"Masculine Elegance" Style Shoot

Many brides want to find a way to include their groom in the wedding planning process. Planner and designer Rhiannon Bosse, of Rhiannon Bosse Celebrations, wanted to create a style shoot that would show brides how effortless it can be to create décor that represents their femininity and their groom’s masculinity. She says, “My clients always ask me how they can involve their groom more, and I always suggest finding ways to do so through the décor because of the big aesthetic pay off. I also feel like, as a designer, it's my job to create things in new and unexpected ways, so this project was a chance to do just that.”

 

Rhiannon teamed up with Samantha, of Samantha James Photography, who ended up being the perfect photographer to capture a simple concept gracefully. The shoot took place in a private studio in Grand Rapids. It had a simple backdrop that would complement the subtleness of the shoot. Rhiannon says, “The studio we ended up working in has large industrial windows, white brick walls, and really high ceilings, making it the perfect backdrop for our project. Because we used a lot of black and gray in the shoot, we also wanted great natural light to allow the photos to truly shine, so this venue hit all the marks for both Samantha, as a photographer, and myself, as the designer and planner.”

 

The team used a Carol Hannah two-piece gown for the shoot. The dress conveyed the sense of femininity with the full-length skirt and black, sketched details. At the same time, the gown added to the masculine feel, as it used a simple cut for the top portion. It was an elegant choice that shows how a simple gown can highlight the softness of a bride.

 

Trying to think outside the box, Rhiannon did not want to infuse any color into the shoot. With this in mind, she knew all the florals were going to have to be white. This was a fresh idea that would enhance the atmosphere of the shoot. Once Rhiannon knew the flowers she hoped to use would be in season, she began to select the blooms she wanted to showcase the most. She says, “From there I picked the flowers that had the most diverse texture to them and paired up each item in a way that would make the finished product look more visually enticing. I also wanted to incorporate less-loved flowers like calla lilies, anthurium and tulips to show those blooms in a fresh, new light.”

 

Hanna Wagner, the hair stylist and makeup artist for the shoot, pulled off a harmonious and classic look. The hair and makeup choices were made very deliberately. They gave the model a classic, pulled-back pony that was not over-the-top, while the makeup remained eye-catching to show off the model’s feminine look.

 

Rhiannon wanted the stationery to be inspired by the idea of masculinity as well. She contacted Matthew from A Fine Press, knowing that he could pull off the bold look she wanted. She says, “My main criteria for the project was to avoid soft stationery details like whimsical calligraphy, soft pastels and watercolor prints in favor of something a groom would really dig. I think Matthew helped make that a home run!” The stationery was also colorless, which ensured that it fit the mood of the shoot. The bold font also exuded a daring, noble ambiance.
 

 

What we love

The rentals in this shoot were not the common pieces that you see in most weddings. The clear Lucite chairs, white chargers, black flatware and black candles came together to make a modern, bold look that was offbeat from the usual. In addition, the choice was made to only include three desserts on small silver platters—as opposed to the traditional cake. This shoot truly shows how a wedding can be designed for both a bride and a groom. It is an unconventional styling approach that can meet the needs of modern couples.    

 

 

 

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