R E A L
W E D D I N G
I N S P I R AT I O N
DEAR GRAY TEAM STEPHANIE R AWCLIFFE, Founder and Editor In Chief JOLINE RIVER A, Creative Director WHITNEY LARSON, Designer NELLIE WILLIAMS, Designer DENICE LACHAPELLE, Editorial and Photo Assistant SUBSCRIBE Dear Gray Magazine is published quarterly. To subscribe, visit deargraymagazine.com/ magazine or email us at editor@deargraymagazine.com
© 2016 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 noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the editor, addressed “Attention: Dear Gray Magazine Permission,” at the address below. editor@deargraymagazine 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 its staff. PUBLICATION DESIGN by Joline Rivera, Inc. COVER PHOTOGR APHY by Tyler Rye
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FEATURED CONTRIBUTORS PHOTOGR APHERS: Kristina Adams Photography Cody Hunter Photography Alicia Ann Photographers Luna De Mare Photography Tyler Rye Photography Julie Paisley Photography Amanda Berube Photography Martina Wedland Photography Heather Waraksa 2 Brides Photography Ashley Crawford Photography Orange Photographie Blue Barn Photography Michelle Boyd Photography VENUES: Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards The Barn At Kennedy Farm Blue Hill At Stone Barns Allegretto Vineyard Resort Vizcaya Gardens Miami Morris-Jumel Mansion Carondelet House Le Petit Chateau CREATIVE STYLING AND DESIGN: Janna Brown Design Soil and Stem Silk and Willow Plume Calligraphy Susie Saltzman Chloe and Mint Poppy Design Co. Vanessa Noel Events BRIDAL: Claire Pettibone Elizabeth Dye Trumpet & Horn Sarah Seven Vera Wang Shop Gassamer Alexandra Grecco Claire la Faye
F ROM T H E E DI T OR
As the year comes to a close, I find myself with so much gratitude for the wedding industry and all of the artists who trust Dear Gray Magazine with their work. A wedding day symbolizes the union of two souls that are embarking on a new journey, surrounded by their loved ones. Our pages continue to f lourish with imagery that represents a tailored perspective on the celebration of unity. Every artist that we work with bears a passion to creatively express the past and future pages of their couple’s memoir in the making. And with every page
“DEAR GRAY...”
in passing, it is my hope that our readers see the value in designing a wedding day with a team of artists that truly care about their story. With every issue of Dear Gray Magazine, you will find that we are different. Since conception, it has been my desire to create a publication with the intention of showing brides and grooms that their wedding day is ref lection of their relationship. Investing in quality wedding artists ensures that your vision will not only be seen, but felt by your guests. Throughout our “chapters,” you will find real wedding inspiration, crafted by wedding designers that have built tangible pieces to ref lect a couple’s identity. From custom calligraphy and a couture wedding gown, venues with history and film photographers to document it all, we share the beauty behind a branded wedding day design. More than anything, I hope that we continue inspiring couples across the world to celebrate love in ways that exude their grace for one another. I encourage you to love, love hard and love unconditionally. Share moments of laughter and trust that your story is being written just as it was meant to be. Sincerely,
Within every issue of Dear Gray Magazine, we house a special feature devoted to sharing a true story of determination, strength, and love. Despite the trials that one must face, bravery trumps the immense battle each time. We hope that through these feature 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 mission. With your help, a portion of every issue sold will go directly towards the cause we are highlighting in the issue. If you know someone who should be our next “Dear Gray...” feature, please contact us. Thank you for your support.
Stephanie Rawcliffe Founder and Editor In Chief
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CONTENTS
CHAPTER I. ENGAGEMENTS
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CHAPTER II. WEDDING PLANNING
California Dreamin’ by Kristina Adams
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Find Me In The Garden by Cody Hunter
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Parisian Romance by Alicia Daw
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Venue Spotlight: Pippin Hill Farm and Vineyard
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Silk Wedding Ideas For The DIY Bride by Nicole Land and Shellie Pomeroy
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Old World Abbey with Claire Pettibone by Ashleigh and Erik Hokom
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Seasonal Wedding Spotlight: Editor’s Picks
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Fair Raven by Beatrice Howell
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088 CHAPTER III. BRIDAL & BOUDOIR
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The Waves by Tyler Rye and Janna Brown
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Parisian Dame by Julie Paisley and Janna Brown
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Painted Canyon by Amanda Berube and Janna Brown
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Memoir by Kristina Adams
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CHAPTER IV. ELOPEMENTS & WEDDINGS A Handcrafted Wedding by Martina Wedland
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Once Upon A Time by Julie Paisley
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Farm Fresh by Heather Waraksa
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Love Without Boundaries
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by Isabelle and Sabina of 2 Brides Photography Wedding Feature: Guests Of Honor
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Marry Me by Ashley Crawford
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Through The Looking Glass
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by Samantha Lord and Reid Loessberg Dear Gray Honors: The Life of Andy Barnes
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CHAPTER V. ANNIVERSARIES
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One Year Later by Blue Barn Photography
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Homestead Anniversary by Michelle Boyd
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Editor’s Special: When I Look At You
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c on n e c t w i t h
on l i n e Don’t miss out on daily beauty from the wedding industry’s most talented artisans! We feature artists from across the globe and provide sneak peeks into our upcoming magazine features.
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instagr am @deargraymagazine
twitter @deargraymag
facebook @deargraymagazine
online deargraymagazine.com
I ENGAGEMENTS
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Nuri and Jenn share laughter and love amidst the wildflowers of California’s terrain.
Dreamin’ C A L I FOR N I A
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Photography by Kristina Adams
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This magical field tuck ed in th e hills of South ern C alifornia only blooms with yellow wildflowers a couple weeks each year. We were so lucky to be able to capture its loveliness in this sweet engagement session. Nuri and Jenn exude joy and it quickly became clear that their love and
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the radiant sunshine would be the the focal point of this session. Just looking at these images again makes me smile. I love doing engagement sessions because they capture you, your love, and your style at
this exact moment in your lives. They’re an important moment in your relationship, moments that say “this is us, and this is our love,” and that right there is beautiful!
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FIND ME IN
THE
GARDEN •
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Photography by Cody Hunter Photography
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CREATIVE STYLING AND FLORAL DESIGN : Elleson Events
www.ellesonevents.com HAIR AND MAKEUP : Rinaldo Lisboa GOWNS : BCBG & Rent the Runway
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PRISCILLA AND
NATE
began their engagement celebration by enlisting Cody Hunter Photography to document the first stepping stone of many on their journey to marriage. Being a native from South Florida, Priscilla knew she wanted a historical location in the Downtown Miami area near the water. Although Miami boasts some of the most beautiful beaches, the couple preferred to stray from the iconic waters. Instead, they chose to nestle into the lush greenery on the grounds of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, wearing fancy attire and colorful blooms. This historical estate sits upon the Biscayne Bay, designed with architectural grandeur and an old world romantic ambiance. The couple chose two formal looks, both fashionable with a black and white palette, ref lecting their personal classic style. Designer, Elleson Events, assisted in styling their wardrobe selections as well as Priscilla’s garden style bouquet. Pops of color inside the f loral design of the bride’s bouquet consistently complimented all of the natural foliage that can be seen in the winding gardens of Vizcaya. CODY HUNTER is an international wedding and portrait photographer with a love affair for combining natural light and medium format film. His style can be described as natural and timeless with a focus on portraiture and details. When he’s not shooting, you can find him playing with his kids and drinking Americanos with his wife Tiffany.
