Welcome to a parallel wedding universe where imagination reigns and dimension collapses. Where dresses are lemons 🍋 and neckties are fish 🐟 and your honeymoon suite is filled with dreamy periwinkle clouds ☁️.
”This editorial is an exploration of too much — a celebration of an absurdist, surreal, and magical world.”
That’s Sylvie Rosokoff (aka Sylvie The Camera) for you. Her weddings and editorials are always joyful, colorful, boundary-busting reimaginings of what tradition looks like. And this one in particular — this madcap, kinetic 2D masterpiece of an NYC elopement shoot — had us enchanted from the jump.
“The inspiration for this project started with the actor, writer, and director Julio Torres (of Los Espookys, Problemista, and “Wells for Boys”), who sees the world in a uniquely beautiful and surreal way,” Sylvie explains. Sylvie conceived of, produced, and photographed this work of wedding art, so it was her vision that guided the editorial’s team of creatives as they dreamed up this 2-part shoot on a rooftop in Chelsea and at The Standard, High Line.
“This shoot was an attempt to translate that point of view into a wedding editorial layered with unconventional materials,” says Sylvie of how the Torres-inspired perspective shaped the project. “And at the center of this playful, over-the-top vision is a real-life couple — Liva, a comedian, and Coco, an actor — who helped bring this dreamscape to life.”
Making space for creativity is maybe the most important part of the wedding planning process, in our humble opinion. Playfulness is important. Authenticity is important. Dreaming wildly on any budget is important. That’s how you get a day that feels like you, that doesn’t leave room for stuffiness or regret, and that you and your guests will never, ever forget.
“Of course Coco’s dress would look like a cut lemon, and of course Liva’s tie would be a fish,” Sylvie says, embracing the unapologetic unexpectedness of the shoot’s vibe.
And of course these photos had us speechless, smiling, and so inspired. So, friends — without further ado — step into Sylvie’s 2D dreamland of an elopement shoot, delight in her behind-the-scenes insights, and enjoy every silly, surrealist surprise!
Where Surrealism Meets the Skyline
“The shoot begins on a rooftop in Chelsea with stunning NYC views, where the couple exists as kinetic paper dolls,” Sylvie explains. “2D Prop Fabricator Koren Harpaz, an artist with over 10 years of experience in stop-motion animation, tapped into his most surreal instincts to draw up cardboard costumes for this collective dreamscape.”
“For Koren, creating something larger-scale and wearable was a ‘fun departure’ from his usual miniature work. When the finished over-the-top outfits arrived—Coco in a flat dress with a cut-lemon skirt and Liva in a 2D dandyish jacket with a fish tie and an asparagus cane—it felt like a ‘dream come true.'”
(OMG THOSE NAILS — more on those in a moment.)
“This playful intersection of paper and fabric was anchored by sustainable jewelry from Bario Neal, whose architectural rings felt unexpected and intentional.”
“The beauty direction was a study in sparkly defiance of the traditional,“ says Sylvie. “Jane Meng approached the makeup with a focus on natural, seamless beauty, adding subtle details that complemented the couple’s creative energy without overwhelming the look.”
“Anthony De Los Santos of DOLO New York echoed the graphic garments with hairstyles that were ‘intentionally restrained’ to allow the sculptural details to breathe, featuring voluminous waves for Coco and structured elements to complement Liva’s top hat.”
We love that Sylvie included an on-theme Art History-inspired nod to surrealist René Magritte with this “The Son of Man” influenced shot 🍏🎩
“Wardrobe stylist Cassadee Hirsch gave these flat silhouettes avant-garde depth,” Sylvie shares, “adding 80s-inspired pink puff sleeves for Coco and structuring Liva’s look with suit pants and a top hat.”
“Upon first discussion of the inspirations, Koren was thrilled he’d be able to tap into his surreal instincts and draw up cardboard costumes for our collective dreamscape,” Sylvie says of the collaboration.
“An artist of many specialties, Koren also has collaborated with me on other projects where he has contributed as a balloon artist, although he tells me working with cardboard and paper may be what he does best.”
Taking a quick moment to remind our beloved GWS readers that they’ve seen art by Koren Harpaz before in another one of Sylvie’s NYC weddings: this brilliant balloon bouquet elopement 🎈!
