The Art of Romance
For centuries, romance has been expressed through art in various forms, so it’s no stretch to equate art with love. Today, fine art is finding its way into the nuptials of couples passionate about art. Whether it’s through venue, invitations, décor or food, some brides and grooms are creating some unforgettable concepts.
INVITATIONS
The invitation can be the first glimpse into the wedding celebration and serve as a miniature canvas in setting the tone for friends and family. Katie Fischer of Katie Fischer Design in New York specializes in watercolor invitations, later framing the original artwork as a gift to newlyweds.
Fischer, who has a background in graphic design and fine art, also paints storyboards of couples’ relationships to be displayed at receptions, as well as escort cards and table numbers. “Instead of a sign reading ‘Table 6’ at a recent event, I created 8x10 watercolor paintings of places special to the couple, such as the groom’s childhood home and the place where they had their first kiss,” she said.
VENUE & DÉCOR
Art galleries, studios and museums are popular settings for weddings, offering visually stunning and engaging backdrops. For artists (and newlyweds) Lauren Rosenbloom and Jacob Melchi of Los Angeles, their wedding could have only been held in one place: the Charles Arnoldi Studio in Venice where Jacob works.
Not only did the studio reflect their passion, “[it] is such an exciting space, and perfect for what [we] wanted to create,” said Rosenbloom. Rosenbloom, along with colleagues at the Southern California Institute of Architecture, built a three-dimensional art installation, which served as the wedding chuppah.
Gallery weddings already have their own unique décor, often inspired by what’s displayed in them, such as at the Rosenbloom-Melchi wedding. “The gallery is so filled with color,” said Rosenbloom, noting that Melchi’s art was hung along with Arnoldi’s paintings for the event. Heidi Mayne of Red 25 Events, who along with Bash and Please, helped coordinate the event, was impressed with a paper sculpture created by the couple out of recycled Save the Date cards. “There had been a typo on the first printing of the cards,” said Mayne. “Instead of throwing them out, they used them to create this amazing art piece which was displayed at the wedding.”
A gallery or museum has ready-made décor, but what if the wedding is in a backyard? Nicole Persley of Boca Raton, known for her colorful acrylic paintings, was commissioned to create a series of unusual pieces for one couple’s wedding, including a floating gallery in their pool. “The couple had met in an art gallery, so having art at their wedding was important to them,” she said.
Another way to infuse art into a wedding is through flower arrangements, particularly those inspired by renowned artists, according to Richard David of Mark’s Garden in Sherman Oaks. “We have done arrangements utilizing the pastel colors and textures of the French Impressionists, as well as bright high-contrast designs in deep purple and bright yellow resembling van Gogh,” he said.
FOOD
Chefs such as Erez Levy, co-owner of Beverly Hills’ Savore Cuisine and Events, considers color, form and composition whenever he creates a dish. “Food should not only be delicious; it should be beautiful to look at,” said Levy, who catered the Melchi wedding. “Art can most definitely be incorporated into your wedding through the food,” he said.
The wedding cake is a sweet place to express a love of art. Leah Grode of Cake Divas encourages clients to be inspired by art that moves them. “Be it a Monet-inspired floral or a post-modern Murakami, details reflecting art styles can add a whimsical and personal touch,” she said, noting that she often looks to art history books for inspiration.
Among the many art-inspired cakes she has created are a “swirly, colorful pulled sugar piece” inspired by glasswork artists Chihuly and a Gustav Klimpt-inspired gilded cupcake tower. “One couple chose a handmade cake topper based on the painting “The Bride and Groom” by Marc Chagall,” she added.
As for the Melchi wedding cake, created by Sweet & Saucy in Long Beach, “it was covered in Balsa Wood sculptures of flowers,” said Mayne, “fittingly presented on a paint-splattered artist’s table.”
LIVE EVENT ART
A truly unique way to incorporate art into your wedding is to create it — at the wedding itself. Agnes Csiszar Russo of Los Angeles is just one of the live-event artists who can be commissioned to create an original painting of your reception as it happens. “It’s all the rage on the east coast,” said Russo, who paints as many as six weddings per month. She arrives early to paint the backdrop; then paints a vibrant sketch of the celebration, including as many as 17 guests.
Some people cannot imagine life without art; others wouldn’t have their wedding without it. “For us, it felt so natural,” said Rosenbloom. “It’s what we love — and who we are.”
—Jennifer Evans Gardner
Custom Publishing Writer
