What you can really borrow from a styled shoot for your wedding

After our styled shoot at Domaine Jolibois, several couples asked me: "Can we do the same at our wedding?" The honest answer: not everything, but much more than you'd think. Here's what works really well on a real wedding day.

A color palette, rather than all white

It's the easiest idea to borrow. Choose two main colors and one or two accents, then repeat them everywhere: flowers, ribbons, stationery, your wedding party's outfits. In the photos, everything looks intentional, even what was done at the last minute.

A table that tells a story

Colorful tableware, tinted glasses, candles, low flowers so guests can see each other across the table. A beautiful table is photographed before the guests arrive, then comes alive all evening. Just let your caterer and decorator know: I come by to photograph it a few minutes before guests take their seats.

A photobooth or a styled corner

A caravan, an old screen, a rug and a few lanterns: a styled corner gives guests a place to have fun, and very lively images. They're often the photos people share most after the wedding.

Late-afternoon light

On many styled shoots, we can wait for the most beautiful light. On the day, we plan for it: couple portraits ideally start about 45 minutes before sunset, earlier if there are trees or hills. Just save it a place in the timeline, often during the cocktail hour.

Joyful moments with your loved ones

A ribbon bouquet toss, a wooden game, a petal exit after the ceremony: these little ideas create spontaneous moments, and so real emotions. That's where a real wedding goes beyond any styled shoot.

What we don't borrow

• Unlimited time: we don't redo the ceremony three times. So we choose together the two or three images that matter most to you.
• The empty set: on the day, your guests are everywhere, and that's wonderful.
• Every scene at once: three ideas done well beat ten done in a rush.