Valentines Day Inspiration Shoot Recap

In case you missed it yesterday Style Me Pretty featured our Valentines Day Inspiration Shoot. Here's a little more about the shoot...

Michelle Ellen Lee from Papertalk Press designed and printed all of the paper products which included a letterpress invitation suite, belly band, custom lined envelopes, menu, escort cards, table numbers, drink signs and sugar cookie favour tags. I worked with Michelle to create our own wedding paper products and cannot say enough about her level of professionalism and of course, her incredible talent. Michelle married her hubby last summer in the most glamorous yellow-hued wedding, so she gets it. Brides want and deserve the best. Michelle will give it to you.

{the paper products} 

all paper: Papertalk Press

ribbon, lace and pearls: Fabricland

glass bottles: IKEA

I originally had my heart set on finding a vintage tea cart for the drink station. Yet the one I ended up finding was a bright blue and very large. I was granted permission to spray paint the cart but in the dead of December after we'd been hit with a snowstorm, spray painting is the last thing I wanted to do (not to mention I had to load up the white table, frame and everything else in one car load). Thankfully my sweet neighbors lent me this lovely silver hall table that worked perfectly. The goal was to design a simple vignette that was vintage-inspired, pretty and functional. I really loved this component of the shoot and think on this scale, it's perfect for a dinner or cocktail party. 

{drink station}

table: borrowed from friend

straws: leftover from wedding

books: flea market finds

pink tumblers: the Goodwill

white frame: HomeSense

The flowers were gorgeous. I had envisioned lots of creams, pinks and reds but the amazing Lisa Collins of Sweet Woodruff spiced things up with muted greens and pale purples. Check out this dreamy bouquet. Could it be any more perfect, my goodness I loved how textured and feminine it turned out. Lisa is such a doll and thankfully, fresh talent to have in the industry. Can you believe we did all of the shoot's florals in less than $150.00? That's how incredible Lisa is. Get a hold of her fast if you need any type of floral design.

{the florals}

bouquet/centerpieces: Lisa Collins, Sweet Woodruff

vintage heart brooch: found via etsy

lace netted gloves: found via etsy

centerpiece jars: The Dollar Store

The Mrs and Mr wood letters were found at Michaels and then spray painted white. I tied them to the chairs with ribbon from Fabricland. Easy, cheap and super cute. The chairs are the ones provided by the Art Gallery for all functions.

The cake table. Sigh. I have such a sweet spot for cake. The set up I designed turned out exactly how I had envisioned it. Olivia from I Do Wedding Cakes is a pure sugar genius. Not only are her cakes works of art but I've never tasted anything quite as fabulous as her baked creations. I sent her an Inspiration Board and voila, this is what she came up with. Brilliant. Without a hesitation I recommend her and her business to anyone who needs delicious, gorgeous and affordable cakes and cupcakes.

{cake station}

cake: I Do Wedding Cakes

frame: borrowed from neighbor

love mugs: Anthropologie

pink fabric: Fabricland

white table rental: Marty Millionaire

The shoot was done at The Art Gallery of Hamilton which is one of the most unique places to get married at. The reception room is essentially one giant blank canvas with floor to ceiling windows; the natural light that streams through is heavenly divine. I have so many fabulous things to say about the Gallery but what really sets the venue apart from others is the courteous, helpful and kind staff. Picking a place that will make not only you and your significant other happy but that will cater to your guests and ensure a perfect event can be tricky. The AGH staff will make sure you're taken care of and will treat you like a friend, rather than just another bride or groom.

The sugar cookie favours were designed by yours truly and created by Sweetness Bakery in Burlington, Ontario. They tasted amazing and looked darling. The love banner was created by victorianstation via etsy and working with Linda was stressfree. Her products are the perfect mix of class and vintage and I adore the craftmenships that goes into her work.

The night before the shoot, the model I hired texted me saying she couldn't make the shoot. I was devastated and left scrambling to figure out what to do. I frantically called one of my best friends, Jody who had just gotten married last summer, still fit into her wedding gown, had the next day off of work and coincidentally is just as stunning as any model I've ever seen. What Jody did for me is a reminder of how grateful I am for our friendship. 

With no food in her belly she posed and posed all day long with no complaints, eagerly doing whatever it is Beth and I asked of her. She rocked it. And now I'm eagerly waiting a call form a model agency to sign her on :) She is truly one of the most fabulous chicks I know. Her make up was flawlessly done by Sarah Smith and her stunning hair was designed by Madeliane Griffin. Jody's hairpiece was created by Jennifer Wood of the always show-stopping, Mignonne Handmade. These chicks are the wedding dream team. So happy they were able to be a part of this!

{beauty, model and accessories}

make up: Sarah Smith

hair styling: Madelaine Griffin

model: Jody Mifsud

necklace/bracelet: The Art Gallery

brides earrings: ALDO accessories

gown: the brides own

brides hair piece: Mignonne Handmade

Last but not least, none of this would have been possible without the insane talent of Beth, who is the mastermind behind the camera. Beth and I instantly connected when we first spoke on the phone last November and now only three months later, I am honoured to call her a friend. She is talented, kind, beautiful, sweet; she gets it. She gets brides, knows how to make them look their best and knows a thing or two about love; which is in my opinion what weddings are really all about. Beth, I adore you. Thank you for everything! 

To all of the other vendors; thank you for your contributions and support. You are all so talented and incredible at what you do. To all of my readers, thank you for leaving comments on Style Me Pretty yesterday. As soon I saw familar names in the comments section tears began to stream down my cheeks. You're support has been beyond unbelievable. Thank you all, so much. I don't have the right words to realy express my gratitude. xo