A 1930's Inspired Elopement Story
With all the hype over Bridgerton as of late, we are swooning for any and all vintage and European-inspired weddings. This submission from Lisa Vigliotta had us immediately dreaming of spending the rest of our quarantine days in a French cottage by the sea. While modern trends come and go, we know that some things are just timeless, and this editorial is one of them.
THE LOVE STORY
This is a love story set on the coastline of 1930’s Normandy France, in the seaside town of Etretat, where Adaline Faye Fontaine and Eliotte Gabriel Auclair elope from Canada to be wed. It is a simpler time of slow romance and courting. A time of innocent young love where two lovers marry without fear of the future, unaware of the coming world war they will soon be plunged into.
Having met three years earlier quite by chance, they have since to be apart; having fallen in love instantly. Their courtship was sweet and tender, innocent and fun loving. They are independent and bold and un-afraid of the future; equally matched in intelligence, integrity, respect, wisdom and passion. Adaline’s intensity of spirit and Eliotte’s calm strength balance each other and the world is in awe of their chemistry and romance. They are each others home. Individually they both quietly demand attention as their presence is arresting, but together they are a force to be reckoned with. Eliotte is of upright noble character, a man of fidelity, integrity and honour; a man of action and uncommon truth; worthy of Adaline's love. Adaline is fair and fierce and every part Elliotte's equal in personality and ambition.
Theirs is an uncommon passion; a perfect storm of abandon and restraint. Their's is a noteworthy love that is incredibly pure, and a love story that others will watch unfold and be drawn to as the great love stories of old. Their wedding day on August 9, 1937 is slow paced, deliberately delicate and poignant beyond description; for theirs is a love story, a legacy the generations after them will speak fondly and reverently of.
From the Photographer: “The inspiration behind this romantic shoot started from the vintage gown found by chance at a vintage shop. I could see a woman on the coastline of Étretat wearing it. The Harding Waterfront Estate on the shores of Lake Ontario was the only venue I could envision; it’s 1930’s architecture was perfect for the 1930’s wedding I was envisioning. A royal blue velvet wedding with soft yellow and creamy whites. candles and cotton puffs, gold and brass, blue glass and a sapphire blue wedding ring to match Adaline’s ocean blue eyes. And, a pre-WWII bouquet of old world flowers: blue delphinium, butter yellow and white roses, lavender, queen Anne’s lace, cotton, daisies, and lisianthus.
A story of young love began to emerge as if to write itself and the characters of Adaline + Eliotte came to life. Wanting to show the full romance of an entire elopement wedding, I carried our shoot through to the evening and wrote in the Honeymoon Cottage and Wedding Night scenes. You can feel the love between them as they transition through the day, from nervous teenagers to awakened lovers.
We started early in the morning to create the imagery of Adaline’s bridal boudoir, a slow morning where she and Eliotte write out their vows separate from one another until they see each other for the first time at the foot of the grand staircase. They wed under a canopy of flowers outside to the sweet song of the cellist and harpist playing, and have their wedding dinner by candlelight. Clothed in honeymoon outfits, Adaline and Eliotte set off for their Honeymoon Cottage, and later, walk down to the waters edge to linger into their wedding night as the waves lap around them.”
View the film by Anton Park Films:
VENDOR DETAILS
Photographer, Concept & Styling: Lisa Vigliotta Photography | Videography: Anton Park Films | Coordination, Design & Styling: Nóbl Events Planning & Design | Venue: Harding Waterfront Estate | Models: Isabella Vigliotta & Magnus Hambleton (Elite) | Florists: The Toronto Flower School, Flower Baby Floristry & Hilary Adele Floral Design | Invitations: Statue Rue | Hair & Makeup : Allyssa Helm Beauty & Co | Accessories: Blair Nadeau Bridal Adornments | Bridal Lingerie: By Catalfo | Antiques: Old Truck Antiques | Rings: Maddin Jewellery | Custom Artwork: Karen Colangelo Paintings | Tablescape: Plate Occasion | Furniture & Props: Vintage Bash & Southern Charm Vintage Rentals | Chairs & Tablecloth: Chair Decor | Live Music: Chantal Dubé Harpists, Naomi Jackson, Heather Jackson | Catering: Amazing Graze | Cake: Hello Sugar | Ribbon: Silk & Sumac | Groom’s Attire: Moores | Vintage Gown: Talize | Footwear: Zara | Film Lab: Photovision Prints