Southern Weddings

More than any other shoot in the magazine, this one was simply fun to work on. When else do you get to spend a full day tossing, fluffing, shaking and waving pretty objects? Boone Hall Plantation was the perfect backdrop for our colorful props, Carlee Sizemore styled everything beautifully and Corbin Gurkin captured the tricky shots masterfully.

We had far more images than we had room to share in the magazine, so I’m excited to show you more of this shoot here! First up: custom ribbon wands from Romancing Juliet! Caroline, our bride for the day, is wearing a Kate Spade dress with style no. 34 by Preston & Olivia and S Dot Jewelry’s double glass drop earrings in champagne and clear. She carries the Big Bloom Bridal Clutch by Oatmeal Lace Design.

Our next look was college-inspired, with custom pennants and pom poms (or as Marissa calls them, “shakers”). Sierra designed our pennants in Illustrator and printed them at FedEx Kinkos, and the pom poms came from Cheerleading.com. Our lovely bride is wearing the “Shayna” by Lilly Pulitzer from Palm Avenue in Charleston, with a white seersucker clutch from Oatmeal Lace Design and Copella Designs agate-coin bracelets.

Our next getaway idea would be perfect for a couple who loves to travel, or for a bride or groom who’s a pilot! Caroline is wearing “Madge” by Amsale from Bella Bridesmaid Tampa, carrying a Davie & Chiyo pleated clutch, and accessorizing with the “Charlotte” earrings by Rhyne Becton, S Dot Jewelry bracelets, and a birdcage veil from Brenda’s Bridal Veils. Spy anyone you recognize in the photo below? :)

I think this next idea is so fun, and with the range of hues craft poms come in, there’s an option for every color palette! Plus, the poms are much easier to clean up than confetti or seeds. We got our poms from Create For Less in two different sizes. Caroline is wearing the “Melbourne” by Watters. She is also wearing the “Southern vintage feather” accessory by Preston & Olivia and Copella Designs pearl hoop earrings. Instead of a clutch, Caroline is carrying a gorgeous pink bouquet from Stems.

This next idea just might be my favorite, and again, it’s a great one if your venue won’t let you make a mess: streamers! Caroline and Lionel are all glammed up in a tux (from Jim’s Formal Wear) and “Sweet Dreams” by Ivy & Aster, respectively. (SUCH a gorgeous dress!) Caroline is accessorizing with Copella Designs’ pearl drop earrings and the “Peyton” clutch in silk dupioni from Belles & Crystals.

For our last set of the day, we went classic: big, colorful confetti from Artistry in Motion, a black tuxedo, and a one-shoulder dress from Chloe & Reese (via Maddison Row) with a puffy two-part veil from Brenda’s Bridal Veils (my favorite!). Caroline accessorized with the “Champagne” crystal hoop earrings from S Dot Jewelry.

Be sure to pick up a copy of the magazine to get the inside scoop on some fun behind-the-scenes details! Also, a huge thank you to the eight readers who came out to help us with this shoot, standing in as guests — it was so fun getting to know you all!

The talented vendors:

Photography: Corbin Gurkin // Styling: Carlee Sizemore of High Cotton Event Design // Makeup: Pamela Lesch // Hair: Affair Hair by Tanesha // Florals: Charleston Stems // Location: Boone Hall Plantation

Written with love by Emily