Wedding Inspiration // Mt. Hood Anishinaabe Winter Elopement

Wedding Inspiration // Mt. Hood Anishinaabe Winter Elopement

Jeremy and I thoroughly enjoyed our Native American themed photo shoot because we were able to incorporate our culture into the details. Both being Native, we have family heirlooms, traditional beadwork, and items that are important to us. I was very clear up front that the only way this photo shoot would work is if I had approval capabilities throughout the process. I did not want anything stereotypical or anything Jeremy and I wouldn't really have at our real wedding. Our culture is very important to us, so we wanted our heritage to be portrayed in an accurate fashion. Yes, Jeremy and I are a real engaged couple! It was important for me to wear my grandmother's turquoise bracelet and for Jeremy, his grandfathers bolo tie. I am a professional beadwork artist; therefore I wanted elements of my work incorporated into the shoot as well. Modern Native Americans get married in all types of ways. Some have very traditional weddings, others your average American wedding, but for us, we always wanted to mix elements of both. We get to throw our own Native wedding this September. It was fun to do this photo shoot and practice for the real thing!

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Wedding Inspiration // Capricorn + Libra Zodiac Elopement

Wedding Inspiration // Capricorn + Libra Zodiac Elopement

The inspiration for this shoot was drawn from the Zodiac signs, specifically Libra and Capricorn, without being too literal. Libras are known for being harmonious with a light and airy personality, while Capricorns rely on structure and are represented by dark, earthy tones. A scale is the symbol for Libra, so the shoot also plays with the theme of balance, which can be seen through the contrast of the light and dark color palette.

This was meant to be a nontraditional shoot, set in an intimate venue with a backdrop that acted as a setting for the ceremony, as well as the dessert bar. One bride rocked a flowy, ivory jumpsuit, while the other wore a dark lavender tulle skirt with an intricately beaded ivory top. The jewelry was hand-selected to compliment each bride’s sign, with one ring boasting a dark green sapphire and the other, a light blue sapphire. 

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Out of the Box Winner // Confetti Unicorns

Out of the Box Winner // Confetti Unicorns

As soon as we saw the wrapping papers included in our mystery box, we were transported to the end of the 80s and early 90s. All the textures, patterns, and shapes brought us back to a time of bright makeup, Saved by the Bell, flashy clothes, and fun music. We wanted to make sure those textures and patterns were felt and seen throughout the shoot as our inspiration, but with a contemporary modern twist.

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Inspiration // Bathtub Goddess in A Floral Explosion

Inspiration // Bathtub Goddess in A Floral Explosion

This was a personal creative project showcasing natural creativity and feminist images. We invited a local amateur model, artist, and student to participate in the photo shoot to share her beauty and confidence among the flower structure and style created by Pilar in her home. The overarching look is natural with a touch of rich gold, very little makeup, and focal jewelry pieces. Bold colors, strong lines, fierce eyes, and bodily ease suggest a woman warrior, finding peace and clarity in this garden bath. The creators of this piece are all women (the designer, the photographer, and the model)—most of them brown women. We are creative women and beautiful souls, and we deserve to be boldly represented.

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Wedding Inspiration // 7 Hairstyles for Brides with Short Hair

Wedding Inspiration // 7 Hairstyles for Brides with Short Hair

My lovely mother HATES my short hair. From the moment the ring was put on my finger, she asked, "But will you grow your hair out?" In her defense, she commented that all bridal magazines really only show long bridal hairstyles, and she was right! As I began to try and show my mother how my short hair could be done, I realized there wasn't a ton of inspiration out there. 

Because of this, I decided to create a "Short Hair / Don't Care" shoot to show brides with short hair how they can still have amazing hairstyles for their big day! The results were fantastic and now my only trouble is deciding which style I'll go with for my own wedding!

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Elopement Inspiration // Playful Bohemian Woodland Celebration

Elopement Inspiration // Playful Bohemian Woodland Celebration

The inspiration for this styled session was dreamed up and brought to life by the Creative Director, Robyn Fryer of Vivid Detail Event Design. It was a collaboration that was months in the making and came together beautifully with the help of a wonderful team. We wanted to create a wedding that was simple, yet elegant, and something a bit nontraditional while still showing the beauty the South has to offer. Being an elopement and intimate wedding photographer, I enjoy capturing the details surrounding a couple's big day, as well as their connection to one another. So often couples can become lost in the grandeur of a larger wedding, so something small allows the couple to be in the moment with one another and for the day to be truly about just the two of them.

