Styled Industrial Shoot

We absolutely LOVE when WPIC alumni send us their wedding editorials and real wedding submissions! If you take a look at the very end of the blog, you will see a detailed timeline that was included with the submission. We kept it in, because it gives another perspective into what wedding planners do.

Radhika Khan of Rad Occasions, you are amazing!

Inspired by a dream, Radhika of Rad Occasions set out to literally make dreams a reality. She had dreamt of a bride with greenery in her hair, dressed in a striking red dress and a concrete cake with flecks of gold. Little did Radhika know that later that week she would meet Susan from Cobble Hill Cake Co. who would chat about her organic cakes with much enthusiasm as well as a concrete cake that she was interested in designing. Taking this as a sign, an edgy concrete jungle inspired shoot was born.

First we had to find the perfect location and after perusing several venues we chose The Parkside Hotel and Spa’s Modern Ballroom. With their exposed ceilings, finished cement floors, and floor to ceiling windows it was more than we would have hoped for. We took it one step further but shooting in the parking lot below the hotel for a darker, more edgy feel.

We then teamed up with award winning photographer, Hattie Root, for her original double exposures photos and unique perspective on lighting and angles. Hattie had expressed interest in teaming up with Radhika on several occasions and this time the timing was perfect to bring the two creative souls together.

Radhika then approached Rob and Waffa of Jenning’s Florists at the local Fleur de Villes’ show in Mayfair Mall in Victoria, BC. Having worked with them a few times in the past for summer weddings,  a picture of soft greenery juxtaposed against the harshness of concrete and geometric shapes of gold was painted. Rob brought an extra dash of drama with the lush redness of the Kangaroo Paw flower in his arrangements as well as giant succulents and creamy roses. The bouquet and boutonnière complimented the lacey, romantic red dress designed by Pronovias as well as the red patterned tie that Jason worn as if they were all meant to be pictured together from creation.

With the details coming into place we needed the perfect couple! For this an open casting call was placed on Rad Occasions Facebook page and after narrowing down the responses to our top three, real couple of 8 years Linsey and Jason, were selected. They were beyond thrilled to be chosen for this opportunity and their excitement made us all even more excited for the photos we would create with them.

Luckily, Radhika’s hair whisperer and close friend, Jesse Carr of Morrocan Oil was available to style Linsey’s hair into an elegant updo, pinning the succulents in every so gently to complement the waves of Linsey’s deep brown hair. Linsey, who already has naturally striking features, was airbushed by the Alexa from Artistry of Alexa with the warm browns of the eyeshadows bringing out her sparkling eyes and dramatizing her lips and cheekbones. We topped of the ensemble with a simple pebble, from Texas no less, on a gold chain designed by the talented Lacey Janette. Linsey also wore a mesmerizing amethyst and hammered silver ring while Jason wore a matching hammered white gold band – both designed by Lacey in her quaint shop in Fan Tan Alley.

For Jason we kept it simple, in his own dark grey suit from Hudson’s Bay and a red-checkered tie from Outlooks from Men. The tie and boutonnière was the perfect way to compliment the daring red dress, the magnificent bouquet, and the décor that encourages you to see cinder blocs in a different light.

Speaking of décor… we placed a black glass tabletop and placed it on carefully stacked cinder blocs to lend to the industrial feel of the ballroom at The Parkside. To break up the rough edges of the cinder blocs glass candle holders, and greenery were scattered throughout the table legs and the same greenery was reflected in the himmelis hanging gently above the sweetheart table. The himmelis and ghost Chivari chairs helped to balance out the heaviness of the black glass and grey cinder blocs as well as adding a romantic touch to the reception space.

Our stationer, Amanda from Tickle Tree Studio, took the theme one step further by drawing inspiration from the heart shaped himmeli created by Pipe Dream Creative. Not only were the menus shaped similarly to the himmeli but the invitation suite mirrored  the delicate ornaments as well, with the bottom of the “Details” and top of the “RSVP” cards connecting to form another himmeli shaped heart.

