When Covid-19 turned the wedding and event industry upside down this spring, I was suddenly faced with a summer unlike one I’d had since starting my career as a wedding planner. What for me is usually the busiest time of the year suddenly wasn’t. Helping my couples navigate the uncharted waters of this pandemic, was absolutely heartbreaking for everyone involved. After months of planning and anticipation, to suddenly face postponing or dramatically altering the day they had envisioned was a devastating decision to have to make. Amidst all this sadness and uncertainty, I hadn’t planned on entering Wedding Day Magazine’s annual Styled Shoot Competition. My heart just wasn’t up to the challenge. But then a random message from my friend and colleague, Grace Pulver changed all that.
Grace is the incredibly talented photographer who I collaborated with on our entry into last year’s competition (Marie Antoinette – Viva la Fete), and who had also moved with her family to Oregon this year. She told me she would be in town this summer to shoot a wedding, and was I planning on an entry into the competition. Up until that moment, the answer would have been no. I asked her if she would shoot it while in town – if I did decide to enter – and with a simple yes, the stars began to align.
The competition requirements are fairly simple – chose one of the predetermined themes to base your entry around and incorporate Pantone Color of the Year, which for 2020 is Classic Blue. We chose ‘Out Of This World’ as our theme and designed the shoot around this little fairy tale (because who couldn’t use one right about now):
This fable centers around the wedding of a celestial being and a young man fascinated by the night sky and in particular, one star that seems to appear nightly, shining brightly above him. As all stars can, this celestial being produces her own light, and night after night, she shines, as she watches him, watch her. She falls in love with him, and one night, decides to fall to earth, where she finds him looking for her in the night sky. Knowing they are destined to be together, they decide to marry. They choose the hours of twilight, where daylight and darkness meet, with earth and her gifts of nature (towering trees, wild flowers) as well as celestial bodies ( the moon, stars, comets and galaxies) could both be present to witness their vows.
PS – We won!
Creative Team:
Design & Coordination: Celebrated Events
Photography: Grace Pulver Photography
Floral: Marco Alexzondra Floral and Special Events
Venue: Gable Hill
Rentals: Aays Rental Company
Cake: Sweet Em’s Cake Shoppe
Linens: Creative Coverings
Gown: AW Bridal
Tuxedo: The Groomsman Suit
Hair & Makeup: Beauty and Bliss
Custom Headpiece: Chef Bizarro Milinery
Models: Claire Shippy & Carter Rief