If you have been in the wedding industry for a long long time, you are probably familiar with styled shoots. If you’re a novice– you came to the right place!

First, let me give you a brief explanation of what a styled shoot is. Essentially, a styled shoot is a shootout event or workshop where wedding creatives organize to create beautiful and romantic settings for wedding photographers to capture. For photographers, a styled shoot is an opportunity to upskill and update their portfolio. For vendors, it is an opportunity to showcase and promote their business. To sum it up, a styled shoot is something very beneficial to many wedding professionals in the industry!

Now that we have reviewed what a styled shoot is, let us talk about how to plan one. If you ask me, let me tell you in all honesty that the two most important things you need to create a jaw-dropping styled shoot are: creativity and quality vendors. I’m 200% sure that you already have the creativity. In fact, I know your mind is already bursting with ideas and you want to bring them to reality!! Now, all there’s left is to assemble THE dream team! Without further ado, here is the list of vendors that you need for your own styled shoot!

You may also download and view the checklist here: Styled Shoot Vendors Checklist

1. Photographers and Videographer

Our styled shoots in Terrie Images are made to cater to photographers, but if you wish to make your shoot exclusive (Ex. for publication purposes), you may choose to connect with a photographer and a videographer to capture your design. For the styled shoots we tailor, we have worked alongside with Z and Z Image to create a cinematic summary of the event and they never fail to impress me! You can check this teaser video they did for our Romance With You editorial!

2. Florist

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again–I love florals! Why, you ask? The designer in me simply loves how we can create a color palette with just one bouquet. I say florals are essential when it comes to setting the right palette and bringing that romantic element into the picture. In fact, here at Terrie Images, we love creating floral-heavy styled shoots and we’re currently preparing for one, which will be happening this 21st of June! I simply cannot wait to show you all kinds of bloom arrangements in our In the Garden With You editorial! You should join us if you want to be the first to know!! You can also stay up to date for any upcoming events by joining our mailing list here!

To give you an idea of incorporating florals into your shoot design, here is some works by Mill Pond Estate! We absolutely loved styling this intimate scene and we loved photographing it!

3. Hairstylist

Plan your styled shoot as you would plan a wedding. The goal is to mimic a wedding with the elements that are present in an actual wedding so be as meticulous as you can be! That means you need to have a hairstylist like Hair Inspired by Ciarra to be part of the glam team like you would in a real setting! We have worked with some truly talented wedding creatives! We absolutely adore each vendor we have had the pleasure to work with!

4. Makeup Artist

Of course, we can’t forget to include the makeup artist! You’ll want an MUA who is an expert in bridal makeup or someone you know who can execute a look that’s cohesive to the theme. That’s why Crystal Konz was the perfect stylist for our In the Mirror editorial!

5. Stationery

In my opinion, flat lays are essential. Typically, a wedding photographer would set a flat lay with invitations and ring boxes on a styling mat. It’s a wedding photography tradition at this point! So it would be unrealistic to exclude stationeries in a styled shoot! If you’re looking for a stationery vendor, Korynne & Company is the creative you’re looking for! 

6. Calligrapher

Many brides usually opt to hire calligraphers to personalize their wedding invitations. Including them in your team would help the calligrapher book more clients especially when you decide to work with wedding publications! You can also incorporate calligraphy in wedding favors, decorations, and tabletop decors like this cute champagne bottle and menu cards by Jennifer Lou!

7. Rentals (chairs, decors, linens, etc.)

A styled shoot can’t be “styled” without decorations! As for me, I am very particular with every little detail so I make sure that my decors and rentals are aligned with the theme I have in mind. Hence why I love working with Set and Styled! They have a variety of rentals for every theme and palette!

8. Models

A styled shoot in any genre–in any niche, cannot be complete without the muse! The beauty about organizing an editorial is you can work with starter or professional models like the gorgeous Emily Jo!

9. Gowns & Tux

Being in countless workshops, I have to say, outfits truly bring a lot to the scene! They can be as dramatic as this whimsical gown from Lillie Mae Collection or they can be simple and classic like this groom ensemble from Generation Tux. Either way, make sure that the outfits you pick are consistent with the theme and palette of the styled shoot!

10. Accessories

Veils, jewelry, and shoes, they’re part of any bridal and groom ensemble! Work with a vendor like Yuri Chang Bride to complete that fabulous bridal look!

11. Baker/Cake Decorator

Cake cutting has been a tradition at many weddings in many cultures. Hence why most brides would always make sure they have cake at their wedding! Work with a cake decorator to help complete that wedding picture! For our Ethereal Editorial Boudoir, we had Daisy Delights on our team!

12. Venue

Before anything, you will need a location that can accommodate the theme you have in mind! It’s best to do your research and scout the locations first to ensure that you’ll be able to achieve the design you have envisioned. For Terrie Images, we love venues with spacious outdoors and stunning backdrops like The Don CeSar!! We loved being able to solely shoot and provide our gowns for this editorial! Ashley with Love Lee Lane was the brains behind this beautiful design. If you are a wedding creative and you want to be a part of an editorial without planning and designing a styled shoot from start to finish, you can opt-in to working with a wedding planner or designer who may be planning one!

If you are planning to tailor your own styled shoot, let me tell you now that finding your vendors is not going to be seamless! You have to find a way to connect with vendors near you or your chosen venue and it’s just tricky to simply type in a google search! If you’d like to build connections, the easiest way would be to take part in styled shoots first or you can join our community of creatives and find the perfect vendors for your styled shoot/s!

You may join our community here: Workshops + Styled Shoots by Terrie Images

Or register to join our upcoming styled shoot here: In the Garden With You, Sunday Stroll/Content Day

Featured Vendors: Z and Z Image | Mill Pond Estate | Hair Inspired by Ciarra | Crystal Konz | Korynne & Company | Jennifer Lou | Set and Styled | Emily Jo | Lillie Mae Collection | Generation Tux | Yuri Chang Bride | Daisy Delights | The Don CeSar | Love Lee Lane