The beautiful chinoiserie table settings you will see in this next post are special because they are a fusion of different cultures and an ode to the Bride’s nana! This beautiful Bride wanted to incorporate these unique pieces into her wedding and she did so in such a chic way. We love a classic blue and white moment and how it is carried on throughout all the details of the wedding from ceremony, to reception, to the groom’s get-up!
Keep scrolling to see all of the beautiful photos by Tierney Riggs Photography and the rentals by Southern Vintage Table. Keys Events planned every detail and The Foraged South created all of the amazing florals. You can see all the images in the full gallery.
chi·noi·se·rie /ˌNoun: The imitation or evocation of Chinese motifs and techniques in Western art, furniture, and architecture, especially in the 18th century.
Nostalgic Details
In her day, my Nana was the epitome of elegance and class. She was tall and willowy with long legs, perfectly coiffed hair, and bright blue eyes. She was up to date on the trends of her time- one in particular that sticks out to me is her Blue Willow China and coordinating ginger jars that decorated the curio in her dining room where we would gather. The vibrant shade of blue always alluded to me.
This summer, I noticed blue and white ginger jars making a comeback in the realm of home decor, and I thought that would make for a beautiful wedding decoration. Blue and white chinoiserie is truly the epitome of Southern charm in my opinion. Blame it on nostalgia, but the decor evokes a “Come sit on the front porch and have some iced tea, sweetie.” vibes for me.
Once I saw these, the creative in me knew I had to include them in a styled wedding editorial. I had to find a way to bring new life into a timeless trend. So I reached out to Monique with Keyes Events. She glommed onto my vision and brought it to life- a modern approach to a Southern classic! We knew we wanted to incorporate monogrammed details, so we coordinated with Shore Thing Stationery for invitations, and Sugar Euphoria about incorporating a monogram within the cake.
A Love For Vintage & Blue
They both did a lovely job! Bernard’s Formalwear had the perfect royal blue tux available, and Wedding Cars and Events had a ’66 Royal Blue Shelby Vintage Cobra that would have made James Bond proud. Nothing Finer provided bridal pajamas in their signature UNC Tar Heel Toile pattern that would make any Carolina fan swoon! Southern Vintage table provided all of our Chinoiserie and Tablewear. Add in the Carolina Grove, a brand new barn venue in Hillsborough, NC and we had the perfect elements for a fresh take on a classic trend.
It has been several years since my Nana has passed, however, I like to think that she is smiling down at me knowing that her blue and white chinoiserie inspired me enough to do an entire shoot around it. Inspiration and beauty can be found in the mundane of daily life, and the same goes for wedding planning. The couples whose weddings really stand out are the ones who look inward at what inspires them and truly personalizes their celebration to them and their story. I am so glad this shoot allowed me to share a little bit of my story.
