As we bid adieu to another week of lovely, it only seems natural to feast our eyes on one VERY pretty shoot. With industrial style whimsy plus “Love in Bloom” chalk art I want to call my own, the gallery of Ariel Cordero‘s captures is the only way to top off your Friday. And better yet? This week’s winners are just a scroll away! xoxo
Hawthorn Flower Studio was inspired by the bride who is drawn to an industrial style but doesn’t want to sacrifice whimsy or romance. She wants a contemporary setting that is also warm and inviting for her guests. Most of all, she wants her wedding to be fresh, elegant, and fun. This delicate balance between seemingly contrasting styles inspired us to design an industrial romance shoot with two styles that we found to be simply harmonious with one another.
At the heart of the shoot was the venue: the Oakland Museum of California. Within the Museum is Oak Street Plaza, which is highlighted by a soaring, floor-to-sky blackboard wall–an active, public art space. Love poems and declarations emerge alongside affirmations of all kind. The wall was designed with a grid of hooks so that patrons can hang and rearrange white lounge chairs, ottomans and side tables provided by the Museum. People can be seen sitting, drawing and moving all in the same space. We loved how this bold, modern space could feel so warm and inviting.
Hawthorn selected a vibrant color scheme that played with bold colors that would have impact without overpowering each other. The mint tablecloth complemented the Museums concrete setting and provided a neutral background for pops of emerald, poppy red, and chocolate brown. We used rich, soft florals (local tree peonies, stock, garden roses) against textural elements like dates, ferns and pitcher plants. Flowers were arranged into geometric and pyramid vases, which added an edge to elegant, gold-rimmed plating and metallic utensils. Gorgeous gold jewelry was adorned with fresh flowers, instantly upgrading traditional corsages. A loose bridal bouquet of buttery yellow and cream flowers completed the look.
The shoot wouldn’t be complete without collaboration with local artists, whose artistic and visual elements embellished the flowers. San Franciscan Connie Huang took to the blackboard and added an illustration to anchor the tablescape in the plaza. The ornate flourishes brought softness to the mid-century modern design of the building and served as the larger focal point for the shoot. Her choice of words and relaxed typography brought warmth and echoed messages left on the wall daily.
Another San Francisco artist, Bianca Levan, designed a custom paper-cut runner and then by hand carefully cut the images out of the paper using an X-ACTO knife. The runner was a dynamic gold color, which reflected on our votives, repurposed pipes that had been polished and cleaned. Bianca also designed and hand-cut menus for each place setting, with geometric designs inspired by the vases, which gradually evolved into flowers. We loved how the intricate runner and menus created a sense of intrigue, inviting guests to look at them again and again and again.
Photographer Ariel Cordero, an L.A. transplant, expertly captured the fresh and vibrant look. His experience shooting weddings up and down the state brought an expert eye to the shoot and rightly gave each photo a chance to display both an industrial and romantic look.
Our team hopes this shoot inspires brides to play with seemingly contrasting elements. We were deeply inspired and had a ton of fun playing with this gorgeous industrial romance look!
Photography: Ariel Cordero | Chalk Illustration: Connie Huang | Museum: Oakland Museum Of California | Paper Cut Art: Bianca Levan | Styling & Flowers: Hawthorn Flower Studio
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ONGOING GIVEAWAYS
Honeymoon Funds from Traveler’s Joy
Williams-Sonoma’s Annual Dream Registry Sweepstakes
TWO sets of loungewear to TWO lucky SMPers from Duffield Lane
A set of flashcards from Learn to Speak Wedding
Two whimsical Treehouse Ceramics Animal Cups from Laura Cooke Ceramics
Bridesmaids dresses for your entire party
$350 credit from Minted
Don’t miss this week’s DISCOUNTS…
Postable
Squarespace
Abbey Malcolm Letterpress + Design
Zola
For our Australia brides… Don’t forget to enter to win an engagement session at South Curl Curl beach from Poli Weddings
For our California brides… Discounts from Jonathan Young Weddings and Dr. Diaz and don’t forget to check out Houghton Bride’s Trunk Show.
For our Canada Brides…Discounts from Blush & Gray, Renata De Thomasis and Christine Arnold Photography
For our Mid-Atlantic Brides… Enter to win a one night stay and two tickets to the Sanderling Resort Wedding Showcase!
For our Midwest brides… Discounts from reStyled Vintage Rentals and La Belle Fleur Events
For our New England Brides… A discount from Aster B. Flowers
For our Tri-State brides…Don’t forget to enter to win Photography + Videography Collection from NST Pictures and discounts from New Museum, Femina Photo + Design, NY Smile Specialists and HowAboutWe for Couples PLUS don’t miss Gabriella New York’s Winter Sample Sale!
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And of course, this week’s lucky winners…
Congratulations Hannah V who won A Pave Diamond Disc Necklace from The Clay Pot! And a big congrats to Elizabeth Knauss; you have won your bridal party dressed by Brideside.