We really missed getting to see some of our favorite event pros during all the lockdowns and stay at home orders. So when things calmed down, we reached out to some friends to see if they want to flex those creative muscles with us at the Duportail House. The results were gorgeous!
The Inspiration
Mermaid tale colored sequined pillows. That’s where it all began. Ashley reached out to Denise at Leigh Florist, and Kate over at Duportail House, and the ball started to roll. Ashley mentioned her love of dogs, so the idea of a doggo in a flower crown was born. Well, after it became clear that a pig would be hard to procure. The trickiest bit proved to be finding a harpist for that “oh so romantic” feel, but the universe would take care of that for us.
The Players
Venue: The Duportail House
Kate at Duportail House has been a good friend to the studiofor a long time and we’ve been promising her a styled shoot for years – especially since we joined the Philadelphia chapter of NACE (a regional wedding and event organization). Duportail House is a wedding venue complete with a stunning historic home, right along the edge of Valley Forge, with spaces that blend colonial charm, historic elegance, and natural vibes. The house itself is beautiful, but if rustic is more your style, the barn is a great place for your event! We used the front porch, bridal suite, and the Federal Barn for our locations, and these were the perfect backdrop for vibrant summery inspiration.
Florals: Leigh Florist
It’s no secret that we love working with Denise and the team at Leigh Florist. Denise heard the idea and ran with it. She crafted floral creations that perfectly realized the colors Ashley envisioned. Not only does Denise & the entire team at Leigh Florist create beautiful things, but they are so much fun to be around! Always smiling and making us laugh, she brings so much energy to our shoots.
Bonus point? Rachel from Leigh Florist is one of our 2020 2021 brides, so we were excited for a chance to see her this year (& on her birthday, no less!)
Hair & Makeup Artistry: Elegance Artistry
Have we mentioned Sara from Elegance Artistry lately? If we haven’t it’s because we haven’t had the chance to see this lovely lady much since the lockdowns. So we were thrilled when she signed on to bring her talents and expertise to this shoot. Her makeup looks always feel so natural, with a person’s naturally great features given a chance to shine. She can also make anyone feel comfortable in seconds and, after a day together, feels more like family than a hired professional.
Bridal Gown & Groom’s Attire: Darianna Bridal
Initially, Daria really wanted to use a particular new line from Madi Lane for our Strawberry Mansion shoot for Dream Weddings. Unfortunately, the dresses just didn’t make it in time. So when we asked her if she wanted to be part of this shoot, it was the perfect opportunity to show off one of these incredible gowns. We truly value her expertise at finding the perfect gown for the theme, and then pairing it with fantastic menswear. This suit couldn’t have been more flattering and the color flowed perfectly with the other elements of the day.
It’s style like this that make the team at Darianna Bridal our go-to for all of our bridal and menswear needs!
Furniture/Rentals: Lilac & Lace Co
The incredible vintage furniture and tables (even some of the darling details, like the ceramic dog) were thoughtfully picked out by Dina, the owner of Lilac & Lace Co. With her guidance and eye for styling, we were able to bring together completely unique decor for a lush sweetheart table, cozy lounge for relaxing with a cocktail, and the most delightful presentation of sweets! From the rich jewel tone of the couch was perfectly complemented by the black velvet pillows to the shabby chic table for the dessert set, everything was stunning. It’s hard to believe these are only a few of the incredible pieces she has to offer.
If you’ve ever wondered why you might need rentals to bring together a perfect vision for your wedding day, you must call Dina! Her ability to bring together function and aesthetic is truly impressive.
Jewelry: L Priori Jewelry
Lauren’s incredible jewelry always elevates any styled shoot. With her new location in King of Prussia, she’s more accessible to our team and our suburban couples than ever, too!
The incredible wedding rings that she recommended for the shoot were perfect, but in our opinion, the pearl necklace was the showstopper. The delicate chain and perfect pearls really brought the whole outfit together.
Stationery & Paper Goods: April Lynn Designs
Every editorial photographer is in pursuit of the perfect flatlay, and April makes it so easy with her stunning designs. For this shoot, she gave us a beautifully intricate laser cut invitation suite with delicate florals all around. This picked up beautifully on the china pattern from Lilac & Lace. Another perfect creative addition to this styled shoot!
Macarons: Dulce Artisanal Pantry
Is there a prettier dessert than a perfect macaron? The little crinkle in the cookie, the perfect icing layer, and the vast array of flavor combinations and colors make these confections a dream for any shoot. Dulce Artisanal Pantry in Collingswood made incredible lavendar, vanilla, and raspberry macarons that we all got to partake of after capturing their beauty. They tasted even more amazing than they looked!
Cupcakes & Baked Goods: Stella Baking Company
How awesome is it when you get the chance to photograph something that tastes amazing as well? Stella Baking Company’s fantastic cupcakes, cookies, and scones were beautiful to photograph, and better to eat. These were every bit as decadent as you would want from gourmet baked goods, and we may still have a few in the freezer for a rainy day!
Harpist: Katoe
Remember how we mentioned that the harpist idea from the initial planning meeting seemed to be dead in the water? Well, fortune smiled upon us. The day before the shoot, Kate called us to let us know that Carmen from CTO Music Artists was moving into the property’s carriage house that weekend. His fiancé, rather serendipitously, is a beautiful harpist named Katoe. She gladly obliged when we asked if she’d be willing to be part of the session. She regaled us with some gorgeous music and it set the scene for our ceremony set so so well. Thank you, Katoe and the universe!
Models: Iris & Kenneth, & Millie the Bulldog
Iris and Kenneth are two of the sweetest people you’ll ever meet. We were heartbroken when their wedding didn’t happen for them as originally planned, but thrilled when they asked us to still capture their portrait during few weeks of marriage. Then, we got even more excited when they agreed to model for our Duportail House editorial. Iris rocked the Madi Lane dress and brought some serious fire, and Kenneth looked incredibly sharp in his suit. We barely had to prompt these two to snuggle for Kenneth to make us blush at times with how adoringly he looked at his wife. They’re utterly perfect together.
We also had a special guest in Millie, the senior bulldog. She is a love bug and we wanted to highlight her with a special flower collar. She was a good sport about it, especially when she got some belly rubs and treats for a job well done.
All in all, this shoot was a beautiful outpouring of creative energy from a team of pandemic pent up professionals who needed to make something beautiful in this difficult time. We can’t wait to do it again!
