:: Editorial Photo Shoot: Sustainably Gorgeous ::

This past June we have the amazing opportunity to team up with Ashley of Ashley Therese Photography and our past couple Nicole & Oli! Inspired by my former corporate job, conducting building energy retrofits to reduce energy consumption and carbon footprint, I was intrigued at the possibility of having a "green" wedding. In my initial research I found lots of weddings that were eco-friendly, however many of the weddings or editorial photo shoots were very urban chic (which I like of course), but also almost androgynous. I was inspired to create a eco-friendly wedding inspiration photo shoot that appealed to the bride who wanted a soft, pretty & possibly pink themed wedding but would like to remain eco-conscious in the process!

The photo shoot took place at the Keeler Tavern Museum in Ridgefield, Connecticut on easily one of the most beautiful and fabulously warm days all summer. To start things off I wanted to share the initial inspiration photo the vendors were given to build off of.

The table from New England Country Rentals, was constructed from reclaimed barn wood which sat on the Parsons metal base (on average, metal has a minimum of 60% post consumer recycled content). There were bamboo (which is a sustainable resource) chairs and a matching reclaimed wood bench.

Centerpieces from Fleurescent were potted azalea plants, which will continue to grow, or can be planted after the wedding or photo shoot in this cases. The table runner consisted of vibrant pink Caladium base with Cherry Blossoms on top. Caladium is local to Connecticut, leaves of this plant could be clipped and will re-grow quickly in its native environment and the cherry blossoms used where remnants from a tree pruning job from a local landscaper.

The napkins used were made of a gold printed linen. Linen is an eco-friendly material since it is made from flax seed which is sustainable, which by definition will regrow within 6 years. The favors by Little Random Details were handmade honey and oatmeal soaps wrapped in a organic pink cotton with a seed paper tag and a raffia bow.

The escort cards consisted of green onions in bud vases with a recycled paper tag tied around it with raffia. Green onions will continue to re-grow once cut once the bulb is placed it water. Care directions were included on the menu card by Roseville Designs.

This bouquet is certainly different, and beautiful. The bride’s “living” bouquet consisted of variegated ficus with the roots covered in a damp cloth to remain fresh and wrapped in burlap which was able to be planted after the wedding or photo shoot.

In many events, having a photobooth is a popular entertainment option. We wanted to play off of that and have a few vintage activities as an alternative, which require no paper, chemicals or electricity.

The Tavern Table used to display the dessert was made from Forest Stewardship Council certified wood and constructed locally. The absolutely beautiful cake by Erica O'Brien Cake Design was made from several organic or fresh local ingredients. Fresh seasonal watermelon, raspberries and blueberries were sourced from a weekly farm market and tasted delicious! And finally, raspberry short cake and individual strawberry rhubarb pies were made from local and/or organic ingredients with fruit were also sourced from a weekly farm market.

The invitations were made from plantable seed paper with the ink on a velum overlay. The coordinating invitation suite components were printed on 80% recycled paper. Menu cards doubled as instructions which were perforated for care of the onion plant escort cards.

And finally, Nicole & Oli....

The bride’s Enzoani gown is pre-owned as well as the groom’s Alfani suit.The bride’s hair featured a rosette brooch constructed of broken and recycled jewelry by Recycled Couture by Larissa Lake.