The Bride Experience: Behind The Scenes
The filming of "The Bride Experience" was so much fun and involved so many vendors that I thought sharing the making of the commercial with some behind the scenes footage would be fun to read.
The Bride Experience Commercial
The filming of "The Bride Experience" was so much fun and involved so many vendors that I thought sharing the making of the commercial with behind the scenes footage and production notes would be fun to read. Join us on the journey of concepting, producing, and executing an entire day at The Van Dusen Mansion for "The Bride Experience".
But first, let's start at the end and watch the final commercial...
What does the day of your wedding look like with WarPaint International? Take 2 minutes and see for yourself.
The vision behind "The Bride Experience"
Everything starts with a vision. And when you're working with creative professionals that know what they're doing, sometimes your ideas can really come to life. We work with a professional videography company that shoots our seasonal Trend Collection, Holiday shoots and more, to concept, produce, and execute the stories that we want to tell. Take a look at these initial storyboards that eventually became the finished product you just watched above.
The Production Schedule
The Van Dusen Mansion
7:15AM - Setup bedroom scene (block light from window, build camera)
Setting up the bedroom at Van Dusen Mansion
7:30AM - Shoot bedroom wake-up scene
The bride's "wake up call".
8:00AM - Setup room and film for Artisan Prep Scene.
8:30AM - Start filming hair and makeup (Tara + Katie & Naseem)
The men
- Film Erik + groomsmen getting ready
11:30AM - Film First Look // End Scene
Scene 2 The Booking Process
The booking process video. Watch how WarPaint International walks you through the bridal consultation process.
Hear WarPaint Founder, Jessica Mae, and her right-hand lady Mariah, walk you through what the booking process looks like with WPI.
The dress, the ring, the flowers
The bride was drenched in luxury and beauty. The gown was provided Minneapolis bridal boutique, Posh Bridal Couture. The amazing flower bouquet was designed by Jessica Wonders Events & Floral. And lastly, our beautiful bride Tara, was outfitted in nearly $100,000 of breathtaking jewelers from a small, family owned jewelry shop in downtown Minneapolis called Gittelson Jewelers.
The Models, Crew, Team, & Vendors
Vision/Producer: Jessica Mae | WarPaint International
Director/Videography: Gerick Engle | Engle Olson
Art Director/1st A.C.: Jenny Olson | Engle Olson
Location: Van Dusen Mansion
Wedding Consultant Team
Jenni Marko
Claire Donnelly
Erin Cooney
Kristina Johnsen
Amy Stenstrom
WPI Artisans
Naseem Rafiei | Makeup Artisan
Katie Rote | Hair Artisan & Director of Education
Mariah Jere | Market Manager & Artisan
The Cast
The Bride: Tara AnnMarie Thatcher
The Groom: Eirk Alan Thompson
Bridesmaids: Ashley Lynn Graaf, Justina Proue, & Kim Graaf
The Groomsmen: Sammy J Koza, Michael Gittelson, Ron "Maceo" Wright
The Vendors
The Bride's Dress: Posh Bridal Couturé
The Bride's Diamond & Jewelry: Gittelson Jewelers
Bowties/Neckties: Mill City Fineries
Bridesmaids Dresses: Flutter Boutique
Florals: Jessica Wonders Events
Wedding Party "getting ready" Robes: Oh Sugar Studio
Hair/Makeup/Production: WarPaint International Beauty Agency (yours truly)
A Modern Celtic Wedding Inspiration
Old World Celtic tradition meets modern style and multi-cultural celebration.
Old World Celtic tradition meets modern style and multi-cultural celebration.
From WarPaint International -- This inspirational shoot took place in New Richmond, Wisconsin at a 100+ year old, little unknown gem called The Greenfield Barn. This beautifully aged space stays true to its form with vintage hardwood floors, open doorways and windows and a historic rustic charm. The Greenfield Barn has been carefully preserved to offer nostalgia and simplicity to old fashioned wedding goers. Positioned as the center point amongst rolling acres of “Highland-like” scenery, we could find no better place in the midwest to produce this inspirational shoot with The Celtic Croft. ~ Jessica Mae
From The Celtic Croft -- As one of the world’s largest online retailers of Scottish and Celtic apparel, we naturally receive regular rental requests for traditional and ancient celtic-wear for weddings all over the nation. In this inspirational shoot we’ve highlighted some ways to preserve the traditional aspects of a Celtic ceremony in the midst of a modern, multi-cultural family celebrating their heritage. Traditional Celtic weddings in the United States are often performed for brides and grooms with distant Celtic ties whom prefer to celebrate life with a touch of highland charm.
The Groom & Groomsman
The groom and groomsman all wore traditional Prince Charlie jackets and vests that are made in Scotland from 100% pure new wool Barathea. The Prince Charlie, more formal than the Argyle jacket, is essentially the Scottish dress equivalent of a tuxedo. The gentlemen also sported traditional kilts in a beautiful Baird Ancient pattern, and were fully accessorized with wingtip kilt shirt bowties, cufflinks, shirt studs, Kilt belt and buckles, Sporrans, Kilt hose, pins, flashes and Sgian Dubh. The ensemble is completed with traditional Ghillie Brogues and laces.
The Decor & Theme.
Our bustling floral arrangements (by M Flower Studio), the grooms boutonnière, the brides bouquet and flower circlet were all filled with festive fir spruce, an assortment of flowers and prairie grass, harmoniously matching our Baird Ancient Tartan. This traditional, formal Celtic theme ran strong throughout our inspirational shoot with the addition of hand made, custom stationary (by J.B. Originals), a simple elegant 4-tiered cake (by Amy’s Cupcake Shoppe), and the intoxicating sounds of traditional Celtic bagpipes (by Emilio Munoz; American Heritage Pipes & Drums).
The Bride
Our bride wore two fairytale inspired gowns (by Posh Bridal Couture), accentuating traditional simplicity. She was beautifully adorned with both floral and metal circlet ceremonial head dress pieces and a hand crafted lace necklace. Her hair and makeup was creatively designed to capture the essence of rustic and natural beauty.
The Backdrop
A renaissance back drop and glass mason jars set the stage for hand-crafted rum, vodka and tartan branded gin (by Norseman Small Batch Distillery), for rejoice and celebration.
The Wedding
The wedding party combined heritage from around the world, with an emphasis on bringing ancient Celtic traditions into modern marriage ceremonies.
Behind the Scenes Videos
Credits
Hard work and credit owed to:
- Photographer: Phoenix Memories Photography & Videography.
- Event Styling: Warpaint International Beauty Agency.
- Beauty: Warpaint International Beauty Agency.
- Musicians: American Heritage Pipes & Drums.
- Cake Designer: Amy’s Cupcake Shoppe.
- Invitation Designer: JB Originals.
- Floral Designer: M Studio Flower Affair.
- Specialty Foods: Norseman Small Batch Distillery.
- Dress Store: Posh bridal couture.
- Apparel: The Celtic Croft.
- Event Venue: The Greenfield Barn.
- Models: Jake Larson, Jennifer Marko, Jesse Weber, Chelsea Lawrence, Eric Mischke, Kenzie Standaert.
Commercial Stylized Shoots
- professional models.
- hair & makeup artistry concepts.
- venue procurement.
- hand selected photographers to match your specific project.
- hand selected videographers to match your specific project.
- accessory and vendor sourcing
- professional wardrobe, real estate, brand and automobile styling.
- theme & concept design.
- project management.
- production & execution.
Team photo at The Greenfield Barn in Richmond Wisconsin.