Back in December, my friend Liza from Mango Studios (one of my favourite studios to shoot weddings with in Toronto!) asked me to style an inspiration shoot around this beautiful black Narces runway dress. I am always super specific about inspiration or styled shoots that I become a part of, because I sometimes find them forced for content, or not necessarily something up my ally. But when you put a black sequin wedding dress in front of me and ask me to style it with moody dark reds and greys I am all in! It was such a different idea and concept for showing off a wedding style, and being unique is always on my radar. So off I went, and I think the results turned out pretty darn stunning! Not to mention, we had a killer team of ladies on board to supply and design certain elements which always makes my job so much more exciting and enjoyable!
So here we are! And I adore the final look. I really wanted to make sure that if we were going to focus on black that it was more of a tone and tone effect, with a ton of texture and layers. By keeping the table white, we were able to pile on the black and grey details without it feeling too heavy. I created a three layered place setting with mesh charger plates, Plate Occasion cement (yes, cement!) accent plates, and small black square side plates which gave each setting a really rich aesthetic. Topping it all off with a knotted napkin instead of a traditional fold was another nod to texture and switching it up with a setting. There are no rules when it comes to how your napkin must be folded for a wedding or event, so get creative!
Becky from Blush and Bloom designed the flowers in deep hues of reds and plums, with hints of blush to really amp up the density and contrast of the arrangements. I loved how we dotted the table with single blooms and brought in a dark ombre effect in the grey candles. Accents of antique gold really made everything come together and a modern dining chair from Contemporary Furniture Rentals kept things sleek!
None of this is even touching on our beautiful model bride! Outfitted in that stunning black Narces dress, Aniya Nandy whipped up some serious romance in her hair and makeup and Becky from Blush and Bloom once again brought romance to life in a stunning oversized bouquet with trailing hand dyed ribbon. Perhaps the black dress was her reception dress, or maybe something she rocked all day? There are really no rules when it comes to what you must wear on your wedding day. Throw traditions out the window and opt for something that makes you feel fabulous. But it you want to keep it classic, perhaps one of the other two dresses from Loversland we featured in the shoot would be more up your ally. Whether it's black or white, both dresses were giving me serious dream vibes in the way they both complimented this moody Valentines Day wedding inspiration.
Photography: Mango Studios | Planner: Shealyn Angus Weddings & Events | Florist: Blush and Bloom Flower Studio | Black Dress: Narces from Narces | White Dresses: Rime Arodaky from Loversland | Hair & Make-up: Aniya Nandy Beauty | Stationary: Little North Company | Table Top Rentals: Plate Occasions | Black Water Goblets: Chairman Mills | Jewellery: Theresa Duong Jewellery | Shoes: Alexandre Birman from The September | Model: Stacy Babkova