A Ralph Lauren Romance: WeddingDay’s Exclusive Detroit Cover Shoot

Photos ByLove Photography by Katie VanderWal

Written By

Date

February 16, 2024

The Vision

As the planner for our Detroit fall/winter digital issue cover shoot, Samantha, owner of 21 Jane Events, was inspired by her admiration for the Ralph Lauren Polo Bar restaurant in New York City. Her visits there sparked an intriguing idea: envisioning what a wedding designed by Ralph Lauren would entail. With the shoot set in the fall/winter season, Samantha seized this opportunity to bring this concept to life, capturing the essence of elegance and style reminiscent of Ralph Lauren's signature aesthetic!

The Venue

The Brooklyn Detroit Bridal Suite served as the ideal setting for our cover shoot, thanks to its warmth and cozy ambiance. While not typically used as an event space, this loft Airbnb space perfectly suited Samantha's design concept. Plus, it is available to be rented by couples for a getting ready space or overnight stay. This makes it an exquisite option for wedding preparations and portraits, just like the ones Love Photography by Katie VanderWal captured in our shoot!

The Florals

M. Dawn Floral's designs added an exquisite touch to our cover shoot. The ceremony was a vision of bridal elegance, adorned with romantic candles and a trail of dense white florals along the aisle. Transitioning to the reception, the theme took on a deeply romantic aura, with simple yet dense arrangements of all-red roses. The bouquet, following the classic theme, was envisioned to be petite and elegantly simple, perfectly complementing the overall classic theme!

The Decor

The color palette and décor exuded the essence of Ralph Lauren's iconic style. Drawing inspiration from his distinctive designer hues, we explored a fusion of navy and red in our setup. While Ralph Lauren is predominantly known for home and clothing pieces, it was an enjoyable challenge to interpret his signature colors into a wedding! The setup featured a navy blue velvet linen with red and navy plaid napkins and touches of gold throughout the tablescape. Dark brown farmhouse chairs contributed to the chic and sophisticated ambiance!

The Looks

Two stunning dresses from The Wedding Shoppe were featured in our shoot, both exuding elegance with clean lines and graceful volume. The first dress embraced a traditional and timeless allure with its strapless cut and deep V neckline. The second gown offered a playful yet modern twist on a classic design, harmonizing contemporary elements with timeless fabrics. We can't get enough of those dramatic detachable sleeves! The bride's hair was styled into a classic high bun, adorned with a captivating rhinestone piece, adding a touch of glamour to her overall look. Complementing her hair, the makeup was kept tastefully classic and timeless. The groom donned a striking white tuxedo jacket paired with a classic black bow tie, enhancing the timeless refinement of the entire ensemble!

The Cake

The cake, crafted by Homestead Kitchen, was a captivating centerpiece in our timeless cover shoot! A three-tiered, all-white confection, it boasted a distinctive design—an organic shape sweeping across the tiers, bringing to life the modern interpretation of ribbon-inspired bows. Trina, our talented cake designer, skillfully brought forth a unique spin on the envisioned concept, infusing the cake with a sense of fluid movement that added an exquisite visual allure to the entire setup!