I’ve had the idea for this shoot for about 8 years….so the entirety of our career as wedding photographers. The Abstract Expressionist movement has been my favorite since my AP Art History class in high school. Abstract Expressionism doesn’t exactly scream weddings, so the concept has been in the back of my mind until I met the right team. I’ve literally been saving those amazing stamps for 8.5 years!!! After a conversation with Jennifer from Bourbon & Blush Events about our mutual desire to work in Savannah, it seemed to be the perfect place for such a shoot because of SCAD and it’s rich arts community. A lot of our vendor team members for this shoot have art degrees in one way or another and were perfect to work on this art wedding inspiration.

Abstract Expressionism was the first American art movement to make international acknowledgement, because it was all about color and movement. During this time, artists were keen in creating an “event” on canvas and we intended to do the same with our expression. The culture was one of intense art form, some expressing that through wild fields of color and others who approached it with a more vigorous expression using blots and splatters to convey an idea or expression. Shooting our set up in a museum was important and The Jepson Center of Telfair Museum is a gorgeous space. For color, we drew inspiration from Jackson Pollock and similar artists with dark colors; purples and magentas with contrasting yellows, and lots of black which isn’t typical of wedding inspiration. We wanted to create an emotional response for viewers and think the result is bold, artsy but still completely gorgeous.

The weight of the black chairs against the table remind us of a Robert Motherwell or Mark Rothko painting. To tie in this period, it was important to use the romantic elements of that time, which was ideal for the floral to portray. Lush and full textures adorned the tables and a full and colorful bouquet cascaded and Natalie from Belle Fleur incorporated Amaranths into the table florals and bouquet to mimic paint drips. The model was sleek and bridal gown was incredibly modern.

We put lots of work into the custom art for the shoot- the main painting done by Pat of A&P Designs was used in the invitation suite and as the backdrop for the escort display. Using Pantone cards amid the bold and expressive canvas of color for the escort display, we felt tied in the importance of color in the Abstract Expressionist movement- Pantone is after all the artists of today’s platform and style guide- and a perfect touch of modern day expression. The cake was an ideal expression of modern and classic paired with our interpretation of the artist Jackson Pollock and the pieces for which he became an infamous piece of art history. We wanted to highlight the marriage of Surrealism and Cubism, which Abstract Expressionism stemmed from, while holding on to what Pollock was so well known for- his drip paintings. Hands on Sweets did a fabulous job of creating that splattered drip look for the cascading canvases on this three tiered cake. It was the connection of the artist, the venue and the cake, which made this piece so perfect! Jennifer did a mix of modern calligraphy and block lettering for the place settings and also on the place cards that I painted. I also created individual paintings for each place setting- another nod to The New York School and the postwar painters like Pollock and Cy Twombly; completely colorful, bold and expressive, but also, a terribly romantic era of American art.

Venue: Jepson Center For The Arts | Planning: Bourbon & Blush Events | Florals: Belle Fleur | Stationery & Custom Painting: A&P Designs | Cake: Hands On Sweets | Linens, Napkins, Glassware & Emma chairs: Kate Ryan Linens | Copper Flatware: Ever After Vintage Weddings | Romona Keveza bridal gown: Isabel O’Neil Bridal | Hair & Makeup: Royal Makeup & Hair |