When Krystel from Couture Events described to me her vision for this shoot, I immediately thought two things, french royal opulence, and Marie Antoinette. After many years of being told to watch the 2006 film with Kirsten Dunst, I finally had a reason. The film was visually everything I wanted it to be: piles of pastries, feathers, bows, lavish parties and overflowing champagne bottles. This was the inspiration that I need to create something that combined the effortless chic vibe of California and the opulence of the French era.
Where did this shoot take place?
This shoot took place at Sunstone Winery nestled in the rolling California hills of the Santa Ynez Valley. After years of ogling it from afar, this place does not disappoint. There is something magical about the Summer sunlight in California, it can’t be beaten! Sunstone transports you to Europe with its architecture, groves of olive trees and it’s sprawling grounds of wandering grapevines.
What flowers did you use to create this look?
Flower choices are critical when you are wanting to transport your viewer to another time and place. To capture the essence of an era or to translate emotions, textures and tones are very important. We chose a variety of lush blooms with an abundance of petals in a variety of textures. The abundance and depth of each bloom lends to the feeling of opulence. The layers of dahlia and rose petals remind me of the billows of fabric in a dress, the extra-large bows on shoes and the ringlets piled high on one’s head. Our flower choices included dinner plate dahlias in cafe au lait, these are glorious blooms whose color ranges from pale peach to blush to pink to a wonderful purple. We also chose garden roses that are grown with love right there in Santa Barbara County and butterfly ranunculus who have this delicate and feminine opalescent sheen to their feathery petals.
Use three words to describe the vibe you were going for this event.
Opulence. Romantic. Luxurious.
What was your favorite part about putting this together?
The fresh fruit on the tablescape, by far! I have long since adored fresh fruit incorporated into a design. I don’t know what it is exactly, perhaps it’s the texture it adds or the effortless of their sophisticated color palettes. Whatever it is, it is been drawing in artists for centuries. The Dutch masters used fruit as secret messages, to talk about things that were taboo, Andy Warhol painted bananas and I guess, I will put fruit on tables to evoke feeling!
What other elements contributed to the overall aesthetic that you created?
Krystel created a beautiful vision and gathered a rockstar team to bring the vision to life. More importantly that each individual detail is the team and the creative minds behind each element. Working with a team of people who are passionate about what they do, excited to work together and grasp the essence of the vision is the key to creating a cohesive flawless design start to finish! It’s people, People. People matter most!
Thank you for your continued love and support!
XOXO,
Genevieve
