Wedding Feature: A Ballet Inspired Wedding

If you’ve ever watched a ballerina move across a stage and thought, that’s exactly how I want my wedding to feel—soft, graceful, intentional, and a little bit timeless—this editorial was created for you.

This ballet-inspired bridal editorial was photographed inside the dreamy white-brick space of GRLS Studio in Tacoma, Washington. The second I walked in, it felt like stepping into a modern dance studio with an old-soul heart—airy windows, beautiful natural light, and that quiet, romantic energy that makes you want to slow down and create something meaningful.

Inspired by the elegance of dance, this ballet inspired wedding was a dream come true for the couple and for the entire team. Everything came together so perfectly!

The Vision

The vision for this editorial wedding shoot was all about movement—those delicate, in-between moments that feel effortless but are actually full of intention. Ballet has this “old meets new” feeling to it: centuries of tradition mixed with modern artistry, strength mixed with softness. That contrast was the heartbeat of the whole day, and it came to life through our models, who are professional ballet dancers (which honestly made everything feel even more authentic and magical).

The ballet inspired wedding theme allowed us to infuse romantic elements into every detail.

A soft, neutral palette carried throughout the editorial, and it’s the kind of color story I’ll never get tired of—creamy whites, gentle ivories, barely-there blush tones, and whispery textures that feel romantic without being overly “sweet.” The goal wasn’t to create something loud. It was to create something refined. The kind of wedding inspiration that feels elevated, editorial, and timeless five years from now.

This ballet inspired wedding showcases how softness can blend with grandeur in style.

The Florals

One of the biggest scene-stealers was the floral design—specifically the overflowing hanging floral installation by Villanelle Floral Company. It completely romanticized the space and made the whole studio feel like it was blooming from the ceiling down. The florals were dramatic, but still understated in the most artful way—anemones, roses, poppies, ranunculus, sweet peas, and cascading grasses, all layered together with that effortless “garden grown” feel (even though we all know it takes a true artist to make it look effortless). The florals chosen for this ballet inspired wedding were meant to evoke a sense of movement.

The Design

The tablescape was equally dreamy—whimsical but clean, delicate but not fussy. This shoot is such a perfect example of how you can keep things neutral and still make them feel rich and textured. It’s not always about adding more color—sometimes it’s about adding more depth. More movement. More layers. More intentional details that invite you in.

The design elements of this ballet inspired wedding reflect a timeless elegance. And speaking of details… the stationery was the kind of ethereal, airy paper goodness that makes me want to plan a whole wedding around it. This editorial leaned into that balance of vintage-meets-modern: soft romantic elements paired with clean lines and a fresh, editorial finish.

Bridal Look

This bridal look perfectly encapsulates the essence of this ballet inspired wedding. For the bridal look, The Dress Theory brought in a gown that felt like it was made for movement—light, romantic, and effortless. When a dress moves beautifully, it photographs beautifully. That’s one of those little things that matters more than people realize. Fabric that catches air, sleeves that float, skirts that glide—it creates visual poetry without trying too hard.

 

Hair and makeup was done by Zo and Co. Styling, and the look was exactly what I love most: polished, soft, and timeless. Not overly heavy, not overly trendy—just that fresh, romantic bridal beauty that still looks like you.

A ballet inspired wedding requires hair and makeup that is soft yet striking. We also brought in a few supporting details that made everything feel complete—because the truth is, it’s the tiny pieces that elevate a story. The ring details were provided by Dynamic Designs, and the rentals came from Pedersen’s Event Rentals.  Both added that quiet luxury feeling that makes an editorial feel cohesive and intentional.

 

The Cake

The cake design fit seamlessly within the ballet inspired wedding theme. And because no wedding (or wedding-inspired shoot) is complete without dessert, Rue Cler Seattle created the cake—simple, elegant, and beautiful in the way that makes you want to take a photo before you take a bite.  I absolutely loved how the cake was inspired by the bride’s wedding gown.

A little behind-the-scenes detail I love sharing: this shoot was styled and planned by Cottrell and Co. Events. When you have a planner/designer with a strong point of view guiding the vision, it changes everything. It’s not just pretty things placed in a room—it becomes a full story.

Our planner crafted a ballet inspired wedding that was both cohesive and beautiful.

For my fellow film lovers, this editorial was shot with film processed through The Find Lab. Film has a way of softening the world just enough—like a gentle exhale—while still keeping every detail intentional and real.

If you’re planning a wedding and you’re drawn to that romantic, refined, ballet-inspired aesthetic, I hope this gives you permission to lean into softness. To choose neutrals without fear that they’ll feel “plain.” To prioritize movement and texture. To pick florals that feel like they’re growing, not arranged. To design an experience that feels graceful and elevated, but still warm and personal.

For those looking to plan a ballet inspired wedding, embrace the beauty of movement. And if you’re getting married in Tacoma, Seattle, or anywhere in the Pacific Northwest, I would love to chat more with you about your dream wedding or elopement. If you want to create something that feels artistic, romantic, and intentional—whether it’s a full wedding day or an editorial-inspired portrait session—I’d love to hear what you’re dreaming up. Reach out through my website and tell me your vision, your venue, and what you want your photos to feel like.

If you appreciate the artistry of a ballet inspired wedding, let’s connect to make it happen.

Vendor team

The vendor team behind this ballet inspired wedding truly brought the vision to life.

Photographer: Courtney Bowlden Photography (https://courtneybowlden.com/)
Film Lab: The Find Lab (https://thefindlab.com/)
Stylist / Planner: Cottrell and Co. Events (https://www.cottrellandcoevents.com/)
Floral Designer: Villanelle Floral Company (https://www.villanellefloral.com/)
Dress Designer: The Dress Theory (https://www.thedresstheory.com/)
Rentals: Pedersen’s Event Rentals (https://vancouver.pedersens.com/)
Rings: Dynamic Designs (https://www.dynamicdesignsjewelry.com/)
Venue: GRLS Studio
Cake Designer: Rue Cler Seattle (https://rueclerseattle.com/)
Hair & Make-up: Zo and Co. Styling (https://www.zoandcostyling.com/)

Every detail of this ballet inspired wedding was carefully curated by talented professionals.