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Real Couples // Dirty Dancing Inspired Engagement: Blanca + Cody

Real Couples // Dirty Dancing Inspired Engagement: Blanca + Cody

I'm a commercial photo stylist, and I love conceptualizing creative shoots! So when Cody and I got engaged, I decided we needed to go all in for an awesome, original engagement shoot.  Needless to say we love Dirty Dancing. We're both huge Patrick Swayze fans; Cody particularly loves his work in Point Break, and of course I prefer him as Johnny Castle.  

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Elopement Inspiration // Bommer Canyon Hip Outdoor Wedding

Elopement Inspiration // Bommer Canyon Hip Outdoor Wedding

Molly and Liz are a real couple. We approached them after visiting their super adorable home. We knew right away we loved their style, and they would be perfect as our models. They really went beyond the call of duty and even asked their friend Katy, who is actually going to marry them next year, to be a part of this with us. The laughs are real, and we couldn't have asked for a better couple. Our goal was to showcase a DIY wedding with a ton of style. When we designed the table, we used the couple's dishware and rented a few pieces to make the decor feel special. When we got to deciding what to wear, they both asked if they could make it more personal and wear their favorite jean jackets and fedoras. We wanted to show how you don't have to be traditional to be beautiful.

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Wedding Inspiration // Retro Garden Party at Generations in Seattle

Wedding Inspiration // Retro Garden Party at Generations in Seattle

This is a spring inspired wedding shoot celebrating diversity and individuality. I wanted to keep the aesthetic pretty minimal with bright colors and a modern take on a bohemian vibe. Because the space was formerly a DIY venue and vintage shop that has recently shifted gears into a more traditional venue space, we thought it would be appropriate to use some of the vintage pieces from Rent Wander to set the tone.

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Black BeauTEA Talk // Silk & Lace Thrift Shop Inspiration for Nontraditional Brides

Black BeauTEA Talk // Silk & Lace Thrift Shop Inspiration for Nontraditional Brides

I never dreamed about my wedding day as a child. I am not that girl! I honestly feel as though I would breakout into hives just like Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City if I were to try on a wedding dresses. This is not an anti-wedding dress rant. Wedding dresses are the most beautiful gowns ever! I just cannot do traditional anything, and the cost per wear is just a little too high for me. What is “cost per wear” you ask? Well, this is the total cost of the item/number of days you’ll wear it. For those brides who think similarly, I’ve found a loophole for you!!!!  
 

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The ARQ Wedding Guide // Understanding & Incorporating Jewish Customs

The ARQ Wedding Guide // Understanding & Incorporating Jewish Customs

Jewish tradition teaches that a wedding celebrates the creation of a new world, a new beginning that may change the meaning of everything that has come before. We love the endless possibilities to be inspired by and to build upon ancient Jewish wedding rituals.

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Wedding Inspiration // Bohemian Elopement with One on the Way

Wedding Inspiration // Bohemian Elopement with One on the Way

When Brittany and Alex, owners of SCULPTEDFILMS learned that their family will be expanding come this July, they knew that they had to expand their business as well, because a triple-faceted business is hard enough for a two-person team without anticipating a birth in the middle of wedding season. Cue their new, fabulous second shooter, Brianna, who photographed this shoot. As an exercise to train Brianna, and to show off some SCULPTEDFLORALS, we put this elopement inspiration shoot together about as spontaneously as a real elopement might happen.

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10 Wedding Desserts That Will Rock Your World

10 Wedding Desserts That Will Rock Your World

If you're like us, you've been watching the Great British Bake Off in lieu of going to therapy. Well let the dessert therapy continue because we've got ten wedding desserts that are going to knock your socks off! These desserts come to you from some of the most talented teams of creatives across the country who competed in this year's Out of the Box Challenge. Without further ado, let's have a look at our favorites in reverse order:

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Out of the Box Challenge // Nasty Women

Out of the Box Challenge //  Nasty Women

Each of our team members is passionate about representing every type of body and every type of love in our visual media. Our models are both tattooed chicks with alternative vibes. One of our lady models is a curvy model with a bangin’ booty, and the other rocks a pixie cut and an incredible chest piece. There are not nearly enough incredible lesbian wedding shoots in the blogosphere—or even on each of our websites. We loved creating relevant visual content that is exciting and fresh for our LGBTQ clients.

