Mount Tabor Styled Shoot
Florals: Wildlyptus | Rentals: Sugar Cubes PDX
This styled shoot came to life in my head after weeks of wanting to create again. As a event designer and planner I tend to get wrapped up in the craziness that is the logistics, and miss the actual creative aspect of the job. Sometimes it is nice to create for inspiration, rather than for a job I am hired for.
For this shoot, I really wanted to be able to connect with other creatives so that: one, I am not doing everything myself, and two, being able to get to know other designers in the area is part of the reason I started this company. The ideas started flowing after I met with Janey from Wildlyptus, and we brainstormed some ideas for floral design. I love fall weddings because of the deep, rich, warm colors that really encompasses the mood. I also was able to work with Nancy from Sugar Cubes PDX, who provided the beautiful antique furniture. Instagram has been an amazing tool to get so know other creative people in the Portland area, and really encourage each other on everything that they create.
My vision for this shoot all started with an arch. I wanted to be able to rent out this arch to clients who were looking for a modern twist for a backdrop. Of course, like all my ideas, this was Pinterest inspired (Side note: I researched the copper/dimensions for the pipping, went to Home Depot, and spray painted it all by myself! Who says women cannot be handy?) This arch quickly became a bigger project than I had anticipated, as do most of my projects, what can I say? I tend to dream big. I would recommend anyone building anything for events, is do not stress, the design will work out. I spent nights worrying about this darn arch, all for it to stand up perfectly.
After driving up to the top of Mount Tabor Park, we were told there was no parking there because the gate was going to be closing (*Cue eye roll*). So we unpacked what we could, drove back down the hill, had to walk everything back up the hill, and yes this is including the copper arch that is not necessarily light in weight. The shoot itself with flawlessly, even including the people passing by, who asked what we were creating. This is one of my favorite parts of these shoots in public. People are always so curious about why we are setting up place settings in the middle of a park, and I always chuckle at their concerned expressions. Once this was all said and done, we realized we had to carry all of our stuff back down the hill to our cars. Oh, did I mention that it was ninety-five degrees outside??
You are probably thinking at this point, is this whole blog just going to be this girl complaining about what she chose to do? With all this said, I absolutely LOVE what I do as an event planner and designer. Creating a vision that started in my head as an idea, is one of my favorite parts of this job. Working for weeks, going to various Goodwills, fabric stores, chatting with creatives around portland are all perks of what I have the chance to do.
I am day dreaming about the next styled shoot… Oregon coast? Winery? Venue in Portland? So many ideas… Stay tuned!