Celestial Love of Flora and Fauna Styled Shoot |

There are infinite ways anyone of us can create and interpret the details around us. What if when it came to styling a table, we break the preconceived notions of what things need to look like in order to fit a certain look. What if we worked outside the typical mold a bit more to guide our story telling in design. Or if we honored the ever-changing ideas constructed from surrounding colors, inspired by facets of our everyday from cinema, fashion and the natural progression of each season. These ideals are the foundation for this styled shoot, inspired not only by a love for our enigmatic flora and fauna, but a love for it that spans beyond the stars — a love almost celestial in its essence.

One may think of celestial images, and envision stars and moons. But in our table styling, we are highlighting the subtleties of what celestial characteristics can be. The aged metallic golds and silvers of vintage treasures, with etchings that blend the natural present world, and that of another moment in time.

A table design of juxtaposition — where a maximalist intimacy of our effervescent floral and fauna, is transformed in a contemporary way.

Books become pivotal in creating the intriguing lines our eyes will flow along the table. They also tell our distinct color story, and in the most delicate of ways, include images of nature’s beautiful fauna like butterflies and birds, as well as ambiguious star-like patterns. If you look closely at the antique salt cellars, you will see that although each one different, all resemble the versatile beauty of how a star can be illustrated.

Even layers of draping linens, create an artistic visual movement. And it was with full intention, that each organic draping resemble the curves of the moon.

A Celestial Love of Flora and Fauna Styled Shoot :: Dreamery Events

The Florals

It may seem as if each floral piece was effortlessly arranged, in truth, there was much thought behind every line, texture and emotion. Only seasonal blooms where used; with a mix of late summer flowers, herbs beginning their final seasonal progression, as well as those beauties that had already preserved themselves. An overflowing garden style centerpiece may seem like the scene stealer, but it’s the smaller arrangements inspired by Ikebana principles and delicately added into vintage cups, that create complexity within our design.

Every flora was chosen for its celestial quality. Flowers whose petals resemble a bright golden sun, or ones appearing as if blooming stars or the moon transcending through its phases.

The Table Setting :: First Look

There is an innate beauty in seeing one’s personality highlighted within the design of a wedding or special event. And it’s exciting as a designer seeing patterns, especially mixing them, being celebrated more these days. The foundation of this table is meant to stay soft and grounded, while the playfulness of different patterns add depth. These contradictory details all harmonize beautifully with one another, and that’s because they stay within the same color palette. Each varying pattern, as seen in contrasting napkin designs, feature complimentary hues and undertones that depict a cohesive, still neutral feeling.

In our first place setting, pink hued floral napkins were simply folded and draped within cream colored plates. In this setting, the vintage salt cellars were the stars, along with custom name cards of handmade paper, fitted with a Lunaria Sprig. Yes, a flower with a direct nod to the Latin meaning of “moon-shaped.”

The Table Setting :: Second Look

It may not be a distinct change, but simply swapping out napkins, place setting details and how secondary florals are displayed – we’re able to create two different table designs. Keeping our core floral arrangements and focal decor, these small changes created one table that represented a soft whimsical brightness. Where as our second tablescape, instantly took on a slightly muted, green-forward feel. And yet, both tablescapes evoked garden romance in every way.

In this second place setting, green floral print napkins were organically draped within ornate plates of emerald and gilded details. With this setting, we still featured the vintage salt cellars, but instead off the plates themselves. While the same name cards featuring the Lunaria sprigs, were nestled alongside a bowl of fresh, richly colored figs for guests to enjoy.

Some books were swapped out for layered antique silver trays with florals atop. Another gold tray was added and used to display a grouping of small florals, olives and madeleine cookies. The edible pieces are essential to this concept, but also intentionally chosen to create an interactive element to our table, with its design changing as the day and night evolve.

Food Styling

An integral part of this design story, meant not only to be savored, is the addition of edible elements. Here, beautifully colored seasonal figs, plums, grapes, olives, and shell-shaped madeleine cookies, gorgeously represent our decadent natural world. Each piece is its own focal point that transport us back to tables of grand medieval celebrations. And yet, feel fresh and of this time. Fruits spilling from gilded cups and paint-chipped vases, also become the very vessel from which to display singular blooms.

But I think no aspect showcases this concept more, than displaying slim taper candles within mounds of sparkling sea salt. We chose to artistically use an essential piece of our floral and fauna world, to both ground and add a playful intrigue to the table.

Here in lies the challenge of bringing any design concept to life. It’s the act of being able to transform our distinct ideas in the most subtle of ways; where the more another gazes upon the details — the more our imagination, thoughts and intentions begin to take shape. And the more their beauty is reimagined and imprinted within someone else’s creative mind. .