issue one SPRING 2014 american edition
the refinery T H E W E D D I N G L I F EST Y L E M AGA Z I N E
table of contents the AMERICAN edition
issue one
SPRING 2014
real engagements 8
allysar & drew
16
jesse & hayley
24
david & haely
kat & zach
32
real weddings 38 51
kelly & david andrea & ryan
A FLORAL OBSESSION
62
FRESH FLORALS
70
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ainsley
madison
thank you to all of our amazing
CONTRIBUTORS PHOTOGRAPHY an drew aba jian c re a tive dylan d and sara photog raphy j ack i moore photog raphy j oel be dford photog raphy ka llima photog raphy laura g photog raphs t &s hug he s photog ra phy
FLORA L DESIGN good se e d f loral de sig n
a letter from the EDITORS...
To our lovely Refinery readers, It is time again for us to release a new issue, and this time it's a sneak peek to get you excited for our very first full-sized American issue, due out in May. We are so excited to be expanding, and it has been an absolute pleasure to work with our American couples and creatives of all kinds. We can't wait to share you what we've got in store for May! It has been an exciting year for us – we celebrated our 1 year mag-versary on Valentine’s Day and as you can see, we’ve put the wheels in motion to bring TRM to you, here in the United States! We are looking forward to building the US edition into the same kind of publication we publish regularly with our Canadian contributors. It has been a blast so far, so thank you to all of our American couples for sharing your love stories, and to our American vendors for welcoming us with such open arms! It’s going to be a blast! Within this issue we are so happy to be providing inspiration for your special day! With great floral inspiration, and some beautiful love stories, we are so excited to be able to share it with you. Enjoy! with love, xo Ainsley & Madison
Jesse & Hayley CAPTURED BY JOEL BEDFORD WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY
Allysar & Drew CAPTURED BY KALLIMA PHOTOGRAPHY
WHAT SHE SAID
WHAT HE SAID
I had been hearing about a boy named Drew Eales
I left a note on Allysar’s bed for her to wake up to
for months before I came home from college the
that read, "Today a new adventure starts of ours,
summer of 2011 – his reputation, had already far
but before you see me, you'll have an adventure of
preceded him in the best way possible. I have to
your own." I wanted this day to remind her of our
admit, I was pretty curious. Our two close friends
favorite things. I wanted it to show her how special
set us up over a game of Settlers of Catan – clearly,
she is to me in every different way. I wanted it to be
the perfect setting for two overly competitive people
a place traveled that she would unmistakably know
to begin their relationship. A couple months later,
how much our love has grown and depict how we've
we winded up sitting next to each other at a Gator
grown together. I had her best friend Shannon take
basketball game. I remember his contagious smile
her to five different places. The first place was the
and bony elbows that kept flirtatiously poking me
O'Connell Center where the Florida Gators host
as we pretended to pay attention to the game. A
their basketball games. It was the first place Allysar
few months later, that same man began righteously
and I hung out. I was totally enamored by her and
pursuing me and leading our relationship. In the
everything she was saying. I remember telling
beginning, we would cling to the things we had in
friends, “No girl has ever made me smile like that.”
common. And over the next two years of dating,
I left a note there and a piece of a map to the next
we would discover all the ways in which we were
place, which was Volta Coffee & Tea. From there
totally different. When Drew proposed, he led me
she received the second piece of the map, which
on a scavenger hunt where we relived some of the
took her down the street to Sakara, a cupcake shop,
most significant moments and places during our
where we’d hang out all afternoon playing board
relationship. And only by the complete grace and
games. The third note led her to a very special bench
love of God are we able to move toward becoming
in Haile Plantation where I told her that I loved her
one together in marriage – striving to uplift, serve
for the very first time. The final map led her to a
and encourage one another in both our strengths
farm field where she walked through an aisle lined
and weaknesses. I can't wait to do life, side-by-side,
with baby’s breath until she reached the bottom of
forever as his wife.
the hill where I was standing. From there, I led her to a small stool, a pitcher of water and a bowl where I washed her feet to symbolize how I want to serve her for the rest of our life together. And now, the rest of the story is yet to be written.
David & Haely CAPTURED BY ANDREW ABAJIAN CREATIVE
HOW WE MET Haely and Dave should have met long before they
Not sure if this was leftover from a sĂŠance or
did. In fact, they went to the same high school
Dave just being romantic, she paused. Dave
but never met until years after graduation. As
urged her to follow the directions: look up!
fate would have it, they were invited to the
She did, and turned around to find him on one
same New Year's Eve party years later. The two
knee. Haely squealed and the strangers around
locked eyes across the room (being the tallest
them applauded.
ones there), and didn't leave each other's side all night. After they parted ways that evening,
Next, they arrived at a lounge and were surprised
they never saw one another again. That is, until
by close friends and family. Haely freaked out;
7 years later.
the "ugly cry" now in full effect. Finally, Dave opened a present-shaped box to reveal a laptop.
Haely and Dave were both living in LA and she
On it via video were friends from around the
saw a Facebook message from a certain David
country waiting to hear the news.
Smalle. He stumbled across her Facebook via a mutual friend and started up a conversation.
"What makes you fall in love with
Eventually, he asked her out. On their first date,
each other every day?"
Haely wore her 6-inch stilettos as a potential husband height test. Looks like he passed.
Haely: His thoughtfulness and quick wit. It always hits me when I least expect it.
OUR ENGAGEMENT Dave told Haely to "keep Saturday night open
Dave: Her ability to connect with anyone at
for a 'mystery date' night." Not one to challenge
anytime, and skill at cracking me up on the
such brilliant thinking, she accepted.
spot, even when it's inappropriate.