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PRA Parisian Romance •
Photography by Alicia Ann Photographers
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It was a quintessential, rainy Autumn day on the streets of Paris and this engagement session was a dream to photograph. Jasper is a businessman who works in the city center and Marieke is an equine fanatic who races and trains horses. Individually they are independent and strong, but together they are the type of couple that most would admire. Both of them are classy and cool on the outside, yet relaxed and down to earth inside. Marieke’s Adriana Papel dress, in a rich and deep plum tone, was the perfect complement to the neutral tones f lowing throughout the archi-
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tecture of Palais Royale. Jasper showed up in his signature sports coat and a pair of relaxed slacks, an outfit conveying that he was ready to take the love of his life out for a fantastic night in the city. The couple made their way through Palais Royale with an umbrella in hand and arms intertwined with one another. This location is one of their favorite places to take a stroll on Friday afternoons, before heading out for a night of fun on the town. During the session they were relaxed and natural, full of smiles, while passing little inside jokes like school children in love. Rain began to approach and at a time when most couples would become f lustered, these two embraced the given. Rather than worrying about their hair and outfits getting messed up, they approached the weather with laughter and made memories together. These two take life with a grain of salt, are always up for an adventure, and never dare to take themselves too seriously. Marieke and Jasper share a common ground in making sure their friends and family are top priority in their lives. This is just how Marieke and Jasper live out their romance, by taking things one day at a time while enjoying every moment side by side. Â
Design Dress : Adriana Papel
adriannapapell.com ALICIA DAW was raised in New Haven, Connecticut and spent her young adulthood living in Europe. Somewhere between strolling the streets of Yale University and exploring the old cobblestone roads of Europe, Alicia developed a love for architecture and what it represents. There are the stones that are laid carefully, built on a solid foundation. There is the time spent carving into the masonry to sculpt something breathtaking. So much of the architecture she fell in love with inspired the development of her wedding photography style. After all, a marriage requires all those exact things - a solid foundation and time invested - to be breathtakingly beautiful.
aliciaannphotographers.com
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II WEDDING PLANNING
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VENUE SPOTLIGHT
We cordially invite you to the most intimate wedding location of the season.
PIPPIN HILL FARM & VINEYARDS
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PHOTOGRAPHY (TEC PETAJA) / EVENT DESIGN (EASTON EVENTS)
VINEYARDS PRODUCE GRAPES, AND ULTIMATELY (WE HOPE!) WINE; AND FARMS PRODUCE FRESH FRUITS AND VEGGIES, OF COURSE. BUT PUT THOSE TOGETHER WITH JAW-DROPPING BLUE RIDGE VISTA AND SOME OF THE REGION’S BEST CULINARY WIZARDRY, AND YOU GET PIPPIN HILL FARM & VINEYARDS. Pippin Hill is unique among the growing number of fine wineries along Virginia’s celebrated Monticello Wine Trail. Pippin Hill not only creates distinguished boutique wines, its Tasting Room pairs them with some of the most elevated cuisine you’ll find in these gentle hills. Under Chef Bill Scatena’s able hand, freshly harvested herbs and vegetables from Pippin Hill’s kitchen garden, along with other local, seasonal fare, are showcased on the vineyard- and farm-to-table menu. In addition to the Tasting Room, Pippin Hill features a full-service event venue, perfect for weddings and corporate events. This all-season, f lexible venue was thoughtfully designed to host the South’s finest gatherings. Lynn Easton, founder of Easton Events and co-owner of Pippin Hill, brought her decades of high-end event planning experience to bear in creating the plans. “Little things, like adding electrical outlets where reception bands need them to accommodating wedding gown girth in the Bridal Suite bathroom, set Pippin Hill apart. We had the luxury of thinking through everything from the ground up,” says Easton, whose event company has offices in Charlottesville and Charleston and specializes in destination
weddings across the globe. Easton and her husband and business partner, Dean Porter Andrews, former global vice president of Orient Express, are the principles of Easton Porter Group, a boutique hospitality firm which also owns Red Pump Kitchen in Charlottesville and the forthcoming winery resort in the lovely hunt country of Upperville, Virginia, as well as award-winning hotel and restaurant properties in Charleston, South Carolina. Brides and grooms share that sense of Pippin Hill as a gorgeous, magical spot. Weddings are a Pippin Hill specialty. With expansive vistas of the serene Blue Ridge foothills beyond the undulating vineyards, the backdrop is mesmerizing in all seasons. Wedding parties enjoy custom wine from the vineyard as well as Chef Scatena’s artisanal catering menu. Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards was designed to do what a great farm and vineyard does—bring forth a harvest of plenty – plenty of memorable experiences with great food, wine and plenty of natural beauty. Whether you visit with your spouse, family or good friends, or come for a wedding or large event, you’ll understand why sipping wine and tasting local fare at Pippin Hill is always a special occasion.
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SILK WEDDING IDEAS
FOR THE DIY BRIDE
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WITH A SUBTLE IRIDESCENT LUSTER, astonishing durability, and heavenly texture, it’s no wonder why silk has been the number one choice in material for thousands of years.
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Threads spun by unimaginably tiny insects provide an all-natural, hypoallergenic, and completely non-toxic fabric solution. Above all silk is beautiful, natural, and unreservedly divine. From bridal gowns, to hair and styling cloths, silk can create an ethereal and dreamlike quality to your wedding day. Perhaps the easiest way to incorporate this material into your nuptials is through your bouquet. Trailing silk ribbon adds movement and dimension to your flowers. (Imagine the magic that can happen with a simple shift of the wind!) We’re here to show you how to create an effortless, silk-layered look to your wedding day posy.
HOW TO LAYER TRAILING SILK RIBBON ON YOUR WEDDING BOUQUET: STEP 1. RIBBON SELECTION. Think about how you want your day to feel, the color of your dress, skin tone, and the overall wedding color palette. You want your ribbon to enhance the color story you are trying to convey throughout your wedding. I like to stay away from being too “matchy” to the bouquet while still feeling cohesive to the palette. STEP 2. WRAP BOUQUET. Take one section of ribbon 1- 3 yards in length and wrap your flower stems front to back. Cross in the back and single knot at the base of your bouquet in front. Let the excess hang.
STEP 3. ENHANCE WITH TRAILING SILK.
PHOTOGRAPHY : Mandi Nelson
mandinelson.com FLORAL DESIGN & ART DIRECTION : Nicole Land
soilandstem.com RIBBONS & SILK CLOTHS : Shellie Pomeroy
silkandwillow.com
Select a second section of ribbon 1-3 yards in length. Fold your ribbon at asymmetrical segments. (I usually fold this once or twice depending on ribbon length). Thread a boutonnière pin through the top of your ribbon folds and pin to the upper stems of your bouquet where your first ribbon section has been knotted. Let the excess hang and trim with ribbon successors according to your preference.
HAIR AND MAKE-UP : April Benincosa
bellacosamuah.com GOWN : Alexandra Grecco
alexandragrecco.com CAKE : Tess Comrie
tesscomrie.com Paper Goods : Annie Mertlich
wildfieldpaperco.com SHELLIE is a designer, homemaker, gardener, baker, and student of sustainability. Silk & Willow is where she merges her passions and creativity. She is drawn to silk for it’s durability, softness, and drape. NICOLE LAND is known for her carefree aesthetic that finds beauty in natural imperfections. She is passionate about sourcing the best product, gaining inspiration from her native surroundings. Pulling from the elements, her designs reflect an extension of the environment she works in.
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old world abbey • Photography by Ashleigh and Erik Hokom • Featuring an interview with couture designer, Claire Pettibone.
