Sweet Dreams Inspired Shoot

One of our all-time favorite wedding themes is “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” There’s just something so positively romantic and whimsical about the play set in the woods that translates perfectly into wedding design. Absolutely Events, Rae Florae, and Jackie Wonders recently collaborated to bring together this stunning shoot, which includes not one but two flower girls dressed as fairies. Love!

From the shoot stylist, Angie of Absolutely Events: Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream was the inspiration for our “Sweet Dreams” shoot, showcasing a newer property for Estate Weddings and Events. We wanted to create a look that wasn’t too “over the top” and would be realistic and relatable, while still including some of the fantasy and whimsy of Shakespeare’s great work. Our photographer, Jackie Wonders, did a fantastic job in capturing it all.

My favorite area of the property was where we designed the ceremony space for this shoot. The trees that line the courtyard and provide a natural canopy, along with the urn at the head of the space lend to a lovely setting for an intimate ceremony. Our amazing florist, Rae Florae, was able to enhance the romance of this space and the existing foliage with gorgeous Dendrobium orchids, Spanish moss, and delicate hanging votive candles. Once completed, the space provided a subtle nod to the fairy lights and the fairy hollow that may be imagined from reading parts of Shakespeare’s play.

Sugar and Scribe created whimsical treats to be highlighted in the dessert display. While all of the heart and fairy shaped truffles were fun, and while all of the sweets sparkled with “fairy dust,” I simply adored the candied fruit that the baker provided for the shoot; it was gorgeous and something truly unique. The tabletop display was set against the backdrop of a beautiful, expansive boxwood hedge wall on the property. Urns placed down the center of the estate’s gorgeous long wood tables housed a mix of roses, tulips, ferns, hydrangeas, and other vegetation. Charger plates at each place setting provided a base for a layering of mismatched china plates, napkins, and the charming place cards which had been nailed to thin wood slices.

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The invitation suite, ceremony programs, and place cards all also featured details attributed to our inspiration. Moira Design Studio did an incredible job in incorporating so many elements of the play to the paper pieces; the little fairies, the silhouette of “Bottom” (the Craftsman with the head of a donkey), trees and flowers from the woods where the “dream” take place… the details and artwork put into all of the pieces were thoughtful and delightful. Our two sweet “fairy-girls” enjoyed frolicking and playing together across the expansive lawn of the property in their adorable tutus and wings. We were lucky to have such fun little girls take part in the shoot. I imagine that by the time we were wrapping-up our Sweet Dreams shoot our delightful little fairies were tucked in their beds, having their own sweet dreams.

Shoot Location: San Diego, CA / Photographer: Jackie Wonders / Event Design, Coordination, and China: Absolutely Events / Floral Design: Rae Florae / Venue: Tuscan Del Mar property via Estate Weddings and Events / Wedding Dresses and Jewelry: Sparrow Bridal and Dahlia Bridal / Hair: Bethany Catalfamo of Lotus Den Hair Studio / Makeup: Ann DeNicolo Makeup Artist / Fairy-girl Tutus: Lilly James Co. / Wedding Cake and Sweets: Sugar and Scribe Bakery / Rentals: Classic Party Rentals / Plywood Bunting: Brad of Against the Grain, via Scoutmob / Wedding Invitations and Paper Goods: Moira Design Studio / Models: Alex-Andra Nicholson, Jon Reid, Leighton Walker, and Lexie Melton