I’m back at it, with a little more from the Portfolio Builder last fall! As we’re gearing up for this year’s Portfolio Builder, I’m so excited to share more of these images and the work behind the scenes that we did to make this a one-of-a-kind experience for our photographers.

Today, I want to share with you all about the customizations that we do to ensure that each photographer walks away with a unique set of portfolio images, AND, if you’re planning a wedding, this also shows you how you can easily make small adjustments to make a design your own!

These images are all from Tiffany Marie Photography, who actually photographed 2 of our designs, so you can really see all the work we went to to make this happen!

First up, this is the gorgeous design board that Emily from Feast & Festivities laid out to inspire us in creating these wedding designs. I love the feminine, organic feel and it was very rewarding to bring it to life.

Below is a quick overview of the 2 wedding designs that we created for Tiffany Marie Photography to capture: a rectangular banquet table with mocha and taupe linens, clear Napoleon chairs, and textured elements, and a round table with dusty mauve linen, white chivari chairs, and feminine details. Let’s dive into this a little more!

DESIGN 1

The first design does a beautiful job of merging modern and timeless styles, with the help of organic textures.

Emily had the genius idea of customizing some of the paper products with dried lavender buds, creating her own wax seal to incorporate lavender, which accented the escort cards and the table menus. This was one of my personal favourite details!

Moving into this table design, you’ll see how layering contrasting textures together can create a unique tablescape that touches all of the senses. Emily paired Planned Perfectly’s taupe panama linen with their oatmeal gauzey runner, custom made taupe napkins with lavender stitching, and the crisp Napoleon chairs.

I created a sense of balanced symmetry with a larger floral arrangement clustered with 2 taper candles, off-set by a smaller floral arrangement clustered with 3 taper candles. This adds a nice sense of undulation and movement to a table, without using the exact same elements over and over again, which can feel a little too repetitive.

I love the way this smoke salad plate pairs with the silver dragonfly flatware from C&T Rentals! The cooler tones feel a little unexpected after the gold and copper craze of the last few years. I’m sure you’ll also agree that the detail on the plate edge adds that touch of femininity that we needed!

DESIGN 2

This second design relies a little more on the bolder ochre colour in the palette (one of the things I love about working with Feast & Festivities is that Emily is not afraid of colour!), while also emphasizing the femininity.

We pulled that honey tone throughout, using silk ribbon to customize the simple invitation suite and even adding a touch to each menu — and of course, on the bridal bouquet.

The lavender touches in the invites also play really beautifully into the toffee belize linen from Planned Perfectly, pulling out the mauve undertone in an unexpected way.

Is it just me, or am the only one in the wedding world who still loves round tables? I know that they’re kind of basic, BUT hear me out: you can have some fun with designing on a round table! There’s something about a round table that feels both fresh and classic at the same time.

Now, there are a few things that I can never forgive, with the main one being those crappy little half length table linens on a round table. Who on earth ever thought that that should be a product?

But moving past that, here are a few of my personal design thoughts about round tables:
-You can still create an asymmetrical design. Instead of placing that centrepiece dead centre in the table, create groupings: move that centrepiece over a bit, and group a clustering on candles to balance it.

-Consider seating fewer people at the table, both for comfort and so there’s more space on the table. Round tables do get full pretty quickly, but if you seat 6 people at an 8 person table, you leave more room for charger plates, bread plates, glassware, favours, candles — all of the pretty elements that go into making a tablescape truly special.

Want to know a shameful secret about this cake? It was supposed to be tied with actual ribbon. I ordered some gorgeous gossamer ribbon from Tono & Co specifically for this, and then…I lost it. I think it must have accidentally fallen into the trash can in my studio, because I have torn this place apart and not come across it. I even went through two entire garbage bags to find it 🤦🏼‍♀️ BUT Kayla from Sugar & Salt Bakeshoppe came to the rescue at the last minute, and added this gorgeous sugar bow that she made by hand. Saved by the baker.

Vendors:
Photos: Tiffany Maire Photography
Planning and design: Feast & Festivities
Florals and Design: Stone House Creative
Linens, Chairs: Planned Perfectly
Place Setting Rentals: C&T Rentals
Venue: Cloakroom Wellness
Dress: Bliss Bridal Boutique
Shoes: Bella Belle Shoes
Makeup: Tiopo and Co
Hair: Tori Lynn Hair
Rings: Mokada
Accessories: Luna + Stone
Stationery: Minted
Calligraphy: Blake Creative Co
Cake: Sugar & Salt BakeShoppe
Model: Havilah for Panache Management

Want to be part of the next portfolio builder?

June 12, 2021 is the date and registration is NOW OPEN!

This is a day exclusively for photographers and videographers who are looking to build their portfolio and attract their dream clients. You’ll find an expertly planned and thoughtfully designed styled shoot and bridal editorial created to give you the time and space to get inspired, explore, try new things, and hone in on your skills in a one-of-a-kind outdoor setting.

Whether you’ve been in business for several years already or if you’re just starting out, or maybe you’re thinking about branching out to offer video services to your already established photography business, the Portfolio Builder is the right fit for you.

And let’s be honest…after the dumpster fire that was 2020 and that 2021 is turning out to be so far, we all need some inspiration.