Prohibition and Dustbowl Styled Shoot

The venue for this Prohibition themed shoot, the Highland Park Bowl, is the latest restoration project by Los Angeles’ “1933” Group whose name aptly describes their work. They restore beautiful properties to the year 1933, when our Nation was between two world wars and slowly approaching the end of Prohibition.  The space contributed so much to this styled shoot, especially the color palette, which was inspired by the sepia-toned photographs within the space – Ivory, Rust, and Chocolate Brown.

The Groom was dressed in a cream suit by The Black Tux with his mauve colored accessories from Pocket Square Clothing.  Additional touches that added to this vintage theme were the suspenders, and an old pocket watch.

The lucky Bride had her pick of not one, but three dresses!  The last look was not a dress but a prestigious jumpsuit with an adorning beaded cape. Each of them fit her so perfectly!. Katie’s Kreations crafted a beautiful fabric floral bouquet for our bride to compliment the fabric, sheen, and touch of sparkle.

Face of Beauty added to the bride’s inner and outer allure with their professional touch of fire red lipstick, creamy blush palette and a bronze eyeshadow. They also gave her hair that thirties flair, with a flip and a soft curl. Madeleine Fig also provided their designing expertise with stunning headpieces. Each one had intricate details and hand sewn beading.

The Highland Park Bowl offered fantastic scenery for this shoot, from the California Mission Style chandeliers, to the amber glass doors.    The honey-toned woods accentuated warmth, and glowed under the natural skylights within the space.

The design team made a conscious decision, being mindful of the Great Depression and the Prohibition era, that flowers were an extravagance not likely to be afforded. Instead, they used common greenery, and locally sourced succulents for the reception.  This was not your average garland of greens. Florist Rosalie Alvarez snuck some beautiful surprises of large succulents and air plants into the arrangements, that brought interest to the table, highlighted with vintage amber-glass votives.  Place settings and linen were provided by Classic Party Rentals, complemented by vintage treasures from DIY LA Bride, such as the etched champagne flutes. To tie the tables cape together Letter Bliss prepared a weathered brown vintage place card.

The producer, Abby Borden of Table Set Go, curated a menu inspired by the 1933-era.  The entrée of Chicken Picatta had a modern twist of jalapeno, and was served alongside Creamed Spinach and Grilled Radicchio.  Desserts by Goddess of Goodies were also inspired by the time period – Champagne gelee, an Affogato pudding, and petite Angelfood petit fours.  The wedding cake, was a rich Devil’s Food with leaf detail to complement the rest of the décor in the room, and sat atop a beautifully ornate pewter cake pedestal, also from DIY LA Bride.

 Get inspired and check out this wonderful prohibition shoot below, as beautifully captured by  Amy Haberland.