As y’all may already know, yesterday was a big day around here. Our Shel Silverstein wedding shoot made its big debut on the pretty pages of Wedding Chicks, a national wedding blog! We’d been keeping it under wraps so as to not spoil the surprise, but now that the cat’s out of the bag I can’t wait to share the full shoot here on the blog.

The entire idea started when Bree of Capitol Romance and I were rummaging around in our brains for creative concepts for our next shoot. She suggested an industrial theme with bronze colors and light bulbs, and we somehow evolved from light bulbs to A Light In The Attic (one of Shel’s books of poems for kids, both youth and old). I LOVED Shel Silverstein growing up as did Bree, so we took the theme and ran with it. The poem we based most of the shoot after is called “Invitation,” and it reads as such:

If you are a dreamer, come in.
If you are a dreamer, a wisher, a liar,
A hope-er, a pray-er, a magic bean buyer…
If you’re a pretender come sit by my fire
For we have some flax golden tales to spin.
Come in!
Come in!

We loved the idea of “dreamer” so we chose a palette of fluffy pinks, golds and charcoals and accented the shoot with light bulbs and clouds. We were so fortunate to be able to work with Lynn of the Black Horse Inn (one of my favorite venues in the world!), and the green fields and gorgeous ambiance of the venue really helped take the entire shoot up a notch. Enough talking, though. Enjoy the eye candy!

Shel Silverstein wedding styled shoot Virginia

My favorite graphic designer Wendy of Weswen Design was our first choice for paper goods, and oh BOY did she deliver! This is the most fun invitation suite I’ve ever seen.

Shel Silverstein wedding styled shoot Virginia

Please take note of the wording on the RSVP card.

Shel Silverstein wedding styled shoot VirginiaShel Silverstein wedding styled shoot Virginia

Amanda of Anthomanic was our first choice for florals. She’s crazy awesome- I’ve never seen anyone manipulate and design arrangements and bouquets the way she does. SHe’s one of the most creative people I know in the industry, so when she said she was on board I did a huge Jersey fist pump.

Shel Silverstein wedding styled shoot VirginiaShel Silverstein wedding styled shoot VirginiaShel Silverstein wedding styled shoot Virginia

Bree DIYed these sweet glitter light bulbs and clouds. Aren’t they fun?

Shel Silverstein wedding styled shoot Virginia

Shel Silverstein wedding styled shoot Virginia

I knew exactly who I wanted to ask to be our models for this shoot- Alex & Seamus are such a sweet couple and are incredible in front of the camera! Seamus was styled by Ethan Field, a dude with fabulous taste in men’s higher-end fashion (also, my big brother!). Love that bow tie. The dress Alex is wearing is an Amsale gown- we found it at Fabulous Frocks of Alexandria, a consignment boutique for designer wedding gowns. It was perfect for our theme!

Shel Silverstein wedding styled shoot Virginia

Shel Silverstein wedding styled shoot Virginia

We had a couple of different looks for Alex planned, based around two different headpieces by Two Back Flats. This white rosette + veil was so gorgeous on Alex’s curled tresses, courtesy of the amazing Jewel Hair Design! Bree and I loved the disheveled-yet-elegant ‘do Julie designed for our first piece. Rachel of Dainty Artistry made sure Alex’s make-up was fresh and fabulous all evening, and I loved the job she did on Alex’s eye make-up!

Shel Silverstein wedding styled shoot Virginia

Light bulb boutonniere!

Shel Silverstein wedding styled shoot VirginiaShel Silverstein wedding styled shoot VirginiaShel Silverstein wedding styled shoot Virginia

Dessert table! That adorable sign is one of Wendy’s creations, and all the treats were made/gathered by Bree & I. Cream puffs, meringues shaped like clouds,angel food cake and cotton candy.

Shel Silverstein wedding styled shoot VirginiaShel Silverstein wedding styled shoot VirginiaShel Silverstein wedding styled shoot VirginiaShel Silverstein wedding styled shoot Virginia

I DIY-ed these cotton candy cones with paper, a scalloped paper punch and some double stick tape. Super easy. Also, GET A LOAD of that adorable bridal top hat! Another one of Two Back Flats’ creations! It fit perfectly with our quirky theme!

Shel Silverstein wedding styled shoot VirginiaShel Silverstein wedding styled shoot VirginiaShel Silverstein wedding styled shoot VirginiaShel Silverstein wedding styled shoot VirginiaShel Silverstein wedding styled shoot VirginiaShel Silverstein wedding styled shoot VirginiaShel Silverstein wedding styled shoot VirginiaShel Silverstein wedding styled shoot VirginiaShel Silverstein wedding styled shoot VirginiaShel Silverstein wedding styled shoot VirginiaShel Silverstein wedding styled shoot VirginiaShel Silverstein wedding styled shoot Virginia

Now do you see why I love this venue?

Shel Silverstein wedding styled shoot VirginiaShel Silverstein wedding styled shoot VirginiaShel Silverstein wedding styled shoot VirginiaShel Silverstein wedding styled shoot VirginiaShel Silverstein wedding styled shoot VirginiaShel Silverstein wedding styled shoot VirginiaShel Silverstein wedding styled shoot VirginiaShel Silverstein wedding styled shoot Virginia

Happy Wednesday! Oh, and check it out- there’s a “Pin it” button at the bottom of the post! Wooo

Shel Silverstein Wedding Styled Shoot- the full post

August 8, 2012

  1. OMG YESSSSSSSSSSs. I cannot stop looking at this! Your images are just STUNNING and that day was exhausting, but obviously SO worth it! Thanks for sharing more!

  2. Christine says:

    Beautiful and inspiring as always Abby!! I want to go back and read all the books again 🙂

  3. Justin Ferry says:

    You are back at it again Abby! Making great things come to life. Can you please send some of that dessert table over my way? Great work!

  4. Abby, these images are stunning!The more I see, the more excited I am! I am so happy to have been a part of this shoot! AND WOW….you got some amazing hair shots…CANT THANK YOU ENOUGH! *hugs*

  5. Rici says:

    LOVE IT ALL!!

  6. Jean says:

    I love this shoot. I love the bouquet and the pastel colors. You have done an outstanding job. Of course the photography is outstanding!

  7. Alex and Seamus says:

    Swoon! The images are beautiful, Abby! Seamus and I had such an incredible day and can’t thank you enough for being a part of this wonderful experience! You’re the best!

  8. Malia says:

    Swooning! Absolutely adore this styled shoot, amazing job! Looking beautiful as always, Alex!

  9. Rebekah Hoyt says:

    Wowowwwww gorgeous Abby!

  10. katie says:

    SO CUTE! I love this whole shoot from the styling to the images! Wonderful job ladies and CONGRATS on the feature!! 😀

  11. i seriously am SO in love with this. it’s crazy!!

  12. Absolutely and definitely lovely… like the glittered bulb DIY, is it good for use?? if it is, I’m sure they will look beautiful at night when the party will going to lighten the venue!!!

  13. SO. MUCH. LOVE. <3

    No seriously, everything is amazing. The photography, the details, the lighting… and Alex + Seamus are simply adorable!

  14. so fun — i absolutely adore this whole shoot! shel silverstein is one of my favorite authors and you’ve captured the essence of his poem in this shoot beautifully!

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