• NEW Wedding Ideas

Wild and natural forces are impressive and beautiful. This next wedding inspiration created by Events By Merida takes pointers from the way nature takes back abandoned spaces. Finding beauty in a house left open to the elements. The wild and carefree floral arrangements from A Cottage Gardner fill the space with a fabulously overgrown floral backdrop, just wait until you see the stairs!

You can see it all in our full gallery of images provided to us by the talented Sharyn Frenkel Photography. There are plenty more ideas to soak up in there so be sure to stop by!

A Wild Idea

The concept of this shoot was to bring new life to a tumbling down house. The venue, Barnsley Manor, is in the beginning stages of being renovated into its former glory, and they were kind enough to let us come in and use the space as it currently is, graffiti and all. Sharyn Frenkel and Kim Bakke of A Cottage Gardner came up with the concept of the shoot, and after collecting several vendors, realized they might need an extra set of hands. It took me all of .5 seconds to jump on board. 

We wanted to create a moody, wild feel within this unique space. Sharyn and Kim had already brought in several vendors. Angela from Park Ave Cakes created both a beautiful hand-painted cake, and designer cookies. Steve from Hops Scotch 22 created delicious cocktails to complement the colors of the table settings. The Fox and Finch Vintage Rentals brought in some of their gorgeous pieces to create a lounge, our reception space, and a full ceremony site. Stephanie Powers and Hair By Amy Lyn created a fresh, beautiful look with a colorful lip. 

A Wedding Style

I brought in designer Nikki Cohen of Mayfaire Moon to create the skirt that Sharyn had in mind. Nikki's an accomplished dressmaker and corset expert, and this wasn't just hanging in her closet. I got to see up close and personal how many layers of fabric it takes to create a skirt like this. 

A fun story: Sharyn found our modeling duo in the best way possible- she'd photographed their wedding a few months back! They came down from New York City to work with us. They're both animated people, which made the shoot such a fun experience. They were even down to climb up in the tree we used for the ceremony site!

The team that coalesced for this shoot felt like kismet. We loved every minute of it, and we hope you do, too!

Budget Breakdown

Photographer: $4,500
Florist: $8,000
Planner: $5,200
Venue: Unknown (currently being restored)
Cocktail display: $1,500
Invitations, escort cards, and menus: $3,500
Cake and cookies: $1,250
Cocktails: $600 + materials
Makeup: $425
Hair: $425
Vintage Rentals: $3,000
Bride's Attire: $900
Groom's Attire: $500
Runners: $200
Place settings: DIY (purchased, not for rental)


We put together this budget based on the following parameters:
100 person wedding (12 tables)
8 person bridal party (including bride and groom)
No catering

• Event Planning & Design: Events By Merida
• Cakes & Catering: Park Ave Cakes
• Cakes & Catering: Sip and Graze
• Cakes & Catering: Hops Scotch 22
• Flowers: A Cottage Gardner
• Groom & His Men: Brackish Bow Ties
• Hair, Makeup & Beauty: Stephanie Powers Makeup
• Hair, Makeup & Beauty: Hair By Amy Lyn
• Models: Dana & Lucas
• Paper Goods & Calligraphy: Rabbit Rabbit Crew
• Photographers: Sharyn Frenkel Photography
• Rentals: Fox and Finch Vintage Rentals
• Wedding Dresses: Mayfaire Moon Corsets & Costumes