Makeup artist Jane Meng’s goal for the editorial vibe of these looks? “Keeping everything polished, soft, and quietly playful.“
A Liberty Suite Love Story
“The couple eventually transitioned into 3D attire—an olive suit for Liva and a cocktail dress layered over a button-down for Coco—to celebrate in the retro-futuristic Liberty Suite at The Standard, High Line,” Sylvie says.
We’re obsessed with those metallic silver ankle strap platform heels! Why not go full mirrorball shine with your wedding shoes?!
Something in Silver, Maybe?
Shop silver metallic platform heels inspired by the shoot!
The subtle shimmer of Coco’s lip color!! Even the shoot’s most understated elements had something fantastical about them.
OKAY. Let’s get into these super-unique wedding nails: “Nails by Katy Lueck a.k.a. frisky mariska were treated as an abstract extension of the creative vision,” Sylvie says. “While Liva’s nails featured over-the-top jewel clusters, Coco’s were longer and monochrome with pearls arranged in coral-like formations.”
“My goal as a nail tech was to elevate the manicure beyond wedding into an editorial sphere, pushing the boundaries of bejeweled nails,” frisky mariska shares. “I wanted the nails to feel familiar and nostalgic, yet alien—reaching into the jewels of your childhood craft box and your imagination.”
A Fantastical 2-D Feast
“REARRANGED executed a surreal yet grounded floral and tablescape experience,” Sylvie recalls, “where each element was intentionally designed to blur the line between reality and illusion.”
“Rooted in floral artistry, REARRANGED approached the design with a focus on transformation…”
“…inviting the eye into a world that feels both familiar and unexpected.”
“The combination of sculptural florals with gelatin forms introduced a layer of texture, color, and perception.”
“Every detail from color selections, to textures, to material contrasts was considered as part of a visual language.”
“The jellies, in particular, bridged a connection of art and object, provoking curiosity around their form and function.”
“Every element and detail on the table is on the same wavelength without making sense, which is perfection.”
“It pulls your attention to every individual detail on its own and makes you appreciate it as a whole.”
“Centering this absurdist tablescape was an epic castle cake from custom cake artist Pearlbitez,” says Sylvie.
“The cake was an orange blossom olive oil creation with pink pearly towers and edible gemstones, rounding out a day that was perfectly silly, campy, and over-the-top.”
Heads In the Clouds
“Koren and prop stylist/set designer Rachel Mannello used cardboard clouds, stars and moons to create the couple’s own secret world around the suite’s iconic circular bed,” recalls Sylvie of how the team transformed the Liberty Suite at The Standard.
“When Sylvie brought this idea to me it was a hell yes from the beginning!” Rachel remembers. “Because this whole shoot was inspired by Julio Torres, I wanted to start with a colorful dynamic palette to help inform all prop and set decisions. Robins egg blue and fiery red were the base and then compliments of pink, chartreuse, butter yellow and chrome.”
“The rounded bed framed by the wood clad walls and ceiling begged for a surreal moment. *Cue the clouds*,” Rachel says, “which were hung by monofilament for the perfect amount of weird. Paired with REARRANGED‘s fluffy cloud-like floral sculpture, it was a chefs kiss moment.”
“All cardboard elements for the tablescape and clouds were upcycled from friends’ and neighbors’ shipping boxes because sustainability is cute,” Sylvie adds.
“I really loved the idea of playing with unconventional materials and textures to create a couple’s own little world,” Sylvie reflects, “and everything came together to be perfectly playful, absurd, campy and colorful.”
Congratulations to Sylvie and the entire team of artists who lent their wild imaginations to this delightfully twisted and surrealist project!!
And if you can’t get enough of the way Sylvie’s brain works (we don’t blame you) you can check out some of our other Sylvie The Camera faves: this 90’s-inspired maximalist wedding shoot, this Wes Anderson meets Gucci editorial, this hot pink disco dream elopement, and this “overgrown brownstone” wedding in Brooklyn, to name a few!
Featured in This Wedding
Sylvie Rosokoff
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Other Vendors in This Wedding
Venue: The Standard, High Line // Florals: REARRANGED // Wedding Dress: Koren Harpaz // Wedding Suit: Koren Harpaz // Bride's Ring: Bario Neal // Hair Stylist: DOLO Hair // Makeup Artist: Jane Meng // Cake: Pearlbitez // Models: Liva // Models: Coco // Wardrobe Stylist: Cassadee Hirsch // Set Design and Prop Styling: Rachel Mannello // Nails: frisky mariska // Photo Assistant: Elizabeth Engel
