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Holden Arboretum Wedding Inspiration Published – Art Deco + Craft Cocktail

The degree of planning required to complete this Holden Arboretum wedding styled inspiration shoot still surprises me even today. The wedding inspiration shoot took months to plan, a full day to capture, and even more months for publication. However, I’m thrilled the outcome was published today on 100 Layer Cake, and that I can finally share the work with everyone.

This wedding inspiration shoot demonstrates what top-talent can do outside the confines of an actual wedding. Creative daydreams are let loose and the outcome can truly be amazing. As an example, the art deco design and styling from Janelle Miller at With Love and Whimsy Events is gorgeous. Featuring rich golds and deep blacks, each element is designed to be an easy DIY project. The florals from Molly Talyor Designs also capture the look perfectly. Renoir Calla Lilies, Mona Lisa Anemones, Gold Combo Roses, hand-painted gold tipped succulents and feathers combine for a rich, opulent palate.

We also wanted to take the inspiration to the next level and feature crafty cocktail recipes that anyone could use as a featured drink at their wedding reception. While I tend not to give out my personal drink recipes, I thought offering a few for this wedding publication would be worth it. If you’re a bourbon fan, then you’ll definitely want to check out the recipes included on 100 Layer Cake, and repeated below.

Lastly, I’d like to offer some special thanks. Without the help of the entire team, this Holden Arboretum wedding inspiration shoot would still just be an idea on paper. Thanks to the always awesome team at Cleveland’s Holden Arboretum for letting us use the gorgeous Lantern Court for the styled wedding reception. Karin and Rebecca from Something White Bridal supplied the fashions and they look amazing. Lindsay and Sarah did an awesome job with hair styling and make-up. And the furnishing provided by Ann at Borrowed Vintage + Eclectic were just what we needed.

Hope on over to 100 Layer Cake for all of the inspiration details. Included below are a few extra highlights as well –

Holden Arboretum wedding inspiration featuring an art deco design and craft cocktails Holden Arboretum wedding inspiration featuring an art deco design and craft cocktails

Tango Manhattan cocktail recipe:

2 oz. Maker’s Mark Bourbon
1 oz. Red Wine Reduction
4-6 drops Angostura bitters
Stir vigorously over ice.
Pour into chilled Martini glass.
Garnish with 2 Amarena Fabbri cherries.

Red wine reduction
1 bottle Petite Syrah + 1 cup sugar
Reduce wine by half.
Add sugar, stir to dissolve.
Cool and store in refrigerator until ready to use.

Holden Arboretum wedding inspiration featuring an art deco design and craft cocktails

Pomegranate Bourbon Daisy cocktail recipe:

2 oz. Maker’s Mark Bourbon
1⁄2 fresh squeezed lemon
1⁄2 oz. ginger syrup
1⁄2 oz. pomegranate syrup
2 oz. club soda
Stir over ice. Pour into tumbler glass with ice.
Top with 4-6 drops Angostura bitters.
Garnish with Amarena Fabbri cherry & lemon twist.

Pomegranate Syrup

1 cup pomegranate juice (no sugar added) + 1 cup sugar + 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice + 2-3 drops orange flower water
Bring pomegranate juice to bare simmer. Turn off heat. Add sugar, stir to dissolve. Add lemon juice and orange flower water. Cool and store in refrigerator until ready to mix with alcohol.

Ginger Syrup
1 pound fresh ginger & 1 cup sugar
Peel ginger. Grate over bowl with microplane. Place grated ginger in a clean tea towel. Squeeze grated ginger juice into bowl. Add sugar and place juice in a storage bottle. Shake vigorously to dissolve sugar. Store in refrigerator.

Holden Arboretum wedding inspiration featuring an art deco design and craft cocktails

White-Peach Mint Julep cocktail recipe:

2 oz. Maker’s Mark Bourbon
1 oz. white peach infusion
1 oz. club soda
Muddle 4-6 mint leaves in julep cup.
Add ice to cup. Shake bourbon and infusion over ice .
Pour into julep cup. Top with club soda.
Garnish with mint sprig

White-Peach Infusion

2 cups water + 2 cups sugar + 1 ripe white peach
Bring water to simmer, turn off heat and add sugar. Stir to dissolve. Add chopped peach, skin and stone removed. Steep until cool. Remove peach and store in refrigerator until ready to mix with alcohol.

