Styled shoots are a creative way for photographers, stylists, and other wedding pros, to show off their talent and visions to inspire readers for their own wedding planning.
Today’s shoot gets us in the holiday mood with a festival Thanksgiving theme styled by Exceptional Events by Elisa.
What we love:
Bold colors and lush floral arrangements make this tablescape not only opulent, but makes us remember why we LOVE this time of year!
The look would be perfect for a wedding near Thanksgiving or anytime in the late fall, not to mention this gives everyone some ideas for lavish Thanksgiving day table decor when hosting family and friends.
We can almost smell the delicious aroma of a turkey roasting!
The scoop
Thanksgiving is one of Elisa’s favorite holidays! It was one of her mom’s favorite holidays, and like Christmas, a huge family celebration. This design is inspired on Thanksgiving, and the concepts of “Thankful”, “Grateful”, “Bountiful” and “Harvest”. Elisa choose to use a bold, rich and deep color palette in blues, purples, violets and cranberry tones, complimented by greens and with a touch of gold. She used rich textured linens and bold colors to frame the exquisite florals and plated salad – a complete edible masterpiece. A final touch are the colorful fruits in the floral designs – pomegranates, grapes, figs and artichokes.
VENUE
2941 is one of the most celebrated restaurants in the metropolitan area. The restaurant is nestled in the heart of Falls Church, VA surrounded by lush landscaping, koi ponds, waterfalls, world-class artwork, and a lakeside view.
Named by Washingtonian Magazine in 2017 as a 100 Very Best Restaurant, Northern Virginia Magazine
in 2017 as one of the Top 50 Best Restaurants, and by Eater DC as a 38 Essential Washington Restaurant, to name a few accolades, 2941 continues to charm gourmands with its sophisticated yet relaxed ambiance, outstanding service, and inventive cuisine.
TABLESCAPE
Growing up, family mealtimes were at the heart of Elisa’s family, and at the center of family dynamics. Elisa learned, communicated and experienced life through family dinners on both on her Chinese side and her Latino side of the families.
Elisa chose to stir away from a traditional fall color palette and instead selected a bold, rich and deep color palette of blue, purple, and cranberry tones, complimented with greens and touches of gold. She used rich textured linens as the base of the tablescape; colored stemware to continue the color palette; and gold glass charger plates and flatware to balance the tablescape. The bold colored florals frame the table and give the luscious velvet linens and table setting height and depth. Annette used florals to create a backdrop and a visual floral table runner composed of an assortment of high centerpieces, candles and low floral pieces. The candles and low florals add depth and texture to the design at the same time it provides for a transition in florals and gives the table a feeling of bountiful. The plated salad is a complete edible masterpiece that seals and compliments the design. A final touch are the colorful fruits and vegetables in the floral designs – pomegranates, grapes, figs and artichokes.
THE FOOD
Executive Chef Bertrand Chemel presents contemporary American cuisine accented with bold French and Mediterranean flavors. Exquisite and inventive cuisine, outstanding customer service and a great view are only part of the dining experience at 2941 Restaurant. Beautiful tablescapes can be part of the experience and a compliment to the edible masterpieces that are plated for their guests.
The Wedding Bouquet Salad is one of the salad options available for private events. It is literally a bouquet composed of greens, held together by chives and embellished by edible flowers.
THE FLORALS
Elisa shared her vision with Annette and they brainstormed together on bringing this vision to life. Annette loves flowers and working with flowers! She is not afraid of being bold in her designs. Annette is known for being a great listener that goes above and beyond to bring client vision’s to life. Her style is romantic and whimsical at the same time.
To bring Elisa’s vision to life, Annette used an array of florals that included Magnolia leaves, Pampas Grass plumes, Black Magic Roses, burgundy Scabiosa, burgundy Orchids, blue Hydrangeas, burgundy snapdragons, burgundy hypericum berries, Italian Ruscus, Ti leaves and an assortment of grapes, artichokes, pears, and figs.
THE DETAILS
The secret to a GREAT tablescape is in all the details.
