Derby Days Inspiration Shoot

With the Kentucky Derby having just taking place this past weekend, and the Royal Ascot races coming up here in England next month, I had to share this beautiful equestrian Derby Days themed shoot with you! What's not to love about horse races really - big hats, fancy clothes, posh cocktails (mint juleps or Pimm's cups!), lovely flowers, fine weather and loads of tradition. This shoot styled by Bows and Arrows and photographed by Greg Blomberg captures all of this perfectly. With a dark pink, light pink and red color palette with turquoise and gold mixed in, tons of lush flowers by Bows and Arrows, gorgeous printed items by Missing Q Press with calligraphy by The Left Handed Calligrapher and a sweet horse named Royal Falcon who loved the camera. 

From Alicia of Bows and Arrows: "Whether spending a day at the races or a day at the stables, horses evoke a striking natural beauty that impacts the atmosphere, and brings back memories from childhood. We chose to set up a wedding atmosphere in the stables that was casual, rustic, intimate, heartfelt and yet over-the-top! We broke the barrier of vintage rustic chic by using super lush garden flowers, vintage letterpressed paper products, a precious assortment of cakes, fancy intricate hand calligraphy, a couture gown, and quirky luxe gold accents! Every detail was nailed!"

More about the shoot elements from Alicia of Bows and Arrows...

Dinner table scape:

Gold trophy vases packed with blooms in shades of reds and pinks included garden roses, peony, amaryllis, tulips, anemone, and jasmine. Letterpressed menus were regal with a pale pink wreath encircling a golden horse and horseshoe. Place cards were eclectic, a mix of papers paired with different inks made everyones' table setting unique.

Escort card table:
Miniature hand-made awards with the guests' name and table number scrolled in calligraphy were displayed on a bed of red carnations.

Cake table:
A decadent assortment of single tier cakes embellished with award-winning sugar ribbons, frilly butter cream flowers, and detailed trimming set upon vintage milkglass pedestals surrounding a colossal trophy packed with fresh blooms in the horse arena. A feast for the eyes, indeed.

Thanks so much for sharing this incredible shoot Alicia!

Vendors: Photography - Greg Blomberg, Flowers and Event Design - Bows and Arrows, Cakes - Sugar Bee Sweets, Printed Items - Missing Q Press, Calligraphy - The Left Handed Calligrapher, Venue - Rocking M Stables in Dallas, TX, Models - McKenzie and John