R E A L W E D D I N G I N S P I R AT I O N
SPECIAL EDITION AN EXTRA 100 PAGES INSIDE!
DEAR GRAY MAGAZINE Dear Gray Magazine is published quarterly and can be purchased online or in stores. See our website for annual subscription options. www.deargraymagazine.com © 2017 Dear Gray Magazine All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the editor, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommerical uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the editors, addressed “Attention: Dear Gray Magazine Permission,” at the address below. editor@deargraymagazine.com Printed in the USA The views expressed in Dear Gray Magazine are those of the respective contributors and are not necessarily shared by the company or it’s staff.
“Dear Gray...” Inside every issue of Dear Gray Magazine, we publish a special feature that is devoted to sharing a true story of strength and love. Despite the trials that one must face, bravery trumps the immense battle every time. It is our hope that through these featured stories, a connection is made and inspiration takes flight for you or a loved one. Recognizing these warriors for their unconditional courage is important to our brand and the mission behind DGM. With your help, a portion of each issue will go directly towards the cause we highlight in this issue. If you know someone who should be part of our next “Dear Gray...” feature, please contact us. Thank you for your support.
MEET THE TEAM
Denice Lachapelle Managing Editor denice@deargraymagazine.com 2 D E A R G R AY M A G A Z I N E
Ross Tonkin Business Development Director ross@deargraymagazine.com
Christina Wells Online Editor christina@deargraymagazine.com
EDITOR’S CORNER S T E P H A N I E R AW C L I F F E
I’ve always admired the in and around weddings, designs change with the gaged couples gearing up has been said that a wedinvestment in a couple’s chasing their first home. spend between twenty to on their special day and we hope to inspire brides wisely.
beauty that can be found watching the colors and seasons and newly enfor fun wedding plans. It ding is the second biggest lifetime, aside from purAn average couple will thirty thousand dollars at Dear Gray Magazine, and grooms to invest
Really knowing your wedding planning team is so vital to a smooth, enjoyable wedding day. To some creatives, the elements produced for a wedding is their job and to others it has become a passionate work of art. The artists we feature are those who have diligently worked in perfecting their craft, because to them it is more than just a wedding day. They are your storytellers and the efforts they put in are genuine. Your happiness with their work of art is what matters the most. In just a short year, I have had the opportunity to connect with these artists through wedding events and workshops. Traveling across seas, these artists are attending trainings and business seminars with the intention of building a better business to serve their ideal clients. I’ve watched them have “a-ha!” moments while learning how to properly style your wedding day details and to do this while simultaneously shooting film in tricky lighting situations. And let me just say, both are a challenge! This issue is dedicated to the artistry behind wedding planning and the artists who make your dreams come to fruition. Not only are they stretching design concepts beyond the imagination, they’re creating the newest trends while staying committed to who they are. They’re a unique community within an ever growing industry and we are so proud to share their work with you. I hope that you’ll make a connection with their work and have your very own “a-ha!” moment too. D E A R G R AY M A G A Z I N E . C O M 3
inside features “Where Love Leads” p. 008 “Refined Romance” p. 036
SPECIAL FEATURE “One Design, Two Budgets” p. 116
On the Cover Issue Three’s cover was captured by Kate Anfinson. Using the art of medium format film and working with double exposure, Kate captured her boudoir model with a floral design by Delphinium Floral.
Contents CHAPTER I ENGAGEMENTS Where Love Leads 008 Brooklyn Love Tale 014 Love In Australia 020 California Dreams 026 Love In Santa Barbara 030
CHAPTER II BRIDAL INSPIRATION
4 D E A R G R AY M A G A Z I N E
Refind Romance 036 Woodland Goddess 044 The Desert’s Hidden Beauty 050 Luminous Hillside 056 Princess Diaries 060 Before The Wedding Day 066 Tale As Old As Time 072 Inspiration At The Bath Club 078
CHAPTER III BOUDOIR Colour Me Pretty 085 Embracing Her Vulnerability 096 Venetian Dame 102 Parisian Daydreams 108
CHAPTER IV WEDDING INSPIRATION One Design, Two Budgets 116 Understated Sophistication 126 Elizabeth Dye Interview 134 Something Blue 142 A Hidden Elopement 150 Vie de Château à la Française 160 My Fair Lady 172
Elizabeth Dye p. 134
CHAPTER V REAL WEDDINGS Under The Oak Tree A Canopy Of Lighting Florida Garden Wedding By The Hawaiian Ocean Written On My Heart
182 190 198 204 212
CHAPTER VI CREATIVE CORNER
Love’s Own Plans p. 236
Gather and Grow Better Together Savannah
221 224
CHAPTER VII ANNIVERSARIES On The Cliffs Of Ireland My Best Friend Love’s Own Plans
228 232 236
DGM CELEBRATES
Vie de Château à la Française p. 160
Remembering Kristina 240 The Life Of AJ 242
D E A R G R AY M A G A Z I N E . C O M 5
I ENGAGEMENTS
D E A R G R AY M A G A Z I N E . C O M 7
Where Love
Leads
D E A R G R AY M A G A Z I N E . C O M 9
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P A R I S
From Danielle at Shaw Events “Being avid travellers, Melanie and Carey knew they wanted to have their engagement session somewhere special. When they got the call that they were being moved to Europe for work, and had to make a trip over to look for housing, they knew it was the perfect opportunity to do it. Paris was the first location they went to when they began dating, so it has a sentimental place in their hearts. When they brought the idea to me, and asked if I wanted to come along with them and their brilliant photographer, Reid of When He Found Her; I knew we needed to go all out. I reached out to Floraison and Onorina Jomir Beauty, both local to Paris, and brought a dress along with me from Catherine Langlois. A special addition came from Melanie and Carey’s wedding day calligrapher - Flourish calligraphy - a special ribbon, calligraphed with a lyric from their first dance song. It came together beautifully, and the Bride and Groom couldn’t be happier with this special reminder of their Parisian adventure.”
Credits PHOTOGRAPHY When He Found Her whenhefoundher.com FLORIST Floraison Paris floraison-paris.com CALLIGRAPHY Flourish Calligraphy flourishcalligraphy.ca HAIR AND MAKEUP Onorina Jomir Beauty onorinajomirbeauty.com GOWN DESIGNER Catherine Langlois catherinelanglois.com CREATIVE STYLING AND PLANNER Shaw Events shawevents.ca
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D E A R G R AY M A G A Z I N E . C O M 13
Brooklyn
Love Tale
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D E A R G R AY M A G A Z I N E . C O M 15
Dominic and Nick
PHOTOGRAPHY Justine Milton justinemilton.com CREATIVE STYLING The Well Styled Life thewellstyledlife.ca WRITTEN BY The Couple
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“We have known eachother since I was fourteen and Dominic was sixteen but we didn’t start dating until 2010, before I went away to college. We reconnected via Facebook and had a chance to hang out during a trip I took with a friend to Orlando, Florida, where Dominic was attending undergraduate school at the time. Dominic and I spent the summer hanging out and rekindling our friendship before he finally asked me out. A couple weeks ago, I went to visit Dominic in London where he was studying abroad and the day after I arrived he said he had a surprise scheduled! We traveled into the city and Dominic told me that, unfortunately, the surprise had gotten postponed until later in the evening but we could sight-see in the meantime. From there, we ventured over to Parliament Square so I could take a selfie in front of Big Ben. That’s when Dominic noticed a caricature artist seated by the Winston Churchill statue, drawing another couple and suggested we have him draw a portrait for us as well. We have done several of these caricature portraits as a tradition over the years when visiting theme parks so they are pretty special to our relationship and carry a lot of meaning to our travels. After the artist finished drawing us he walked over to the middle of the square to get a better view of Big Ben, which I assumed would be in the background of the drawing. A few minutes later he called us over (Dominic stopped to answer a phone call) and asked if I was ready to see the drawing and of course, with excitement, I said yes! He turned it around and the drawing said “Will you marry me?” - depicting Dominic on one knee in front of Big Ben with a ring box! I turned around and the exact scene was being mirrored in real life. A photographer had been stealthy documenting the entire proposal unfold. Of course, I said yes! Although we attended different universities, Dominic and I both became members of Alpha Kappa Psi, a professional business fraternity, in the spring of 2011. The Founders of our beloved fraternity are affectionately known as “The Brooklyn Four” because in 1905 they would walk from NYU across the Brooklyn Bridge to their homes. Now as Brooklynites ourselves, the Brooklyn Bridge has extra significance for us.” D E A R G R AY M A G A Z I N E . C O M 17
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D E A R G R AY M A G A Z I N E . C O M 19
Seaside
LOVE I N A U S T R A L I A
PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATIE GRANT PHOTOGRAPHY katiegrantphoto.com D E A R G R AY M A G A Z I N E . C O M 21
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Personalize: Work with a professional Calligrapher to create a memorable piece with your vows, lyrics, or any special words you will be tying into your special day like this one.
D E A R G R AY M A G A Z I N E . C O M 23
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The Lord will
grant you abundant prosperity... DEUTERONOMY 28:11
CALIFORNIA
Dreams
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Chris and Maria
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From Valentina Glidden
“Engagement sessions are some of my favorite to photograph. I love having a space to chat and get to know couples. It’s such a different pace from wedding days. There is no structure or timeline; it’s just us hanging out as I capture their love. This particular session was extra special for me because Chris is my brother-in-law and Maria was soon to be my sister. As we walked through the trail, we talked about wedding planning, marriage and all the exciting changes to come. I’m grateful I got to capture these images for them to cherish for years to come.”