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DESIGN, ART DIRECTION + PLANNING : Vanessa Noel Events
vanessanoelevents.com PHOTOGRAPHY : Ashleigh & Erik
ashleighanderik.com VENUE : Allegretto Vineyard Resort
allegrettovineyardresort.com FLORAL DESIGN : Noonan’s Wine Country Design
noonansdesigns.com RENTALS : All About Events
allaboutevents.com TABLETOP RENTALS : The Ark
thearkrentals.com
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SPECIALTY RENTALS : Embellish Vintage Rentals
embellishvintagerentals.com CAKE : Paper Cake Events
papercakeevents.com HAIR & MAKEUP : Amanda Olson Beauty
makeupamanda.com STATIONERY AND WATERCOLOR : McKenzie Green Fine Art
mckenziegreenfineart.com MENSWEAR : The Black Tux
theblacktux.com GOWNS : Claire Pettibone
clairepettibone.com RIBBONS : Frou Frou Chic
froufrouchic.com HAT BOX : Trousseau &Co.
trousseauandco.com
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ASHLEIGH AND ERIK are tailored towards couples that want their intimate story to come to life in aweinspiring photographs that are truly fine art. We are curators of love and beauty for every romantic event we capture and deliver images that will be cherished for a lifetime. Based out of California, we take the time to help tell the complete story of a wedding day by capturing all the big important moments and all the little details, from tablescapes to florals, as we know each couple takes so much time into deciding each piece for their special day.Â
AshleighandErik.com
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Claire Pettibone’s couture wedding dress designs became the artistic foundation for romantic scenes that enveloped a European ambience in textured California terrain. Feminine baroque details complimented the overall inspiration for this Fall editorial that our team staged inside the walls of the Allegretto Vineyard Resort. Vanessa Noel Events, seamlessly, composed an old-world design of layers and texture to create a contrasting design of bold and beautiful. Noonan’s Wine Country Designs constructed overgrown centerpieces in stoneware urns that were overflowing with lush blooms, foraged foliage, and seasonal fruit atop a cascading silk chiffon which puddled on the limestone below. Creating a romantic sense of transportation, our stylist staged a feasting table inside of Allegretto’s Abbey where traces of a luminous glow from within the stained glass windows shaped into beautiful, warm rays. Amidst the table scape, botanical chargers, cut crystal, and vintage candelabras seemed to take on life. Paper Cake Events cultivated inspiration from the Abbey’s historical walls to create a moody and modern cake with gradients of purple and grey. The additional touches of gold leaves and baroque accents brought together modern design characteristics and old-world charm. Stately wooden doors to the Abbey were an ideal setting for this couple’s editorially styled ceremony. We used this opportunity to incorporate rich hues of greens and yellows through foraged foliage around the Abbey’s grounds, draping them across the masculine doors to create an organic and whimsical focal point.
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From The Castle An interview with couture wedding dress designer, Claire Pettibone.
1. WHAT BECAME THE INSPIRATION FOR YOUR LATEST SEASONAL COLLECTION? My Couture bridal collection is titled The Four Seasons. I created dresses inspired by each of nature’s four seasons with a touch of Art Nouveau influence. Lots of floral motifs, touches of color, and as always, dramatic backs and feminine details.
2. WHEN A BRIDE VISITS THE CLAIRE PETTIBONE CASTLE, WHAT TYPE OF EXPERIENCE CAN SHE EXPECT? We welcome our brides as we would a good friend coming to our home (albeit an enchanted one!). We want our brides to have fun and enjoy the moment. It’s
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unlike any other shopping experience, in that selecting a wedding dress is so personal and emotion-filled. We take the time to get to know our brides, and hear all about their wedding plans, so that we can really help them find the dress that, of course, looks amazing on them but also feels “right” on all those other levels. I had a father of the bride, recently, who took me aside and told me what an absolutely wonderful experience his daughter and their family had with us. He said that they had been to many shops, but that he could see that we sincerely cared about helping his daughter. He continued to explain that he was so grateful to us for making her dreams come true. (I actually get a little teary thinking about it, because it was the greatest compliment.)
3. DO YOU HAVE ANY PREPARATION ADVICE FOR A BRIDE, PRIOR TO VISITING THE CASTLE? Wear nude underwear, ha ha! No, seriously, I think it’s helpful to look at the collection online so that you have some idea of dresses you are leaning towards. Although, we often surprise you and you may find a gown you didn’t think of, will end up being “the one”. Have an open heart, a sense of joy and try to relax, don’t put unnecessary pressure on yourself! We’re honestly here to help you and our mission in life is to make sure you are gorgeous and confident for your wedding. We actually love it if you have already been to a few other shops so that you have a sense of what is out there, and then save the best for last!
4. FROM A PERSONAL STANDPOINT, WHAT DO YOU HOPE A BRIDE FEELS WHEN SHE PUTS ON A CLAIRE PETTIBONE DRESS? True to herself, but also maybe a little bit overwhelmed in a really good way…like she can’t believe how beautiful she looks, and the whole moment is somehow better than she imagined. It’s tricky, because bridal samples are just in one size, so you’ll either be clipped in or squeezed a bit, so some visualizing is often required, but in my years of dressing brides, I can tell when she puts on a dress that perfectly enhances her beauty and expresses her personal style. I know that once that dress is made for her, she’s going to be amazing! My hope is that the dress somehow captures all of her love and expresses the beauty of the occasion.
5. IN SUCH A COMPETITIVE MARKET OF COUTURE FASHION, HOW DO YOU STAY FOCUSED AND TRUE TO YOURSELF AS AN ARTIST? In the last couple of years, it does feel that the bridal market is a bit over-saturated. There are so many designers, and many companies who chase after the latest trends. All of this can be overwhelming for our brides, and sometimes for myself as a designer. But my philosophy from the start, was to offer my unique vision of ethereal beauty for a bride. So even when market challenges are presented, I just remind myself of the reason that I chose this career, focus on the inspiration, the
joy, the beauty and the emotional connection my clients have to my work, and strive always to create a look that will leave a lasting, and breath-taking impression.
6. DO YOU FIND IT CHALLENGING TO CONSISTENTLY CREATE NEW DESIGNS AND IF SO, HOW DO YOU APPROACH THESE MOMENTS? I start every season with a theme, or point of inspiration. Once I immerse myself in the design process, the excitement I feel for this new design challenge takes over. Even though I have been designing wedding dresses for quite a while now, each season is a new opportunity to express my creativity. I’m always trying to top last season’s collection, and achieve that blend of staying true to myself, while creating something fresh. I know it may sound clichéd, but I truly love my work, and when I take a deep breath and open my eyes to the gifts that surround us, I find an unlimited source of inspiration.
7. A BRIDE CAN OFTEN FEEL OVERWHELMED WITH PLANNING AND TRYING HER BEST TO PLEASE EVERYONE. WHAT GUIDANCE WOULD YOU GIVE HER DURING THIS? Yes, I think now more than ever with social media and access to literally every detail on the planet, along with everyone’s opinions, planning can be overwhelming. In the early stages, gather your inspiration, try to narrow down the mood and elements that are most important, and then, lay off a bit! Actually try to enjoy being in the moment. You don’t have to see or try on every single dress in the world! And in fact if you try (which some girls really do) you’ll find yourself at the end, exhausted, frustrated, and completely overwhelmed…not the best place to be. On the other hand, we have brides who come in and literally fall in love with the first gown they try on, appreciate how things fell into place (rather than second-guessing it), and can then go about the rest of planning with a light, happy heart. Remember, it’s impossible to please everyone, but a little give and take on some of the minor things can go a long way. Always stay true to yourself on the things that really matter, because in the end, other people’s memories will fade, but this is a day that you will remember for your lifetime.
