Bohemian Wedding Inspiration Shoot | Downtown Norfolk Wedding

Bohemian Wedding Inspiration Shoot | Downtown Norfolk Wedding

I don’t remember when we started talking about it, but a few months ago my friend Chelsea and I decided that we wanted to put together our own styled shoot. It’s pretty commonplace to ask a wedding planner to help out with the details – and for good reason! Neither of us is great at the planning part of a shoot…we just get inspired!

We wanted an elegant, bohemian feel to a modern downtown Norfolk wedding. With the most gorgeous jeweled blush dress from Ava Clara bridal, we knew it would turn out perfectly. Our model Lauren and her husband were amazing to work with. Not only is she naturally gorgeous, her makeup (and hair!) was exquisite thanks to Katelyn Brenstuhl...

Bayvue Estate Patriotic Styled Shoot | Gloucester, Virginia Wedding Photographer

Bayvue Estate Patriotic Styled Shoot | Gloucester, Virginia Wedding Photographer

The idea behind the shoot is that the United States is a nation made up of people from all countries and all walks of life. Set at the historic Bayvue Estate, our theme was "Home is Where the Heart Is" and celebrated the diversity we enjoy on a daily basis, in light of the 4th of July. Our couple sat down with their growing family and some of their friends to a homestyle dinner with all of the favorites - fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, classic Coke bottles, and corn on the cob, to name a few.

Cinco de Mayo Stylized Shoot // Personal

I'm so excited about this blog! Most of the time, the pictures I take are of other people - and that's one huge thing I love about my job. But this time, I got to jump behind the lens of the camera and be on the other side!

Holly and I have been friends for awhile, so when she asked me to dress up for a day in a wedding dress, get my hair and makeup done, and take beautiful pictures, it wasn't hard to say yes. I got to work with a massively talented team of individuals, who made me feel beautiful! Then, I posed while Andrew and Tianna rocked out their part of the day - the photography.

One big thing I realized is how much a bride and her ladies goes through in a wedding day. Granted, my hair and makeup was probably more extensive than is typical since we were going for a very specific theme, but I was exhausted by the end of it all! The ladies did an amazing job with everything, but just sitting in the chair and keeping my eyes open, then closed, then back open again, and tilting my head this way and that to get the desired outcome was flat out exhausting. I also learned for the first time how to take off false lashes! Ha. I doubt I'll be using that knowledge too much in the future :)

Mostly, it was fun to play dress up for the day and be a part of something that so many people worked incredibly hard on (full vendor credits below). I can't thank the team ENOUGH for all they did to make me look fancy and like a little Cinco de Mayo bride. I secretly hope I get to 'model' again in the future!

See the featured blog post on Tidewater and Tulle here.

Hair and makeup styling
Hair and makeup wedding day styling
Cinco de Mayo Styled Shoot | Brick fireplace wedding
Cinco de Mayo Themed Wedding | Invitation suite
Cinco de Mayo Themed Wedding | Wedding cake
Cinco de Mayo Themed Wedding | Reception details & wedding signage
Cinco de Mayo Themed Wedding | Furniture rentals & reception decor
Cinco de Mayo Themed Wedding | Bridal Portraits
Cinco de Mayo Themed Wedding | Wedding hairstyles
Cinco de Mayo Themed Wedding | Bridal portraits
Cinco de Mayo Themed Wedding | Bridal portraits | Black and white
Cinco de Mayo Themed Wedding | Spanish flowers
Cinco de Mayo Themed Wedding | Bridal portraits
Cinco de Mayo Themed Wedding | Bridal portraits
Cinco de Mayo Themed Wedding | Bridal portraits | Black and white
Cinco de Mayo Themed Wedding | Bridal portraits by the water
Cinco de Mayo Themed Wedding | Bridal portraits
Cinco de Mayo Themed Wedding | Bridal portraits
Cinco de Mayo Themed Wedding | Bridal portraits
Cinco de Mayo Themed Wedding | Bridal portraits | Black and white

Venue: Planter's Club of Suffolk
Coordination: Just Dandy Events
Photography: Andrew & Tianna
Styling: Courtney Jordan
Dress: Maya Couture
Hair: High Voltage Hair
Makeup: Beauty & Baubles
Signage: Water's Edge Design
Furniture: Paisley & Jade
Rentals: Styled
Invitation Suite: The Girl Tyler
Wedding Cake: Sweet Emma Lou
Florals: C&J Floral
Model: Maria Grace Photography