L'Art De Le Couture

I remember the first time I saw her collection. I was stalking one of my favorite photographer's blogs and had found that she photographed Tara LaTour's first couture bridal collections. I was immediately intrigued at the fact that not only were her gowns meticulously hand crafted, but I was emerged in the fact that all of the dresses were in colour. I admit it. I was smitten with Tara.

Over the years I have been lucky enough to get to know Tara on a professional and personal level and I have to tell you that as a woman in the industry and for all the woman power in this world, I admire Tara on so many levels. She is kind and hilarious, vivacious and talented beyond words. She has the best stories, gives the best hugs, and rocks a bun like no one's business. The amount of love and time that Tara devotes to her collections, the clients, and the business side of TLT is profound and although she has been making a name for herself for some time, I see only big and beautiful things in her future.

When Tara asked me to style and coordinate L'Art De Le Couture, I was completely blown away. She could have asked anyone. Truly, she knows the best in Minneapolis. But she put her faith in me in helping to introduce (or re-introduce) her newest collection to a fashion forward Minneapolis crowd at L'atelier Couture and the night was completely flawless. From styling to food, flowers to photographs, music to vignettes, everything was absolutely picture perfect.

The highlight of the night was not seeing the dresses or the waves of people that attended, but rather to see Tara's family filled with love and pride for her and her work. It warmed my heart to hear the members of her family call each dress by name as each model took the runway and just how happy her grandma was to sit front row and see Tara's collection for the first time. It's a memory that will be in my heart for some time.

I have to say this may have been my favorite vignette to style. Likely because it is such a balance of tones and masculinity in such a beautiful, soft space.

This was my favorite set of props. Seriously I just could not stop with all of the brass and blues.

Just delicious.

I have to say when I saw this hand drawn seating card, my palms started to sweat. Liz Banfield was one of the first photographers work I ever fell in love with on the pages of Martha Stewart years ago and it was on my bucket list to someday meet her. I barely got two words out, but it was amazing to meet her.

Tara debuted this dress, Sheila, named after her aunt. The crowd went gasping wild for it.

The best moment.


This film from Sky Focus Films is just...too lovely for words.

L'ART DE LE COUTURE from Sky Focus Films on Vimeo.

A huge thank you goes out to all of the talents that made this day happen:

Ryan Stadler of Rivets and Roses:: Photography

Chris Martin of Sky Focus Films:: Videography

On Solid Ground Vintage Rentals :: Rental furniture and props (AMAZING!)

Ashley Fox Designs :: Floral Design

Gateaux, Inc. :: Confections

Patissiere 46 :: Catering

Bent Paddle Beer

Flow Event Group :: Entertainment

Haus Salon :: Hair & Makeup

Markus D

Paperista

Velvet Raptor

L'atelier Couture

 MSP Magazine

and, of course,

Tara LaTour



Michelle + Chad

I have a confession to make.

 I really love working with out of state couples who come home to get married. Now 'home' can be referred to really any place my clients choose to have me travel, but in Michelle and Chad's case, home is about forty five minutes from my home studio. Michelle's mother was referred to Johnny and Dottie by a favorite creative partner of mine who happens to make THE best cake in the area (almond with raspberry jam anyone?).

The moment I spoke with Michelle and her mother via phone, I knew this was going to be one lovely wedding filled with great design and a lot of love. With that being said, there were a few hurdles we had to tackle in order to pull this flawless wedding off:
1. Michelle and Chad were/are based on the west coast.
2. We were literally designing a wedding at the farm where Michelle was raised, in a back yard that, at that time, was literally dirt. (Transformation on that is forthcoming in the photos.)
3. We needed to create and execute a design and planning within five months. Start to finish. Five.

The design portion was easy. Have Michelle's father install underground electrical, a sprinkler system, load in massive amounts of dirt and trees and sod, install a ten foot high fountain, and paint all the trim on the family house AND trim up a massive grove AND create an entire new driveway for the wedding just for the parking. Check.

Work with the Blake and his amazing crew to install one massive tent, tables, chairs, dance floor, heaters, bars, and linens while I hung sixteen feet in the air installing massive bronzed lanterns and hung from a tree layering chiffon to blow in the Minnesota wind with rose filled glass orbs. Check.

Create a lovely design with my favorite cake designer Angie to whip up while she tucked individual pies into care baskets for guests to enjoy on the car ride home. Check.

Collaborate with the floral team at Flandreau Flower Shoppe during design and oversaw installation to all of the floral work meticulously to the tables and ceremony space. They transformed those tables, friends. Check.

Work with entertainment and lighting extrordinaires Jason and Darnell in making sure the timeline could flow easily for them to bring the party (including a logo on a silo, no joke). Check.

Assist the powerhouse of Chef Dom and his incredible staff bringing in catering onsite and ensure a flawless execution. Check.

Authorize with the FAA to create a firework display within limits of the local airport. Check. Double check.

Hug and watch the magic that makeup and hair artist Angelique created for Michelle, in not one but two hairstyles for the special day. Check.

Ensure a seamless timeline for the talented duo of Justin and Chrissy so bring about these beautiful photos. Check.

The day came and it was flawless. In creating a day like this, it takes a talented village, friends (and an amazing assistant for me!!) and it was one wedding to remember.

So much love on one farm, with the loveliest toasts under one tent. I watched as Michelle's parents took it all in and had their eyes filled to the brim with love for Michelle and Chad, and found myself squeezing their hands a lot that day. So much love on Minnesota prairie.

Design + Planning:: Johnny and Dottie | Photography:: Graddy Photography | Location:: Private residence | Caterer:: Chef Dominique Catering | Cake Designer:: Taylor'd Cakes | Entertainment and Lighting Design:: Energy Event Group | Tent and rentals: Ideal Weddings & Events | Florist: Flandreau Flower Shoppe | Hair & Makeup:: Platinum Imagination

 From dirt...to this. Seriously.

 

 

 

 Again...dirt, to THIS.