Vintage-Americana Inspired Styled Shoot | Adler Ranch | Alexandria, MN
Styled Shoot Photographer - Kristen Jyrkas
What is a styled shoot?
To put it simply, a styled shoot is a staged event (usually a staged wedding) that lies within a selected theme and includes models - it’s a creative and magical collaboration between local and surrounding area wedding vendors. Styled shoots create an unrestricted outlet - other than staying within the styled shoot theme, of course - to step away from today’s trends.
These types of collaborations also provide room to pursue new interests, ideas and opportunities for all those involved while simultaneously gathering cohesive photo content to promote and elevate each participating business. Styled shoots are for any business owner seeking to creatively highlight their services/products and collaborate with other businesses in the surrounding area.
One particular reason I love being involved in stylized wedding shoots, or styled shoots for that matter, is I find it to be a brilliant unfolding of magic. Working with other creative minds and witnessing their passion and drive within their work is absolutely inspiring to say the least. When you’re involved in the styled shoot developing stages then get to see it unfold, it just adds a whole other layer of awe and gratitude. Plus, the skills of so many creative businesses that can be found within our own local MN rural communities never ceases to amaze me. Amazing things can happen when we support local!
Adler Ranch Wedding & Event Venue
Styled Shoot
Vintage-Americana with Wedding Heirloom Ideas
First inspired by the venue space itself, this vintage-Americana and heirloom styled shoot quickly turned into a classy and memorable production.
I remember discovering the bridal cabin at Adler Ranch, a wedding and event venue near Alexandria MN, and thinking to myself, “This is it. This is the space.” We envisioned an event filled with creative exploration that stepped away from trends at the time and put a sustainable spin on an upscale wedding event, with emphasis on the bridal and groom preparation to highlight the Adler Ranch Bridal Cabin and Kurt’s Gas Station.
We pictured our Bride to be a minimalist with an elegant aesthetic, one who valued slow fashion and sustainability, family and all things vintage. Where she and her Maid of Honor get ready together in Adler Ranch’s cozy Cabin. The Groom and Best Man would enjoy their drinks and cigars in the next cabin over after he too was ready for the ceremony.
As a Bride with strong family values we found creative wedding heirloom ideas to honor many in her family. These new wedding heirloom ideas included her Grandfather’s lantern re-envisioned by Kellie Smith Floral into a show-stopping bouquet, and couture gowns for the Bride and Maid of Honor, and heirloom items to polish off the look of our Groom.
The bride's gown is made up of layers upon layers of family history, love and heritage. Literally!
We wanted to honor the Bride’s strong family roots as well as her new mother-in-law which inspired the textured skirt of the gown. Our stylist and creator Alicia (of Alicia Zutter Couture) used cascading layers of sentimental fabrics: some were created from parts of the Bride’s mother’s and mother-in-law’s bridal gowns, her grandmothers crinoline and dress, while also including her great-grandmothers veil and linens.
Many additional vintage pieces of lace and trim were used to create this heirloom wedding gown design. The top is a creamy French vanilla duchess satin to highlight the antique fabrics and her canary diamond engagement ring.
The wedding bouquet was created from the brakeman light of the Bride’s grandfather when he worked on the railway as the base - adding her own personal glow to the vintage lights scene that gives Adler Ranch Wedding & Event Venue its appeal and charm.
“When designing the floral for this shoot I wanted to focus on letting the heirloom piece shine. Using a tangible object with such significant meaning - I didn’t want to take it over with the floral but simply highlight its characteristics and charm. ”
Perham Printing created the stationery for this vintage-themed wedding while staying true to the minimalist values of the Bride.
We used a simple and classic Serif font printed on a beige, torn-edge paper to provide that raw, deckled edge look of handmade paper.
“Studio C Salon fulfilled our vision for elegant vintage with loose curls and classic makeup. And The Adler Ranch Cabin offered the perfect balance of dreamy natural light and cute chandeliers to highlight our vintage bride.”