PHOTOGRAPHY Valentina Glidden Photography valentinaglidden.com
Love
In Santa Barbara
D E A R G R AY M A G A Z I N E . C O M 31
From Tanya Menoni “Destination engagement sessions are becoming so popular and why not when you can turn your engagement photos into a dreamy vacation? Nicole and David are getting married in their hometown of Atlanta later this year, but they flew out to Santa Barbara to enjoy the beach and beautiful weather. We started our engagement session at castle ruins high up in the hills above Santa Barbara. The views were amazing and we were blessed with lots of beautiful, glowing sunlight. We ended the session at a secluded beach in Montecito.� PHOTOGRAPHY Tenth and Grace tenthandgrace.com
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II BRIDAL INSPIRATION
D E A R G R AY M A G A Z I N E . C O M 35
Refined
Romance 36  D E A R G R AY M A G A Z I N E
From Ashley Henry “When I first scrolled through Instagram and One Eleven East lit up the screen, my heart immediately fluttered! Its not everyday that you see a gorgeous renovated space with all white walls and light coming through the windows that every photographer dreams of. One eleven east is surrounded by painted white brick; lines that give us the feeling of something old turned new I met with Jessica Sloane and she brought my vision to life. We loved the look of emerald and were inspired by Tono & Co.’s Forest collection. Sage, fern, and moss were perfect with the stunning bouquet from Bows and Arrows Flowers. The flowers and greenery chosen for the floral arrangements could not have been more perfect. We had perfect mix of light and moody flowers to give us a sense of romance and drama to the bouquet and coordinating table arrangement. I wanted a gown that had long sleeves but also some modern beading to it. Berta gowns take your breath away and this gown in particular was just perfect. A bride with sexy confidence can wear this gown and feel like the most beautiful bride there ever was. The detailing on the gown was so intricate and thoughtful, perfectly fit on our model too. Overall this shoot had the most exquisite appeal and every detail was tied together beautifully.”
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Floral Design by Bows and Arrows Flowers Wedding Dress by Berta Bridal Located at Bridal Boutique Lewisville
D E A R G R AY M A G A Z I N E . C O M 39
Credits WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY Henry Photography henryphotography.com VENUE One Eleven East oneeleveneast.com FLORAL DESIGN Bows and Arrows Flowers bowsandarrowsflowers.com CALLIGRAPHY Amy Stone amyhstone.com HAIR AND MAKEUP Kiss By Katie kissbykatie.com WEDDING DRESS Berta Bridal bertabridal.com BRIDAL SHOP Bridal Bouqtique Lewisville bridalboutiquelewisville.com WEDDING RING Trumpet and Horn trumpetandhorn.com WEDDING DESIGN Jessica Sloane jessicasloane.com SILK RIBBON Tono & Co. tonoandco.com BACKDROP /TABLE RUNNER
Telicia Lee Backdrops telicialeebackdrops.com VOW BOOK Wedding Story Writer weddingstorywriter.com
MODELING AGENCY Callidus Agency callidusagency.com MODEL R’Bonney
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Woodland Goddess 44  D E A R G R AY M A G A Z I N E
From Lynette Boyle “Christina and I had been wanting to create something unique to what we were seeing in real weddings. Something of a different style, but still wildly romantic and inspirational to the wedding industry. When Christina told me about me about her concept, I knew it was perfect. Our story begins with our woodland maiden resting. She awakens in the dappled sun under a large canopy of trees. Her look is soft, innocent, youthful. She walks the forest and forages for food and flowers, in preparation of a feast. The narrative concludes, showing our maiden has become a woodland goddess. This ancient Orphic hymn served as inspiration for the vision of our maiden turned goddess, living in harmony with her woodland.” who nourish flowers... who in meadows dwell... whom woods delight... whose streams exhale the breeze... whom oaks delight... lovers of spring... 46 D E A R G R AY M A G A Z I N E
D E A R G R AY M A G A Z I N E . C O M 47
Christina Averkin of A Bud and Beyond
“I gather so much inspiration from nature and I love interpreting that visually through my designs. When I first saw Sand Rock Farm I knew instantly that it was the perfect place to create a woodland inspired shoot and Lynette felt the same. The property has so many visually diverse spots to create what we wanted. From soaring redwood trees, fields of wild raspberry brambles to forests of white trees, it’s an artists’ dream. Deciding on our color palette was dictated by the grey tones found naturally throughout the property and I felt strongly that flowers in shades of purple would be gorgeously highlighted by the abundant lush greenery. The concept of a woodland nymph is one I’ve always been drawn to so it was a natural place to start. I envisioned her as arising from the forest with butterflies floating in her hair as she carries a bouquet of foraged flowers and greenery. As she morphs into a goddess, her affinity with nature is underscored visually by her lush floral headpiece that sits gracefully and naturally on her head. Her botanical ring is a metaphor for her marriage to nature. The color palette of the table blends perfectly with the surrounding trees, featuring a soft grey velvet table cloth and centerpiece made from a foraged log. The white place settings and hand dyed napkins in a light as air fabric provide contrast, while the foraged bark escort cards add more texture. The look is completed with silver and crystal goblets and taper holders, and antiqued metal flatware resembling twigs.”
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Credits PHOTOGRAPHY Lynette Boyle lynetteboylephotography.com STYLING & FLORAL DESIGN A Bud and Beyond abudandbeyond.net LOCATION Sand Rock Farms sandrockfarm.com HAIR & MAKEUP Melissa Hoffmann melissahoffmann.com MAUVE MAIDEN GOWN Gossamer shopgossamer.com GODDESS GOWN Celestine by Carol Hannah carol-hannah.com SILK BUTTERFLIES Flutter Designs flutterdesigns.co.uk CALLIGRAPHY JBG Designs CAKE Jen Hagglof of Sand Rock Farm sandrockfarm.com RENTALS Viewpoint Events viewpointevents.com TABLETOP RENTALS Frances Lane franceslane.com LINENS La Tavola latavolalinen.com FLATWARE World Market worldmarket.com FILM LAB Richard Photo Lab richardphotolab.com MODEL Sierra Lippert of Scout Model scouttm.com D E A R G R AY M A G A Z I N E . C O M 49
The Desert’s
Hidden Beauty
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From Beatrice Howell “Korakia Pensione, as depicted on the Wedding Programs, is a boutique hotel nestled near the rocky mountainside of Palm Springs, CA and was the setting of our Spring/Summer Wedding inspiration. With beautiful hues of peach stone and white bungalows sprinkled throughout the property, we created a modern Bohemian vision for our Bride using a rustic table scape for a perfectly intimate affair. Running Wild Florals used exotic blooms in a flawless array of complimentary tones sitting atop a silk runner, while The Ark provided a mix of modern eclectic tabletop settings creating an ambience fit for a beautiful balmy California evening soiree. In keeping with the aesthetic, our Bride wore a softly draped gown and chose a stunning beaded cap veil as her statement piece.”
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Credits PHOTOGRAPHY Luna De Mare lunademarephotography.com VENUE Korakia Pensione korakia.com EVENT DESIGN Chloe & Mint chloeandmint.com WEDDING DRESS Shop Gossamer shopgossamer.com WEDDING VEILS Bride La Boheme bridelaboheme.com.au CALLIGRAPHY & ART Julie Ha Design juliehadesign.com HAIR AND MAKEUP Chiali Meng Artistry chialimeng.com RING Singlestone singlestone.com TABLE TOP The Ark thearkrentals.com RIBBON & RUNNER Silk & Willow silkandwillow.com SMALL VASES Laine & Layne laineandlayne.com WHITE POTTERY RS Handmade robertsiegelstudio.com MODEL Osbrink Models osbrinkagency.com D E A R G R AY M A G A Z I N E . C O M 55
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Hillside Luminosity
D E A R G R AY M A G A Z I N E . C O M 57
Credits PHOTOGRAPHY Heather Payne Photography heatherpaynephotography.com WEDDING DRESS LOHO Bride lohobride.com FLORAL DESIGN Posies Floral posiesfloral.com
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D E A R G R AY M A G A Z I N E . C O M 59
Princess Diaries D E A R G R AY M A G A Z I N E . C O M 61
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D E A R G R AY M A G A Z I N E . C O M 63
“Love is a promise; love is a souvenir, once given never forgotten, never let it
disappear.” -John Lennon
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Credits PHOTOGRAPHY Erika Brown Photography erikabrownphoto.net VENUE Retreat at Cool Springs retreatatcoolspring.com RING DESIGNER Susie Saltzman susiesaltzman.com WEDDING DRESS Sabrina Dahan sabrinadahan.com FLORAL DESIGNS Flowers by Belovely Floral & Event Design blvly.com HAIR AND MAKEUP Emily Artistry emilyartistry.com BACKDROP DESIGN Kait Master larkspurandlaurel.com FILM LAB Photovision Prints photovisionprints.com MODEL Flavia Polles instagram.com/flaviadias
B efore T he W edding D ay
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From Christina Wells “In the heart of bustling downtown Los Angeles, we sought to engage a graceful bride into the culmination of her feminine elegance. We prepared a farm-fresh array of small bites on a charcuterie spread, served with champagne in vintage crystal flutes. With the soft lull of La Vie en Rose playing in the background, Christina of Hello Blue Photo began to capture the sophistication of the soon to be bride. Our bride Riley, who will be wed in June, was adorned in the delicate lace of the bolero chosen for her by the girls at Styled by TC. We strived to maintain a simplicity amongst the design, and thus included her own organic bedding as well as some neutral pieces rented by Out of Dust Rentals. Amne, of Julep Bloom Design, constructed an ivy espalier on one wall, and a few fresh, subdued arrangements around the space to add to the experience. The final gallery will be curated into a hand-crafted, archival album for Riley’s fiance, Michael, and gifted to him this year on their wedding day. We chose a large format, museum - style album to bring attention to each image singularly, and enclosed it with a handwritten written letter sealed with a gold wax.”
