Even though it’s February and Christmas feels far away, I had to share this Nutcracker-inspired styled shoot from Live View Studios when it landed in my inbox. As a dancer, the Nutcracker is one of my favorite holiday traditions, and this shoot captures that ballet magic beautifully. If you were engaged over the holidays and are considering a winter wonderland wedding, or if you simply love the Sugar Plum Fairy aesthetic, this DIY-filled shoot is full of ideas and inspiration. There’s even a simple fabric flower tutorial at the end.
This shoot is full of clever, budget-friendly details. Music sheets from the ballet were used as placemats—a charming, inexpensive touch—and walnuts were stamped to serve as place cards. The ornament guest book is a delightful idea: guests sign ornaments so the couple can read their messages while decorating their first tree together. Handmade quilled snowflake ornaments were chosen as favors, adding a delicate, handmade feel to the tablescape.
There are small surprises throughout—like the elegant use of pipe cleaners in a display, proving simple materials can look refined when styled thoughtfully.
If you loved the fabric-flower bouquet shown above, here’s a simple guide to recreate it yourself.
Make felt flowers by cutting a spiral from the edge of a felt circle toward the center, leaving the center disc aside. Begin at the narrow center point and roll the spiral tightly into a rosette, securing the end with hot glue.
For ribbon flowers, tie a small knot at one end of a ribbon and glue it to the center of a felt circle. Twist and glue the ribbon around the circle, layering until the felt circle is fully covered, and secure the ribbon end underneath.
To assemble the bouquet ball, push a wooden dowel into a styrofoam sphere and wrap the dowel in fabric or ribbon for a finished handle. Glue your felt and ribbon flowers onto the sphere until it’s fully covered. Embellish with crystals, tulle, or beads as desired. In this shoot, a tulle “tutu” at the base of the ball accentuates the ballet theme.
This styled shoot makes me want to lace up my ballet slippers and head to the studio. If these ideas sparked your creativity, explore more of the shoot’s DIY details and consider how to adapt them for your own winter wedding.
All photos by Live View Studios
Participating Vendors
Location: Scott Concert Hall, Campbell University
Makeup: New Found Beauty Makeup Artistry
Submitted via Two Bright Lights
If you’re crafting event details, a craft supply guide can help you gather materials, and a handmade vendor guide is useful when seeking one-of-a-kind items for your celebration.