When someone in the wedding industry says ‘Yes,’ you know it’s going to be good! Well, for this bride-to-be and wedding coordinator, her engagement shoot certainly did not disappoint! Erica Streelman photographed the couple’s romantic, French inspired engagement session at The Lavender Marketplace & Workshops with a beautiful picnic style setting and blooming bouquets by The Tangled Vine Designs. With even a wardrobe change, this shoot has us dying to see the wedding photos when the couple finally gets to say ‘I Do!’
From Erica Streelman…Bride and wedding coordinator Nicolette of Sparkling Soirees planned a beautiful fall engagement session for her and her fiance. They wanted a European feel to go along with the architecture of their wedding venue, Hummingbird Nest Ranch in Los Angeles. Due to Covid 19- rescheduled their wedding twice, but plan to marry in October. Since Nicolette is a wedding coordinator she knew she wanted to add a few detail pieces into the shoot so she called upon Archive Rentals for some lounge rentals, The Tangled Vine Designs for a whimsical bouquet and added personal touches like her Mrs. denim jacket and box purse which Nicolette created herself. Fiance Jason wore two different suits from Friar Tux while Nicolette wore a white dress from Blush Bridal Couture and a green velvet dress from Bella Bridesmaids.
From the Bride…Engaged to an owner of a wedding coordination company, my sweet fiancé had prepared himself for an extravagant engagement photo shoot, complete with multiple wardrobe changes and plenty of poses. When the day arrived, we were both pleasantly surprised to find ourselves swept up in the romance of promises to be fulfilled and excitement for our future together. How did we let everything fall away as a camera captured real moments of joy?
From the photographer…Erica Streelman: Every engagement session should reflect the style, love and vision of each individual couple. When Nicolette asked me to be her wedding photographer I knew her vision would run away with a bit of romance, details and tender moments, little did I know that it would carry into her engagement session as well. Set in the Pasadena mountains the small venue we found carried out the sweetest romance I have come to know.
What did you envision your engagement session looking like prior to planning?
From the Bride…It started with a few hours of Pinterest-browsing for engagement shoot ideas, but I quickly realized we needed something more personal to us as a couple. Having lived in Paris during college and with plans to show Jason the French countryside during our honeymoon, I wanted our engagement photos to encapsulate the quiet elegance of a Provence estate. After sharing my vision with our talented photographer Erica Streelman, she suggested the perfect setting – a hidden gem in Sierra Madre that brought the South of France to Southern California, Lavender Marketplace & Workshops. With a dreamy greenhouse and quaint cottage surrounded by lush greenery and flowers, I could easily imagine the landscape as the perfect backdrop for deep fall colors and textures.
From the photographer Erica Streelman…Nicolette wanted a European feel to set the mood and reflect the venue she and Jason were getting married at, Hummingbird Nest Ranch. Noting the European flare I suggested a handful of locations in the Los Angeles area, but the venues were either unavailable or it wasn’t the right fit. Having seen Lavender Marketplace & Workshops on an Instagram post I knew we found the perfect outdoor site with the perfect touch of European feel, especially in the fall as the leaves were changing (very rare to see in Southern California)
What was your color palette and your style vision? Tell us about your flowers, your dresses, your rentals, etc. (aka- also mention how you are a planner and how the connections you have made a big decisions in choosing the vendors for the shoot)
From the Bride…A stunning bouquet created by my good friends at The Tangled Vine Designs inspired me to select a gorgeous array of vintage, patterned picnic-style lounge pieces from Archive Rentals. A rich, emerald velvet gown from Bella Bridesmaids and a timeless Robert Bullock wedding gown provided by Blush Bridal Couture were the perfect complements to Jason’s classic style in suits from Friar Tux.
From the photographer, Erica Streelman…Nicolette’s warm tones complimented her gorgeous auburn hair. The bouquet created by The Tangled Vine Designs brought in yellows, warm peach and green tones. The picnic-style lounge pieces reminded me of sitting in a park in Paris during the fall to watch as the sunsets over a garden or the Eiffel Tower.
What unique elements or DIY details did you include?
From the Bride…Adding a few personal touches was essential. A personalized denim jacket and a custom clutch had me embracing my future title as Mrs. Tedesco. A French picnic requires a macaron or two, so we added a custom chocolate stamp with our wedding monogram.
From the photographer, Erica Streelman…I loved the vintage-modern touches that Nicolette added to the shoot. The vintage jean jacket with her new last name on the back or the darling box purse with “Mrs” included on the outside. Nicolette not only created these pieces for the shoot, but she will also have them on her wedding day giving them more than one day of use.
What was your favorite moment? Jason’s favorite moment?
From the Bride…Jason may not have been looking forward to a long afternoon of photographs, but Erica immediately put us both at ease. By reminding us that we were there to simply celebrate our upcoming wedding, she made us feel relaxed and natural. She was there as a witness and guide while encouraging us to focus on each other.
From the photographer, Erica Streelman…My favorite moment of an engagement session is when my couple melts into each other. This moment can be a quick glance where the couple looks sees the moment and connect, but in the case with Nicolette and Jason it was in the soft touch Jason held onto Nicolette. She immediately melts at his touch.
What is one piece of advice that you could give brides-to-be planning their engagement session?
From the Bride….Hire a photographer that makes you both feel comfortable and allows your personalities to shine. A great photographer will find the light and direct you to flattering poses, but a true artist like Erica will make your engagement shoot feel like a celebration and will capture the beauty and joy that lies within the perfect details.
From the photographer, Erica Streelman: …A strong relationship with your photographer is a must. Talk to them about your vision and see what they can offer. They will have ideas, advice and insight to what your session will look like and bring a human perspective that can’t be duplicated. Plus, they will be just as excited about the shoot. We love to incorporate your ideas and give you images you hope for but also never thought you would have.
Photography: Erica Streelman Photography | Floral Design: The Tangled Vine | Wedding Dress: Bella Bridesmaid | Wedding Dress: Blush Bridal Couture | Hair and Make up : Flawless Faces | Groom's Attire: Friar Tux | Venue: Lavender marketplace and Workshop | Planning: Sparkling Soirées | Rentals: Archive Rentals