D E A R G R AY M A G A Z I N E . C O M 69
bridal boudoir ideas There are so many ways to customize your bridal boudoir shoot. Try including the heels you’ll be wearing on your wedding day and a mini design of your bouquet.
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Credits PHOTOGRAPHY & STYLING Hello Blue Photo hellobluephoto.com FLORAL DESIGN Julep Bloom Design HAIR AND MAKEUP Kacee Geoffrey Makeup and Hair BRIDAL STYLING Bolero’s + Accessories: Styled by TC BRIDAL SHOES Christian Louboutin CALLIGRAPHY Graceline Art HEIRLOOM ALBUMS AND PRINT BOXES Heirloom Bindery RIBBON Tono & Co RING BOX The Mrs Box RENTALS Out of Dust Rentals
D E A R G R AY M A G A Z I N E . C O M 71
Tale As Old As Time
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D E A R G R AY M A G A Z I N E . C O M 73
From Brie Thomason
“When the new Beauty and The Beast was released, Laura from Lemon Blossom Design and Brie from Brie Thomason Photography were inspired to a photo shoot that had elements and pieces of the romantic story intertwined. The venue that we found that fit the feel for the shoot is actually one of Laura’s flower growing farms. Some of the flowers used in the shoot were from the gardens. We wanted the shoot to have elements and hints toward our inspiration, but we also didn’t want it to be obvious. Claire, from Inkling Calligraphy, took our notes and created the paper suite knowing that our inspiration came from the story. She included a quotefrom the movie, custom names, and even a hand drawn family crest. The famous colors of Beauty and The Beast are blue and yellow, which were the driving colors in our shoot. We decided not to do navy blue, but instead focus on more pastel versions of the iconic colors. If you look closely you will see elements of the movie hiding gracefully within the shoot.”
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D E A R G R AY M A G A Z I N E . C O M 75
Credits PHOTOGRAPHY Brie Thomason briethomason.com VENUE Ribier Gardens idahopreferred.com/members/ribier-gardens STATIONERY CALLIGRAPHY Inkling inklingcalligraphy.com HAIR AND MAKEUP Shawna Hines shawnahines.com FLOWERS & DESIGN Lemon Blossom Designs lemonblossomdesigns.com RENTALS Blush Creek Rental blushcreek.com TABLECLOTHS / NAPKINS La Tavola Fine Linen latavolalinen.com RING Trumpet and Horn trumpetandhorn.com BRIDE’S DRESS Shop Gassmer shopgossamer.com BRIDESMAID’S DRESS Shelly Lindsey Bridal MACAROONS Flourchild Boise flourchildboise.com BRIDE MODEL Jayde Anderson BRIDESMAID MODEL Ashlynn Cseh D E A R G R AY M A G A Z I N E . C O M 77
Bridal Inspiration at the Bath Club Photos by Alan Phillip Photography, alanphillip.com
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Prepare to fall in love with this elegant
and absolutely beautiful “Sweet Summer In the French Country Side” styled shoot by Alan Philip Photography. At first glance you feel you are far away in a French chateau. However, the shoot took place at the historic Bath Club located in Miami Beach, Florida, with its unique architecture of vaulted ceilings and rustic chandeliers. The brides lace dress had a dusty blue undertone, which made it perfect for the theme. Her softly garden style arranged bouquet was comprised of peach and white garden roses, white Lisianthus, buttercream and coral dahlias, and lush greens tied with ivory and blue ribbon. The groom wore a formal black tuxedo with a boutonniere that looked as if it could have been plucked out of the bridal bouquet. The tablescape was placed at the outside corridor of the venue. We were so in love with their existing ornate dark brown Mediterranean table and chairs that we kept it as part of the design. From the floral designer: “I wanted to incorporate floral displays that were cohesive to the theme in mind and looked as if they belong at a French banquet table.” The lovely flower arrangements had a summer motif color palette, with ivory, peach and canary yellow garden ros es, white dahlias, buttercream ranunculus, vibrant yellow spray roses, and lush greenery. A dusty blue runner along the table made the flowers come to life. The table settings were kept neutral in white ceramic and gold flatware. Accents of fruit were placed throughout the design. A 5 tiered cake with gilded details was the perfect addition to the setting. Written by Angel Rodriguez
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Credits VENUE The Bath Club thebathclub.com FLORAL DESIGN Rodri Studio facebook.com/rodristudio CALLIGRAPHY Papel & Co papelnco.com INVITATIONS Letter Press Girls letterpressgirls.com HAIR AND MAKEUP Mia Farah Beautique miafarahbeautique.com WEDDING DRESS Monique Lhuillier moniquelhuillier.com BRIDAL SHOP La Vie En Blanc vieenblanc.com CREATIVE STYLIST RVL Event Design and Planning rvlevents.com
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III BOUDOIR
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Colour Me Pretty
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“After we had the lingerie picked out I sent Sachi of Delphinium Floral a mood board and told her to have fun with it. I trusted her and knew anything she did would be amazing, and of course she knocked it out of the park with those colorful bouquets.� Kate Anfsinson
D E A R G R AY M A G A Z I N E . C O M 87
I wanted the photos as a whole to feel like part of a spring lookbook, so Kay & Edna provided the perfect lingerie pieces to reflect that. Kate Anfinson
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D E A R G R AY M A G A Z I N E . C O M 91
“Camille tied it all together with subtly glamorous makeup that didn’t compete with the bright backdrops.” Kate Anfinson
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D E A R G R AY M A G A Z I N E . C O M 93
From Kate Anfinson “I envisioned this shoot in my head for over a year before I finally brought it to life. The trends in fine art photography tend to favor muted, neutral palettes and while I’m a fan of those clean and timeless tones it can start to feel a little redundant. I was desperate to do something different; something feminine with a lot of bold, unapologetic color. I reached out to some of my favorite vendors and was so thankful they all came on board with me. I couldn’t have pulled it off without them. My style of boudoir photography definitely leans towards editorial rather than lifestyle and I really embraced that, staying true to myself with this shoot. I wanted the photos as a whole to feel like part of a spring lookbook, so Kay & Edna provided the perfect lingerie pieces to reflect that. After we had the lingerie picked out I sent Sachi of Delphinium Floral a mood board and told her to have fun with it. I trusted her and knew anything she did would be amazing, of course she knocked it out of the park with those colorful bouquets. Camille tied it all together with subtly glamorous makeup that didn’t compete with the bright backdrops. I knew I wanted to play around with a few double exposures so towards the end of the shoot I deconstructed the florals and laid out my favorite blooms on the floor. I had never done a double exposure before but figured it wouldn’t hurt to try. My careful research paid off and I nailed it on the first attempt; that photo on the cover is actually my first double exposure ever! I encourage everyone to get out of their comfort zone and create something for themselves every so often. Doing something different fuels creativity and inspiration, and it’s just plain good for the soul.” 94 D E A R G R AY M A G A Z I N E
Credits PHOTOGRAPHY Kate Anfinson kateanfinson.com HAIR AND MAKEUP Camille Goldston camillegoldston.com FLORAL DESIGN Delphinium Floral delphinium-floral.com LINGERIE Kay & Edna kayedna.com MODEL Chelsea Schroeder chelsea-schroeder.format.com
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Embracing Her Vulnerability
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From Michael and Carina “Our client, a photographer herself, approached us with the idea of a boudoir session that was truly sensual and elegant with the idea that the two could go hand in hand. She sent over a moodboard that had elements of mood, sensuality, and grace. From there we rented a farmhouse, The Lewis Dreamhome, near Richmond, VA, because of it’s natural light and simple elegance. We discussed our goals with her for the shoot before we began and then gave her room to be herself in the space. Something wonderful happens when photographing boudoir; you can see a subject’s confidence grow exponentially as you are photographing them and our muse was no exception. There comes a moment where you can see someone choose to embrace themselves and their own vulnerability, that moment to us is so human. By embracing vulnerability, our muse found her inner confidence and femininity. The space became a living tapestry that we were honored to capture on film. Some of our favorite moments came when our muse allowed us to focus on her hands, which shows that with boudoir it can be as much about what you don’t see, or the focus of little details, as it can be about the ‘bigger picture.’ We photographed this session on a mix of Portra 800 and Ilford 3200 film on a Contax 645 and Canon EOS 1V.”
