This beautiful shoot caught my eye as I was flipping through Tam’s iPad and I knew I had to feature it.  The classic beauty of a bygone era, the glamorous combination of chinoiserie and fashion.  Take a look and see for yourself how these talented vendors transformed 2012 into the 1950s.  And yes, ladies, that is Kiptyn Locke from The Bachelorette.

“Every significant fashion and movie era repeats itself.  The inception of the television show, Mad Men, has us riveted and excited to bring back the sexy sheaths and curve-hugging cardigans that salute the 50’s & 60’s but are relevant now.

We set our mid-century inspired design in a Garden of Eden.  There was a time when housewives lived for the occasion to entertain their friends and families by the pool and garden landscape.  We wanted to keep the 50’s era frame of thinking as we chose our tables-scapes, invitations, menus, and, of course, flowers.

Let’s start there: flowers: Tam from Isari Flower Studio created red robust florals for pop, but we needed to keep it mid-century style –not over-the-top.  Americans hadn’t been bitten by the “bigger is better bug yet.  Her white bridal bouquet is monochromatic and sophisticated.

Tablescape:  We modernized and globalized the scene with the contrasting blue and white Chinese pottery dishes.  We added cobalt blue salad plates and ruby red stemware to break up the pattern and show diversity. We delicately adorned the tables with stark, crisp white linens but also used existing furniture without linens to showcase wrought iron and wood pieces for visual interest.

Invitations and menus: Bamboo Star Studios designed red, blue and white Chinese inspired paper-goods to compliment the garden scene. Thick, elegant paper, lavish ribbon and brass Chinese coins add simple opulence.

Fashion: Our bride is wearing none other than a mid-calf, form-fitting, waist hugging circle skirt wedding gown.  We modernized her with cobalt blue pointed-toe pumps and a vintage hairpiece.  Our groom resembles the crooner days when nothing depicted elegance better than a white tuxedo coat.  He screams Cary Grant or Frank Sinatra.

The extras: We infused fresh strawberries as though they were picked from the garden– which some of them were!! We added them to the champagne bar display and cake.  Our cake hallmarks the day when we baked our own pastries and served them with love to our gracious guests.  It is simple white wedding cake and (imperfectly frosted) butter cream icing.

The 50’s generation style was simple and refined.  This “come-back” bride and groom are modeling yesteryear when life was uncomplicated yet never lacked culture or pana.”

Photography Credits:  John Schnack Photography