A Decade Worth Celebrating: 10-Year Anniversary Cover Shoot at the Palais Royale

Photos ByBen Pancoast Photography

Written By

Date

April 21, 2016

the vision

Grand occasions deserve grand-scale attention. Ten-year anniversaries deserve celebrations, champagne and a cover shoot at one of the most historical and beloved venues in the area. And that’s precisely how WeddingDay Magazine is celebrating its 10-year anniversary this year! Our vision for this shoot was to go above and beyond—to be upscale, elegant and extraordinary.

hair & makeup

While the dress, décor, and venue were all over-the-top details in this cover shoot, our bride’s hair and makeup took on a more subtle approach. The intent was to complement the grandiose features of the scenery with an understated look. Natural makeup with berry lips were used for her face with long lashes accenting her eyes. The bride’s hair was kept simple and sweet with a low bun and pinned twists.

The DÉcor

The WeddingDay team gave very little creative direction, allowing the professionals at Burn’s Rent-Alls and Crystal Springs Florist to rise to the occasion. We knew we had our hearts set on a classic-yet-chic color palette using black, white and gold. The rest of the details were left to the creative brilliance of Molly at Burn’s Rent-Alls and Shaya from Crystal Springs Florist. The two collaborated to create a decorative theme that incorporated both classic details and 2016 trends.

“For the 10-year anniversary shoot, I really wanted to make a statement, but also implement elements out of the ordinary. I wanted to show that you could use black linens and still have a very elegant set up,” says Molly.

That “statement” was brought to life with a mix-and-match style of centerpieces using various heights for visual interest and a floral garland (one of the biggest floral trends in 2016) which ran down the head table. More 2016 trends made appearances such as metallic décor and gold accents. Other decorative details came from the white chiavari chairs for the bride and groom, candelabras, votives, clarinet vases, and gold mercury china.

The Dress

Our bride wore a striking Justin Alexander gown that immediately took center stage. The #8795 fit-and-flare dress and sweetheart neckline delivered a sense of drama that was fitting for the theatrical venue.

the floral

Over-the-top flowers were used in every aspect of this cover shoot. Every day flowers had no place in this décor scheme. The centerpieces and tablescape were set with use of lush and elegant flowers that included white jumbo hydrangeas, “panda” anemones, “White O’Hara” garden roses, white standard roses, white astilbe and gold ting. To complete the look, each place setting was equipped with a white phalaenopsis orchid.

Our bride carried a more formal, larger bouquet filled with “White O’Hara” garden roses, “Million Star” astrantia, white lisanthus, silver dollar eucalyptus, white freesia and gold berries. Later, she transitioned to a smaller reception bouquet that made use of white phalaenopsis orchids, white astilbe and gold ting.

The Venue

The Palais Royale has served as a substantial landmark in the heart of downtown South Bend, Indiana ever since the 1920s. The ballroom is located within The Morris Performing Arts Center—another historical venue. The Palais’ rich history and flashy culture date back to before World War II when couples and friends went out dancing almost every night of the week. The sense of vibrancy and history is still very present as one walks through the doors of The Palais. When the time came to select a venue to celebrate our decade-long history,
The Palais Royale immediately became the front-runner.

With its recent renovations, the 8,800-square-foot ballroom has been restored to its roaring 20s glory. Crystal chandeliers and intricate details grace the 35-foot ceiling, grandiose windows draw in tons of natural light, and a surrounding balcony offers sweeping views of the ballroom. Our cover shoot was inspired by the elegance, sophistication and glamour of The Palais, and we felt compelled to make sure each and every detail was just as extravagant.