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Credits PHOTOGRAPHY Michael and Carina Photography michaelandcarinaphotography.com HAIR Hair by Sharma MAKEUP Makeup by Kim Porter makeupbykimporter.com RINGBOX Mrs. Box themrsbox.com VENUE The Lewis Dreamhome kristinlewisdesign.wordpress.com WEDDING RING Tiffany’s tiffany.com BRACELET For Love and Lemons forloveandlemons.com LINGERIE ASOS asos.com HEADPIECE Powder Blue Bijoux powderbluebijoux.com FILM LAB Richard Photo Lab richardphotolab.com
Venitian Dame
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From Rebecca Yale “Our Venetian baroque boudoir editorial was inspired by the dark romantic history of the city of Venice. We photographed in a 15th Century palace on the main canal of Venice covered in a ballroom covered in Baroque painting. The ballroom used to be used for parties and there was a secret door hidden by the paintings which lovers could use to sneak away for private trysts during parties. Venice is famous for their masquerades and for their delicate lace made on the island of Burano so we used both in our boudoir photos to create a dark and romantic love letter to the city with dark red florals and dark red lips.�
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Credits PHOTOGRAPHY Rebecca Yale Photography, Inc. rebeccayalephotography.com VENUE Ca’Sagredo Hotel casagredohotel.com/en FLORAL DESIGN IL GIARDINO DEI SOGNI giardinodeisogni.com RENTALS Provided by Hotel HAIR AND MAKEUP Organic Brides organicbrides.net LINGERIE Girl and a Serious Dream girlwithaseriousdream.com RING DESIGNER Trumpet and Horn trumpetandhorn.com CREATIVE STYLING Scent of Orchid scentoforchid.com
Parisian
Daydreams 108  D E A R G R AY M A G A Z I N E
Couture Ring
Personalize your boudoir session with organic elements.
Design Find this wedding ring at
VICTOR BARBONE in New York City
victorbarbone.com
VINTAGE RENTALS Adorned Rentals adornedrentalscom
STATIONERY Samantha Meyer samanthameyerstudio.com
P
A R I
S
“This Parisian inspired shoot came together with the help of such an amazing team of creatives that could share my vision of delicate lace, daintily scripted love letters on handmade paper, and a light drenched loft filled with luscious florals. Often, I escape the hustle and bustle of daily life with a cup of tea and my dreams of travel. I have longed to visit Paris and see all of the dreamy sights, intricate architecture, and cobbled streets. Paris has this romantic elegant allure to it.”
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“I wanted to createa feminine boudoir session where a bride could just imagine herself looking out of the window over Rue Saint Dominique, with the sweeping views of the bakeries on the street and the Eiffel Tower in the distance.� Tiffaney Childs
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Credits PHOTOGRAPHY Tiffaney Childs Photography tiffaneychilds.com VENUE DL Loft debililly.com/dl-loft CALLIGRAPHY Samantha Meyer samanthameyerstudio.com FLORALS ZuZu’s Petals zuzuspetalsevents.com WEDDING RING Victor Barbone victorbarbone.com PLANNING Big City Bride bigcitybride.com SILK RIBBON Silk & Willow silkandwillow.com STYLING BOARDS Pilgram & Co. pilgrimandco.com MAKEUP Antoinette Elizabeth sta-glam.com HAIR Jesse Paige jessepaigestudio.com FILM LAB The Find Lab thefindlab.com MODEL Willow Star willowstarmodel.com
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IV WEDDING INSPIRATION
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New Orleans ONE DES I G N, TW O BUDG ETS
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A soft floral bouquet designed by The Petaler Co. with bridal hair accessories from Petals and Stones, completes this couture bridal design at Race and Religious in New Orleans.
Photography by Sophie Kaye sophiekayephotography.com
When Heather, owner of Petals and Stones, approached me with an idea to shoot at the historical Race and Religious in New Orleans, an idea to create inspiration that looked similar but in two different budgets came to mind. We all know that careful thought goes into planning a beautiful wedding day and with that comes the reality of properly budgeting. The cost of beauty can quickly rise! With the exquisite planning expertise of Sapphire Events and timeless floral designs by The Petaler Co., our afternoon bridal inspiration conveys no less than a majestic event fit for any bride to be. A main portion of your wedding budget can go into the dress of your dreams. We wanted to convey to brides that no matter the budget, you will (and can) look like a princess on your special day. Right away, I had two of our favorite dress designers in mind, Claire Pettibone and Sweet Caroline Styles. Both designers are couture in nature but arrive in different budgets. With a bulk of the budget being applied to the wedding details, we wanted to show that no matter the wedding dress, beauty is still the highlight of this inspiration. We also adore the unique bridal accessories that both brides wore from Petals and Stones! Here, you will find a high-end couture dress from Claire Pettibone with a darling lace design upon our bride’s back. Switching designs, we introduce a hand-dyed, two piece, design from Sweet Caroline Styles. Both brides still have the same accessories, floral designs, and rings from Trumpet and Horn. With Race and Religious as our backdrop for the special occasion, both brides display a sense of ethereal design on two different dress budgets. Thank you so Sophie Kaye, Jacqueline Dallimore, and Julian Navarette for shooting this bridal inspiration. This team captured our vision with such grace! Our hope is that you, the bride, can envision the beauty of your day through their imagery, seeing that no matter the budget - your dream look can be achieved. Written by Stephanie Rawcliffe, DGM Founder 118  D E A R G R AY M A G A Z I N E
Find this wedding dress at Claire Pettibone. clairepettibone.com
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ABOVE: Ring from Trumpet and Horn, designed by Claire Pettibone. trumpetandhorn.com BELOW: Rentals from Lovegood Wedding and Event Rentals lovegoodweddings.com Floral Designs from The Petaler Co. thepetalercompany.com
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Hand painted Chiffon Skirt and Willow Crop Top from Sweet Caroline Styles. sweetcarolinestyles.com Photography by Jacqueline Dallimore jacquelinedallimore.com
New Orleans Wedding Rentals from Lovegood Wedding and Event Rentals. lovegoodweddings.com Design and Styling created by Sapphire Events. sapphireevents.com
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B
Behind
T
The
S
Scenes Credits EDITORIAL VISION Accessories Petals and Stones shoppetalsandstones.com
BTS Photography by Julian Navarette, juliannphotography.com
CREATIVE DIRECTION Dear Gray Magazine Stephanie Rawcliffe, Founder VENUE Race and Religious raceandreligious.com STYLING AND DESIGN Sapphire Events sapphireevents.com FLORALS The Petaler Co thepetalercompany.com WEDDING DRESSES (P. 118-121) Claire Pettibone clairepettibone.com WEDDING DRESSES (P. 122-124) Sweet Caroline Styles sweetcarolinestyles.com WEDDING RINGS Trumpet & Horn trumpetandhorn.com VINTAGE RENTALS Lovegood Wedding & Event Rentals lovegoodweddings.com D E A R G R AY M A G A Z I N E . C O M 125
Understated
Sophistication D E A R G R AY M A G A Z I N E . C O M 127
M
“ odern yet timeless, this creative collaboration required a strict aesthetic vision. Pops of unexpected color, clean lines, and organic florals, were set amongst the classically styled Swan House in Atlanta, Georgia, creating a juxtaposition between the old and new. Inspired by fashion, the chic and colorful tablescape offered a unique take on the traditional Southern design though the botanicals appeared as if they could have been plucked from the incredible gardens found throughout the property. The bride and groom were dressed in sophisticated yet understated attire, which complemented the grand architecture and lush greenery that served as a backdrop.” - Bellafare
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Credits PHOTOGRAPHY Lucy Cuneo lucycuneophotography.com DETAILS AND STYLING Bellafare bellafare.com VENUE Atlanta History Center atlantahistorycenter.com FLORAL DESIGN Amy Osaba amyosaba.com STATIONERY Gather & Co gather-co.com CALLIGRAPHY Laura Bollman CAKE DESIGN Lush Cakery lushcakery.com HAIR AND MAKEUP Claudia Merjerle claudiamejerle.com RENTALS 12th Table 12thtable.com LINENS La Tavola latavolalinen.com FASHION STYLING JWS Fashion Consulting jwsfashionconsulting.com JEWELRY LA Stein lastein.com BRIDAL SHOES Paul Andrew WEDDING DRESS Badgley Mischka TUXEDO J. Crew
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SUNSTONE
VILLA
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From Erik & Ashleigh Hokom Pure romance was the theme driving this beautiful Italian countryside inspired shoot. With the unique backdrop of Sunstone Villa in Santa Ynez, California, and an equally breathtaking Elizabeth Dye gown, provided the perfect inspiration behind these images styled and captured by Ashleigh and Erik Hokom.
Sometimes you have the desire to create and be uninhibited. Everything about this shoot did exactly that. With a feeling like you have been swept away into the hills of Tuscany, the love and emotion that echoes in your heart carries through each breath you are there. Anyone who sees these photographs will want to jump straight in and pour a glass of wine. With the gorgeous olive trees and imported limestone placed on top of a vineyard, each delicate element of this shoots pops right out to see every petal and ruffle garnishing this shoot. Blushing Beauty and Bright Inc also provided a wonderful collaboration on our bride’s hair with the perfect mix of elegance and a floral comb that made this bride enamored at first site.
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From Elizabeth Dye DG: What was your inspiration for your latest seasonal collection? ED: My new collection, Seven Wonders, is inspired by the breathtaking natural landscape of the Pacific Northwest. The dramatic beauty of this place forever restores and inspires me, and the shifting watercolor tints of the high desert in Spring were my color palette. DG: When a bride visits your shop, what type of experience can she expect? ED: I ask a lot of questions when working with a bride, so that I can have a sense of who she is and what story she would like her dress to tell. I believe that each bride deserves to wear a work of art that celebrates her unique beauty. My job as a designer is to listen to and interpret what I hear from the bride and bring it to life in the shape of a dress. DG: Do you have any preparation advice for a bride prior to visiting you? ED: There are a lot of choices to consider when shopping for a gown, so I recommend taking a quiet moment to “go inside.” How do you want to feel on that day? It’s easy to bombard yourself with shopping, social media browsing and brainstorming, but don’t lose sight of who you are as a person and what makes you feel beautiful. Trust your instincts. DG: From a personal standpoint, what do you hope a bride feels when she puts on an Elizabeth Dye dress? ED: I hope that she feels like *her* — that rather than chasing trends or trying to achieve some sort of impossible perfection, she feels effortlessly beautiful and ready to have the time of her life.
