A Ride with Romance: A European-Inspired Cover Shoot in Indianapolis

Photos ByNathaniel Edmunds Photography

Written By

Date

April 11, 2019

The Vision

The romantic, airy feeling of European canals can be hard to find within the United States, but this issue’s cover shoot provides a glimpse into one of the beautiful, European-like atmospheres right here in the Midwest. The inspiration was to curate a shoot that held a dream-like scene with fanciful, yet palpable style. With the help of Hannah Strickler of Design the Day, it easily came to life. Hannah says, “I was presented the idea for a European-inspired elopement along the canal and was immediately inspired! Elopements are very ‘in’ right now, and the canal was the perfect spot to host one while showing off the Indianapolis skyline! The beautiful colors and whimsical gown really proved to be so perfect for the setting.”

The Transportation

Located on the picturesque Indianapolis Canal, Old World Gondoliers, offers a charming, fantastical experience for brides, grooms and lovers alike. Featuring whimsical gondolas and a serenading gondolier, Old World Gondoliers provides the romantic experience of a lifetime. Our idyllic location also highlighted the gorgeous Indianapolis skyline, which juxtaposed the gondolier for a modern-meets-dreamy-nostalgia look captured by Nathaniel Edmunds Photography.

The Design

Given the ultra-romantic feeling of the shoot - Hannah had a specific palette in mind that would add some layers of interest. Hannah says, “I wanted to incorporate a lot of color to stray away from the usual color palettes that are seen a lot.” The vibrant colors in this shoot helped to contrast against the Indianapolis skyline. They brought a bold, yet charming vibe to further establish that old-world atmosphere within the city.

The Florals

The florals by Eufloric Events were an impressive feature of the shoot, boasting lush greenery with pops of color. Hannah says, “We decided, really based on color and the romantic feel, that each flower provided to the aesthetic of the shoot. We wanted something a bit more free-flowing and organic to tie in with the whimsical and ornate gown.” From the tablescape arrangement to the bridal bouquet, Eufloric Events mastered the artistic feeling of the shoot.

The DÉcor

“We used simple pieces that we could dress up in order to match our vision perfectly,” says Hannah. “I knew that the table would have a large floral piece, so I wanted to keep it fairly neutral with some gold accents.” The golden highlights in the décor helped to amplify that timeworn-style within the city. Some of the best features were the gold bar cart, old-fashioned, wooden table and golden flatware. Hannah also added pieces of fruit for a whimsical touch. She says, “I brought fruit into play because I love the way the colors blended with everything perfectly, especially the figs!”

The Look

Borrowed from Milena’s Bridal, we decided on a Rara Avis gown, 'Lily' from their Floral Paradise collection. The artistic, striking dress served as a main source of inspiration for the shoot. Hannah says,”The gown was truly the focal-point when we were creating the shoot. I worked closely with the ladies at Eufloric Events to ensure that we could still do a lovely, colorful floral palette while making the dress be the main focus.” The delicately crafted gown featured an embroidered bodice with tiny, colorful floral embellishments. An overall soft and feminine bridal look was accomplished. Hannah says, “The bridal model’s hair was in a beautiful, low updo with a simple and delicate hair piece woven throughout to add a touch of elegance. The makeup had a hint of berry tones to coordinate with the dress perfectly.” Leanna’s Private Studio created the perfect bridal look for the shoot.

The Cake

“Kristina from Icing on the Cake really knocked this cake out of the park,” say Hannah. “The intricate details of the cake are what really make it shine. From the hand-crafted bird details to the sugar flowers, there was no detail left behind.” The detailed cake was the perfect pairing to the style of the shoot. The three-tiered cake was adorned with the smallest of details bringing an amorous edge to wedding cake design.