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Wedding Inspiration // Moody New Orleans Witches + Woo Woo

Wedding Inspiration // Moody New Orleans Witches + Woo Woo

I love that Wicca is having a moment in popular culture again, so for this shoot Kelsey Harrison of Oh Happy Day Booth and I wanted to highlight the bold and moody glamour of 21st century witches. We didn’t want to be too on-the-nose, so when styling I layered in the witchy elements: a crystal in Drew’s boutonniere; pheasant feathers in Marquita’s bouquet; sage burning; and a bar cart equipped with mounted butterflies, various crystals, and candles. Diana Ascarrunz captured the desired aesthetic perfectly and Lizbeth Mejorado transformed the already stunning Marquita Wolber into a bewitching Beyoncé. The stars certainly aligned for this shoot. 

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Out of the Box Challenge // Richmond Association of Boss Babes AKA Girls! Girls! Girls!

Out of the Box Challenge // Richmond Association of Boss Babes AKA Girls! Girls! Girls!

Our goal for this shoot was to have fun and highlight color and love! Our theme was Girls! Girls! Girls!, and we were able to put together an amazing team of women, The Richmond Association of Boss Babes. We thought, what would a real life couple do when they woke up together on the day of their wedding? Morning sex, obviously! Boudoir images are usually just of one woman, and even less often do you see images of lesbian boudoir featuring an actual couple. We wanted to capture our girls in their element, being themselves together, whether that was dressed or undressed.

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Elopement Inspiration // Ska, Psychobilly, + Punk Rock

Elopement Inspiration // Ska, Psychobilly, + Punk Rock

The inspiration for this shoot came, for the most part, from my own personal experiences. I knew that I wanted to embrace the romance of an elopement (my husband and I eloped!) and that I wanted to showcase the beauty of unconventionality by adding subcultural elements. I wanted there to be courtship and passion without losing a sense of self; I wanted there to be strength and individuality as well without losing the aspect of soft femininity. Three of my favorite styles of fashion and music are 1960-1970s ska (Rudies), psychobilly, and punk rock; this was the driving force behind making my vision a reality. There are no fancy venues or elaborate décor here. This is meant to be the down-to-earth, private, backyard celebration you’d love to have with the people closest to you.

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Wedding Inspiration // Best Friends in Love: Cammie + Marie

Wedding Inspiration // Best Friends in Love: Cammie + Marie

These ladies are a beautiful couple madly in love. They were just friends for years, both dating other people. When they both found themselves single, a love blossomed. Both are simply divine people...and both are hilarious. The shoot was a blast. Cammie is a coach and is back in school. Marie is an area food safety and nutrition agent. They live together in a cute lil' house in Greenville, South Carolina.

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Out of the Box Challenge // Two for Joy AKA "Shut the fuck up!"

Out of the Box Challenge // Two for Joy AKA "Shut the fuck up!"

We met in person for drinks and were unanimously feeling we had picked the perfect couple. Our first evening together was spent listening to stories of their meeting: an almost-missed connection, driving hours to meet halfway for a first date, facing a fear of heights, falling in love, moving to the same city, revisiting the first date and Carolina’s fear of heights during the proposal (“I still don’t know what the view looks like.”). We felt that Sarah's entire body seemed to smile while talking about Carolina, and Carolina's deep, soulful smile and tenderness toward her future bride were qualities we couldn't wait to convey.

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Elegant Industrial Wedding Inspiration in Arizona

Elegant Industrial Wedding Inspiration in Arizona

Have you ever Googled “beautiful weddings"? You know what comes up? Pages and pages of white couples and maybe an Asian couple for good measure. But there is very little that speaks to a black bride and groom. When I see this, I am saddened. I think of when I was a young girl and did not see much that represented or looked like me. Black men and women get married, too!

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