A Bold Vintage Cocktail Bar Elopement at Citrus and Cane
There are smoother ways to tell someone you think they are cute than saying it just as you are about to drive away, only for your car to stall. But that is exactly how things started for Ash (she/they) and Sparrow (they/he) after meeting at a birthday party in 2023. Luckily for Sparrow, Ash felt the same way, and they have been best friends and lovers ever since.
So when Fêtes by Linda and Taylor Dawning Photography began putting together a styled elopement at Citrus and Cane in Victoria, BC, they already had a couple with plenty of real connection to bring into it.
The vintage cocktail bar set the tone with its warm colours and floral details, while deep reds, purples, maroon velvet, statement florals and candlelight added even more to the space. Sparrow’s red tux and bold green eye makeup sat alongside Ash’s white suit, creating a look that felt playful, intimate and confidently colourful. And for a couple who hope to get married one day, getting to try on their own version of an elopement made the whole experience that little bit more personal.
What inspired this Victoria cocktail bar elopement?
The photographer and I were really inspired by the vibe and styling of the vintage bar space. It already had so much personality, and we wanted to showcase an elopement that felt just as bold, funky and unique.
We wanted the styling to work with what was already there rather than completely change the space.
How did Citrus and Cane influence the styling?
Citrus and Cane already had such warm colours and fun floral elements in its decor, so I really wanted to highlight those.
We added more romance through deep reds and purples and brought in pieces that tied in with the furniture already inside the bar. I also wanted plenty of texture, which is where the maroon velvet tablecloth came in.
What were the key styling elements?
The florals from Bespoke Blossoms were a really important part of the design. I sourced rentals that worked with the existing furniture, and the maroon velvet tablecloth helped bring all the deeper colours together.
Sparrow’s red tux also became a big part of the overall colour story.
For the cake, I found a rectangular design that I loved and sent it to Robyn from Darling Cake Co. She turned it into something incredible.
How did hair and makeup become part of the overall look?
Marin from Evelyn Beauty Collective did such a beautiful job with the makeup and used complementary colours throughout the look.
I especially loved Sparrow’s bold green eye with the red suit. It added another strong colour without feeling disconnected from everything else going on in the room.
Veronica from Veronica Hair Styling also created such fun hairstyles for Ash and Sparrow. Their hair really showcased their personalities and worked so well with the rest of the styling.
Why did you choose Ash and Sparrow for the shoot?
I met Ash and Sparrow through the drag scene in Victoria. They are friends of a friend, and when I met them and saw their relationship, I really wanted to showcase them.
Their love represents so many different experiences and intersections, and that felt important to include.
Watching them together in front of the camera, you could see how much they genuinely love each other. Their connection was already there. We did not need to create that for the photographs.
How did Ash and Sparrow meet?
They met at a birthday party in 2023.
Sparrow was nervous to tell Ash they thought she was cute, so they waited until they were about to drive away before finally saying it.
Then their car stalled.
Sparrow had to face the fact that Ash had heard what they said, but luckily, Ash felt the same way. They have been best friends and lovers ever since.
Why was their relationship important to include in this story?
Ash and Sparrow have had to navigate the realities that come with the different intersections of their identities.
They have continued to understand each other more, stayed together and become stronger through those experiences. That was something I really wanted to celebrate.
Their story has complexity, but there is also so much joy and love between them, and I think you can see that in the photographs.
How would you describe the shoot in five words?
Funky, romantic, bold, unique and intimate.
Those words really capture what we wanted to create. The shoot had plenty of colour and personality, but it still felt intimate because Ash and Sparrow brought their real relationship into it.
They want to get married one day, so getting to experience this version of an elopement together was a fun glimpse at what that could feel like.
Captured by Taylor Dawning Photography
Cake Darling Cake Co.
Florals Bespoke Blossoms
Hair Veronica Hair Styling
Makeup Evelyn Beauty Collective
Planner Fêtes by Linda
Stationery Madeline Anne Designs
Venue Citrus and Cane
