Styling a Bridal Photoshoot
Kahani Events is a multicultural wedding planning and decor business based out of Minneapolis.
In May 2021, I partnered up with Kahani Events and several other local wedding vendors to work on a styled photoshoot. Our team included photographers, videographers, floral designers, stationary, and dessert artists coming together to showcase how different art forms can bring a wedding to life.
This shoot was also a way to showcase Kahani’s branding while talking about their passion for uplifting mixed race couples and sharing the beautiful nuances of multi-ethnic stories.
As an artist, my role was to help with the creative direction by styling both the bride and groom’s outfits/ makeup, while figuring out how to visually illustrate the idea of a modern, “punk rock” wedding.
THE INSPIRATION
When Reena of Kahani Events and I first spoke, her vision was to work on displaying a non-traditional, edgy couple through both the decor and fashion on set. She already had the idea of taking the traditional red colors of Indian wedding fashion and adding a darker color palette of purple, magenta, and black to the mix.
Given the darker theme, our challenge was to maintain elements of South Asian bridal trends while updating it with Western pieces.
From the start, I was inspired by the idea of dressing up seemingly normal pieces and mixing them with statement accessories.
My initial thoughts were to take the versatility of a sari and drape it as both a top and dupatta set, while introducing drama with a voluminous tulle skirt to replace the look of a traditional lehenga.
The sari serving as a top was a new way to show off the beauty of draping a single cloth (an art form that has been practiced in South Asia for generations) while showing off the model’s décolletage for a tasteful yet sultry styling.
I finished off her look with layers of pearls, dark lips, sparkling eye makeup, custom bangles, and rhinestone pumps.
For the groom, we elevated the look of a simple kurta and jeans by adding several layers of accent accessories. Since he was wearing an all black outfit, I had fun introducing pops of color and adding mixed metal jewelry. For this look we placed an emphasis on Western men’s jewelry and the idea of creating subtle sparkle. I handmade several rings for him and stacked silver “lock and key” style necklaces with chain & beaded bracelets.
Finally we finished off his look with a fedora hat and statement jacket that I custom made from my clothing line (AGNI | @agnistyle) to match the bride.
Through styling, makeup and custom fashion I was able to use my visual art skills in a new way. It was interesting to use my wearable art designs as a base for modern day storytelling of a real life couple.
Often times, my style of empowering our community is abstract through painting and design, but when working on set, it’s fun to create an art form centered around people who can physically bring your skills and vision to life. Getting to turn art into fashion and working with a team equally as passionate was a great way to add diversity to the bridal scene and make future couples planning their big day feel seen.
It’s always my intention to push boundaries and work on concepts that are new & different, so I loved being able to create a space where a glam, rock couple can capture themselves in a memorable way.
Planning/Decor/Design: @kahanieventdesign with @shakuntaladesign
Photo @mariahjoyphotography
Video: @voyageurmotionpictures
Floral: @greengoddessfloral
Hair: @139hairbyheidi
Stationary: @epitomepapers
Cake: @sugarspoondesserts
MUA and Styling: @itsnehalicious
Henna: @kahanihenna
Rentals: @festivitiesmn @the_seatery
@kahanieventdesign
Venue: @machineshopmpls