Since we had many ideas for what the centerpieces could look like for the sweetheart table we decided to use all of them. The first of the tablescapes was the rounded gold geometric piece with hexagonal tile to add to the geometric shapes already reflected throughout the shoot and to add some depth to the table. Alternatively we further expanded on the use of cement with square cement vases echoing Jason’s boutonnière with the red Kangaroo’s paw, succulents to compliment Linsey’s dress, and neutral tones to tie everything together.

Each tablescape did have a constant and that was the place settings: with grey tile used as charger plates and lush geometric square plates and gold cutlery tucked into grey napkins. Each place setting was completed with geometric glass goblets that almost looked like they were rising out of the table itself and of course, a small favour for the guests of Absinthe to reflect the greenery throughout the reception space as well as the unconventional aspects of our industrial yet romantic wedding reception.

Our two tier dark chocolate cake with it concrete icing also took center stage as our third centerpiece. With a himelli and fresh pears and succulents it graciously sits under the himmelis. The cake was later positioned atop of several cinder blocs and displayed in front of the roughly rounded shells hanging on the wall of the Modern Ballroom.  The “Love” Cake topper was poised on the cake, well because all you need is love and cake – right?

Now did you think we forgot about the parking lot? For a darker look and feel we transported almost everything, with the exception of the himmelis, and arranged it in the parking spaces below with Edison lights as our glowing background to our radiant couple.

Wedding Pros:

Greenery, creams, and blush tones with concrete and gold accents + a daring red dress

Item	Vendor	Pick up/Drop Off
Floral arrangements	Rob from Jennings Florist – florals, greenery, cement vases, terrariums, pipe	Arriving with Rob, some will be dropped off the day before at 5:30pm in the Urban Ballroom
Paper goods	Amanda from Tickle Tree Studios	Provided to Rad ahead of time
Décor rentals	Designer Weddings Victoria – Edison lights, additional pipe, dark grey napkins, gold cutlery, red uplight, power for lights En Vied Events– Ghost Chivari Chairs Himellis – Pipe Dream Creative	Pick up on Friday (Rad)   Pick up on Friday (Rad) Drop off on Tuesday (Brit)
Photographer	Hattie Root Photography
Venue	Melissa from Parkside Hotel – Urban Ballroom and Parkade
Real Couple	Linsey and Jason
Hair	Jessi from Studio Seven Salon
Makeup	Alexa from Artistry by Alexa
Dress	Blush Bridal – Pronovias gown in red	Pick up on Saturday from the store (Rad)
Suit	Model’s own – The Bay Ties  – Outlooks for Men
Accessories for bride	By Lacey Janette	Pick up on Tuesday (Rad)
Cake toppers	“Love” – Gather Marketplace Himelli – Lumota
Cake	CobbleHill Cake Co
Wedding Planner	Rad Occasions – Radhika	Also bringing glasses, plates, candles, candles holders, cinder blocs, and a black glass table. – Dropped off the day before at 5:30pm in the Urban Ballroom

 

Day of Timeline

Time	Description	Person Responsible
9:00am	Set up begins	Rob from Jennings Florist, Radhika from RAD Occasions
9:30am	Jessi arrives for hair Linsey arrives	Jessi from Studio Seven Salon Linsey (model)
9:45am	Jessi begins hair styling	Jessi from Studio Seven Salon
10:50am	Alexa arrives for makeup	Artistry by Alexa
11:00am	Alexa begins makeup application Hattie arrives, walk through all the details	Artistry by Alexa Hattie Root Photography, Radhika from RAD Occasions
11:30am	Cake arrives for setup	CobbleHill Cake Co
Noon	Jason arrives for the shoot in suit and ready to go	Jason (model)
12:15pm	Photos begin in Urban Ballroom Mike to begin setup in parkade	Hattie Root Photography, Linsey, Jason Mike from RAD Occasions
12:30pm	Lunch arrives	Salt & Pepper Fox
2:30pm	Table brought downstairs and set up in parkade	RAD Occasions, Rob from Jennings Florist
3:00pm	Photos continue in Parkade Clean up of Urban Ballroom	Hattie Root Photography, Linsey, Jason
3:30pm	Take down begins	Rob from Jennings Florist, Radhika from RAD Occasions