As seen on Wedding Sparrow.

When you start wedding planning and scouring the net for inspiration, you may see the term fine art frequently used to describe weddings with a light and dreamy artistic aesthetic. It’s what we’re all about here at Wedding Sparrow, and all our recommended vendors embrace the fine art look to offer couples a truly artisanal and organic wedding experience.

So what exactly does the term fine art mean and how can you create a wedding with this distinctive natural look?

When fine art meets wedding, a beautiful piece of art is created. It is ethereal and above all intentional. This style is for the couple that truly appreciates well-curated events and has an inspired artistic vision.

Location, location, location

Location is key as your wedding venue is the backdrop to your event and sets the scene. Fine art weddings take place at stylish venues with beautiful grounds and striking architecture. Most couples who are drawn to the fine art style will likely also appreciate historical properties that are full of art with many charming areas to explore. They don’t have to be grand or stately, it’s all about the details and ensuring the design of your wedding fits seamlessly with the surroundings.

Fine art photography

When it comes to choosing a photographer, look for someone that shoots film or hybrid – which is both film and digital. Yes, old school film! You know the kind that you send off before you actually get to see the results. Film is timeless. Film is soft, elegant and dreamy. It is such a beautiful and carefully thought-out process of capturing moments. Partnering with a photographer who is proficient in film is a must for planning a fine art wedding.

Fine art floral design

Fine art wedding flowers are simplistic and sophisticated. They tend to lean more towards a mostly neutral organic color palette with soft colors and natural components. Lush florals, wayward foliage and silk ribbons, plus lots of organic textures and seasonal details are just a few of the key elements required to create fine art bridal bouquets and wedding decor. Sustainable floral design is also a key principle of fine art design so look out for florists who strive to lesson their environment impact.

Fine art wedding stationery

It may not be the first task on your wedding planning list, but your save the date or invitation will be the first detail that your guests are privileged to view and hold. A tangible heirloom. An exquisite insight into the story that will become your wedding.

Delicate hand-torn edges, vintage old world stamps, beautiful calligraphy and antique printing techniques will have your guests giddy with anticipation for what other gorgeous details you have in store for the big day. If the hand-pressed invitation suite has been so thoughtfully created, imagine what the rest of the wedding will be like!

Fine art wedding tablescape

Fine art weddings are carefully curated and planned to feel like every single aspect of your wedding tells a cohesive story. Some thoughtful elements you will see are fine art tablescapes include fine linens; hand-dyed silk textiles; seasonal foliage and florals; beautiful handmade papers and calligraphed menus and escort cards. Impeccably curated tablescapes that flow with your color scheme and wedding theme totally immerse guests in the story of your day.

VENDOR DETAILS

Copy and images: Lost Coast Photography

As seen on Wedding Sparrow

Your wedding venue is the first (and possibly biggest) decision you’ll make on the planning of your wedding day. After all, once you have that date booked in, you can start the real planning of your stationery, hiring vendors, and deciding on your big day style. So let us help you get off to a flying start if you’re planning a wedding in the South. Our Fine Art Curation member Kate from Lost Coast Photography is here as our resident expert on all things Southern Charm…

“Telling your love story in the right setting is an expansion of your love and represents who you are as a couple. Knowing your style and the story you want to tell makes the decision that much easier, and plays a major role in the photographs that will live on for years.

As a fine art wedding photographer, curating a couple’s personal story means utilizing the venue and it’s details as an element in the storytelling. After all, the venue becomes an extension of the couple, and its surrounding landscape and architecture a major component. With that in mind, here are some of the most captivating venues in the South that offer spectacular backdrops, lush gardens and all the historic charm a couple could ever want.”

THE OLANA | Hickory, TX

1851 Turbeville Road, Hickory Creek, TX 75065

Breathtaking French Chateau meets the suburbs of Dallas, Texas. Inspired by the Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte in Paris, this grand and exquisite venue has all the classic European charm one could ever dream of! The Olana is the perfect luxury wedding venue to celebrate your big day and build lasting memories. The baroque estate sits on forty acres of manicured grounds, with ornate architecture and 48,000 square feet of unmatched elegance and grandeur. Set the scene for your love story in one of the most iconic mansions in Texas and experience grandeur beyond compare. You won’t be disappointed!

SWAN HOUSE | Atlanta, GA

130 West Paces Ferry Road NW, Atlanta, GA 30305

The 100-year-old Swan House in Atlanta’s famous Buckhead neighborhood, is quintessentially southern. It’s elegant, classic, historic and overflowing with old world romance. Spectacular gardens and European architecture make this venue a favorite among couples and photographers alike. Ceremonies at The Swan House are grand affairs, they’re classic and full of all the dreamy details that take your breath away (cue in those iconic stairs!).

MINT SPRINGS FARM | Nolensville, TN

7730 Nolensville Road, Nolensville, TN 37135

Mint Springs Farm captures the allure, charm, and legendary hospitality of the South, all within a 30-minute drive south of Nashville. This full-service venue boasts a long list of amenities and one of the most amazing bridal suites I’ve had the pleasure of photographing! Couples will be surrounded by 40 acres of rolling hillsides and gorgeous lake views, where they can dance the night away in a multi-level barn with crystal chandeliers and vintage pews, or sneak away to the glass green house surrounded by roses. Think vintage and refined-rustic on a sprawling Nashville farm!

CHATEAU COCOMAR | Houston, TX

14525 Champions Drive, Houston, TX 77069

Where architecture, opulence and beauty collide. Chateau Cocomar is a 37,000 square foot French-inspired estate tucked away privately in a forested corner of Houston. The enchanting European castle-like venue is rich with elegantly designed architecture, imported antiques, Italian hand-painted murals and marble floors. With 7 private suites, world-class service and ultimate exclusivity, Chateau Cocomar is one of the most spectacular venues in the South. In case you’re having a hard time narrowing down your guest list, this venue is so astounding, it can accommodate a whopping 999 guests!

VENDOR DETAILS

Photography: Lost Coast Photography