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Continued on page 111...
DG: In such a competitive market of couture fashion, how do you stay focused and true to yourself as an artist? ED: I stay focused on my unique passions and perspective. I draw inspiration from sources that have nothing to do with fashion — the natural world, travel, music, whatever gives me joy — so that my vision has as much light beaming through it as possible. DG: Do you find it challenging to consistently create new designs and if so, how do you approach these moments? ED: The challenge is finding time to make all the designs I have on the drawing board! Every collection happens on a schedule, which means that some exciting ideas go unrealized, at least temporarily. Sometimes a brilliant design is waiting for the right fabric, or vice versa. My fantasy is to have all the time in the world to perfect every last idea. DG: A bride can often feel overwhelmed with planning and trying her best to please everyone. What guidance would you give her during this? ED: She only needs to please one person, and that’s the girl in the mirror. I would advise her to be kind to herself, to tune out the noise, and to trust her own voice. Thank you to Elizabeth Dye for taking the time to share her insights with our readers. Visit Elizabeth Dye elizabethdye.com
Credits
PHOTOGRAPHY Ashleigh + Erik Fine Art Wedding Photography ashleighanderik.com WEDDING DRESS Elizabeth Dye elizabethdye.com FLORAL DESIGN Bright, Inc. brightinc.net HAIR AND MAKEUP Blushing Beauty blushingbeauty.net STATIONERY Honey Paper Goods honey-paper.com VENUE Sunstone Winery sunstonewinery.com HEIRLOOM RIBBON Silk & Willow silkandwillow.com RING BOX The Mrs. Box themrsbox.com TUXEDO Friar Tux friartux.com FILM LAB Little Film Lab littlefilmlab.com MODELS Megan Kennedy Cameron Michael Clayton Seits
Something Blue Excerpts From A French Love Affair
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Emotions, memories and feelings last a lifetime and we wanted that sentiment to run through this inspirational shoot. We wanted to center this shoot on real and true moments. From the venue to each vendor, the entire team knew that this was more than inspiration for a beautiful wedding, but a shoot capturing a beautiful story. We began with a picturesque location to set the tone for a young fresh romance and after seeing the grounds of the beautiful Villa in San Juan Capistrano, we immediately thought of France and knew this venue would breathe new life into the typical French love scene. We chose a color palette that would be reminiscent of walking by the Seine by incorporating various hues of blue. Beyond adding a twist to the French love affair with a new color palette, we really wanted to explore a modern minimal-geometric direction to contrast the soft details throughout. The delicate but bold gold lines accented throughout really brought this classic tale into present day. Working alongside florist Honeycomb Affair, the variations of lavenders and blues were the heart of each arrangement, giving the classic bouquet a fresh and wild look. It complimented the Kite + Butterfly gown, whose delicate nature brought to life all the whimsical and intricate designs of Paris fashion, but whose flow and soft material added the perfect touch of bridal grace. Photographer Kristina Adams knew exactly what we meant when we began the collaboration by focusing on our lovely couple preparing for their wedding and creating moments that really represented the tenderness of their special day and all that it entailed. The shoot itself felt like a party, beginning with a beautiful bride and groom exchanging longing glances and ending with a celebration of our vendor team over decadent desserts by M Cakes. Every member of our team was invested in the love story we created together, making this much more than a photo shoot but a memorable day. Carillo and Co carilloandco.com
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Credits PHOTOGRAPHY Kristina Adams Photography kristinaadamsphotography.com WEDDING DESIGN Carillo+Co. carilloandco.com FLORAL DESIGN Honeycomb Affair honeycombaffair.com WEDDING CAKES M Cakes mcakessweets.com FURNITURE RENTALS Party Pieces by Perry vintagerusticchicrentals.com WEDDING DRESS Kite & Butterfly kiteandbutterfly.com CHINA BorrowedBlu borrowedblu.com MEN’S TUX Friar Tux friartux.com JEWELRY Mimi & Lu mimiandlu.com
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A HIDDEN ELOPEMENT Southern Charm Meets Modern Design
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Modeling by Jaquelyn Stewart and Chelsie Ravenell D E A R G R AY M A G A Z I N E . C O M 151
Find this suit from Kenneth Beatrice Designs online, kennethbeatrice.com
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“The venue is a private estate in Bray’s Island just outside of Beaufort, South Carolina. We wanted to recreate intimacy and highlight it with a subtle grace that would feel both homespun and elegant, simultaneously.”
Rachel Red Photography
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Here they sit in the moments after their elopement, before their loved ones arrive, relishing in the commitment they’ve made. Their cake is emblazoned with the words that epitomize their union ‘they skipped briskly into an intimacy from which they never recovered.’ The venue is a private estate in Bray’s Island just outside of Beaufort, South Carolina. We wanted to recreate intimacy and highlight that with a subtle grace that would feel homespun and elegant simultaneously. The floral design is inspired by Lanson B. Jones Floral + Events’ roots in the art of landscape artistry, we used antiqued terracotta pots planted with lavender, dusty miller, and thyme accented with Spanish moss plucked from the trees above. These are accented with golden roses, taupe candles, crystal candlesticks and vintage bottles of hellebore. Jaquelyn’s bouquet is garden roses, pieris japonica buds, queen anne’s lace, ranunculus, nerine lilies, lavender pulled from the tablescape, amaryllis, clematis and foraged greenery loosely gathered with blush hand dyed silks. The unity between our surroundings and the elements playing on the tablescape bring to mind the intimacy of a simple affair in the back yard executed with the heirlooms that have been handed down for centuries. Vintage and copper inspired paper goods were a critical component to the design. A tray of items that would embody the mantra ‘something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue’ was equally key. A romantic letter from the groom to his soon-to-be-wife, a sapphire engagement ring, a polished hairpiece all a top of a vintage silver tray from our bride’s family encapsulated this wedding folklore. Custom wedding gown designs by Emily Kotarski Bridal allowed us to combine different textures to create a unique bridal look.
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“Their cake is emblazoned with the words that epitomize their union ‘they skipped briskly into an intimacy from which they never recovered.” Rachel Ashcraft
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WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY Rachel Red Photography rachelredphotography.com FLORAL DESIGN Megan Chandler of Lanson B. Jones Floral + Events lbjfloral-events.com PLANNING/DESIGN Cayleigh Hopkins of The Petal Report thepetalreport.com VENUE Bray’s Island braysisland.com ENGAGEMENT RING Croghan’s Jewelbox croghansjewelbox.com BRIDAL GOWNS Emily Kotarski Bridal emilykotarski.com MEN’S WEAR Kenneth Beatrice Designs kennethbeatrice.com CAKE DESIGN ABCD Cakes abcdcakes.com HAIR STYLING Diana Cardona charlestonhairandmakeup.com/diana-cardona MAKEUP Bellelina bellelina.com HAIRPIECE Emma Katzka Bridal emmakatzka.com PAPER DESIGNS Silver Starfish thesilverstarfish.com VIDEOGRAPHY Life in Rewind Films lifeinrewind.com LINENS La Tavola linens.latavolalinen.com
Vie de Château à la Française
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WEDDING DAY HAIRSTYLE: Keep it soft and romantic with a sweeping hair design, accented with a couture hairpiece like this one from Onorina Jomir Beauty. orchideedesoie.com
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Couture Wedding Ring from TRUMPET AND HORN Macaroms from LA DURÉE
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The dinner table has been installed in the squared courtyard where the privileged classes used to parad. Surrounded by Montaigne chairs, the extremely elegant design of the table is adorned with silver dinnerware and an exquisite collection of fine silver candlesticks ponctuated by stunning floral centerpieces.
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From Oliver Fly “Inspiration for this editorial was Vie de Château à la Française with a combination of elegance, refinement and luxury. A destination wedding in a dreamy château in France is a lifetime dream and we can not find a better venue that this Renaissance Château coming straight out of a fairy tale, a jewel hidden in the heart of one of the most beautiful forests of the Loire Valley. The backdrop for this whirlwind romance was breathtaking with this Renaissance wonder where beauty reigns, a quadrilaterial château surrounded by corner towers with domes and lanterns. The grand entrance path to the château reveals its secrets, splendours and history. Being able to open the door of the gate of this magnificent 15th century castle was such an exclusive privilege and especially when the castle is classified historic monument.”
