A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to collaborate on a photo shoot with the ever-fabulous Kate Headley and a few of my other favorite DC-area wedding professionals — and since it offered me a chance to wear my wedding dress again (yay!), I convinced my husband to come along and get all dressed up for an afternoon at the Athenaeum in Old Town, Alexandria.
The style inspiration for the photo shoot was rustic elegance, with a color palette of soft peaches and creams, browns, and classic black and white. My contribution (aside from being in the photos) was the stationery — I designed these square escort cards, which we hung from natural jute twine along a brick archway in the back garden patio of the venue:
Just for fun, I created this “Mr & Mrs” bunting — which you can download and use yourself (for personal use only, please) right here. We hung the bunting from a small tree, but you could string up over the guestbook table or on the path to your reception location:
I also created these dinner menus, which Kelly from Design Cuisine and Maria from Ritzy Bee Events wrapped in a white cloth napkin along with a simple flower and more jute twine for each table place setting:
In keeping with our rustic elegance theme for this shoot, my amazing stylist Abbey from Parlour Salon created a beautiful hairstyle with two braids leading back to a messy bun with a cute little button dahlia tucked in:
I was so happy to finally have the chance to work with Holly Chapple! I had desperately wanted to work with Holly for my wedding last year, but sadly she was already booked on my date. For this shoot, Holly created some truly beautiful floral arrangements, from boutonnieres to centerpieces and lush bouquets:
My husband and I spent some time walking around Old Town near the Athenaeum with Kate — it was an absolutely beautiful autumn afternoon:
Here’s a full list of everyone who participated in this photo shoot:
Location: The Athenaeum
Flowers: Holly Chapple Flowers
Hair: Abbey Castellano Parlour Salon
Stationery: Me!
Photography: Kate Headley
Styling: Maria at Ritzy Bee Events
Styling: Kelly Seizert, Design Cuisine
{all photographs by Kate Headley}
Gorgeous! I love that you were able to wear your dress again. As soon as I’m sure that I’m ready to sell mine, I see things like this and think I should maaaaaybe hold onto it for a bit. Although I should probably at least GET IT CLEANED before I have the audacity to think someone might purchase it from me. (hanging in head in shame)
What a beautiful shoot. You two look absolutely gorgeous! And great work on the paper products. 🙂
Love this shoot! I actually got a reader on my blog who is wondering where your wedding dress is from.
Hey Amanda!
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My dress is called Claire by Monique Lhullier, which I think is from the 2005 or 2006 collection. I actually found my dress by doing a simple Google search, which led me to a woman in Canada who was selling her daughters wedding dress. But Ive seen used versions of my dress on both Once Wed and PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com.
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Absolutely gorgeous. Those flowers make me weak in the knees. And big kudos to you for still fitting into your dress!
Nole, this is so sweet! Everything looks fabulous! What a fun reason to put on your wedding dress again!! 🙂 You and Andrew make great models!
That all looks gorgeous! I did almost the EXACT same thing for the escort cards at my wedding – jute, tiny clothespins and all. Great minds think alike 🙂
Beautiful Nole! Great collaboration. And so fun that you get some more gorgeous photos of you and your husband 🙂
This is so great Nole! I love the collaboration. And the photographs are to die for….
love, love, love every detail!
Nole! Everything looks absolutely GORGEOUS!!!! I can’t even fit into my dress anymore =(. The photo styling looks stunning and so do YOU!
Love the bunting and love that you guys were able to get dressed up again and have more fun photos!
Everyone is so sweet, Nole!! You look beautiful! I love your escort cards with the twine. And the palette is just gorgeous.
nole!! the photos are gorgeous. it must have been SO much fun getting dressed up in your wedding dress, making all those details, and creating such a lovely shoot with a talented group. I especially love those escort cards you made! you look amazing — your hair is so easygoing pretty. would love to try that look someday.