Dessert Meets Design: XOXO Dessert Table for Mpls Photo Center

Yesterday, I shared some behind-the-scenes pics of photog Emily Steffen's workshop. Em asked me to design a dessert table for her students to photograph, and I was happy to do her that favor. She assembled a great team of talented women to pull off an inspirational wedding shoot, including Abby Rutchik of Mpls Photo Center, Melissa Stratton of Sadie's Floral, and Bethany Hway of b*spoke.

We set out to create a modern event using black, white, slate grey, and poppy red for the palette. This is the palette I created to help guide the vision. I also thought it'd be fun to incorporate an "xoxo" theme to tie the entire design together. For this table, I created a monochromatic cake, chocolate whoopie pies, and coconut cupcakes. I also designed xoxo popcorn boxes and candy bar wrappers to coordinate with the invitations and menu cards. Brownie balls, powdered donut holes, and macarons round out the selection.

Want to see the reception tables and the bride and groom? Here are a few shots, but be sure to check out Emily's blog for even more great pics.

This was such a great project, and I'm glad Emily invited me to join in the fun.

Contributors:

venue: The Mpls Photo Center
photography: Emily Steffen Photography
flowers: Melissa Stratton of Sadie's Floral
desserts: Shauna Younge Dessert Tables
styling: Bethany Hway
hair and makeup: Aubrey Thoren of Foiled Again Salon
bride and groom: Kayla & Elliot 
stemware, chargers and linen: Linen Effects

Behind the Scenes: Mpls Photo Center Workshop

A few weeks ago, I shared some sneak peeks of a project I was undertaking with photog Emily Steffen. The Mpls Photo Center was the venue for Emily's first photography workshop. She was going to teach students the art of photography, give tips on how to run a successful photography business, and some other tricks of the trade. To really give the students some hands-on practice, Emily needed some great wedding details for them to shoot.

She asked me to design a dessert table for the fictional wedding, and we along with florist Melissa of Sadie's Floral, Abby of the Mpls Photo Center, and Bethany of b*spoke collaborated to come up with the concept. I gathered these images (and a few more) to help get us all on the same page for the event's look. Stylist Bethany wanted a modern, graphic look, which I think is reflected in the board I created. She also opted for a poppy red color, rather than true orange.

Emily captured some of the students at work.

I'll be back with some more pics of the dessert table.  In the meantime, enjoy today's second post, which I'll share with you shortly. It's a wickedly fun dessert table that also has a graphic, bold color palette. See you soon!

Behind the Scenes: Mpls Photo Center Walk-Thru

If you've been following me on Twitter or Facebook, then you already know that I'm working on a new design for a collaboration with photog Emily Steffen, stylist Bethany Hway, and florist Melissa Stratton of Sadie's Florals. We'll be putting our skills to work to create something really fun at the Mpls Photo Center.

Monday, we all met to view the venue and brainstorm the design concept. Just check out this space.

The space is so big that there's room for several living areas.

After jotting down some ideas, we headed downstairs to check out some of Melissa's inventory.

After the meeting, I created an inspiration board so we can all visualize the design we want to create.

I love this stage of the design process. It's all about finding images, fabrics, and ideas that motivate and inspire you. Each item speaks to you and stands out from the other million images you've come across. At this stage, you put logic and rational thought aside. You focus strictly on the imaginative, "what if" ideas that pop into your head.

Tell me, how do you find inspiration for your design projects?