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Continued... For this dream day, an intimate ceremony was set in front of the prestigous and unique architecture of the château and its main bell-shaped tower dominating a magnificient landscape. The romantic atmosphere was enhanced with a stunning floral design all along the different scenes of this perfect day with some jaw-droppingly floral arrangements inspired by a beautiful color palette of pastel tones. The flawless beauty look for the bride perfectly matched with the sumptuous couture bridal headpieces adding a touch of gold to illuminate this beautiful day. The Fairy tale chateau combined beautifully with the romance of the gorgeous gowns and its precious embroidery. After the sumptuous ceremony, one of the most romantic and memorable moment for the pair happened… a magic getaway with a ride deep inside an enchanted forest into an elegant Jaguar MK2 Classic car from 1967. Such a dreamy and enchanted interlude for Monsieur & Madame. The personalized champagne bottle, the back board of our vintage car and the hand-lettered invitation suite have been designed and highlighting a unique custom wedding Coat of Arms with a perfect illustration of the château. The dinner table has been installed in the squared courtyard where the privileged classes used to parad. Surrounded by Montaigne chairs, the extremely elegant design of the table is adorned with silver dinnerware and an exquisite collection of fine silver candlesticks ponctuated by stunning floral centerpieces. For this special day, the cake has been created as a special piece with a 3 levels cake in reference of the 3 main towers of the château. The End of the day was utterly magical for the newlyweds with a romantic summertime sunset to clink your glasses of champagne and to celebrate Love and Happiness. Vive les mariés. Written by Oliver Fly Photography
Credits PHOTOGRAPHY Oliver Fly Photography oliverfly.com FLORAL DESIGN Laetitia C. Fleurs d’atelier laetitiac.com WEDDING DRESSES Claire Pettibone clairepettibone.com BRIDAL SHOES Bella Belle Shoes bellabelleshoes.com RING Trumpet and Horn trumpetandhorn.com RING BOX The Mrs. Box themrsbox.com COUTURE ACCESSORIES Orchidée de Soie orchideedesoie.com STATIONERY & CALLIGRAPHY Nice Plume niceplume.com CAKE Paris Luxury Cakes parisluxurycakes.com GROOM’S ATTIRE Rives Paris rives-paris.com MACARONS La Durée laduree.com RENTALS Maison Options options.fr TABLETOP Vaisselle Vintage vaissellevintage.com CANDLES Creative Candles creativecandles.com LINEN & SILK RIBBONS Orchidée de Soie orchideedesoie.com HAIR AND MAKEUP Onorina Jomir Beauty onorinajomirbeauty.com VENUE Chateau du Grand Duc, Loire Valley, France PHOTO ASSISTANT Alexis Herlin FILM PROCESSING Richard Photo Lab richardphotolab.com MODELS Alexis Blot & Alisson Malfroy
My Fair Lady
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“I think as women we often feel like we are defined into a role, a box, a certain journey. We become young women and are told that one day we will get married, be mothers and I think we often feel confined to our destinies. We always feel the pressure of what we might be letting go of...as a single, the fear of missing marriage, as a married, the fear of missing being a mother, as a mother, the fear of never being independent again. I believe we as women need to feel the freedom of being able to arrive to these sacred life journeys when we are ready, not when we are forced to choose them out of fear. As I was pulling inspiration for this shoot I came across this quote and it stock out to me, “She is just some wild thing. Let her laugh, live, love, and roam free on her own terms, and she is sure to come back to you.”-Unknown I feel like there is a balance of softness and wildness that a woman must have and I wanted to portray both in this editorial shoot styled for the Elisa Brickers workshop.” - Carrie Moe, Type A Society 174 D E A R G R AY M A G A Z I N E
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Credits PHOTOGRAPHY Elisa Bricker elisabricker.com STYLIST Carrie Moe of Type A Society typeasociety.com PAPER GOODS Tara Spencer tara-spencer.com DRESS Alexandra Grecco alexandragrecco.com RINGS AND JEWELRY Trumpet and Horn trumpetandhorn.com VEIL Girl With A Serious Dream girlwithaseriousdream.com HAIR AND MAKEUP Makeup By Ana B anabuitrago.com FLOWERS Holly Chapple Flowers hollychappleflowers.com HAND PAINTED BACKDROP CHristine Olmstead christineolmstead.com RENTALS DC Party Rentals dcrental.com
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F L O U R I S H
rom a n t i c c a l l i g r a phy, s t a t ion e r y & de sign f or se n time n ta l b r ide s
www.flour ishc allig raphy.c a
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V REAL WEDDINGS
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Under The Oak Tree ANA + RYAN
From Jake Anderson “Anna and Ryan are the sort of couple who, no matter who you are, make you feel instantly at ease in your interactions with them. This characteristic of their relationship was displayed, incredibly well, throughout their wedding day. The wedding, taking place at Historic Hope Glen Farm, offered guests a chance to relax with one another while celebrating the marriage of Anna and Ryan. The focal point of their ceremony, and a metaphor for their relationship, was an old and character worthy oak tree. Anna had her cousin, an artist, create a vision of this oak tree into a painting that would be included in the wedding details throughout the day. Starting from the invite suite to reception decorations, this oak tree was present. As a source of inspiration, Anna could create an event for herself and her guests that truly resembled and portrayed who she and Ryan are; hospitable. Ryan is a Firefighter and Anna is a Chiropractor, both careers which have care and hospitality deeply rooted within their mindset and philosophy of life. As their photographer, it was incredible to see this portrayed and conveyed to their guests as I documented the wedding day.” 184 D E A R G R AY M A G A Z I N E
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The dainty beaded detail of this wedding dress plays upon the soft colors of Ana’s makeup and floral design. DRESS a&be´Bridal Shop aandbebridalshop.cowm BOUQUET Britta Wilson Iron Violets Design ironviolets.com MAKEUP & HAIR Leah Anderson
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Credits PHOTOGRAPHY Jake Anderson jakeandersonphoto.com FLORALS Britta Wilson Iron Violets Design ironviolets.com VENUE Hope Glen Farm hopeglenfarm.com WEDDING DRESS a&be´Bridal Shop aandbebridalshop.com HAIR Leah Anderson JEWELRY Lotti Da Jewelry etsy.com/uk/shop/LottieDaDesigns SUIT Wedding Shoppe FILM LAB Photovision Prints photovisionprints.com
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A Canopy Of Lighting Charles + Emily get married inside the California Redwoods
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From The Couple “The vision for the wedding really centralized around being in the forest. Amidst the timeless redwood trees, we wanted to create an intimate world for our guests - where the feel was wild and natural but also lighthearted and playful (kinda like Charles himself!). w Allen did a wonderful job turning our outdoor reception into quite a ballroom of lights. Gina transformed the simple wooden picnic tables, bridges and arbor into a fairytale of flowers. We wanted to thank our parents for their unwavering love by showcasing their wedding pictures, and also did our best to incorporate our sense of fun with the seesaw Charles built for our engagement photos.
From Emily “I loved how Charles and I did every step of the wedding planning and design together - the end result truly felt like it was our wedding. From sketching our wedding hashtag onto a wooden sign to carving our E&C logo for the backdrop of our dessert table, the journey leading to our wedding day was truly an unforgettable declaration of Charles’ commitment to always being on team #chemilyeverafter.”
From Charles “So many moments to remember, but the ones that really stand out were seeing Emily in her wedding dress for the first time, sharing our vows which were embarrassingly fun, and taking our first dance as a married couple under the canopy of lights.”
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“We relied on the majestic beauty of the California Redwoods as the backdrop but tried to make weverything else feel elegant.” Credits PHOTOGRAPHY Lauren Fair Photography laurenfairphotography.com COORDINATOR City Lights Event Company citylightseventco.com VIDEOGRAPHY Willow Tree Films willowtreefilms@gmail.com LIGHTING RENTALS Party Tents & Events pterentals.com FLORALS & DECOR Gina’s Floral Enchantment ginasflorale@sbcglobal.net CAKE & CUPCAKES East Wind Bakery pdquick@gmail.com
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HAIR & MAKEUP Joli de Jackie jackie@jolidejackie.com
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F L O R I DA GA R DE N W E DDI NG
From Merari Photography “Samuel and Cristina made their way to Villa Woodbine in Miami, Florida all the way from New York. They wanted their wedding to feel more like a cozy garden dinner party rather than a big, fancy event so they invited only 75 of their nearest and dearest to celebrate their new union. Sam and Cris opted to forego many of the usual wedding traditions: no bridal party, no garter or bouquet toss and instead of a wedding cake, they opted for an ice cream bar, the perfect dessert for a warm Miami evening. Cristina wore a lace gown with matching cathedral veil and Samuel donned a dark blue suit and burgundy colored tie. As guests arrived, they were greeted at the front lawn of the villa with mint fresh lemonade and the soft ambient sounds of a classical guitar. Sam and Cristina walked down the aisle with both parents by their side and exchanged vows under a floral archway. Their ceremony, officiated by Cristina’s dad, was short and sweet and packed with emotion. Immediately after being announced husband and wife, the newlyweds and their guests made their way up to the villa for cocktail hour in the main indoor courtyard. After an hour spent mingling and sipping on cocktails, everyone moved to the backyard. The reception was held under a clear tent by a beautiful tree. Tables were lined with neutral linens and white place settings. The centerpieces were timelessly chic with ivory roses, peonies, anemones and cascading eucalyptus. The tablescape was completed with golden candle holders and green table numbers on white card stock. Dinner followed as the sun set and once dessert time came, everyone headed to the ice cream sandwich bar. Soon after, the band began playing Frank Sinatra’s “Our Love Is Here to Stay” for Sam and Cris’ first dance and then kicked off the party as everyone danced the night away under the stars.”
