Shane, of Shane Welch Photography asked us to stylize Michelle and Jose’s day after wedding shoot. The couple wanted to capture more of their personalities in the pictures they didn’t have time to get on the wedding day. So, Shane and I sat down with them and learned they loved the coast of Spain, had a thing for top hats, and were very competitive with each other. They also couldn’t decide if they wanted a shoot outdoors or in a more urban environment, so we did both! I just love how this shoot turned out!

***This shoot was published on Glamour and Grace with DIY Tutorial***

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This shoot was stylized to express a very concrete-chic look and romantic beachy feel. We shot right on Lake Michigan in Chicago where the rigid slabs of concrete were floating in the water and the wildflowers provided the perfect backdrop for their romantic picnic. Michelle and Jose couldn’t pass up a chance to compete with each other so they played a game of tic-tac-toe while cuddling in the wildflowers.
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Michelle and Jose have a love of sangria, as it was their signature wedding drink. We set up a little DIY sangria bar for them as they ate fine cheeses and decedent desserts on a reclaimed beachwood bench. Since this couple really loves to travel, we wanted to choose colors that reminded them of the coast of Spain by working with seasonal florals in fuchsia and peach. The flowers, by eco-friendly florist Pollen, were inside a concrete vase and surrounded by DIY concrete votive holders. We used spanish silver napkin rings with grey-blue napkins to bring in the color of the water on the tablescape. The soft yellow wine glasses and modern pitcher were perfect for sipping sangria and gazing out at the water.
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After dinner, they took a romantic stroll and dipped their feet in the lake off of a rocky concrete beach overlooking the twinkling lights of the city. If it weren’t for the Sears Tower in the background, I would never have guessed we were just a few minutes drive from downtown Chicago!
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photography: Shane Welch Photography / coordination + styling: Naturally Yours Events / florist: Pollen / hair + makeup: Tatiana with Alluring Artistry / desserts and cheese: Whole Foods