Truth time: Sometimes we get these engagement sessions and straight-up envy the charmed Instagram-worthy lives the couples seem to live. And Kaitlin and Allan’s shots could do just that. But....
Good morning, Wedding Row-ers! Pour yourself a big cup of coffee (or is it Tea-day Tuesday?) and get ready to dive into one seriously gorgeous post, if we do say so ourselves. Cayleigh Hopkins of The Petal Report shared this shoot that she produced with Justin Brown from The Happy Bloom and a team of stellar vendors, and it’s got heaps of pin-able inspiration for your own wedding events. Check out our original interview with Cayleigh here, then scroll on for bonus shots we couldn’t fit in print plus some added tips below. This is all insider info, so dig in and soak it up! Cheers to a great day for one and all.
The Wedding Row: Styled shoots are everywhere. Why do you dig working on them, and how do you make it worth your time and investment?
Cayleigh Hopkins, The Petal Report: Great question. For me, styled shoots are the opportunity for us vendors to get creative and try unique elements that some brides may not be as open to exploring for their own wedding day. The shoots are definitely an investment, financially and time-wise, but I find them to be the most thrilling and creatively stimulating. I am only able to focus on one or two a year, but when I do, I make sure to surround myself with amazing and creative individuals to bring something unusual and fun to life. Lucky for us, Charleston is full of the best and most innovative vendors around!
TWR: Sweet. You had mentioned that this crew brings some of your favorite new guard and old guard vendors together—check out the vendor list, all! Now. Tell us about the where look started and how everything flowed out from there.
Cayleigh: We started with the color scheme. Blush, gold, and white weddings are everywhere these days and we wanted to play on that traditional style and dress it up, so we included shades of yellow, coral, and peach. From there, we wanted to put a spin on traditional wedding elements—placing the escort card display in a garden-like setting, seating guests in Ghost Chairs, having people shake tambourines when the couple exited (as opposed to throwing flower petals) …
TWR: How in the world do you narrow down all the ideas? And when does budget come into play?
Cayleigh: With my clients, I ask what elements for their wedding day are most important to them—what do they want their guests to take away at the end of the day? Focusing in on this helps me branch out. Having a wedding planner on your team is crucial as we have the resources and experience to bring your vision to life while working within your budget. We can create a dream wedding that is unique and custom to you and your partner and perfectly symbolizes who you two are as a couple. I think that is one of the most important aspects to any wedding—it should be completely custom to you.
TWR: Got it. It’s tricky to make something that’s classically scripted—a wedding ceremony and celebration—unique. The idea of honoring the basics while personalizing the day seems to be what Charleston brides are after. OK. Let’s talk Ghost Chairs for the ceremony!
Cayleigh: We wanted to show that they could be included in a feminine, Southern shoot and still look inviting and fun. We also appreciated out they did not block the gorgeous views that Lowndes Grove provides.
TWR: So true. Let’s jump to the linens.
Cayleigh: Although we are turning a corner away from the bohemian vibe, bare, wooden tables are still one of our favorite elements. To dress it up a bit and make it more feminine, we decided to drape a lace linen over it, so you can still see the wood beneath but you also get softness.
TWR: Is it possible to buy linens like this from the rental company? Just seems like it’d be a great gift for a newlywed couple …
Cayleigh: Hmm … that is a great gift idea and would be a lovely keepsake for the couple to have after their wedding day. They typically have these items available for rent (the price tags on lace can be high) but posing the question never hurts. If that’s not possible, there’s an amazing seamstress in town who I am sure could create a something similar (here’s looking at you, Emily Kotarski Bridal).
TWR: How did you make “derivative” elements—old traditions, “done” looks, etc.—your own?
Cayleigh: Instead of designing your wedding strictly off of things you find on Pinterest or Instagram, take your favorite elements from those and put a personal spin on them. For example, it’s a Southern lore that if you bury a bottle of bourbon upside down a month before your wedding, you’ll ward off rain on the Big Day. We decided to bury a bottle of the bride’s rosé at the site (along with the groom’s bourbon), too, and with that, we were able make the custom our own. (P.S. This was Justin’s idea!)
Design and Coordination: The Petal Report | Florals, baskets, bud vases, candles, ribbonry: Gray Harper Florals + Styling | Photography: The Happy Bloom | Venue: Patrick Properties Hospitality Group | Rentals: Ooh! Events | Linens: La Tavola Fine Linen | Stationery, boutonniere tags: Emily Mayne Studio | Welcome gifts: A Signature Welcome | Models: Molly Rhyne (bride); Elliot Ehlen (groom); Julie Livingston, Leanza Kauffman (bridesmaids) | Bride’s Attire: Emily Kotarski Bridal (gown); Bella Belle (shoes); Croghan’s Jewel Box (rings, earrings) | Bridesmaids’ Attire: Anthropologie (dresses); Amazon (bamboo clutches) | Beauty: Pampered & Pretty | Groom’s Attire: Charleston Tuxedo (suit); Kate Rose Co. (bow tie)