THE DESIGN: garden social
It can be easy to get lost in wedding preparations but this one shows us how love and great company can be the focus of a well thought wedding celebration. Samuel and Christina opted to forego all of the traditional frills to focus on the celebration of their marriage with close friends and family. Their wedding design took inspiration from the surrounding gardens of Villa Woodbine with organic shades of greens, browns, and cream tones. And forget the traditional wedding cake, an ice cream bar and great laughter topped off their guests’ evening. 202  D E A R G R AY M A G A Z I N E
Credits PHOTOGRAPHY Merari Photography merari.com VENUE Villa Woodbine villa-woodbine.com COORDINATOR The Ideal Day Planners theidealdayplanners.com FLORAL DESIGN Petal Productions petalproductions.com CATERING Bill Hansen Catering billhansencatering.com WEDDING DRESS Sottero and Midgley maggiesottero.com/sottero-and-midgley GROOM’S RING JACKET The Armoury shop.thearmoury.com TABLE NUMBERS Minted minted.com HAIR AND MAKEUP Chic Makeup by Aimee aimeeortega.com
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By The Hawaiian Ocean
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FROM THE BRIDE: “Shaun and I met while studying New Media at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco in 2003. From that first meeting, it felt like we’d known each other forever. We became friends, but the timing wasn’t right for us to become anything more. Nine years later, the timing became right and we started dating. Thirteen years later after our first meeting, Shaun took me out for shaved ice and a walk down our favorite quiet beach in Lahaina. Maui and asked me to marry him.” When planning the wedding, there was only one rule: does this idea bring us joy, even if it doesn’t ‘go’ with anything else? If the answer was yes, then it was in the wedding. That is how we ended up with chicken and waffles, homemade pop tarts, and fresh poke at our dinner! Not to mention the flower crown station, glow in the dark bocce, and garlands of Instagram photos of all our favorite people and animals. It was also a useful rule for saying ‘no,’ to wedding ‘must haves.’ In the end, by only saying yes to the things that gave us joy, we had a wedding that felt perfectly tailored to us. The day was perfect and we are so grateful to Jessie Ellis from Belle Destination Weddings for helping us plan it and also to Wendy Laurel for taking such magical photographs of it.”
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Credits PHOTOGRAPHY Wendy Laurel wendylaurel.com PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANT Jeffrey Oltman imagesbyjeffrey.com PANNING & DESIGN Belle Destination Events belledestinationevents.com VENUE, BAR, & CATERING Sugar Beach Events sugarbeacheventshawaii.com OFFICIANT Pia Aluli piaaluli.com CINEMATOGRAPHY Sunlit Films sunlitfilms.com MUSICIAN Marvin Tevaga marvintevagamusic.net FLORIST Mandy Grace Designs mandygracedesigns.com BEAUTY SERVICES Maui Makeup Artistry mauimakeupartistry.com RENTALS Hawaiian Style Event Rentals and Rio Event Design hawaiianrents.com CALLIGRAPHY Miss B Calligraphy missbcalligraphy.com LEI MAKING STATION Mauntea Nui E manuteanuie.com DESSERTS Sugar Beach Bake Shop sugarbeachbakeshop.com WEDDING GOWN Justin Alexander justinalexanderbridal.com
Written On My Heart BEN + ANDREA’S WEDDING AT WHITE SPARROW BARN
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From Charla Storey Andrea and Ben did an awesome job creating an experiance for their guests, between amazing style they have, the breath taking floral installations, and all the intimate candle lit moments. Andrea and Ben broke bread, celebrated with thier family, friends and community by having a inspiring service, followed by a wonderful dance party! They missed no details and hired a rock star team to bring thier gorgeous, dreamy vision to life! This wedding is breathtaking, and I am so excited to be sharing it with you.
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Credits PLANNING & DESIGN Amy Osaba amyosaba.com FLORAL DESIGNS The Southern Table southerntabledesign.com VENUE White Sparrow Barn whitesparrow.com WEDDING DRESS Leanne Marshall leannemarshall.com HAIR AND MAKEUP Walter Funtes wafuartistry.com RIBBON Silk and Willow silkandwillow.com
VI CREATIVE CORNER
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Gather and Grow NEW YORK CITY
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Rings from Victor Barbone / Ribbon from Bellame Ribbon Photo by Julian Navarette
Styling by Chic and Pretty Events / Rentals from The Tabletop Company Photo by Julian Navarette
Calligraphy by Seniman Calligraphy Photo by Amanda Watson
Venue, The Metropolitan Building, NYC Photo by Amanda Watson
Florals by Lori Lee Florals Photo by Amanda Watson
Accessories from Petals and Stones Photo by Julian Navarette
Nestled in the bustling city of New York, Gather and Grow has quickly become an attractive workshop for Fine Art Wedding Photographers across the country. In this, one day, on-location workshop, attendees have the unique opportunity to learn from industry professionals; Amanda Watson, Sophie Kaye, and Julian Navarette. Dear Gray Magazine had the opportunity to speak at the first Gather and Grow event where artists from all over joined to gain insight on shooting boudoir, bridal, and a lavish reception setup. With side stations to create your own flatlays and floral setups designed for royalty, attendees left with knowledge and imagery for, what has proven to be, a must-try experience.
Gowns by Limor Rosen / Linens by Latavola Linen Photos by Sophie Kaye
Cake by Sugar Couture / Lingerie from Girl With A Serious Dream Photos by Julian Navarette
Gowns from Lovely Bride / Anna Campbell Bridal Photos by Amanda Watson
BETTER TOGETHER SAVANNAH, GEORGIA HOSTED BY THE HAPPY BLOOM Photography by The Happy Bloom
Better Together is a retreat for photographers that is held once a year in the Southeast. It is designed to build community, encourage collaboration and is a place to learn from your fellow photographer. It offers a stress-free opportunity to create beautiful images, practice your craft and work with some of the best vendors in the wedding industry.
Credits The Brice Hotel bricehotel.com The Happy Bloom thehappybloom.com Pacci Italian Kitchen & Bar paccisavannah.com Design Studio South designstudiosouth.com The Hospitable Welcome thehospitablewelcome.com Speaker Wedding Story Writer weddingstorywriter.com Rings Trumpet & Horn trumpetandhorn.com Paper Goods Cake Papier designissweet.com See more photos on Instagram by searching the hashtag #bettertogethersavannah
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VII ANNIVERSARIES
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On The Cliffs Of Ireland
From D’Arcy Benincosa “Shannon and Joe celebrate their 6 year anniversary this year and to mark the occasion they took a lover’s trip to Ireland. The green, rolling hills, cozy pubs, and dramatic cliffs made it the perfect destination to reunite and recommit to their marriage. Shannon, a photographer by trade, realized that she and Joe hadn’t been photographed professionally since their wedding day. She decided to hire destination wedding photographer D’Arcy Benincosa to capture two different looks for their dream shoot. The first look took place at a private castle and Shannon wore a long fishtail maxi dress from Asos. The couple and photographer had access to the large turret (which they climbed in excitement!), the grounds, and the fountain. While it had been raining non stop, the sun came out to shine right as they were beginning to photograph, definitely an Irish blessing! The second look Shannon sported a deep maroon dress from For Love and Lemons as the couple and photographer took to the Cliffs of Moher and the farthest limits they could legally take to get the epic shots with the cliffs in the back. Ireland is a true gem in this world. It’s always welcoming, full of love and beauty, and the perfect setting for lovers everywhere.”
Credits PHOTOGRAPHY D’Arcy Benincosa benincosaweddings.com FLORALS Chikae O.H. chikaeoh.com RIBBON Lancaster and Cornish lancasterandcornish.com RED DRESS For Love and Lemons forloveandlemons.com Fishtail Maxi Asos Runway us.asos.com
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ANNIVERSARY PHOTOS Make a bold statement of your love with a beautiful, deep hued dress such as this one from “For Love and Lemons.” forloveandlemons.com
A BEST FRIEND
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“There is just something extra sweet about anniversary sessions. These are couples that know that marriage is not always easy, but it’s something special. It’s something worth fighting for, something to celebrate, and they want to document that. I was so honored to get to capture the love of Carly and Tim during their trip to Oregon for their second anniversary. When I asked Carly what her favorite part of marriage has been thus far, she said, “Honestly, the friendship. Being married is like having a permanent best friend, all the time. I love getting to share my life with him, we do almost everything together. There have even been days where he has turned around and driven back home to kiss me good morning because he forgot on his way out the door.” Tim’s response was nearly the same, “As cliché as this sounds, I just love knowing I get to come home to you every day. It’s the best feeling knowing that you are always here, that you’re my partner and that I get to share everything in my life with you.” Everyone’s journey through marriage is different, but learning from those who have walked the path before you can be so helpful when you’re newlyweds. I asked Carly to share a bit about what they’ve learned in their two years of marriage, and this is what she said: “Communication and patience are the keys to success! People aren’t lying when they say, “marriage isn’t easy”. Seriously, it’s not. It’s actually a lot of hard work. But it is such fruitful work. The more you cultivate your relationship, the more fulfilling things you gain from it. I have become a stronger, wiser, more thoughtful and compassionate person because of my marriage with Tim. Our communication is nowhere near perfect, but we can agree that our ability to talk about things and work through challenges together is what has allowed us to be successful in our relationship. No matter how hard, embarrassing, or silly something might sound, we talk about it! When things are tough, we work through it. When things are good, we share and we celebrate together. Most importantly, we try to be kind. Some days this part is tough, but we do our best to approach every conversation with love and grace. When one of us talks, the other listens. We respect each other. Tim and I recently made a new rule that we will never say “it’s okay” to the other person if we really are not okay with it. Saying those two little words can be a quick way to escape hurt feelings and an easy habit to make, but it’s not honest and can bury feelings that come back later. Apologize like you mean it, and accept apologies only when you are ready to, and then move on. If I have any advice to give from this, it is to communicate, be patient, and respect each other always. Everything else will follow.” I love that anniversary sessions give couples a chance to focus on each other, reflect on how far they’ve come, and celebrate the love that they continue to cultivate day by day. Written by Kelsee Thaten, Ivy and Gold D E A R G R AY M A G A Z I N E . C O M 233
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Credits PHOTOGRAPHER Ivy and Gold ivyandgold.com ASSISTANT Renee Tophia FLORALS Ponderosa and Thyme ponderosaandthyme.com DRESS Adorned Rentals adornedrentals.com
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FROM THE BRIDE: “Eight years. It sounds crazy saying it out loud because it seems like yesterday I was dancing around a bridal boutique in {the} dress. One adorable beagle and two little humans later, here we are in the middle of a crazy and wild life. I once heard that if we would plan as much for our marriage as we do for our wedding, we would have a love for the storybooks. One thing I have learned is that although you can’t plan for everything, our little William for example, there are things that you can decide to make a part of your future with your best friend. Date nights, love notes, and surprise gifts - plan to keep those traditions going in to your marriage. Take time to remind yourself why you fell in love, why you chose to love, and how that has changed your life for the better. In this season of raising toddlers, Phil and I seem to be far removed from the romantic side of our lives -- so we decided to have anniversary photos taken. Not only did having photos together remind us of where it all began, it gave us time to refocus on each other. Priceless doesn’t even begin to describe how beautiful that is to us”.