Stationery and invitations set the tone for any event. Invitations provide a “sneak peak” of what is to come. They share logistics details, event themes and colors as well as what attire to wear. This invitation suite is simple yet elegant. The gradient ombre transition is bold and dramatic; the colors compliment the color palette. The gold lettering brings the design to life and matches the flatware and charger plates.
Rossana’s plush velvet chairs complimented the linens. Her colored stemware were an extension to the color palette, while adding height to each place setting. The different height, colors, tones matched the florals; and the glass patterns added texture and along with the florals, give the design a whimsical, eclectic boho feel.
Using custom intelligent lighting can transform any room into something magical. Intelligent lighting is a great way to elevate a tablescape and/or design, create ambiance and catch your eye. Bob did an amazing job finding the right light color that both compliment the design, and at the same time frame the table setting.
Sources:
VENUE
2941 Restaurant
Contact: Michelle Marquez
Phone: (703) 27-1511
Email: Michelle.Marquez@2941.com
Website: www.2941.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/2941restaurant
Instagram: www.instagram.com/2941restaurant
CATERER
2941 Restaurant
Contact: Michelle Marquez
Phone: (703) 27-1511
Email: Michelle.Marquez@2941.com
Website: www.2941.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/2941restaurant
Instagram: www.instagram.com/2941restaurant
EVENT DAY OF COORDINATOR
All for You Events & Designs
Contact: Tasha Wells
Phone: (202) 550-2166
Email: tasha@allforyoued.com
Website: www.allforyoued.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/All-For-You-Events-and-Designs
Instagram: www.instagram.com/allforyoueventsanddesigns
EVENT PLANNER & DESIGNER
Exceptional Events by Elisa
Contact: Elisa Yu-Shan Lion
Phone: (703) 752-6287
Email: eyushan@exceptionaleventsbyelisa.com
Website: www.exceptionaleventsbyelisa.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/exceptionaleventsbyelisa.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/exceptionaleventsbyelisayushan
FLORAL DESIGNER
I Do Weddings with Love
Contact: Annette Lindsey
Phone: (757) 813-1115
Email: netterlinz@gmail.com
Website: www.idoweddingswithlove.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/idoweddingswithlove
Instagram: www.instagram.com/idoweddingswithlove
LIGHTING
Dominion Wedding Entertainment
Contact: Bob Yutzy
Phone: (703) 989-1874
Email: bob@dominionwed.com
Website: www.dominionweddingentertainment.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/dominionweddingentertainment
Instagram: www.instagram.com/dominionweddingentertainment
PHOTOGRAPHER
Butterfly Photography
Contact: Sanaz Fahimi
Phone: (571) 274-7107
Email: photographycenter@yahoo.com
Website: www.butterflyphotographycenter.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/butterflyphotographycenter
Instagram: www.instagram.com/sanazbutterflyphoto
RENTALS (Linens, & Napkins)
BBJ Linen
Contact: Brittany Bonta
Phone: (202) 945-7631
Email: bbonta@bbjlinen.com
Website: www.bbjlinen.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BBJLinen
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bbjlinen
RENTALS (Barware & Velvet Chairs)
Bella Villa Antique Vintage Rentals
Contact: Rossana Funiciello Smith
Phone: (571) 921-0356
Email: squirrel@bellavillavintagerentals.com
Website: www.bellavillavintagerentals.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bellavillaantiques
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bellavillashop
RENTALS (Tables & Table Settings)
Sammy’s Rentals
Contact: Sammy Pineda / Christine
Phone: (703) 361-6216
Email: info@sammysrental.com
Website: www.sammy’srental.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Sammys-Rental-Inc
Instagram: www.instagram.com/sammysrental
STATIONERY
KK’s Stationery & Printing
Contact: Caitlin Troilo-Waddell
Phone: (540) 317-5440
Email: iinfo@kay-kays.com
Website: www.kay-kays.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KKsPrintingStationery
Instagram: www.instagram.com/kksprinting
If you are planning a wedding in Roanoke Virginia, Richmond Virginia, Fredericksburg/Northern Virginia, The Shenandoah Valley, Coastal Virginia or in Charlottesville/ Lynchburg Va, we can help with your wedding planning and ideas.
