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It’s always fun to photograph a styled shoot. I asked Santa Barbara event designer, Tenley Erin Young what her inspiration was for this photo shoot we did together last November. Here’s what she had to say.
“I love drama and glam, but I also love nature, so I wanted to combine one of the most dramatic elements – a theater “stage” in the most basic, natural setting, an oak grove. Ballet is over the top with costumes, make up, sets, etc., and to see it staged on an abandoned ranch was so beautiful. We mixed 2 extremes, which brides are always afraid to do. We can put up a giant drape in the middle of no where and have a gorgeous ceremony! We can hang chandeliers in a dead tree and make it elegant! There really are no limits to what you can dream up for your wedding.
I also loved the idea of combining a super private ceremony with lots of little ballerina “flower girls”. There’s nothing more sweet than a little girl in a tutu, and there’s nothing more exciting than growing up to be a ballerina – so we made every little girl’s dream come true: a ballerina bride.
Staying true to the French way of life, we used vintage french inspired pieces: furniture, china, silver, chandeliers, and crystal champagne glassware. Our desserts were macarons, petit fours, madeleines, and other delicious eats. Our models, bride ~ Leila Drake, is prima ballerina at the Santa Barbara Ballet and her groom ~ Chris Fossek, is a renowned flamenco guitarist, so we got to take advantage of a gorgeous, dramatic duo!”
Fun tidbits: The ballerinas are all in a class together. The couple were actually engaged when we did the shoot. (They just recently married) The bride did her own hair and make up – knowing exactly what to do from all her years on stage. The napkin holders are vintage brooches.
Thank you to everyone involved;
Coordination: An Enlightened Event www.anenlightenedevent.com
Lighting Design and Fabric Treatment: Bella Vista Designs www.bellevistadesigns.com
Vintage Rentals: Pretty Vintage Table www.prettyvintagetable.com
Desserts: Sweet Spils www.sweetspils.com
Jewelry: Coast 2 Coast Collections www.c2ccollection.com
Invitations: Lucky Luxe Couture Correspondance www.luckyluxe.com
Table Rental: Ventura Party Rentals www.events.venturarental.com
Linens: La Tavola Fine Linens www.latavola.com
Tutus: DazeyGirl707
A special thank you to Dmitry Rogozhin assistant photographer on this shoot.