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DEAR GRAY’S SEASONAL WEDDING SPOTLIGHT MARIGOLD & GREY – GIFT BOXES Marigold & Grey is an artisan gifting company based in Washington DC that services weddings, workshops, corporate and client gifting needs. There are many ways to gift with Marigold & Grey including full service custom gift design, our Design Your Own Gifts tool and our Pre-Designed shop. They pride themselves on creating unique and memorable artisan gifts that perfectly complement your event or brand. They want you to love what you gift and your recipients to be giddy over what they receive.
marigoldgrey.com
POPPY AND SCOOTER COUTURE BRIDAL HANGERS Poppy & Scooter are a full-service custom calligraphy and wedding stationery studio based in Maryland and serving clients worldwide. Whether it be a hand crafted letterpress invitation suite or a hand scripted hanger for a bridesmaid dress, every piece bears the personal touch of the couple celebrating.
poppyandscooter.com
SAMANTHAN WILLIS – WEDDING ACCESSORIES Gardinia’s Sound Cuff RRP $299 Sunrise Silence Grand Earrings RRP $249 Infinite Mirage Teardrop Ring Set RRP $169
samanthawills.com
MICHAELA ROMER – HANDMADE JEWELRY A goldsmith and jewelry designer, producing handcrafted jewels, preferably out of recycled, or fair traded materials. Every piece is designed with Michaela’s clients to ensure your piece of jewelry is personalized and will stay a constant companion.
michaelaroemer.de
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PAPEL & CO. – WEDDING STATIONERY & GIFTS Papel & Co. was founded almost 2 years ago by Nat, a product designer that has always have a big passion for typography and paper products. Today, the business focuses on wedding stationery providing a variety of services from save the dates, wedding invitations, day of pieces, branding, to mention some. Nat grew up around a creative family with Interior Designers and Architects which has helped her develop a unique and feminine aesthetic.
papelnco.com
PAPER CAKE EVENTS – BOUTIQUE BAKERY Paper Cake Events is a boutique, made to order bakery specializing in full dessert bar set ups. Owners Whitnie Burke and Casey Sperbeck design each dessert and style every table so that it is unique and individualistic to the client. Paper Cake offers a wide range of small bite desserts, wedding/celebration cakes, rentals, calligraphy, as well as handmade cake and cupcake toppers. Executive Pastry Chef, Whitnie Burke, strives to stay current and inspired to new ideas and outlooks on pastry. Located in the heart of the Central Coast, Paper Cake Events is a one stop shop for all your dessert and design needs.
papercakeevents.com
WEDDING STORY WRITER VOW BOOKS Wedding Story Writer is the only company in the world creating custom heirloom wedding story books, illustrated with drawings. They begin their writing process before your wedding and are present the day of the wedding, writing every detail as your special day unfolds. Later, their team creates a beautiful leather storybook that tells your full love story. Wedding Story Writer also creates heirloom vow books, made to hold your most special promises, each hand-made in NC specifically for a bride or groom, making each book as special and unique as the couple themselves.
weddingstorywriter.com
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WITH WORDS FROM A POEM, BEATRICE HOWELL NARRATES THE INSPIRATION BEHIND A CONTRASTING WINTER DESIGN.
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Photography by Luna De Mare
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VENUE : Carondelet House, Los Angeles
carondelethouse.com/index.html PHOTOGRAPHY : Luna de Mare
lunademarephotography.com EVENT DESIGN : Chloe + Mint
chloeandmint.com FLORAL DESIGN : Poppy Design Co
poppydesignco.com GOWN : Shop Gossamer
shopgossamer.com PAPER GOODS & CALLIGRAPHY : Julie Ha Design
juliehadesign.com RING : Singlestone
singlestone.com CAKE : M Cakes Sweets
mcakessweets.com SILK RIBBON & RUNNER : Silk & Willow
silkandwillow.com HMUA: Jinjutha
jinjuthamakeup.com/bridal/ Model : Jazzerine Norona
osbrinkagency.com AGENCY : Osbrink Models
osbrinkagency.com LAB : Goodman Film Lab
With its shorter days and longer evenings, Winter beckons grand affairs wrapped in sophisticated culture. Imagine your senses immersed into moodier tones as you mingle among gentlemen dressed in black tie fashion and the women who accompany them doused in couture evening gowns. Guests sipping classic cocktails and the ringing of laughter is in the air; a wedding ceremony is underway. The inspiration for this moody editorial was derived from an excerpt of a poem about a Raven haired beauty that became the essence of our bridal vision.
goodmanfilmlab.squarespace.com
LUNA DE MARE is derived from my native Romanian language, meaning Sea Moon, lending itself to the soulful and emotive imagery I strive to create, while using film as my medium of choice. I am an avid seeker of light, a Creative, and a storyteller of Romance.
lunademarephotography.com
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Equipping & Educating Creative Entrepreneurs WORKSHOPS
COACHING
ONLINE CLASSES
www.theschoolofstyling.com
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III BRIDAL & BOUDOIR
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THE WAVES
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Photography by Tyler Rye Photography
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From poetic words by Virginia Woolf, comes an inspirational scene
for this Oregon Coast workshop by Donny Zavala and Tyler Rye.
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The waves broke and spread their waters swif tly over the shore. ONE AFTER ANOTHER THEY MASSED THEMSELVES AND FELL; THE SPRAY TOSSED ITSELF BACK WITH THE ENERGY OF THEIR FALL. The waves were steeped deep-blue save for a pattern of diamond-pointed light on their backs which rippled as the backs of great horses ripple with muscles as they move. THE WAVES FELL; WITHDREW AND FELL AGAIN, LIKE THE THUD OF A GREAT BEAST STAMPING. —V IRGINI A WOOLF, THE WAV ES
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“THE WAVES” became a labor of love curated for Tyler Rye and Donny Zavala’s Oregon Coast Workshop. We set out to create a dramatic scene of two lovers and their draw towards one another. Placing our focus of attention on the space between touch while capturing the magnetic draw of passion between Elin and Gareth. Seeking to mimic the movement of the waves in Elin’s gown, hair, and the details, we were drawn to f luttering fabrics, soft curls, sheer silks and free f lowing f lorals. The Pacific waters crept forward as the tide continued to rise and the warm breeze turned cooler with every passing minute. Elin’s gown was picked up by the wind exposing her bare skin to the earthly elements as she drew her body closer to Gareth, blocking the wind with her bouquet. The soft blue silk ribbon rippled wildly, and the textures of the bouquet danced alongside the lapping waves. JANNA BROWN BIO: My collective experiences and internal creative compass have my soul yearning for perpetual adventure, beauty and new creations. Having the opportunity to do what I love for a living, at times, leaves me speechless; bringing beautiful moments to fruition is a treasured reward. Let us create something exquisite together and inspire each other to build breathtaking memories.
CREATIVE DIRECTION AND FLORAL DESIGN : Janna Brown Design
jannabrowndesign.com CALLIGRAPHY AND PAPER : Jenny Sanders
gracelineart.com DRESS DESIGN : Claire la Faye
clairelafaye.com MAKEUP AND HAIR : Hikari Murakami
hikarimurakami.com SUITS : The Black Tux
theblacktux.com VEILS : Melinda Rose
melindarosedesign.com RINGS : Trumpet and Horn
trumpetandhorn.com RIBBONS : Silk and Willow
silkandwillow.com MODEL : Muse Model Management
musemodels.com RENTALS (Table & Chairs) : Something Borrowed
somethingborrowedpdx.com PHOTOGRAPHY : Tyler Rye
tylerrye.com
TYLER RYE BIO: Tyler Rye is a Wedding Photographer with a huge love for the great outdoors. He loves to take his clients to remote locations to create truly stunning images. His style is a mix of fine art and organic photography. When he isn’t shooting he enjoys spending time with his little family!
tylerrye.com
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Parisian Dame FINE ART BOUDOIR MEETS
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THE “CITY OF LIGHTS”
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Photography by Julie Paisley
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Styling by Janna Brown Design
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PHOTOGRAPHY : Julie Paisley Photography
HAIR & MAKEUP : Jess Stephens
juliepaisley.com
www.susiesaltzman.com
CREATIVE DIRECTION + STYLING : Janna Brown
jannabrowndesign.com LINGERIE + VEIL : Melinda Rose
melindarosedesign.com
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JEWELRY : Susie Saltzman PAPER GOODS : Plume Calligraphy
www.plumecalligraphy.com FILM SCANS : The Find Lab
thefindlab.com
The romance of the city swelled into the sky, creating a pink haze that only Paris wears. We opened the French terrace doors so as to embrace the Parisian energy that begged to f lood every nook of our suite. The sun began dipping into the horizon and quietly cast it’s golden light on the Eiffel Tower as the city bustled at her feet. Donning delicate pieces from Melinda Rose, our bride ran her fingers through her tousled hair and sauntered toward the balustrade to overlook the breathtaking skyline. Her sheer linen gown was paired with a f loor length silk chiffon veil and a vintage diamond, perched upon a delicate white gold band. Plume Calligraphy created simplistic paper goods with free f lowing lettering in a soft-hued walnut ink on textured handmade paper. The deckled edges of the invitation suite nestled into the blooming jasmine that covered the walls of the terrace, and each paper rose and fell with the gentle wind, as if anxious to f loat through the city on the evening breeze. Forgoing frills and f lorals, we wanted to allow the natural beauty of our subject take center stage against the backdrop of the “City of Lights.” Watching the sun set on Paris must be one of life’s greatest delights.
