Singaporebrides | Essentials
September 2026
Less is More: Inside a Quietly Elegant Styled Shoot Inspired by Pantone’s 2026 Colour of the Year
How much “wow” is in Pantone’s 2026 Colour of the Year, “Cloud Dancer”? SingaporeBrides’s Content Writer Elizabeth believes these 7 wedding industry creatives have the answer.
When Liz Florals invited me to model for her styled shoot, themed after “Cloud Dancer”, Pantone’s 2026 Colour of the Year, I was thrilled. Yet, as a Gen Z bride-to-be who grew up with constant stimulation, and a dancer who has only ever known maximalism as the way to go—think, “more passion, more energy, more footwork”—I had no inkling of what such a simple, off-white hue meant to me. One thing I was sure of though: I fully trusted in Liz’s creative vision as a wedding professional, and I was curious to see what she and the other creatives involved would make of a colour I had never thought much about before.
That intrigue followed me into the venue on the day of the shoot. La Terrace at Claudine was a space both open and intimate. The breezy patio overlooked the lush greenery of the tranquil Dempsey area, and it was there that I first caught a glimpse of the shoot’s theme coming to life. Liz, unfazed by the mid-July heat, was fully immersed in constructing the floral arch with some of her favourite blooms, the seemingly restrained palette only opening up plenty of possibilities in her mind’s eye. The versatile baby’s breath with airy, cloud-like quality, fluffy ferns resembling clouds floating over green hills and mountains, and pops of lilies for beautiful scent, symbolising of new beginnings and peace. The flora were all so different, yet blended together so cohesively, piquing interest through texture and their varying shades.
“Different tones of white, ivory and cream, combined with a variety of shapes, sizes and textures, can create plenty of depth while still keeping the overall look clean and cohesive,” Liz explains her direction for the shoot. “When you engage a florist whose style you can trust and allow them creative freedom, a white or neutral floral look can be achieved without falling flat.”
Next to the arch, a sheer tulle lace signage that flowed with the wind, courtesy of Nicole, the mastermind behind calligraphy studio Little Inked Things. It was remarkable how a design element so soft and delicate commanded my attention so effortlessly, and the story continued as I set foot in the sheltered, indoor seating area of La Terrace. Mini delphiniums, linen table runners and lace-trimmed cotton menu cards culminated in a tablescape that complemented the furniture and interiors perfectly. Craftsmanship took centre stage, as fluid strokes and lettering flowed across all the different materials, allowing the styling to gain depth in spite of any lack in colour.
“Small, interconnected details sharing the same visual identity bring cohesion without overwhelming, which is what leaves a lasting impression,” Nicole discloses her expert advice to couples on wedding styling. “Here, I incorporated lace across the various features and touchpoints, while a bespoke wedding monogram served as a unifying motif. More than just stationery, wedding calligraphy shapes the atmosphere of an entire celebration from start to end.”
For what might have been the first time, a living, breathing picture of what it means to find serenity in stillness had taken shape right before my eyes. Instead of coming across as blatant, decorative props—the way typical decor has tendency to—the full floral and stationery set-up fit so organically within the setting, every styling element intentionally curated, details dancing in tandem without competing for the spotlight.
All this, however, was only just the beginning. My fiancé and I both had parts to play, and it was time to leave our appearances in the hands of Marjen. Now, in the considerable number of times I’ve sat in a chair before a make-up artist, I’ve come to realise that those couple of hours result in more than just a stunning look—they’re a holding space for interactions that (ideally) ready one’s heart and mind for what’s next, and the person holding a brush to your face has the power to touch more than what’s on the outside. Marjen’s gentle demeanour coupled with swift, self-assured strokes made it evident that she was a maestro in her craft. The process was unhurried, and she allowed me to feel so truly at ease, that honest conversation flowed as naturally as the way the fresh, luminous glam rested on my face.
Particularly impressionable was the way Marjen was able to strike a balance between the demands of the shoot and a subject’s features. “My intention was simply to create space for the bride’s expressive qualities to shine,” she reveals. “I always begin by looking at the person in front of me. A concept can offer a mood, palette, or visual language, but the individual gives it life. While bridal make-up should have enough presence to hold its beauty in a photograph, it should never make the person wearing it feel uncomfortable.”
The next part came as a pleasant surprise. When Marjen predicted that I’d instantly “click” with the photographer, I wasn’t quite sure what she meant. After all, years of performing and a far-from-camera-shy personality makes it easy for me to adapt when working with various photographers. But Clara’s energy was infectious, to say the least. Whether it was experience from helming The Perfect Statement, or innate knack for reading a room, her direction felt nothing like what I’d experienced before. Her brisk, smooth guidance that was tailored to our individual personalities had us genuinely laughing and smiling throughout, and every click of the shutter left us more energised than the last.
