When travel isn’t possible, bring Europe to you! This French-inspired elopement was reminiscent of classical European romance and, designed with a team of select local vendors who are lovers of all things romantic, showcased how you can still capture the essence of the European wedding you were dreaming of right here in Canada.
Our French-inspired shoot took place in greater Vancouver where the cascading white stone staircases, Juliet balcony, sweet scent of jasmine, and warm dappled light filtering through the tall trees invoked a feeling of southern French romance and elegance.
Drawing inspiration from the daydream of a French estate wedding, we let the European feel of the venue dictate the colour palette of pale pink, French blue, white, and light cream – from the florals to the dress, the decor to the stationary. As florist Lamsear Floral describes, she was inspired by the sprawling French chateau gardens by creating centrepieces and an unstructured bouquet featuring gorgeous blush-toned roses, rich delicate notes of chocolate lace flowers, and soft blue hues of scabiosas that came straight from her home garden. As the finishing touch, she layered trailing jasmine vines along the stone balcony to complement the overall tablescape.
The bride donned the Calla Blanche gown from the Dressy Attic, featuring delicate lace, a semi-sheer bodice, secret pockets (!), and a romantic tulled skirt – the perfect balance of volume and movement without all the heavy weight. The jewelry from Atelier Elise paired perfectly with the subtle sparkle undertones found in the gown’s underskirts. HMUA Elka gave the bride a romantic undo with loose face-framing layers, paired with soft makeup emphasized with a classic French cat eye. The groom wore a rich French blue 3-piece suit accented by a crisp white dress shirt, all from Black & Lee.
Bespoke Decor and Camilia Supply designed the tablescape, complementing the soft hues and French tones that make you just want to melt into this dreamy love story. Alessandra and Dustin’s bespoke stationery and vow books were custom designed by Liza Child Calligraphy, whose pale pink stationery and painted scenes of European architecture found in the lining of the envelopes acted as the final touches to bring together a cohesively styled elopement.
The final touch was freshly baked French macarons that put a sweet end to an even sweeter day.
–Ana Douglas, Ana Douglas Photography
Photography & concept: Ana Douglas Photography
Florals: Lamsear Florist
HMUA: Elka Makeup & Hair
Dress & veil: Calla Blanche, The Dressy Attic
Stationery: Liza Child
Jewelry: Atelier Elise
Groom’s attire: Black & Lee
Rentals: Camilia Supply, Bespoke Decor
Candlesticks: Bobbypin’s Curiosities
Candles: Yummi Candles
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