That Time The Desert Became Chic + Stylish

Elizabeth Greene
November 4, 2016
Categories: Photo Shoot, Wedding Style
Tags: Inspiration Shoot, Styled Shoot

Ever wonder if the desert can be romantic? Could weddings actually work there? Look no further than this shoot by Koman Photography, planned and designed by Ilana Ashley Events. Edgy, whimsical and oh so fun, the cacti are chic and this Bride is uber stylish. See it all in our Vault gallery right here!

From Ilana Ashley Events… Entranced by the soft tones and the lush textures of cacti, we infused a desert garden with eclectic vintage furniture and rose gold elegance to create an inspired styled shoot that was both edgy and whimsical.

The shapes and colors of the cacti were treated playfully throughout the design and were captured beautifully by Koman Photography. To echo the tall saguaro cacti, we chose an unstructured lace dress with gorgeous natural draping. The rose gold crystal-encrusted ovals of the bride’s headband mirrored the round pads of the prickly pear cactus. And the deep greens of the plants added depth and dimension to the groom’s charcoal gray suit.

The charming invitation suite, soaked in rose gold, minty greens and pale pinks, beautifully foreshadowed the bridal bouquet and the table florals. A modern mix of texture-rich succulents and mini cacti play well with a softer, exotic selection of pink-petaled blossoms – all consciously selected to withstand the desert garden. Place settings were a curated mix of matte and metallic, and fabulous iron peacock chairs, sourced from the Versace Mansion in Miami, flanked the farmhouse table. Vintage wooden chairs and luxuriant velvet chairs added to the eclectic look, while the hand-lettered escort cards resting in rose-colored artichokes added unparalleled glamour.

To highlight the lightheartedness and sophistication of cactus-themed wedding décor, we styled a modern lounge with a soft Moroccan rug, vintage wicker chairs, and a midcentury modern gold-accented coffee table perfect for XOXO Tic-Tac-Toe. The ceremony altar was purposefully understated, allowing the desert surroundings to mirror the couple’s natural beauty. Two mini naked cakes, dripping with rose quartz and rose gold frosting, accompanied a larger two-tiered cake adorned with a detailed hand-molded sugar cactus. The same intricate design was skillfully hand-painted onto the bride’s nails. Of course, there is no classier exit than being ferried away in a 1983 Rolls Royce Corniche Convertible, festively draped in a garland of succulents and leafy greens.

Our Desert Garden shoot showcased a more expansive idea of beauty. We incorporated a plant that is usually seen as hard, prickly and untouchable with unexpected details and a unique color palette of rose gold and brilliant greens. By transforming this plant into a soft and whimsical element, this styled shoot became perfect for the imaginative and modern-day bride and groom.