“Wedding floral should reflect the bride and groom and what brings them joy. Your wedding day is something unique to you- so you should create your own vision and incorporate those items and designs that are meaningful to you. ”
Groom getting read in Kurt's Gas Station - Adler Ranch, Alexandria MN
To honor the values of slow and sustainable fashion, we styled the Groom in his grandfather's hat and his dad's vest.
Something old and borrowed.
And his bow tie is custom made from the material of his grandfather's wedding suit.
Something new.
“For the Maid of Honor we used the entire crinoline from a 1960’s wedding gown and layered on lots of texture and whimsy to support the bride’s dress.”
Bride & Groom outside Kurt's Gas Station
“The Groom and his Best Man completed their looks by choosing vintage inspired pieces in shades of grey to coordinate seamlessly with their heirloom looks the bride valued.”
SuperBee Honey provided the local raw honey in vintage jars for our featured honey mocktail - a little sweet treat offered by our Bride and Groom in efforts to support local business, and honor their value of sustainability.
“We wanted to continue the vibe with the reception dress which is also done in the French vanilla satin. There’s a flirty layered peplum made from her grandmother’s slips accenting the plunging back. We were able to use her great aunt’s fur cape for added warmth on this chilly spring day.”
Kurt’s Gas Station & The Adler Ranch Cabin at sundown - Adler Ranch, Alexandria MN
“We selected Adler Ranch for our wedding venue because of its unconventional atmosphere, impressive lit up night scene and its unique wedding amenities...just to name a few. After touring it and meeting Marlys there was no way we could say no!”
MN Wedding Vendor Appreciation
With an overwhelming heart, I’d like to thank all those how participated in this Vintage-Americana Themed wedding - hosted by the incredible and impressive Adler Ranch Wedding & Event Venue near Alexandria, MN - providing a comfortable and charming atmosphere with jaw-stopping backdrops - and of course, Marlys’s sweet spirit.
This styled shoot would not have been possible without the dedication and creativity of so many rural MN wedding vendors. Thank you for adding your own personal touch and vision, taking us back in time in this timeless and sustainable wedding styled shoot.
View more on these MN Wedding Vendors and support your independent business owners at the links below. Support local, support families.
MN Wedding Vendor Collaborators
Coordinator & Photographer:
Kristen Jyrkas - Ottertail, MN
Wedding Venue:
Adler Ranch - Alexandria MN
Florist:
Kellie Smith Floral - Perham MN
Stylist & Designer:
Alicia Zutter Couture - Ottertail MN
Hair & Makeup:
Studio C Salon - Alexandria MN
Wedding Stationery & Tags:
Perham Printing - Perham MN
Local Raw Honey:
SuperBee Honey - Parkers Prairie MN
Schedule a tour of Adler Ranch to experience its magic firsthand.
Why Styled Shoots Are Beneficial For Your Business
Styled shoots showcase work in the best way
Sometimes wedding day schedules don’t go as planned and things get missed or there’s not enough time for details, and that’s ok! Styled shoots provide the time and control to showcase your products in the best way, making sure nothing goes missed.Styled shoots allow creative exploration away from today’s trends.
This allow for more freedom and a great way to offer fresh ideas and inspiration to new and future clients - and often times when in the pursuit of something new we find other beautiful discoveries.Develop skills or pursue new ideas.
Perhaps there are some ideas rolling around in your head you’d like to try. Or maybe you are trying to perfect a new technique/idea. Styled shoots provide space to do just that!Build vendor relationships.
Working in any industry, it is incredibly inspiring and important to build relationships with those around you. After all, community over competition is the true goal.Attract like-minded clients.
When we are able to create something unique and from our own creative genius, we can attract those with the same interests and/or similar visions.Add professional images to your portfolio - boosting confidence and elevating your brand
Having high-quality images of your products/services can go a long way. Not only does it provide content to your marketing gallery, it highlights your business in new and exciting ways!
