A European Inspired Shoot at Stone Mountain Estates in the Calabasas Mountains With 180 Degree Views!

Samantha Melei
February 8, 2021
Categories: Photo Shoot, The Blog

With limited travel going on these days, XO Kate Events is bringing a touch of Tuscany to Southern California with this inspiration shoot at Stone Mountain Estates. Wanting it to feel like an intimate dinner, rather than a large wedding (which we can all appreciate these days,) the styled table wasn’t overly decorated allowing you to enjoy the thought-out details like the stunning tableware and variety of florals by Jovial Floral Co. Check it out below to see how Anya Kernes Photography the magic and see how even the groom snagged a couple of pics!

From XO Kate Events…Since 2020 has banished any hopes of traveling to new places, we thought we would bring Tuscany to the Calabasas mountainside. Tucked away in the Santa Monica mountains sits Stone Mountain Estates, LA’s newest outdoor venue, boasting 180-degree views of rolling hills and the perfect backdrop for our European inspired shoot.

We wanted the design to be not only effortless but approachable. An overstuffed, formal table was going to take away from the overall vibe of the shoot and we wanted it to feel more like a chic, fabulous intimate dinner for 6 vs a full-scale event. The perfect setting for intimate ceremonies right now.

The design was monochromatic with a light Acacia wood charger paired with a White Jono Pandolfi Dinner plate and a French Grey Heath Ceramics salad plate, all from Casa de Perrin. Setting the table with the Stonewash Tuscany tablecloth and matching napkins (Luxe Linen) allowed the smaller details on the table like the vintage salt and pepper crystal bowls and white + silver flatware have little design moments of their own.

Smaller details were key to our overall design. We wanted to highlight and style smaller elements as these are what we are seeing more of as intimate weddings become our new normal in 2020. From hand calligraphed boutonniere tags from Letter and Ink to the invitation suite providing a platform for mass incarceration (the couple requested a donation to the Equal Justice Initiative in lieu of a traditional gift) felt fitting given the complexities we have had to face this year.

Keeping with the theme of Tuscany meets Calabasas, Jovial florals paired freeform centerpieces filled to the brim with olive branches and whisper garden roses. Tiny ikebana vases dotted either side of the main centerpiece which created unique, individual vignettes within the tablescape.

We wanted to play with the fashion aspect of the shoot by providing our couple with two full looks. We started the shoot with our bride in a beautiful one-shouldered floral embroidered gown from Anna Campbell and styled our groom in a classic Tan “Summer Suit”. We kept the accessories light as we didn’t want an overly styled couple – again, effortless. As the sun began to set over our Tuscan landscape, we had our bride slip into a backless slip gown from Flora Bridal and our groom in a fitted black turtleneck and olive green blazer.