And If You Listen To The Light: a Wedding Inspiration Shoot at Airship 37

Objects don’t inherently carry emotions; it’s the context that we place them in, how we approach them, that gives them meaning. The same goes with colour: where shadows end, where light begins - and the delicate in between - is where stories begin. This editorial shoot, recently featured on the Ruffled blog, was an exercise in finding beauty in quiet, in deliberately harmonizing opulence with sparseness.

Curated and produced by our Toronto wedding planner friends Bisous Events in collaboration with The Look Bridal, the shoot took place at Berkeley Events’ blank canvas events space Airship 37, where we gathered with some of Toronto’s best wedding vendors to explore a common vision of refined simplicity. The setting was staged and curated, yet each element of the setup, from the wedding tablescape to the carefully curated wedding dresses, remained emotionally authentic.

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While the table itself was upscale and the objects were still, we focused on what brought the settings to life. We found inspiration in light and shadows, air and breath, texture and space. We created room for our model Sam to simply be herself and engage with the setting organically, transforming spaces into beautiful bridal moments.

During the shoot, filming with body rigs as we always do, we tried to give the viewer a sense of personal perspective, of actually being there.

We also went much deeper into our setup shots, trying to convey in motion the emotion that Coyote Flowers’ floral arrangements evoked. We tried to hear and interpret the delicateness of nature, the poetry created by the almost imperceptible movement of carefully arranged branches. We let objects breathe and watched an intimate relationship with the camera develop.

When you spend enough time with an object, it eventually speaks to you. And if you listen to the light, you eventually realize the stories it tells you.

Planning and Production: Bisous Events
Makeup and Production: The Look Bridal
Photography: Purple Tree Photography
Floral Design: Coyote Flowers
Venue: Airship 37
Wedding Dress and Accessories: White Toronto
Jewelry: Anice Jewelry
Engagement Rings: Bluboho
Wardrobe Styling: Katie Goodfellow
Hair: Morgan Inniss
Wedding Cake: Sweet Regards
Furniture Rentals: Detailz Couture
Tabletop Rentals: Plate Occasions
Stationery: Maison Maquette
Model: Sam Leung (B&M Models)

'All That Shines' Berkeley Bicycle Club Wedding Film (Editorial)

What makes a wedding unique? How does one express individuality when planning, confronted with the task of choosing from a myriad of bridal gowns, seemingly identical wedding venues, or too-similar, overly ornate plate options?

In 'All That Shines', an editorial collaboration with event planner Jessica Hoang from Bisous Events and photographer Alyssa Wodabek that was recently featured in Australia's Hello May Magazine, we tried to create a bridal editorial film that, while showing what a Berkeley Bicycle Club wedding might look like, would reflect our personal preference for simplicity in all things wedding-related. (In that, Jess is very much a kindred spirit!)

Building on the venue's inherent qualities, such as beautiful wood panelling (and a magnificent alcove), gorgeous stained glass windows, and spacious rooms, we invited our models Alyssa & Justin to connect intimately but softly, to make themselves comfortable in those nooks of rainy-day light, to inhabit those moments of quiet contentment. Thus, we kept the motion simple, allowing them to simply 'be'. The resulting film is meant to inspire brides and grooms seeking a sense of respite in their wedding. Be it at dinner, hands intertwined as they listen in awe or in more abstract spaces, alone or together, we made everything about pace and soft breaths, withholding any kissing to focus on how the way he looks at her - and how she looks back at him - carries so much weight, so much truth, so much love.

With a dedicated team of Toronto wedding vendors crafting every detail of this bridal editorial, whose working title was 'Copper and Linen', we had the opportunity to create a collective vision that included a stunning gown from Maureen Patricia Bridal and a veil from Posh Veils, set into a beautiful hairstyle created by Puzzle Creations and accented by a sparkly headpiece by The Loved One. Our bride Alyssa, whose makeup was done by The Look Bridal, elegantly handled flowers provided by Ashley Elaine.

Meanwhile, our groom Justin was clad in an Indochino suit, accessorized by Tytan Ties accents (custom tie & pocket square).

Table-wise, Plate Occasions made magic happen, while stationery was designed by Castlefield Design Co. and Crumb & Berry provided us with succulent, delicate cakes.

We hope you enjoy watching 'All That Shines' as much as we enjoyed making it. Here's to the simple things in life.

Featured in Style Me Pretty / Toronto Wedding Cinematographer / LENS Workshops Santorini-Inspired Shoot

Remember how I said I wanted to make 2015 awesome? Well, with this feature on Style Me Pretty today, I think we're off to a good start!

Yup! Today, the Santorini-inspired editorial we worked on with our friends Artiese Studios, Heidi Lau Photography, and Blue Lavender Events, among others (see vendors list below) is featured on Style Me Pretty, THE reference when it comes to wedding blogs! Isn't it amazing?

Photo by Artiese Studios / Heidi Lau Photography for LENS Workshops

Shooting this bridal editorial behind-the-scenes for this talented group of friends was such a blessing - we have such talented friends & collaborators!

So let the white and blue Mediterranean beauty of Therese and Heidi's images lull you, take a big breath, and, once you've been inspired, jump back right into the planning of your own wedding. Hey, we might be Toronto wedding cinematographers, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't be able to shoot more wedding with dazzling blue suits in 2015, does it? Grooms, the ball is in your court!

Photographers: ARTIESE Studios & Heidi Lau Photography
Creative Director, Producer, Stylist: Blue Lavender Events
Sweets: SweeterE
Suit: Garrison Bespoke
Ties: Tytan
Gowns: Sash & Bustle / Ferre Sposa
Makeup: Aglow by Joan
Hair: Puzzle Creations
Floral: Coriander Girl
Furniture Rentals: Anne & Co.
Stationery: Peppercorn & Poppy
Jewelry: Tara Fava
Rings: Everlast Diamond
Model: Lexington and Co.