Holden Arboretum wedding inspiration featuring an art deco design and craft cocktails

Event concept & design – With Love and Whimsy Events
Photography – Hunter Photographic
Location – Lantern Court at Holden Arboretum
Bouquets, boutonnieres, and table flowers – Molly Taylor Designs
Bridal fashions – provided by Something White Bridal Boutique
Vintage furniture – Borrow Vintage + Eclectic Rentals
Hair & make-up styling – Lindsay London & Sarah Wassil

Katie & Joe: Autumn Engagement Session at Holden Arboretum

The six of us stood in the parking lot at Holden Arboretum, busily sorting through stuff and making sure all was ready. There was Katie, Joe, their two black Chihuahua’s, a friend to handle the dogs, and myself. There was a lot of stuff to get sorted between all my gear and the gear for the dogs. Quickly though, we were ready to go, and we set off across the trails at Holden.

It was autumn, which meant that Holden was the perfect place for an engagement session. Especially a session involving dogs, since furry friends are welcome at Holden. Holden’s huge forest was already changing colors, albeit a little late this year. For some strange reason, the color change is coming late this year. However, we are definitely seeing a lot more color than normal. Oaks, which normally just turn brown, are blowing up with gold, orange and fiery red.

As we walked through Holden, we chatted about dogs, life, and how Katie and Joe were engaged. Their engagement story is really sweet. They had planned a rather last minute tour of Europe. On the tour, they would visit numerous cities, but only spend a day or two in each one. Part way through the trip, they found themselves in Ireland. That day, they decided to break from the tour group and head out on their own.

They were touring a castle when they decided to visit the rose garden. Joe setup a camera – “just to take a photo,” he said. He had actually set the camera to video. He approached Katie, got down on one knee, and proposed amongst the roses and tourists. After double-checking his certainty, Katie of course said yes. I love engagement stories with big plans and this is certainly one of the best. Even better, they have the whole event on video!

Speaking of which, Katie and Joe’s wedding next year is certain to be one of the best as well. It’s set at a gorgeous location and I certainly can’t wait. Until then, I hope you enjoy some of the highlights below.

Autumn engagement session at Holden Arboretum with Katie and Joe Autumn engagement session at Holden Arboretum with Katie and Joe

For the technical among us, the above was all shot on my cherished Contax 645 and Leica M6 using either Fuji 400h or Kodak Portra 160 film. The film was loving developed and scanned by the awesome people at Richard Photo Lab.

Lyndsey & Jerry – Engagement Session at Holden Arboretum

Somethings can’t be stopped and certainly shouldn’t wait. So is the case with Lyndsey and Jerry. If my math is correct, they’ve known each other for more than half of their young lives. By any measure, to hold a friend for so long in your life is an achievement. For Lyndsey and Jerry, it’s much more.

They initially met in grade school, with Jerry being a bit older than Lyndsey. Throughout grade school they dated regularly, on into college and then to present day. People speak of high school sweethearts as though they’re some white whale – known to exist but exceedingly rare. Lyndsey and Jerry are proof that high school sweethearts do still exist. It’s easy to see why their relationship has lasted forever. They’re absolutely radiant with one another.

Seneca, New York is a favorite destination for Lyndsey and Jerry. Jerry went to college nearby and they regularly return for weekend trips. It was on one of these trips that Jerry purposed. They were at the hotel, packing gear before heading out for the day. As Lyndsey tells it, she had noticed Jerry was nervous about something. He was pacing around the room and couldn’t settle down. I’d imagine he had a grand plan, but decided right then – in the room with Lyndsey – was the best possible proposal. He knelt down and she said yes.

As it turns out, Holden Arboretum on August 21st was the best plan as well. Neither August 20th nor August 22nd would not do. The weather, by fate, had guided us to Holden for their engagement session on this day alone. All other days were rained out. But this day, this one day, was perfect. At sunset, the light glowed softly through high, thin clouds. The colors turned peach and orange rather early, adding a warm glow to the fields. Below are some special highlights from only August 21st.

A sunset engagement session at Holden Arboretum captured on film with Lyndsey and Jerry

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