed the day (linked at the end)… And what a day it was…

Nic.Roc.Designs created some AMAZING stationery (including this fabulous wooden invitation!).

And of course we had a sweets buffet replete with goodies, from the INSANELY beautiful cake (OMG mini frames!) by Hey There, Cupcake!…

To the apple cake pops and cake ball gems by Calculated Whisk…

To the marbled macarons by La Reine des Macarons

To the delectable (and beautiful!) apple pie pops and mini mason jar pies from Wicked Spoon!

Of course, putting it all together was fun…

Then of course there were Desiree’s florals. Seriously, Penny Blooms Floral Design is one of my favorite vendors for a variety of reasons… But one of the biggest is because she isn’t afraid to play around with different ideas, try different things, go out on a limb, and be downright creative. We always talk about creativity and innovation in our business, but Desiree consistently does it. And pushes me to, as well. 🙂

Then we have the flawless makeup and hair by Blush Makeup Artistry and Beth Whitfield:

And the ombre dress – absolute perfection – from Bliss Bride:

And our handsome groom’s suit, from A Better Deal Designer Tuxedo and Suit Rentals:

Of course, our models – Taylor and Ben – aren’t too shabby either.

Scratch that. They are gorgeous!!!!!!

We hung frames and mirrors from the trees…

And cut slits into apples to use as place card holders…

Didn’t skimp out on details…

And even had a little play acting at the end…

Ooh, you can see the edge of her phenomenal dress in this shot! 😉

At the end of the day, we were just seriously blessed by all the stunning pieces to this photo shoot. This is still one of my very favorite projects I’ve gotten to work on. Ever.

We’ve been trying to get the same team back together for another round… But due to unfortunate timing it hasn’t worked out. Cross your fingers for a second fairy tale fabulous photo shoot!

Oh yes… And don’t forget to check out the film!!!!

Snow White: Rustic Styled Shoot from Porcelain Rose Productions on Vimeo.

Modern Rustic Snow White Inspiration Shoot Vendor Credits:

Planning, Design & Styling: Events by Elisa
Florals, Design & Styling: Penny Blooms Floral Design
Photography: Melissa Biador Photography
Videography: Porcelain Rose Productions
Stationery: Nic.Roc. Designs
Cake: Hey there, Cupcake!
Sweets: Wicked Spoon Desserts, Calculated Whisk, La Reine des Macarons
Makeup: Blush Makeup Artistry By Laura Crivello
Hair: Beth Whitfield
Dress: bliss bride
Suit: A better Deal Tuxedos & Suit Rentals
Rentals: Classic Party Rentals, Hall Weddings + Events
Details: Summer Wind Soy, Sparrow Bridal
Venue: Villa De Flores

Rustic Modern Snow White Inspiration Table at the Inspired Bridal Bowl!

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Elisa

Last November I was honored to be asked to participate in the second Inspired Events {San Diego} event, the Inspired Bridal Bowl. The intimate bridal show at North County Tavern and Bowl was full of hand-picked vendors from throughout San Diego (all members of the Inspired Network went through a rigorous screening process) and, along with my good friend Desiree from Penny Blooms Floral Design, I was able to design the featured showpiece of the event – a modern rustic table inspired by Snow White!

I’d worked with Desiree a few times already at this point, and when we found out that we’d been assigned to create the tablescape together, we were thrilled! Nothing is better than the synergy created when you’re working with a good friend who also happens to be a creative partner and an excellent match for your creativity. I can’t say enough for working with someone you feel truly comfortable with, to design something greater than you could alone!

At any rate, we started discussing our ideas and Desiree hit on the modern rustic trend (this show actually took place the day after Alex + Allen’s wedding, but we started planning before Alex hired me – by luck it was a modern rustic weekend!). We started thinking of moss and pine trees and acorns and… The table just sort of built itself. And then I realized that I’d already done a table based on a fairy tale – my Vintage Cinderella table at the Alfred Angelo show last year. I guess maybe I’ll always be a dreamer at heart?

We were working with an oversized table – a pool table, to be exact (huge thank you to my husband who stood in line at Home Depot for an hour the day of the show to get the large piece of plywood we used to create a flat surface, and then brought it to us in the rain!). And an oddly-lit room with lots of busyness behind and around the table, since the bowling alley itself has large windows that look out onto the mall. That said, I think that the photos taken by Stacy and Melissa of Sunday Romance Photography give you a taste of this stunning table. And we just might have another taste of it coming up in a few months. 😉

Of course Desiree and I worked together on the design. She also created the gorgeous floral arrangements (including the fantastic birch-wrapped bouquet!!!). We also got amazing support from our friends at Classy Covers and Calculated Whisk. We also made a new friend – the incredible Nicole of paper | scissors | print, who provided us with gorgeous stationery!

So without further ado… The photos by Sunday Romance Photography!!!

First, the whole table. Desiree and I spent lots and lots of hours searching for just the right pieces (like our mismatched flatware and glasses, and our fantastic “wood” chargers!