“From our conversations, I could more or less tell who was introverted and who was more extroverted,” Clara divulges how she so cleverly documented our unique, individual essence. “I wanted to showcase their personalities more in their solo portraits, so while there were many smiling shots for the bride to reflect her cheerful personality, I went with a more ‘no-smile, look here’ kind of approach for the groom.”
As the shoot progressed, it became increasingly evident how every piece of the puzzle completed “Cloud Dancer”. Outdoors, the soft afternoon glow meeting the botanical arrangements, and moments of motion such as the lace signage fluttering gently in the breeze, introduced a romantic atmosphere to the photographs. At the same time, the seamless, rhythmic exchange between Clara and the videographer, Jessica from We Merry Go Round, unfolded as intuitively as the shoot itself. Jessica worked her expertise smoothly and unobtrusively in response to the raw, authentic flow of events, preserving every genuine interaction so discreetly it almost felt like a clandestine operation.
“Neutral, monochromatic themes like these feel more editorial and intimate, and my camera got to linger on the little details that most might otherwise overlook,” Jessica describes the video’s angle. “I want viewers to be able to immerse themselves in the beauty of the mood and environment, almost like they’re stepping into the shoes of the bride and groom, experiencing the emotions and atmosphere as if they were there.”
Amidst all the simple, clean shots that intentionally framed elegance and minimalism in every scene, Jessica’s top choice were the slow-shutter clips revealing intricate details of our attire, every garment carefully selected to complement the light palette and natural greenery—but without disappearing into the setting simultaneously. I was thankful to be allowed the freedom to choose my pieces from Love Wedding Atelier—ones that asserted presence while remaining elegant through details such as an asymmetrical top layer and large bows running down the back on the first gown, as well as drapery and a high leg slit embellished with mesh and beadings on the second.
My fiancé’s getup was less conventional than an all-black tuxedo, but just as stylish. An ivory dinner jacket tied in beautifully with the surroundings, framed by greenery and warm wood. Instead of an entirely white or beige outfit which might have turned out flat in photographs, the jacket was paired with black trousers, a bow tie and formal details that provided enough contrast and definition.
“For such palettes, we recommend thinking about contrast rather than simply matching colours. Even accessories or subtle fabric textures add more dimension,” Lyn, co-founder of Assemble advises. “This is where bespoke becomes useful, as you can adjust the exact shade, cloth, lapel style, proportions and more according to the venue, the bride’s look and how formal you want the wedding to feel.”
As someone easily taken to novelty, the indoor shoot featuring something a little different from the film style currently trending in wedding photography was a delightful experience. For a more high-fashion, editorial feel, Clara’s manipulation of prisms, strobes and flashes lent a dynamic effect to the images, tying every element together, from the nuanced textures and tones in the floral and stationery styling, to the polished, yet slightly more contemporary nature of the outfits.
One visual statement that made it to my personal favourites? The mono-bloom bouquet also seen in celebrity weddings, centred around a single flower variety—think Dua Lipa’s Icelandic poppies, Selena Gomez’s lily-of-the-valley bouquet and Demi Lovato’s ranunculus arrangement. In our case, bellflowers representing gratitude, calmness and peace. Striking in structure, but never distracting from our silhouettes.
By the end of the day, it became clear to me that in wedding aesthetics, Pantone’s 2026 Colour of the Year looks like nuance, the same type that exists in life and marriage itself. Subtle, unassuming, but also layered and timeless. In Liz’s words—and I fully agree—”Cloud Dancer” is about being calm and present. It’s a respite from chaos and everything else in modern society that competes for our limited attention. It allows us space to breathe and to be, delivering a strong impact in the process.
But this is stating the obvious, and there’s more to the photographic proof of this shoot than meets the eye. Behind the lenses was this passionate team of wedding professionals going above and beyond their craft to build something with and for each other. It was never about the minimalism of “Cloud Dancer”, but how each creative breathed their own passion and energy into it. Much like how the concept’s design and styling played out, no artist’s creative identity outshone or was overlooked; there was a silent, strong trust that gave everyone room to ideate and inspire each other.
I’m still in disbelief that I had the privilege of not only witnessing, but being a part of it. From Liz and Nicole’s graceful, undemanding orchestration of the project, to how proactively each vendor stepped in to steam outfits, clean up or assist wherever needed—the genuine support and chemistry within a great team is something that is truly felt and remembered. And on a day built around love, perhaps this is the kind of quiet, lasting magic every bride and groom-to-be deserves to be surrounded by as well.
Florals and Styling: Liz Florals
Calligraphy and Styling: Little Inked Things
Gowns: Love Wedding Atelier
Suit: Assemble
Hair and Make-up: Marjen SG
Photography: The Perfect Statement
Videography: We Merry Go Round
Venue: La Terrace at Claudine Restaurant
Models: @elizabeth.zanna and Jonathan
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