My collective experiences and internal creative compass have my soul yearning for perpetual adventure, beauty and new creations. Having the opportunity to do what I love for a living, at times, leaves me speechless; bringing beautiful moments to fruition is a treasured reward. Let us create something exquisite together and inspire each other to build breathtaking memories.
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The Painted C A N YO N
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USING WORDS FROM A WEDDING STATIONERY SUITE, JANNA BROWN FOUND HERSELF INSPIRED TO CREATE A BRIDAL EDITORIAL SHOOT USING A SOFT PALETTE AGAINST THE NATURAL STONE OF A ROUGH CANYON.
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Photography by Amanda Berube
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PHOTOGRAPHY : Amanda Berube
amandaberube.com CREATIVE DIRECTION, STYLING, CAKE + FLORALS : Janna Brown Design
jannabrowndesign.com GOWN : Elizabeth Dye
elizabethdye.com HAIR AND MAKEUP : Jessica Nicole Melton MODEL : Ashton Craft
clickmodel.com SILK RIBBON : Silk and Willow
silkandwillow.com CALLIGRAPHY : Linen & Leaf
linenandleaf.com SERPENT RING : Trumpet & Horn
trumpetandhorn.com AMANDA is a fine art wedding photographer located on the east coast, with homesteads in both Maine & Georgia. Inspired by romance and the art of storytelling, Amanda uses an organic and documentary style to capture genuine emotion while creating gorgeous and honest imagery.
AmandaBerube.com
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When creat ing t he concept for t his shoot,
we wanted to draw inspiration from the hues of our “painted” backdrop. The canyon’s walls portrayed a landscape of peach and pink colored sand. White clay laid quietly in between the architectural cracks of these historic walls, portraying soft tidal waves rolling in upon the “sand.” We were enveloped in pastel tones and opted for a blue watercolor for our paper goods to compliment this romantic palette. Katie, designer of Linen and Leaf, hand lettered the most beautiful trailing script for our invitation that read: “BELOW THE WING OF THE HAWK, AS THE SUN DIPS IN THE PAINTED SKY, ALAMEDA AND MATO’S SPIRITS WILL BE JOINED AND CELEBRATION WILL ENSUE AS THEY DANCE AMONG THE WOLF CRIES AS THE WHITE MOON RISES”
We ventured upon ledges and into the secret hollows, where the sand was still cool to the touch, and Alameda’s bare feet shifted over the dunes as she found her way through the winding trails. The colors of the canyon ref lected off of our bride’s skin and the ravenous waves of her rich brown hair settled upon the neckline of an, Elizabeth Dye, bohemian gown. For our bouquet, we chose a combination of wheat tones, branches, pods, and berries with tiger orchids, all hand tied with ribbon that is hand dyed with natural elements by Silk & Willow.
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LOVE TALES FROM WITHIN THE WALLS OF A NEW YORK MANSION.
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Photography by Kristina Adams
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Nestled in Washington Heights, New York, sits Morris-Jumel Mansion, paved with pathways that embody the untold tales of lovers’ past. A place where historic walls are accented with tall windows that absorb the unfolding romances that pass her by. This contemporary building would now serve as the backdrop for an editorial shoot that embodied a couple’s love in the midst of withstanding time. Pairing vintage and timeless with new and fresh, this wedding inspiration was about more than a happy couple looking towards their future, it represented the embrace of past
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memories along a journey that brought them to this present moment. Carillo and Co. dreamed up the perfect details to capture the elegance of this timeless affair which included the loveliest look for our bride, made of soft, sweeping hair and makeup that accentuated her natural beauty. The gown we chose is the perfect mix of modern and classic; delicate lace in addition to intricately weaved patterns by couture designer, Amsale. Our bouquet was infused with bright blooms by Denise Fasanello Floral Design, and a bold boutonniere complemented the couple’s attire so well!
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COORDINATION & DESIGN : Carillo & Co.
carilloandco.com PHOTOGRAPHER : Kristina Adams
kristinaadamsphotography.com FLORAL DESIGN : Denise Fasanello Flowers
dfasanello.com GOWN : Amsale
amsale.com CAKE : Made in Heaven Cakes
madeinheavencakes.com HAIR AND MAKEUP : Eco Makeup Artist Sally Biondo
liweddingmakeup.com STATIONERY : Carillo & Co.
www.carilloandco.com LOCATION : Morris-Jumel Mansion
morrisjumel.org KRISTINA ADAMS is a fine art wedding and editorial photographer inspired by the grace and beauty found in everyday life. She captures joyful love stories on film and strives to highlight the authentic emotion of each wedding day. After getting a BA from Harvard, Kristina began her career in corporate strategy before turning her passion for photography into a full-time endeavor. She is honored be able to document love across the country and for her work to be published in top wedding blogs. Kristina resides in Southern California with her husband Jeff and adorable dog Holly.
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m e e t ou r t e a m It takes a team (of girls!) to get the job done right. Behind every page lives the hard work and dedication of our incredible team members. As a circle of creatives, we desire to deliver valuable information and quality work. Visit these creative ladies on Instagram to continue following their work.
joline river a Creative Director @jolinerivera
denice lachapelle
Editorial and Photo Assistant @denicelachapellephoto
whitney larson Designer @whitneyrlarson
follow us
@deargraymagazine
nellie williams Designer jolinerivera.com
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shaila wunderlich Writer jolinerivera.com
IV ELOPEMENTS & WEDDINGS
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A Handcrafted Wedding
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Photography by Martina Wedland
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Christine and Scott infuse earthly elements, grown from love, into their wedding day.
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FROM THE PHOTOGRAPHER: One of my all-time favorite weddings has to be this real wedding that was chock-full of artisan elements. The bride and groom lovingly hand-crafted a lot of the pieces, creating an event that was absolutely stunning in every detail. Christine and Scott had so many sweet touches between the woodworked pieces he made and the creating she did. When I arrived to shoot their special day, I was convinced that the pair had professional design for their wedding details. I was shocked to find out that they had done everything themselves. So much love and work went into this wedding, and all of their efforts were rewarded by murmurs of delight as their guests were welcomed onto the farm.
FROM THE BRIDE, CHRISTINE: Our respective family farms hold a very special place in our hearts. For most of the year we cook whatever we’ve raised on the farm
and what’s in season. This was the inspiration for our wedding day. We simply wanted our wedding day to feel like just another family dinner, only much bigger! Many projects started many months in advance - reseeding the ground where the tent would go and planning the vegetable garden that was the center of the cocktail area. We re-purposed so many things from the farm for both practical and decorative purposes. Leading up to the day our families and close friends made it all possible, from simple things like lending us a cup of sugar to finish the jam for our favors to setting up the many strings of lights. From the reveal to the ceremony, to the dinner and dance we truly enjoyed every single second. Everyone suggested that we take little moments throughout the day to soak it all in, and they were right. Taking those moments to relish in the love and support, made it a day we’ll never forget.
