As a New England resident, seaside and winter aren’t necessarily two words I associate; however, upon viewing these Melanie Gabrielle oceanside images, my point of view is now permenantly changed. Elegant Ever After Floral Design blooms compliment the soft sunset, while snuggles are encouraged fireside. Every single detail will sweep you off your feet here.
From Ever After Floral Design… The inspiration for this lovely photo shoot was born out of the idea of a winter wedding on the beautiful beaches of South Florida. Beach weddings are so common in Florida, so we wanted to use the beach solely as a backdrop, showing that a beach wedding doesn’t have to be “beachy”.
Since winter is traditionally associated with Christmas and the Holidays, it was our main goal to create a winter wedding décor that excluded the usual reds, greens, and pine. We achieved this look by using a palette of grays and muted blues. We also incorporated whimsical aspects that are not commonly seen at a beach wedding, which included antlers, bunnies, mismatched china, and vintage silverware. Mercury glass centerpieces filled with delicate peonies and brunias were created for an elegant and timeless look, while contrasting textures added a whimsical element. Since the mood for this styled shoot was a warm, cozy, whimsical, and inviting winter wedding on the beach, we designed and styled a picturesque fireplace setting, which set the ambiance for a warm and cozy atmosphere.
The seating area had a wooden chest filled with warm throws, socks, and scarves for the guest to warm up and get cozy. Sugar Fancies created a unique array of sweet confectioneries, which included a whimsical two-tiered cake, chocolate mousse, heart shaped s’mores, tarts, and white chocolate bark. An adult hot chocolate bar was setup for guests to enjoy a spiced hot chocolate drink as they selected ingredients to roast delicious s’mores by the fireplace. We used a gray farmhouse table as the main reception table, and accented mismatched chairs and armchairs at the end; the whimsical printed plates from anthropologie tied the whole look and feel together.
The photography part of this project was very important to us. We wanted a photographer who shot film, as film lends itself to the feel and inspiration behind the shoot, and we wanted someone who was extremely detailed. Melanie from Melanie Gabrielle Photography was on our wish list, and we were beyond excited when she jumped onboard! Collaborating with Melanie was definitely the right choice; her style is like no one else. She perfectly captured our vision for a gorgeous, dusky gray and blue love story.
Photography: Melanie Gabrielle | Floral Design: Ever After Floral Design | Hair & Makeup: StarlitDesigns | Beachside: Red Reef Park | Creative Direction: Ever After Floral Design | Film Processing: Richard Photo Lab | Paperie: Paper Rock Sisters Inc | Rentals: Love in Vintage