Today’s blog post is an exciting one because I’m sharing with you a styled shoot that I dreamt up earlier this year and it got featured on the Aisle Perfect blog.  After putting together the Marie Antoinette wedding photoshoot (which by the way got published in 5 different wedding blogs since March 2018!), I was inspired to create and photograph even more stylized weddings.  As beautiful as the real weddings are that I photograph, the honest truth is that there’s just not enough time during a real wedding day to photograph all the details and get all the shots that I need for publication; therefore my next best option is to create my own styled weddings by collaborating with local vendors who also want to feature their work.

For this photoshoot, I was inspired by a special memory of mine.  I had attended a week long training in Chicago back in 2005 and the hotel that I stayed in had this beautiful garden that guests could walk through (I cannot, for the life of me, remember which hotel this was… I just remember it being in Chicago).  It also featured mini-bridges, a pond and a water fountain.  I remember strolling through the garden and thinking how beautiful it was.  It felt like I was in a whole different world…. One late evening after dinner, I had gone out to the pond just to sit out there and get some fresh air and I swear, there were some white swans swimming in the water (it might’ve been some geese but I’m convinced they were swans; I did have a few drinks that evening so my memory of it may be a bit twisted :)).  Anyhow, even though it’s been over ten years, I can never seem to forget how beautiful and special those moments were… and so what do I do with all those memories?  Turn them into a photoshoot of course!

I couldn’t think of a better place than Southern Exposure for this shoot.  It’s located in Battle Creek, Michigan and has some very charming features… the lush greens, colorful flowers, walkways and hanging chandeliers.  The owners were so sweet and they even invited me one evening to have dinner at one of their spring floral events where we got to eat a delicious dinner (with unlimited wine) followed by an DIY floral activity.  This is truely a unique venue as there is a formal bridal suite for getting ready, on-site catering, outdoor ceremony and a reception under a nice white tent.  Everything you need for a wedding all in one place!

 

I got 3-layered cake from my favorite bakery in Battle Creek, Contential Pastry & Bakery.  Tracy Park of Park Place Design Floral added real flowers to the cake which turned out beautifully.

 

How beautiful and whimiscal is this wedding bouquet?  This was created by the talented Tracy of Park Place Floral Design:

 

My beautiful model, Brittany and her husband, Logan graciously agreed to be the “bride” and “groom” for this shoot.  I had previously done their family’s portraits and couldn’t think of anyone more perfect for this shoot.

 

All the wedding details!  All the stationery (made of white deckled paper) were provided by Kayla of Kayla Taylor Creative Design & Custom Prints.  If you ever need custom invitations, menus or vow books, Kayla is the person to go to.  She’s very professional and just gets your vision as soon as you describe what you want.  She had also provided the stationery for the Marie Antoinette shoot and has not disppointed me.

The dishes, silverwear and glassware were provided by Kirsten of Delicate Dishes.  She even helped me design the tablescape!

This beautiful vow book was created by Kayla Taylor Creative Design & Custom Prints.  The calligraphy on the love letter below was made by Kari Dawn of Kari Dawn Avenue… you all already know how much I’m into love letters…. although I don’t get very much of them myself :/.

 

Hair and makeup was done by K Bella Hair Studios and it came out exactly how I had envisioned it!  The team at the studio went all out and treated Brittany like a princess for the day.

 

I had seen this wedding gown on instagram and fell in love with it instantly… yes I believe in love at first sight!  I contacted Memories Bridal & Evening Wear and they generously lend the dress for this shoot.

Vintage carousel provided by Kirsten of Delicate Dishes.

Donna of Upstage Kzoo brought this beautiful vintage settee all the way out for the shoot.  She provides furniture and props if you ever need to rent anything for your wedding, check her out!

This shoot turned out exactly the way I had envisioned it and I couldn’t have done it without the talented team of vendors that contributed towards this shoot:

Photography:  DreamBox Photography

Venue:  Southern Exposure

Florals:  Park Place Floral Design

Wedding gown & tux:  Memories Bridal & Evening Wear

Hair & Makeup:  K Bella Hair Studios

Stationery:  Kayla Taylor Creative Design & Custom Prints

Calligraphy:  Kari Dawn Avenue

Cake and deserts:  Contintental Pastry & Bakery

Rental (dishes, silverware, glassware):  Delicate Dishes

Rental (vintage settee):  Upstage Kzoo

Rental (linens + gold chiavari chairs):  Rentalex – Vine Street

 

Southern Exposure Wedding | Photographers in Battle Creek, Michigan