They first stopped off at their favorite sushi
WEDDING DETAILS
spot-- the same place of their first date. Next,
We will be getting married in Hope Ranch,
Dave drove Haely to the Griffith Observatory.
Santa Barbara. Architect Reginald D. Johnson
After seeing the planetarium show and getting
(Biltmore Hotel) built the historic equestrian
their proper dose of space-geek-out time, Dave
estate in 1929. It's always been important to
ushered Haely to the rooftop. As they walked
write our own vows and create an event that's
out and saw the sparkling city below, Haely
custom fit for us. We’re also ditching cake so
noticed roses and a sign that said, "look up".
we can have what we really want: chocolate fondue!
Kat & Zach CAPTURED BY LAURA GOLDENBERGER PHOTOGRAPHY
HOW WE MET We met at the Kasteel Well in the
with farolitos. All the houses are decked
Netherlands, while we were studying
out in Christmas gear. It was snowing. We
abroad. It is a completely restored medieval
stopped at the historic downtown Plaza,
Dutch castle, where our dorms and classes
he made me sit on a bench (I had refused
were located. There was a moat... swans...
to walk 10-feet over to a stunning gazebo
Our first Valentine's Day together was on a
because it was too cold! haha!) and he got
mandatory class trip to Paris. It was a very
down on one knee and the rest is history!
dreamy beginning. OUR WEDDING DAY WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST
The details of the day had morphed to a
ABOUT EACH OTHER?
Old Hollywood glamour style wedding. We
Kat: What I love most about Zach is that he
had no idea what we wanted, going into it.
loves me for who I am, wholly: the good, the
We just knew we wanted it to be unique
bad, the ugly. He loves all of it!
and special to who were are as people. And the reason we live and love in Los Angeles
Zach: I have to pick just one thing?
is because of our deep passion for film. We also wanted our families to have an
OUR ENGAGEMENT STORY We were visiting his parents in Santa Fe, New Mexico for Christmas. Every Christmas Eve, downtown Santa Fe holds a sort of artwalk-type festivity, where all the galleries and shops and homes downtown are open to everyone, serving hot chocolate, pozolĂŠ, and other treats. The streets were lined
experience of a lifetime.
Kelly & David CAPTURED BY T&S HUGHES PHOTOGRAPHY
HOW WE MET
friends and family getting ready. David gifted
Although we both worked in advertising and
me a beautiful handmade card that morning
actually had a few friends in common, David
along with a lovely rose gold bracelet. And since
and I “met” each other the 21st century way -
he had made me a book for the proposal, it only
online. We met, in person, on a rainy Earth Day
felt appropriate to make him a book for the
at one of our favorite wine bars in the city.
wedding. I surprised him with “my version” of our scrapbook that morning, as well as a custom
THE PROPOSAL
handkerchief.
David and I were engaged on a hot summer day under the stars at Monroe Harbor. We had
Our first look was one of my favorite moments
dinner, drinks and listened to Jazz that evening.
from the day: laying my eyes on my husband-
After dinner, we walked to the harbor to watch
to-be for the first time and seeing his bright
the fireworks at Navy Pier. Shortly after that,
smile and overwhelming joy; it was truly such a
David presented me with the sweetest handmade
special moment.
scrapbook of our past two years together. The book ended with a photo of the ring that he had
That afternoon, we exchanged our vows amidst
personally designed. Before I knew it, he was
our closest friends and family. We departed the
down on one knee and I was saying “yes”! We
church hand in hand to a colorful confetti exit.
ended that night by heading back to that same
The celebration that followed was filled with
wine bar for a celebratory drink - where it all
too many wonderful moments to list here. We
had started.
listened to incredibly heartfelt speeches and swirled around the dance floor. We were in
OUR BIG DAY
awe of the beauty of the venue and how all the
When David and I first started planning the day,
details came together: the glow of the candles,
we knew that we wanted to stick with a day that
the beautiful floral details, the personal family
truly just felt like us. The reception venue, itself,
photos, the twinkle of the globe lights, and the
helped set the whimsical and vintage tone - since
yummy cake and sweets. The night was truly
it is a massive antique store. It was quirky and a
magical: filled with constant laughter and utter
bit eclectic and felt like us.
happiness. We just felt so lucky to share our day with so many special people who had come
And our day turned out better than we could
from near and far to be with us. We truly had the
have imagined. The late October day was brisk,
wedding of our dreams and we feel so lucky and
but sunny. The morning of the wedding was calm
blessed to have found each other.
and relaxing. We spent time with our closest
venues ST. MATTIAS CATHOLIC CHURCH and ARCHITECTURAL ARTIFACTS coordinator RYAN ALEXANDER EVENTS catering JEWELL EVENTS floral design POLLEN videography EMILY HARD FILMS hair and makeup BRIDAL BEAUTY CHICAGO cake SWEET MANDY B's dj TOAST & JAM trolly WINDY CITY TROLLEY
dress and veil VERONICA SHEAFFER groom's suit JOS. A. BANK groom's shoes TO BOOT NEW YORK rings ELLIE THOMPSON confetti POM LOVE stationary designed by THE GROOM handkerchief THE POLKA DOTTED BEE
OWL & FOX STUDIOS
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Andrea & Ryan CAPTURED BY DYLAN AND SARA PHOTOGRAPHY
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A F LORA L O BS ES S IO N CAPTURED BYJACKI MOORE PHOTOGRAPHY
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fresh florals CAPTURED BY BETHANY SMALL PHOTOGRAPHY with GOOD SEED FLORAL DESIGN
see you in may, for a new canadian & american issue!
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