And the details… Like Desiree’s STUNNING birch-wrapped bouquet and the arrangements in hollowed-out pieces of wood:

And the stationery Nicole created for us! She’s truly an artist, and came up with this amazing design with just the words “modern rustic.” Love her!

Nicki of Calculated Whisk created the cutest little apple cake pops for us!

And the most.incredible.gem-shaped cake balls. Seriously they were perfect. Everyone was amazed that they were cake!

More details! Desiree and I had a fantastic time decking out the table with whimsical elements! I adore the moss runners and the little moss squirrels and rabbits, as well as the little acorns we scattered like jewels. 🙂

You’d never know that this entire place setting (not including the napkin, generously provided by Classy Covers) cost under $5 to buy.

I’m so happy to finally be able to share these with you! Next up, more photos from the Inspired Bridal Bowl!

Modern Rustic Snow White Inspiration Table at the Inspired Bridal Bowl Details:

Design: Events by Elisa and Penny Blooms Floral Design
Florals: Penny Blooms Floral Design
Cake Pops/Balls: Calculated Whisk
Linens: Classy Covers
Stationery: paper | scissors | print
Photography: Sunday Romance Photography

Cinderella-Inspired Vintage Concept Table

Posted on April 30, 2011 by Elisa

The invitation I created for the "wedding" concept, featuring hand-drawn artwork!

I am so, SO proud of this design. Seriously I’m in love with it. And I’m so excited to share with you! I realize I owe several blogs (including the end of my “Any Ideas?” series, which I promise is coming!) but I finally had a few minutes to check over my photos from the last week and I am thrilled with the results!

Today’s post is dedicated to the Cinderella-Inspired Vintage Concept Table I put together for Alfred Angelo’s “Girls’ Night Out” event. It was a small evening where vendors were invited to showcase their talents, and I’m so very glad I could be a part of it! The store’s assistant manager and I go way back (he helped my sister find her Maid of Honor dress for my wedding three years ago!) and I was so excited to be able to participate in this event with him and his excellent staff!

As for the table…

I saw this fantastic brown metal “birdcage” while browsing around at Ross a couple of months back. It’s in the shape of a pumpkin carriage, but it’s not frilly or overly princessy. I fell in love with it and, despite putting it down and walking away three separate times, finally had to buy it and bring it home. Seriously. Love.

I actually had been planning a pretty concept shoot or two around it, but when this opportunity came up at Alfred Angelo I jumped at the chance to have an “excuse” to create my table. I was lucky enough to get connected up with the incredible Melissa at Pow Wow Vintage Rentals, whose incredible finds have me drooling. When I mentioned the event (and the manager’s suggestion to bring a “small round” table) to her, she suggested instead a beautiful rustic dark wood piece. I immediately said “YES!” without even seeing a photo (I saw it later on her site and was giddy about it!). What an incredible combination with my pumpkin carriage!

Then my good friend Jessica from Sweeter by the Dozen created the adorable cake for me. I just said my colors were pink and white and she came up with the design. I love the beautiful fondant rose! And the flavor? SO amazing!

I was originally planning to skew a little less pink and a little less frilly than I actually went with this event (despite the Cinderella theme, I didn’t want it to scream “princess”, but as I was picking out pieces to use (almost everything on my table is from my inventory – I’m so behind updating my event rentals catalog!) I kept being drawn to frosted glass and milk glass, and lots and lots of pink. I just decided to go with it (and bring in some pretty browns and greens to help create that vintage feel) – after all, Cinderella is a princess!

I tried, in this table, to demonstrate what I do. I included a printed invitation, a card “box” with tag, a sweet table setup, some pretty florals, and some fun details, so that you can get the “flavor” of what such an event would look like. Obviously this particular table is nothing you’d actually have at an event – no one would be eating dinner at your sweet table, and your cards would likely be elsewhere – but I think it’s a great demonstration of what I can do. I even made about six yards of bunting by hand for the event.

This event is a great example of why I say that I prefer having a long lead time for event design – especially if I’ll be shopping for new pieces – because I had just over a week to plan it out and it was a major marathon at the end (I wanted a small table to complete the look and went to every thrift store within 25 miles, only to find the one I did at a shop less than a mile from my house). I love ordering items online and just barely received the glass slipper with hours to spare before the event. And because good design takes time, I was making changes to my table up until setup (which is normal), including buying ivy at the store less than an hour before leaving my house (not normal). I also wish I’d have had more prep time because the taffy were really supposed to be pink French macaroons that I simply ran out of time to make or order.

I really was wishing I had another few days to prep!

But despite the short prep time, I’m seriously seriously adoring this whole table. I sort of want to create one for each fairy tale princess now (someone hire me to do that for their wedding, please?). I love the whimsical and unexpected details (like the mouse – people couldn’t get over him!) and the fun vintage feel. I can definitely see Snow White’s table with a big dish full of apples and bunting made with antique blue fabric with little red flowers. And a mirror of course.

But I digress. And I should just post the photos already and let you see what I’m so very proud of! I hope you like it just as much as I do! Oh – and obviously I’m no photographer – so some of these may be lacking in composition points. Please don’t hold it against me! 🙂 And for more photographs, visit my Facebook page!