Last month I got to join in on a styled shoot with one of my favorite people in the industry, Erica Greenwold of Folie à Deux events. She put together a Joe Strummer (yep, of the Clash) and Frida Kahlo mashup inspiration with a very in love, engaged couple.

If you want to watch my live coverage of the event, see this video:

This shoot was the kind I love love love to work on–bold colors, a rock and roll influence, leather, and full of romance.

One of my favorite elements was the botanicals in this shoot. Working with Lee over at Hana Lee was so very cool. She sourced these stunning sustainable roses in the December offseason. I used the colors of the roses as inspiration for the colors within the stationery suite, bubblegum pink, blood red, radiant golden and a perfect cream. She used some wild botanicals to mix up the texture, perfect for adding in some punk inspiration into a traditionally romantic flower bouquet.

The suite I created for this event had to be different. It needed an unexpected element, and I knew fabric was going to be the perfect medium to capture the classic punk grunge. The invitation was inspired by The Clash concert posters–bold type and blocky elements, with intentional rough brush and destroyed elements to convey edge. The suite was packaged in a vintage Mexican cigar box, reflecting perfectly the revolution theme that ran throughout our inspiration. We burned the edges of the fabric to get a sealed and slightly blackened edge to the invites before hand-sewing them to the cardstock backing that donned the floral design and a personal touch.The RSVP card we created was a postcard with a Milagros (a traditional Mexican trinket) with F+J personalization and a not-so-serious tone for the wording.

Postcards are a great way to lighten the mood on an otherwise formal invitation suite. They carry the charm of a time where travel, penpalling and love through mail ran high. It was facebook, 75 years ago, where the only status update you got was once every month. 😉

Carrying the design through the menus, I used the rough type paired with a colorful floral border to convey the pairing of different worlds. The menu items were a mixture of traditional Mexican fare and some fun puns (I’m a sucker for them) that nodded Joe Strummer and his band.

Devon Drugan perfected Chrissie’s (our Frida) makeup look while A Shear Perfection made sure each lock was in place, and created a stunning signature Frida updo. With two gowns, one from Alexis, with the most perfect bell sleeves I have ever seen, and a stunning blue dress from Badgley Mischka, both of these women created two stunningly fresh, yet signature looks for our bride.

Our Joe Strummer, whose name is actually Chris, was bold, with a black tee and jacket in some shots and a signature motorcycle leather jacket, that he lovingly laid over Chrissie’s shoulders, swoooooon, in others. His hair, tattoos and enamorment with his bride were all real and true to form.

Sugar Euphoria gave us a perfectly tiered cake dressed to the occasion. Featuring a coal-colored black bottom tier with a metallic lace fondant overlay, and a cream top tier flourished by our signature roses, the cake was on point with the decor.

Finally, the venue, The Meadows at Firefly Farm was probably my favorite that I’ve visited in the Raleigh area. It boasts two houses and an indoor/outdoor warehouse/garage that was perfection. I gave a tour in the video, and it left nothing to be desired. The details got me. Plumbing wrenches for handles on oversized barn doors and glass garage closures in the flex space ooze with an industrial influence. The white house was full of vintage details with all the modern amenities, including moonshine for the couples. The main house had this amazing vintage time clock as their guest book, where guests can punch in with a sweet message for the couple or venue. But my most favoritest place of all was their wooded ceremony space. I’m literally getting goosebumps as I type this. Whole tree trunks, stripped of their bark for a smooth and comfortable surface, lined the aisle and reached an apex of an oversized wreath that we embellished with our blooms. IT’S A CEREMONY SPACE MADE FOR WOODLAND CREATURES GUISE. I was IN LOVE, and would highly recommend my couples in the Triangle go visit this amazing venue.

Ana Teresa was our photographer and she captured the day in a bright, yet authentic way. It was comfortable for all and honestly, just a really good time. Enjoy the visual goodies from her studio for the remainder of the post. Thank you to Erica for bringing together a killer team–I’d love to work with any of these amazing event partners again, and with any couples who find inspiration in unexpected places.

Credits:
Photography by Ana Teresa
Concept & Coordination by Folie à Deux Events
Floral Design & Decor by Hana Lee
Stationery Suite by Revelry + Heart
Cake Design by Sugar Euphoria
Hand-dyed Ribbons by Hana Lee & RIVTAK
Tabletop Place Settings from American Party Rentals
Hair Styling by A Shear Perfection Salon
Makeup by Devon Drugan
Gowns sourced from Rent The Runway
Chrissie’s Blue Gown was designed by Badgley Mischka
Chrissie’s White Gown was designed by Alexis
Additional Greenery & Branch Installations by Natya at The Meadows