CEREMONY + RECEPTION : Private Residence, Chatsworth, Ontario SECOND SHOOTER : Mandy Blake
mandyblakephotography.com/ BRIDE & GROOM : Christine Biggelaar and Scott Miller MUA : Jennifer Bumstead, Tres Chic Esthetics & Salon, Owen Sound
treschicesthetics.ca/ HAIR : Heather Desmarais, Heather’s Chair FLORALS : Rob Dinsmore, Wilma’s Flower Shoppe, Owen Sound RENTALS : Four Seasons Party Rentals, Markdale
fspartyrentals.com
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NEW YORK ESTATE
WEDDING TYING PERSONAL DETAIL INTO A GRAND CELEBRATION.
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Photography and Story by Julie Paisley Photography
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EVENT COORDINATOR : Christine Wheat Events Firm
cweventsfirm.com BRIDAL GOWN : Kleinfeld’s, Pnina Tornai CAKE DESIGN : Wonderful Wedding Cakes
wonderfulweddingcakes.com Catering : Philip Stone Caterers
stonecaterers.com Floral Design : Bella Flowers
bellaflower.com
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SOMETIMES YOU GET THOSE WEDDING INQUIRIES THAT JUST MAKE YOU WANT TO JUMP UP AND DOWN. From the first day of speaking with Shannon on the phone, I was so excited about their day. Shannon knew exactly what she wanted and was a joy to work with. In fact, she booked me immediately after speaking on the phone and I knew it was going to be fabulous right away. This became one of those weddings that I couldn’t wait to happen! After some schedule juggling, I was finally able to meet Matt and Shannon in person (they live in NYC and I live in Nashville) this past fall for their engagement session in Central Park. Central Park is one of my favorite places to shoot, there are so many options
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but one of the things that was important to them was taking some pictures on one of the baseball fields since “baseball” was how they met. Therefore, we set out to the fields to take care of that “must have” shot right away but, unknown to us, the fields were closed. Regardless, we were determined and we may have snuck on one of the fields anyway! The day of Matt and Shannon’s Long Island wedding was beautiful. The weather was forecasting for rain, but we were so blessed to make it through until the reception with not a drop in sight. Shannon’s family home is a beautiful historic estate and it
was amazing to photograph the details and pre-ceremony pictures at such a special place. Some of my favorite images are of Shannon standing in her room reading her special letter from Matt before the ceremony. Shannon and Matt’s new home happened to be right down the road from the church where the ceremony was held so we stopped off and took a picture of them on the steps of their new nest in their wedding clothes. Not too many couples have that special memory to look back on. I loved that family and friends were so important to Matt and Shannon. Such a fun wedding party, touching speeches, plus a lot of laughing and crying (the good kind). Just so much joy all around, these moments are why I love being a wedding photographer. Yes, the posed shots are amazing but the real moments get me every time. Shannon was stunning, seriously one of the most beautiful brides I have ever seen. Matt adores her and seeing the two of them together was just magical. Every single detail was amazing. The dress, the shoes, the jewelry, the decor, the moments, just really one of those weddings that you leave so exhausted but oh so happy. It made my photographer heart swell and I was very proud to capture this wedding. Their wedding was the complete package and sweet reminder of what drives me every day.
JULIE PAISLEY is a wife to her college sweetheart and a mama to two of the coolest kiddos on the planet. She is a Hybrid (both film and digital) wedding photographer and mentor and has had the privilege of traveling the world shooting weddings and teaching workshops. Julie has been published in every major wedding blog, several national and international magazines and has been named one of the top 100 wedding photographers in the world. Known for her love of light and the ability to capture real emotion, Julie’s work can be described as “dreamy, romantic and real”.
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HENRY & KELLY LEAVE THE CITY SCENE BEHIND TO CELEBRATE IN THE COUNTRY.
farm fresh •
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Photography by Heather Waraksa
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from P oppies and P osies KELLY AND HENRY WER E SUCH A FUN COUPLE TO WORK WITH. They loved summer
blooms, and cared deeply about maintaining a garden-inspired and collected event with a focus on local, hand-picked florals. We worked with two color palettes, starting the evening with a bright, cheerful palette to celebrate summer in the courtyard and moved into a less-saturated palette of creamy tones for their hayloft dinner. The personal flowers were vibrant, focusing on seasonal dahlias, garden roses, anemones, and local greenery. Henry wanted something unusual and textured for his boutonniere, so we found a few local, gardeninspired Echinacea pods and un-ripened raspberries to incorporate into the design. Kelly’s bouquet included the same special details, along with local fuchsia cosmos and Scabiosa.
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Both Kelly and Henry agreed that they wanted to keep the ceremony and cocktail hour simple since Blue Hill is already such an incredible location and the summer season keeps their grounds lush and full. The personal flower choices added a pop of color to the gardens in the courtyard, and details such as local raspberries nodded to the farm feel. As the guests moved into dinner, they were welcomed with a lowered ceiling of café lights; this was one of Henry’s biggest concerns. He wanted to make the dinner feel familial and fun, like an outdoor garden party. The tables were covered in burlap table runners with local, creamy dahlias and other wildflowers inside collections of vintage glass bud vases. Local, blooming artichokes were scattered around candleholders down the length of the tables to create a farm-inspired, collected look.
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PHOTOGRAPHER : Heather Waraksa
heatherwaraksa.com VENUE : Blue Hill at Stone Barns
bluehillfarm.com PLANNER : Loli Events
lolievents.com DRESS : Vera Wang
verawang.com SUIT : Michael Andrews Bespoke
michaelandrews.com FLOWERS : Poppies & Posies
poppiesandposies.com LIGHTING : L&M Sound
lmsound.com OFFICIANT : Kristopher Max STATIONERY : Greenwich Letterpress
greenwichletterpress.com CEREMONY MUSICIANS : Juilliard
juilliard.edu COCKTAIL AND RECEPTION MUSICIANS : Atomic Funk
atomicfunkproject.com CAKE & FAVORS : Momofuku Milk Bar
milkbarstore.com PHOTOLAB : Richard Photo Lab
richardphotolab.com
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from t he bride
SELECTING A WEDDING VENUE THAT R EFLECTED OUR PASSION FOR FOOD, WINE, SIMPLICITY, AND OUR LOVE FOR ANIMALS WAS IMPORTANT TO US.
We live in downtown New York City and considered the usual city locations such as hotels, restaurants, and event spaces. Unfortunately, they all felt too forced or pretentious. Henry and I knew that we wanted this day to be down to earth, yet elegant. Soon enough, we came to realize that Blue Hill was the most equip location to execute our vision. We were floored by the beauty of Blue Hill’s vegetable garden for cocktail hour where we knew a blue grass band could fit right in. After cocktails our guests headed into the spacious hayloft barn where string lighting was set up to personify a more intimate space. The food surpassed our expectations and the impeccable, warm service made our guests feel cared for in a most special way. Henry and I selected a photographer who shot medium format film along with digital to capture the incredible natural light that Blue Hill boasts. We were so happy to see the final product; photos that felt real and timeless. Blue Hill and our event planner, Lauren Sozmen, captured every detail important to us with things like custom made cocktails and flowers that captured a freshly bundled farm look.�
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HEATHER WARAKSA has been shooting professionally since 1998 and documenting weddings since 2003. Originally from VA, she currently resides in Brooklyn, NY. Her love of photography started at an early age where weekends were spent playing dress up with friends and photographing them. She formally studied photography and film and received a BFA from VCU. Her work has been published in Vogue, Martha Stewart and Brides Magazine amongst others. In 2009 she was selected as one of the Top Wedding Photographers in the world by American Photo Magazine. Heather is a film and digital shooter and is available to photograph both near and far.
heatherwaraksa.com
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LOVE WITHOUT BOUNDARIES
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RENTALS : FÅFÄNGANS ANTIK
fafangansantik.com MARKET 29
market29.se FLORAL DESIGN : THE WILD ROSE WEDDINGS
thewildrose.se STATIONERY: ELINS ART STUDIO
elinsartsudio.se BRIDAL SHOP TONYS HÖGTIDSKLÄDER
tonyshogtidsklader.se CREATIVE STYLING : ELINS ART STUDIO
elinsartsudio.se MODELS : JACOB KLINTEMARK & ROBERT RAFORS CAKE DESIGN : SOCKERSÖTA SMULOR
sockersotasmulor.com
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A UNIQUE
VENUE
with a distinctive style frames this celebration with details curated to tell the story about our couple’s passion for travels, fine cigars, and a collection of memorabilia from around the world. The atmosphere and experience for their guests is an elegant play on a masculine setup with deep, rich colours and berry twigs right from their own garden. Our couple’s table decor also serves as a great conversation starter with hints of the grooms’ personalities sporadically sewn into the space. Everything about this elopement editorial begins to evoke beautiful memories of their love for the outdoors, their wanderlust, and life together. Inspired by the colours and light of a Swedish Autumn, we planned this October elopement affair to take place on the West Coast that stretches from Gothenburg to the border of Norway. One of Sweden’s most impressive walking trails is close by where our couple enjoy the wilderness, rock carvings and historical landscapes. Thousands of Islands dot the coastline, known for its smooth and sculptured granite rocks, quaint little fishing villages, and luxurious designer villas.
