Les Miserables Inspired Wedding Shoot

Les Miserables has been one of my favorite novels since I read itl for the first time when I was fifteen years old.  Everything French has always drawn me in and I have stayed three summers in France, so putting this inspiration shoot together was a dream for me.  I wanted to create details that Les Mis fans would pick up on and appreciate, from the notes from Eponine to Jean Valjean telling them to leave “remove” or in French, “enlevez”, the love letters passed, gates where stolen kisses occured, bridges over the Seine river, the French Revolution flag and even a Napolean statue.  The paper suite was also written in French and the characters names/aliases were used for the name cards.

I wanted this shoot to have details that can be used in present day weddings and still be relevant.  If there are any brides out there that are in love with Les Mis and that time period, they would be able to incorporate the details of this inspiration shoot into their actual wedding day.  Each of the models looked classic and beautiful, but were still able to portray their characters perfectly.  This shoot has literally been a dream of mine for quite some time and I am so grateful to all of the vendors who helped me pull it off.

I also wanted to show off this shoot in a magazine style instead of a regular blog post.  So I designed this magazine {which I will be printing for me :D} and am SO happy to share it with all of you!  I’m also so happy the the snow held off for about 20 minutes-enough to get some shots on the “river” without the snow.

 

 

From Carrie at White Ginger Events:

We wanted the table to feel ornate through the shape of the plates to the candelabras in the center of the table. Because there was no electricity in that time, candles would have filled the tables to add light.  Candles were a major focus of the table with fruit and flowers to enhance the look. The linen chosen is a beautiful french brocade that is rose in color. We felt the chair covers needed to drape and add elegance to the table.  We created both a classic rectagular table setting that would have been used in that era, as well as a more modern circular table for today’s bride.

From Hannah Goodrich, Make up and Hair Stylist:

For all of the models I wanted it to reflect the time period, but also be current for today’s bride.  For Eponine I was really inspired by her tragic story and I wanted her to have a more smoky eye look and for her hair I wanted it to look a little unkept, but still a style that could be used for someone’s wedding.  For Cosette I wanted a very fresh, innocent and youthful look.  I kept her make up very light and clean and did a classic updo that looked put together and polished.  For Fantine I went with a smokier eye and also matured her make up so she looked like she was the oldest of the three girls.  Fantine’s hair was an important part of the story and I wanted to show the length and fullness of her gorgeous hair, but put half of her hair up with loops intertwined to give it a more polished look that would have reflected her beauty in her younger years.

From Jennifer at Salt Cake City:

When first approached by Terra to do a Les Miserable themed wedding cake, I was at a loss. With such a dark and sometimes grim story line and time period, I wanted to create a cake that reflects the bright opulence of the early 1800’s. I first did research on the period and paid special attention to women’s fashion. While most wedding cakes at the time were likely more of a croquembouche (a tower of profiteroles) than a cake, this representation was inspired by the dresses of the time. I wanted to keep different elements of what Cosette might have worn to a wedding, including the pleating with beads and large, elegant bows, but also more sophisticated design ideas, such as the textured 3rd tier with shimmered pattern. By keeping the cake fairly monotone, I was able to highlight different aspects with edible gold and edible shimmer while keeping the feel of a modernized early 1800’s wedding cake.  For Eponine’s cake it was simple and had the look of a cake that could have been made by a commoner.  It had gold accents as well as a single hand made sugar flower.

From Mollie at Polka Dots & Daisies:

When designing the invitation suite I wanted to create something with a timeless, simple and sophisticated style. Metallic shimmer stock was the perfect fit. Using gold and soft white as the primary color scheme kept things simple, yet sophisticated. Teal accents were used to add some rich color and depth. The teal also contributed to the overall regal feel of the paper suite. To establish the timeless French aesthetic of Les Mis, I used script fonts with a handwritten look. This old world charm was carried through to each aspect of the invitation suite by maintaining the same script fonts and colors. For a bit of added interest, the thin diagonal stripes accented the back of the invitation and front of the thank you card. All these elements came together to create a fancy French invitation ensemble that works for a wedding of the past and also for one of the present.

From Janet at Danielle’s Bridal:

Eponine: For Eponine we wanted something that had a lot of textures and layers and a lot of personality.  We also added the fish net stockings and brown boots to give it more of a peasant look.  The gown is “Blond” by Prenovias with lace and gauze organza ruffles.  It has a Cathedral length train and was accented by a lace ballero also by Pronovias.

Cosette: For Cosette’s gown we wanted something that could have been worn in that time period and also wanted it to have the look of innocence and youth.  The gown is “Sigilo” by La Sposa with all over lace, a gold beaded sash, cathedral length train and is a full ballgown.  The bell sleeve jacket was custom made.

Fantine: For Fantine we wanted a gown that was more fitted and angelic with long flowing layers.  The first dress was “Dahir” by Pronovias.  It is a rouched chiffon, form fitting sheath style dress.  Lace and tulle cape “Uraguay” by Pronovias. 2nd dress: Urgano Pronovias; Silky chiffon with rouched top and sequins around the waist with a chapel length train.

Photography and Concept Design: Terra Cooper

Table Setting Design: Carrie Parker at White Ginger Design

Bridal Gowns, Capes and Jackets provided by Danielle’s Bridal

Make Up/Hair: Hannah Goodrich

Tuxes provided by Tuxedo Junction

Cakes: Jennifer Hill at Salt Cake City

Paper Suite: Mollie Openshaw at Polka Dots & Daisies

Location/Venue: La Caille, Salt Lake City, Utah

Models: Natalie Brockbank (Eponine), Kayla McGill (Fantine), Bryan McGill (Jean Valjean), Lauren Webber (Cosette), Jake Webber (Marius)

Linens: Wildflower Linens 

Chairs, Table, Flatware Rentals: RVSP Rentals  

 

And I will end with the trailer from the movie coming out Christmas Day.  It may make me tear up a little every time I see it!!!