Don’t know if you knew this already: mushrooms are amazing. They connect trees and help them communicate. They are genetically closer to humans than they are to plants. And they’re incredibly resilient, capable of lying dormant and surviving rough conditions for decades.
What does all this mushroom info have to do with weddings? SO glad you asked. This beautiful wedding editorial was created by Minneapolis-based photographer Tom Thornton and event designer Athena from Empiria Studios who used fungi as their central inspiration!!
“My favorite wedding inspiration comes from things that are not usually viewed as beautiful or elegant,” says event designer Athena. “In this case, mushrooms are often seen as just a fungus that invades your garden. But once you flip them over, the gill-like texture completely changes your perspective. It becomes a powerful story of growth and transformation.”
Tom, Athena, and a team of Twin City vendors took over super charming restaurant Aster Cafe, which boasts tons of exposed beams and brick, and filled it with intricate, woodsy details using mushrooms as a perfect marriage metaphor and as a key element of the decor.
“On a more local scale, we wanted to create inspiration for Minnesota couples getting married in the winter months,” photographer Tom adds. “With the cold and dark weather, this season is just slower for many couples getting married, and we wanted to show how you might be able to create the warmth yourself for an off-season wedding. The garden scape and warm tones all set in a local restaurant just created an intimate feel that would be perfect for small weddings centered around connection and a low-key environment.”
Let’s get into Tom’s gorgeous photos of this totally magical mushroom-themed moment!
These rough-edged paper goods created by Hunt Wright Design Co captured the rustic elegance Tom + Athena love about mushrooms!
If you are looking to DIY your wedding invites, we also found these gorgeous mushroom wedding invitations as well as these mushroom invites!
Loving the delicate, old-world vibes of this baby’s breath wax seal.
Don’t miss those organic shaped gold earrings from New Gild. They tie into the WHOLE look of the shoot. “The bride’s smaller pair of earrings from New Gild look like little spore holes on a mushroom,” says Athena, “which coordinates with the dinner and bread plate on the table, the cake, as well as the actual mushrooms themselves.”
A Chic, Woodsy Ceremony
Florists from Apricot Floral tapped into the winteriest, woodsiest versions of their creativity when they constructed these mossy ceremony background sculptures from branches, leaves, and tons of species of mushrooms!
Model Monet’s gorg low updo with face framing curls was styled by Lady Vamp Artistry, who is also responsible for that subtle peachy-pinky makeup look.
Love the way the crinkly pleats of the Newhite IV Dress found at Minneapolis bridal boutique The White Room lean into the shoot’s mushroom-inspired texture.
Model Will’s look from Express is fall and winter wedding perfection. Love pairing the burnt orange blazer with an all-black shirt and pants combo.
If you’re craving some of this rich color in your wedding palette, take a peek at our list of the best terracotta bridesmaid dresses.
Why yes, of course there are Enoki mushrooms IN the bouquet!!! So dainty!
Monet + Will wore custom rings from New Gild that embrace the textural organic vibe of the editorial.
If you’re feeling inspired by these unique bands like we are, take a look through our lists of the best wedding bands for men and best wedding bands for women to find the perfect pair.
A Rustic-Yet-Modern Reception
We LOVE a winter wedding that embraces lighter colors and textures!
How stunning is this handmade dinnerware from Defiant Ceramics?!
See the pink oyster mushrooms tucked into these place settings? Event planner Athena grew them herself in her bathroom sink! And they were a major influence on the visual tone of the shoot: “The color palette stemmed from them: off-white, sand, light pink, almond and cinnamon. The floral from Apricot featured a brighter pink to bring a new life to the shoot while not overpowering the natural-toned elements. “
Apres Events and Silk & Willow outfitted this gorgeous setup with tons of unique and textural details like that linen table runner. And the matte rose gold flatware!
Check out these similar pressed flower escort cards from Etsy.
This tablescape is giving us “Dutch Masters meets mushrooms.”
Grab these ribbed terracotta pillar candles from Anthropologie to recreate the ambiance of this reception table setup.
A cozy winter feast! Proof that pastel pinks don’t belong exclusively to spring weddings.
The catering from Aster Cafe looks so hearty and delicious!
What a spread!! Go check out our collection of charcuterie board ideas that will totally wow.
Ink Sweets created this marbled mushroom masterpiece of a wedding cake.
Including sugar sculpted mushrooms and MOSS.
So glad Tom and Athena created this super chic and woodsy winter wedding editorial!! Here’s to the muted pastel palette, the Minnesota-based vendor team, and the mushrooms that inspired it all!
photography: Tom Thornton Photography // venue name: Aster Cafe, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA // event design: Empiria Studios // planning: Empiria Studios // florals: Apricot Floral // wedding dress: Newhite 'IV' dress // wedding dress boutique: The White Room // bride's ring: New Gild // hair stylist: Lady Vamp Artistry // makeup artist: Lady Vamp Artistry // groom attire: Express // groom's ring: New Gild // paper goods: Hunt Wright Design Co // handmade details: Defiant Ceramics // catering: Aster Cafe // cake: Ink Sweets // tabletop rentals: Aprés Event and Tent Rental // linen rentals: Aprés Event and Tent Rental // specialty rentals: Silk & Willow // models: Will DeGraw and Monet Barnes // mushroom growing kits: North Spore