FROM JESSICA PORTER “The sun peeked through the clouds a while until finally a watercolor sky took over. The pink blossoms danced in the breeze and my couple loved on one another the entire shoot. The beautifully handwritten love letters derived from actual notes Phil & Becca had exchanged and saved over the years. It was the epitome of a heavenly afternoon and everything I could have hoped it would be when arranging this stunning anniversary session.”
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CREDITS PHOTOGRAPHY j. leigh Captures jleighcaptures.com VENUE Lane’s Southern Orchards lanesouthernorchards.com FLORAL DESIGN B. Anderson Floral bandersonfloral.com RIBBON Silk & Willow silkandwillow.com STYLING GUIDANCE Little Blue Knot littleblueknot.com HAND LETTERING Katie Hammock Design MAKEUP Brooke Wood Beauty brookewoodbeauty.com PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANCE Faith Allen BRIDE’S DRESS ASOS us.asos.com FILM LAB The FIND Lab thefindlab.com COUPLE Phil & Rebecca Cerasani
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DGM CELEBRATES: Remembering Kristina
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Kristina and Alex spent an adventurous four years together in love. I was incredibly honored to photograph their wedding, which for me set the standard for what a great wedding day can be. Three weeks after their nuptials, I learned that Kristina had passed away unexpectedly in a tragic accident. Heartbroken would be an understatement, but as a wedding photographer, I knew I would play an important part in continuing to tell their story. What started as coworkers getting coffee and sharing team dinners evolved into weekend visits to Atlanta and NYC, their respective homes. When the two both moved to Chicago, Kristina tasked Alex with celebrating the end of long distance dating. Naturally, the two dreamed big and settled on Argentina. With Alex in charge of planning, the two finished their trip in the plains of Patagonia and Los Glaciares National Park. They asked a nearby tourist to take a few pictures of them at the last scenic viewpoint on the trail, which is when Alex revealed the ring he’d been hiding the entire trip. The finish of one adventure led to their biggest and most exciting one - marriage. Kristina grew up about an hour away from Savannah, Georgia, and she loved the city’s romantic energy. It proved to be the perfect wedding day host. They spent the day surrounded by friends and family. Both having strong Filipino heritages, there was a liveliness that permeated the entire celebration. And in true Alex and Kristina fashion, the newly married couple spent their honeymoon in several exciting countries in Africa. The friendship, ease, and adoration that the two shared was obvious and made me appreciate my job all the more. Their wedding day is one that I will never forget and one that I felt extremely privileged to capture and share with you. You see, wedding vendors are called on this journey with our clients. We’re invited to share in one of the most important days of their lives and to help them navigate the often unfamiliar waters of wedding planning. We get to develop relationships and have the opportunity to be intentional with each one. In the planning, scheduling, and celebrating, it can be easy to gloss over the sense of adventure I still get from weddings - that feeling of couples entrusting me to capture something special. A wedding is a happy chapter in one’s life, one to be always be remembered. And while this couple’s story is horribly shorter than I wish it were, I hope these pictures help remind us all that love is and will always be life’s greatest adventure. Written by Cassidy Carson, Photographer
DGM CELEBRATES: The Life Of AJ
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“Suddenly the distance between us seemed trivial and as soon as AJ told me the news, I knew I was in love with him and that I had to be there for him.” PHOTOGRAPHY BY JUSTINE MILTON justinemilton.com
On August 14th of 2014, I was visiting Chicago for a girl’s weekend. We were out in Old Town at a bar called Benchmark and “one more drink” turned into bottles of Champagne and endless rounds of Fireball shots. As we were sipping away, I noticed an extremely handsome man across the bar. I began staring pretty noticeably. So much so, that he could feel it and eventually he turned his head and we locked eyes. I began walking towards him, not breaking eye contact, and feeling this pull as I got closer. I walked right up to him, put my hand on his heart, and started kissing him! I think everyone’s jaws dropped as they watched our chance encounter, and while they stared in bewilderment, AJ and I got lost in a kiss. No handshakes, no names, no introductions ... just an incredible kiss. My friends let this go on for about 10 seconds, and then they promptly grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the bar. The next day, AJ and I could not stop thinking about what had happened the night before. But with no names, phone numbers, or ways to reach each other, we each thought that the kiss would be all we’d ever know of each other. That night, on a completely different side of town on the streets of River North, in a city filled with nearly 3 million people, the world brought us back together. AJ was sitting with friends at a patio table at the incredible country bar, Bub City, and my friends and I were headed there for drinks and dancing. He was telling the story of what had happened the night before as I went walking by. He interrupted his story to catch our attention and as soon as I turned around and caught his eye, everything from the night before came rushing back to me. We shared a laugh or two, followed by an official introduction and handshake, and we proceeded to spend the rest of the night out with friends getting to know each other. We believe that serendipity brought us back together and that we were meant to meet for a reason. A short six months later, we found out why …
In July of 2015, he completed his treatment and his doctors announced that he was on his way towards remission!
We started texting and having hours of long-distance phone calls, and then we made a few trips back and forth to see each other. In February of 2015, after spending only 10 days together in person, we received life-altering news. AJ was diagnosed with non-Hodkin’s B-cell lymphoma and our world stopped turning. Suddenly the distance between us seemed trivial and as soon as AJ told me the news, I knew I was in love with him and that I had to be there for him. In the weeks to come, we were thankful to learn that AJ had caught the cancer early and was in Stage 1 with a positive recovery expected after 18 weeks of chemotherapy. I quickly made the decision to move to Chicago and help him through his four months of treatment and we decided to fight this together. The silver lining to all of this was that AJ and I were able to spend every day together and grow our relationship to heights we couldn’t have imagined at the time. We learned so much about each other and we became an incredible team. The friendship, support, and love that blossomed during this time brought so much happiness to our lives and ultimately led us to where we are today. AJ faced cancer with the strongest and most positive attitude that I have ever seen and it was truly inspiring to be by his side through it all. In July of 2015, he completed his treatment and his doctors announced that he was on his way towards remission! Two months after this incredible news, AJ packed up his bags, sold almost everything he owned, said goodbye to friends and family in Chicago, and headed west with me to start a new chapter in Newport Beach, CA. Shortly thereafter, on December 12, 2015, he made me the happiest girl in the world when he got down on one knee and asked me to spend forever with him! Since cancer played a large role in our relationship, we wanted to honor that with our wedding and have our special day be more than just a celebration of our love story. We wanted to be able to give back and help others facing cancer be able to fight it and beat it. So, we came up with the idea to host a “Wedding for a Cause” and we found an incredible partner in the Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF). AJ’s oncologist connected us with the organization and they have helped us develop a platform to raise money and donate through our wedding. We are so thankful for the entire team at LRF and all of their support in helping us build our idea into something so much larger than we could have imagined!
We will be raising funds in two different ways: through our wonderful wedding vendors and through all of our supportive friends and family. Every vendor that is involved in our wedding has been generous enough to make a donation to LRF. They have all made in-kind donations by discounting their normal services, and we have directly donated these savings to LRF. Additionally, we are asking that all of our guests attending the wedding donate to LRF in lieu of purchasing wedding gifts. The only item on our registry will be donation requests to LRF and we want to thank everyone in advance for their generosity. It is our hope that we will be able to raise over $30,000 through our wedding and make a sizable donation to this incredible cause! Our wedding will celebrate our love story and the commitment we are making to each other while also helping others around the world. Our dream is to build a day that is everything and more to us while still raising awareness and a significant amount of funds to donate to lymphoma research. These donations will be able to help so many continue their lives and their love stories just as AJ and I have been fortunate enough to continue ours! D E A R G R AY M A G A Z I N E . C O M 245
Previous Issue Corrections: “A Handcrafted Wedding” Photographer name correction. The correct photographer name is Martina Wendland. martinawendland.com “Homestead Anniversary” by Michelle Boyd. Story written by Shaila Wunderlich. Mr. & Mrs. Robichaux, Please accept my sincerest apology for the careless factual errors in your recent Dear Gray Magazine anniversary feature. My failure to properly factcheck the article is unacceptable on a professional level, but more disappointing than that is my failure to match your daughter’s vision and enthusiasm for the piece. The earnestness, openness, and sweetness with which Michelle shared the details of your marriage and that special day sticks with me even now, more than a year later. She clearly imagined this becoming a treasured keepsake for your family. Deepest Regrets, Shaila Wunderlich, Dear Gray Magazine Copywriter