Paint it Black: Moody Enchantress of the Forest Elopement Inspiration

Modern Witch Elopement

There’s always a silver lining — so long as you are willing to look for it and don’t dwell on the past. Nobody could illustrate this better than Nicole of Dreamy Wedding + Event Planning. She shares: Inspired by the massive destruction caused by the wildfires this summer in western Canada and United States, our shoot is an homage to the rebirth that comes from an end, a death. Love will prevail in a world that seems to be burning and flooding but in this incredible destruction there is new life, hope and new love. We set our story in the scorched woods in Joe Rich, just outside of Kelowna, BC – a location that was on fire less than a month ago.

With such destruction, there is beauty that grows, too. The team chose the charred woods to serve as the setting for something dark, something magical. That’s where the vision of the “enchantress” enters in, donning a luxurious all-black tulle gown. The flowers used were a mix of dried and fresh, signifying the end and the beginning. Beautiful words for beautiful photos by White Willow Photography.

Now, let’s enter into the woods…

gray invitation

Setting the overall baseline and mood for the day, Wolf + Wander Calligraphy crafted this modern + inked invitation suite.

black tulle wedding dress

red bouquet

Texture, texture, and more texture!! We’re loving the wild use of color and trailing florals in this bouquet by Blue Sage Farm.

Modern Witch Elopement

Modern Witch Elopement

Modern Witch Elopement

We dressed our bride in a long black French Knot Couture dress and skull necklace, it was important she appear as a dark, enchanting goddess… Not evil, but mysterious and powerful, which was complemented by her man in black.

Modern Witch Elopement

Modern Witch Elopement

How cool are these two? And that necklace filled with florals?! Pure magic, indeed.

Modern Witch Elopement

rock circle

We modeled our rock circle after another circle we found much farther into the woods and were inspired by the mystery of its existence in the middle of nowhere. It was important to us that this ceremony felt ritualistic and filled with all the love magic.

Modern Witch Elopement

Modern Witch Elopement

The ancient handfasting ceremony definitely seems to fit this setting, no?

Modern Witch Elopement

black veil

SO GORGEOUS. Want to create a similar look? Here are a few of our faves:

burgundy boutonniere

Modern Witch Elopement

Nicole shares: The shoot itself was truly an adventure as we discovered bones and waded through piles of ash and holes in the forest floor from burns. The charcoal trees we brushed up against would leave black marks all over us and by the end of the shoot we were all covered head to toe in soot.

Modern Witch Elopement

Modern Witch Elopement

So luxe… The furniture and tableware were a mixture of thrifted items and new — not only is this part of the overall aesthetic, but also symbolic for the recycling of life and new beginnings.

Modern Witch Elopement

Modern Witch Elopement

The dining table was decorated with cheesecloth runners the team hand-dyed, stick placemats (so cool!), obsidian and fluorite crystals with dried and fresh flowers scattered throughout. We love they way they incorporated so many elements of nature into the tablescape. 

black taper candles

Modern Witch Elopement

Modern Witch Elopement

blue painted cake

The cake by Whisk Cake Company was created with magic in mind, and incorporated the woods into the design, along with sticks and an overall darker aesthetic.

Modern Witch Elopement

Paint it black, burned in black, all the black… Let this serve as a reminder that even amidst destruction and chaos, beauty grows.

A gorgeous story + reminder from the talented team of creatives. Thank you!

photography: White Willow Photography // event design: Dreamy Wedding + Event Planning // planning: Dreamy Wedding + Event Planning // florals: Blue Sage Farm // wedding dress: French Knot Couture // hair stylist: Missy MacKintosh // makeup artist: Missy MacKintosh // paper goods: Wolf + Wander Calligraphy // cake: Whisk Cake Company // linen rentals: All Occasions Party Rental // models: Simone and Clay

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