Crown of overgrown plants or miniature gemstones. Fake Taxis Dermee Bird; And the small bust sculpture hidden like an Easter egg in a lush flower centerpiece is just a few of the unshakable design choices by the trends in minimalist wedding decorations, Christine Shockley's distinctive maximalist aesthetic retention.
“I think people are more concerned about decoration than ever, with the evolution of weddings over the past decade and how social media has worked,” says Shockley, owner of Shockley, the founder and owner of the Norfolk, Virginia-based event styling and design studio, who founded her company after 15 years in marketing and graphic design.
In addition to working with the couple, for a fee starting from $10,000, Shockley styles photo shoots, events, runway show styles and runway shows for brands of bridal fashion designers such as Monique Louislier, Anne Barge, Rami Al Ali and tabletop brands Maison des Carine and Herend.
Shockley gave us a peek at her creative process. This interview is lightly edited in length.
How does your job as an event designer differ from that of an event planner?
The planners look to the entire event, but I focus on design. My role is to be a creative director overseeing all the design elements of a wedding, from designing and sourcing table settings to managing the details that need to be custom built to staging the lighting, to understanding how these visual components interact with the venue.
What is your signature style?
I think I am best known for my static, art-inspired table design and for my ability to bring together the romantic aesthetics of the old world with modern elements. Couples who are attracted to my work usually love the style of connecting with the dreamy lush romanticism of decoration and mixing colors, patterns and design elements in amazing ways.
Many ideas in the wedding industry are recycled. You're watching the same thing and trends over and over, and many couples work from inspirational photos that have been online for several seasons. “This is good, but how can I move this idea forward?”
Where does your inspiration come from?
I'm always looking outside the wedding industry and looking for inspiration. I turn to runway shows, interior design, nature, books that can be transported. I am most influenced by art from my worldview. From photography to fine art, it's a way of incorporating food into the decoration, just like paintings from Dutch stills.
When did the demand for work begin to increase?
Early 2021. I was hired at the end of 2020 for a branding photo shoot for a wedding at Dover Hall Estate in Manakin Sabot, Virginia, and attracted a lot of attention from the bridal industry. I dressed up the model in Naeem Khan's wedding dress and the designer shared the images several times across her social media accounts.
What do you recommend when couples are deciding on wedding decorations?
When choosing a venue, make sure that its aesthetics and style are what you need for the event. Consider the colour, pattern and overall tone. Does it all make sense to your design? I often see couples who really want a particular decorative style or a particular colour, but book a venue that's not suitable and try to make it all work.
How have your wedding decorations changed since you started designing your event?
There are more rental and decoration options. Major cities like Washington, DC and New York have different businesses working with more unique options. But overall, now we can pull from more vendors. I'm always looking for ways to make my design a truly kind. The best way to do that is to use something that no one has seen, or to use something in a way that no one else has.
What wedding decoration styles do you see trends?
I've got all the attention for my unique linen and fabric drapes, pinning and routing. The couple is currently playing with bunching, wrinkles and interesting fabric techniques across the table, background and reception space. I think this trend will continue to grow.
Do you style your destination wedding? Which destinations are trending now?
Yes, I will accept the event at my destination. Italy is becoming increasingly popular as Lake Como reaches its villa venues. And we see Croatia's coastal regions becoming popular. It's very similar to certain regions of Italy, but the cost of hosting a wedding may be less than other trendy regions of Europe.
