Midsommar Styled Photoshoot
Early in 2021, Asheville area photographer and videographer, Chelsi Jarrell, posted a call for vendors to participate in a “Midsommar” Styled Shoot. As a fan of the horror genre and a two time watcher of the movie, I reach out immediately. “Can I please be the officiant?!!!!???”
I hopped online to buy my dress. Eagerly refreshed my email for more details. And waited for this magical day to arrive.
The Film’s Plot
This may be the scariest movie you’ll ever watch that takes place entirely in the daylight. The premise is a group of college students visit a rural town in Sweden for a midsommar festival, also known as Summer Solstice, only to discover a more sinister side to this town’s practices.
To be fair, it’s probably more of a psychological thriller than a horror film. Be warned! Director Ari Aster is a sucker for head trauma, re: Hereditary, his more traditional break out into the horror genre.
Also, big time trigger warnings for scenes of sexual assault that are pretty disturbing.
With all that said, this photoshoot is an homage to the aesthetic of the film versus the content itself. The only thing missing is a bear suit. IYKYK.
Check out Chelsi’s blog to read more about her inspiration for the shoot here: Summit to Sea Films Blog
Traditional Summer Solstice Rituals
Midsommer is the perfect time for a wedding celebration or commitment ceremony. It’s a transformative period in nature. Cicadas have broken free of their shells, butterflies have emerged from their cocoons, and honey is ready for harvest. This is a time for setting intentions, turning inward and taking stock on what really matters. It’s also about creating sacred spaces, be it within yourself, your home or at the altar. Here’s some ideas for how to incorporate Midsommer rituals into your wedding day.
Bonfires
As we enter into the longest day of summer, it’s only fitting to celebrate the burning Sun with fire. Paint Rock Farm has a firepit on-site that makes it the perfect location for your Summer Solstice wedding ceremony.
If you wanna take this to the next level, invite your guests to do a self-guided well wishes ritual. place a basket with slips of paper by the fire. Invite guests to write well wishes for your future as a married couple. Then they can place their slip into the fire allowing the smoke to carry their wishes to the heavens.
If that’s not your jam, whip out the drums and guitars for a sing and dance along around the fire. Or simply enjoy the warmth of it’s blaze.
No fire pit? Incorporate a candle ritual. During this ceremony, I had the couple hold a candle. I invited them to set their intentions for this ceremony and their marriage. Once they were ready, they blew out the candle together.
Flowers
Most flowers are in peak bloom during the mid-summer months. It’s always fun and aesthetically gorgeous to wear garlands or flower crowns in your hair, thought to enhance your connection to nature and vitality.
Create a circle or mandala for the couple to stand in at the altar. Sunflowers are always a beautiful option. Check out Brighter Blooms for a list of flowers in bloom during June.
Another option is to adorn your centerpieces, charcuterie boards and cakes with floral!
Eat, Drink & Be Merry
It’s not a party without a feast! To be aligned with the movie, you’ll see meat pies throughout this shoot. I gotta say they were fantastic.
But other ideas include fresh lemonade or lemon squares for dessert ‘cause lemons are round(ish) and bright like the Sun!
Is it really a wedding without a toast to honor the couple? Tip: Provide non-alcoholic bubbles for those who don’t do alcoholic.
Handfasting & Sage Smudging
I have entire blog posts dedicated to the sage smudging ceremony and handfasting ceremony. Each of these are perfect for creating sacred spaces and setting intentions.
Additional Images
Asheville Wedding Vendors
Host/Lead Photographer: @summittoseafilms
Photographer: @krowkaphotography
Venue: @paintrockfarm
Picnic/Styling/Foods: @parkwaypicnics
Hair & Makeup: @brushesandbraids
Officiant: @happilyeverasheville
Florals: @sundragonflorals
Cake: @seaofsweetsbakery
Dress: @lulus
Couple: @adventure.officiant