When this submission from 2 Brides Photography arrived in my inbox for an online feature consideration, I immediately felt my heart strings being tugged on by something greater than I could explain. Over this past year, our world has been inundated with defeat and setbacks through brut forces of disorder; all the while from beneath the heavy rocks of hate, our own US nation seems to be soliciting a silent war on peace and love. Violence has plagued neighborhoods and our own backyard, abruptly, became a breeding ground for animosity. An invisible aura began to spread like an untamed wildfire, blanketing our peaceful coexistence with flames of malevolence. Judgment based on race, religion, ethnic origin, and political party views has deceitfully lodged a solid wedge between our communities, friendships, and sadly, our own families. I, silently, watched social media begin to suffocate from a flood of hard-hearted posts and these biased views began to penetrate the beauty of genuine human connections. As a reflection of so much pain, it can be easy to hone in on feelings of fear; becoming jaded by the loud atmosphere of our society today. Perhaps this editorial, unapologetically, uprooted the foundation of silence that I didn’t even know was being harbored in our very own magazine pages. On this journey through adulthood, my sense of self-being
has been stripped down and my compassion for others, awoken by the reality of the daily life that my gay friends must face. While I won’t turn this editorial into a political arena for either side of the aisle, I will share the wounds I believe are lingering on the battlefield for the LGBT community. As a heterosexual woman, it would be a farce for me to profess that I know precisely how gay people feel when being judged for loving who they love. I freely love and have never been faced with the ugly beast of judgment for my sexual orientation. I wake up and live in a world where I will never be shamed for the gender that I, naturally, feel passionate affection towards. Since when do we live in a world with a forthright sense of entitlement whereas we demand thy neighbor adhere to binding statutes of an unwritten law of love? As the editor of Dear Gray Magazine, I write this with no intention of swaying your personal beliefs. Just as I have begun to implement my own forms of self-reflection, I ask you to hang your amour of pride at the door and simply love. This editorial piece of art is meant to document love without boundaries. Our publication was formed on the foundation of narrating love stories through the tangible form and it is with great pleasure that I introduce another chapter in our quarterly memoir.
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guests of
HONOR Even pups can play a part in your wedding day design.
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PHOTOGRAPHY : (Clockwise) Ashley Boyan Park Road Photography Kristin LaVoie May Carlson Sa Miklauskas
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Marry me DOUG AND HAYDEN WRITE THEIR LOVE STORY UPON THE GR EEN LAND OF INDIANA. •
Photography by Ashley Crawford
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FLOWERS : Wild Heart Blooms
wildheartblooms.com VIDEOGRAPHY : Katie Destry
katiedestry.com BRIDE’S DRESS : Sarah Seven
sarahseven.com SUITS : The Black Tux
theblacktux.com CAKE DESIGN : Cake Bake Shop
thecakebakeshop.com TABLE DECOR : Violet Vintage
violetvintage.com VENUE : The Barn at Kennedy Farm
thebarnatkennedyfarm.com
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Having an outdoor wedding ceremony had been a part of Hayden and Doug’s vision for their special day in Lizton, Indiana. The couple exchanged their vows among lush green flatland and rustic, wooden chairs filled up with their most beloved friends and family. Hayden walked down the aisle in an elegant, flowing gown by Sarah Seven. Her elegance and style transformed this Indiana wedding location into the first page of an unwritten love story. Doug and his men kept it simple and modern with their jet black tuxes, leaving most of the attention for Hayden’s
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ladies and his bride to be. Following the ceremony, guests headed off to The Barn at Kennedy Farm where they were greeted with a juxtaposition of Midwest meets contemporary, organic. This couple kept a natural flow of green hues with hints of bold color in their wedding design; a beautifully contrasting arrangement for their rustic location. Bistro lighting led the way into their reception where draping silk playfully danced across the tall beams with every sporadic breeze that snuck in from in between the barn’s slats. Small sweets,
adorned with natural shades of red from the fruit atop, set the stage for Hayden and Doug’s minimally designed, naked wedding cake. ASHLEY CRAWFORD is an international film photographer living in Omaha, Nebraska with her husband Nick and their three-year-old daughter, Gemma. Based in the Midwest but more often traveling to document families & couples all over, she most enjoys cooking & unplanned trips to Anthropologie. She studied graphic design at the University of Nebraska at Omaha but wishes she’d taken more art history classes. Her work has been featured in Let The Kids Dress Themselves, Today.com & Belle Lumiere. She’s been making new friends & photographing them since 2011.
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Photography by Orange Photographie
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through the looking glass Using the subtle palette of Montana’s river rocks, Orange Photographie pieces together a sophisticated elopement amongst the brisk of early Spring.
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CONCEPT & PHOTOGRAPHY : Orange Photographie
orangephotographie.com TABLETOP & FLORALS : Greenwood Events
greenwood.events TABLEWARE : The TOP
thetopmontana.com PAPER GOODS : Cast Calligraphy castcalligraphy.
com CAKE : Elle’s Belles
ellesbelles.com RIBBON & TABLE LINENS : Tono & Co.
tonoandco.com DRESS : Sarah Janks
sarahjanks.com DRESS BOUTIQUE : Bash Bozeman
bashbozeman.com JEWELRY : Susie Saltzman
susiesaltzman.com HAIR & MAKEUP : Ethereal Hair & Makeup
etherealhairmakeup.com VENUE : Le Petit Chateau
lepetitchateaumt.com
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SAMANTHA AND REID of Orange Photographie are a husband and wife film photography team specializing in fine art weddings. They live amongst the majestic mountains in southwest Montana where the scenery and dramatic seasons provide much of the inspiration behind their work. When not photographing in Montana they live for traveling, seeing old friends, meeting new people, and exploring beautiful places together.Â
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wedding creatives frequently look at the inspirational work being produced by creatives in their field of specialty and feel a pang of restfulness in their quest to create equally appealing work. It’s challenging to not yearn for the warm, vibrant Spring palette that seems to arrive everywhere with the exception of our hometown, Montana. Early Spring around our neck of the woods is quite often cold, dreary, and unending. Yet the stark, muted landscape of our plains can also be strikingly beautiful if looked at through the right looking glass. We set out to begin understanding that rather than fighting against the innate bleakness of the season, we must take hold, embrace it, and look beneath the surface of the location. With a renewed sense of visual understanding, suddenly, our terrain began showing off subtler beauty than what we failed to appreciate over the previous Spring season. The soft pastel colors of the riverside and the subdued light of the season took ahold of our elopement inspiration. Soon thereafter, we shared our vision and new found Spring inspiration with Darci of Greenwood Events and she expertly brought that vision to life. Darci wove the grayish, slate blue and blush colors of the river rocks into the design of our tablescape and florals. Using a flowing silk table runner and linens from Tono & Co., she mimicked the movement of the river down the center of our elopement reception table. Cast Calligraphy’s exquisite paper goods played on the idea that an early Spring upon the mountains can be a monochrome season splattered with wet snow, yet under the surface it holds the promise of renewed life.
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that upbringing into his identity. From his tattered blue loafers to his iconic jean jacket, Andy owned his style. It was honest. “Thank you” were words that meant a lot to him. He went out of his way to show how much people meant to him. He resented the
DEAR GRAY HONORS:
“mandatory gift-giving” associat-
PHOTOGRAPHER ANDY BARNES
ed with holidays and birthdays;
DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKER SHAWN CONVEY REMEMBERS HIS BEST PAL AND PARTNER-IN-ART.
me concert tickets over the years.
instead he’d find other, unexpected ways to say thank you. I can’t count how many times he handed It’s been nearly six months
photographer and I to a filmmak-
as present in my life as ever. It
after I moved from New York to
er. It was awesome watching his
makes me sad knowing there will
Chicago. We were photography
eye and taste evolve. I enjoyed
be no new stories, conversations
assistants at the time, and our
watching how he commanded
or adventures to share. I know
friendship was instantaneous. We
the set and made everyone feel
the sadness will never truly go
shared passions for live music, art,
comfortable. He was always open
away, but the balance of good and
photography and politics, and we
to new ideas, never too proud to
bad, happy and sad will become
were constantly expanding each
take advice if it would make the
more manageable, and the gifts
other’s knowledge of all those
shot better.
that Andy gave me will continue
things. We often worked jobs out
Andy’s photographs were
giving. I am forever grateful for
of state. No matter how long the
unique and beautiful, and so was
having him in my life.
trip, Andy packed everything he
he. He dressed in a way unlike
Dear Gray is donating a por-
needed into a single messenger
any other—I’d call it “blue-col-
tion of its proceeds to American
bag. It was an amazing sight.
lar chic.” We both came from
Foundation For Suicide Preven-
As time passed, Andy tran-
working class communities, and I
tion. If you would like to partici-
sitioned from an assistant to a
admired the way he incorporated
pate, please visit afsp.org.
ANDY’S PHOTOGRAPHS WERE UNIQUE AND BEAUTIFUL, AND SO WAS HE. 110
LEFT PAGE PHOTO BY ELAIN E SUZAN N E MILLER / RIGHT PAGE PHOTO BY WEN DI GRATE
since we lost Andy, and he is Andy and I met in 2002, shortly
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rom a n t i c c al l i g r aphy, st at i oner y & design f or sen tim en ta l br ides
www.flour ishc allig raphy.c a
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V ANNIVERSARIES
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On e Ye a r Lat e r
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Photography by Blue Barn Photography
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TAYLOR LOVETTE : Since the day I was born a small-town girl off the sunny coast of Florida, I’ve had a fire within my heart to create for a big and beautiful purpose. I’ve been gifted with the opportunity to preserve authentic moments as my day job and the honor of doing it alongside a team who puts others before themselves. Our vision at Blue Barn Photography, as husband & wife duos, is to create a movement in pursuit of refining our artistry where deep, pure, and raw emotions triumph over the fleeting target of perfection. STYLIST : Stephanie Scholl Events
stephanieschollevents.com
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Th e i n spi r at i on for th i s l i fe st yl e shoot wa s c u l t ivat e d from a p e r son al a n d i n t i m at e p e r sp e c t ive, as my husband and I had just celebrated our first year of marriage. We desired to capture a newlywed summary of authentic depths; the beauty of a sacrificial love. On a crisp snowy morning, dear friends of ours shared breakfast together while revisiting their marriage vows for the first time since they said “I do.” With each word read, joy beamed from their faces, freely expressed through unhinged smiles. It became clear that we were documenting something deeper than a cluster of still images with these two; a living story that was now revealing itself after months of new explorations into
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each other. The brilliance of marriage couldn’t be rightfully expressed in a simple collection of words or images, but we hope to represent a ration through our photographic artistry. From Ally: “Marriage has taught me many things but the biggest is sacrifice. Before marriage, I never had to share with someone else. That kind of intimacy brings a, serious, self-awareness. There have been so many times where I shocked myself with my selfish thoughts and actions. Instead of wanting to, I have had to choose to put my husband’s needs and wants before my own. But, it’s this type of love has brought us into a deeper closeness and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Reading our wedding vows to each other again, immediately, brought me back to the warm October day when we first spoke those binding words. These are now my favorite lines as they ring a new sound in my heart after this year: ‘I vow to love you sacrificially and put your needs and desires above my own. I promise to choose you every day, no matter what the circumstances. I will choose to love you and to accept, whole heartedly, the love you give to me.’”
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THROUGH A DAUGHTER’S
A photographer witnesses the union of her mom and dad— the second time around. •
Photography by Michelle Boyd / Story by Shaila Wunderlich
•
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Try as she may, Michelle
work as a wedding photographer. But Missy wasn’t into it. “I told
Boyd couldn’t convince her
her she was giving me a headache,” Missy says.
mother to make a big deal
Plan B: How about going big on the details—the dress, the tux,
out of her upcoming wedding
the f lowers—but keeping the event part of things small? Just Mi-
anniversary. Missy and Marcel
chelle and her younger brother, Ryan. They could do it on their
Robichaux married in Hawaii
own Hill-Country property, and Michelle could capture it all on
in 1985. “My Dad was in the
film. Sold, said Missy and Marcel.
service and they just had a
The day itself was a typical Texas-heater; yet Marcel stayed
very simple, intimate ceremo-
cool and dapper in his custom tux. Fuss-free Missy discovered
ny with a few good friends,”
there was some fun to be had in getting dressed up. “We had
Michelle says.
someone come in to do her hair and makeup,” Michelle says. “And
Thirty-one years and two
as she was sitting there, we realized this is something my Mom
adult kids later, Michelle want-
has never done before.”
ed her Mom and Dad to honor
“You’re taller than me,” Marcel said as his wife approached in
the occasion in a more formal
high heels. Then nerves and jokes gave way to smiles, gazes and
way, in their hometown of
laughter as the long-married couple got lost in mutual adoration.”
Bandera, Texas. She loved the
“I think they forgot we were there for a while,” Michelle says.
idea of witnessing this sweet
“It was the cutest thing ever.”
moment between her parents the same way she witnessed other young couples in her
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MICHELLE BOYD PHOTOGRAPHY :
michelleboydphotography.com
MICHELLE BOYD PHOTOGRAPHY : “Michelle is a fine art wedding photographer with a passion for capturing genuine love stories across the globe. Her heart beats for intimate, outdoor weddings steeped in elegance and authenticity! She strives to create an intimate and personalized experience for every client, and only photographs a handful of weddings each year to give every bride the very best of her energy, emotions, and heart. Her weddings, sessions, and editorials have been featured in multiple publications in print and online across the globe. She is based in Austin, TX and is available worldwide.�
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seaside AT SCARBOUROUGH
•
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Photography by Karyn Louise Photography
•
PHOTOGRAPHY : Karyn Louise Photography
karynlouisephotography.com FLORAL DESIGN: Sue Gallo Designs
suegallodesigns.com CALLIGRAPHY / STATIONERY : Plume Calligraphy
plumecalligraphy.com HAIR : STRUT salon
strutsalon.com MAKEUP : Melanie Viger
by,uavee.com GOWN DESIGNER : Free People
freepeople.com SILK GOODS : Silk and Willow
silkandwillow.com SILK RIBBON : Stella Wolfe
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FROM K A RY N LOUISE PHOTOGR A PHY “The theme of water was our main inspiration behind this love session. Coastal waters can bring a peaceful sense of calm as the tide rolls in and out or an unsettled turbulence with high waves on any given day. There is power in the water; power in the calm and in the chaos. And this theme rings true in marriage as well. With marriage comes a rare beauty that in the calm and in the chaos, a couple stands firm together and evolves as it navigates through the waters of life.”
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