Okay, time to share some favorite shots and the insider scoop from my Pride and Prejudice wedding spread for Nonpareil Magazine! This project was an epic undertaking and would still be a spark in my imagination if not for the incredible contributors who helped me. Firstly I'd like to thank Villa Montalvo in Saratoga for hosting us. I can't imagine a more memorable venue for a wedding!
The gorgeous table settings were courtesy of Gump's, a San Francisco homewares institution. Can you picture me waltzing in and taking my pick from their incredible selection of fine china? Kid. In. A. Candy. Store. As for the table, the Huz built it with scrap wood and pillars from Ohmega Salvage. It looked great but was it structurally sound? Um, we had a 'don't touch the table' policy on set.
The Fashion. Oh my gosh, you guys, the fashion. Elizabeth Dye of The English Dept. custom made all the boleros for us--that striped one was inspired by the recent BBC production of Emma! She also created the pin-dot gown in the shots below. All other gowns were courtesy of Bella Bridesmaid, an amazing resource for bridesmaid and bridal gowns that I wish I'd known about when I got married!
Holy guacamole. The dessert spread. All the treats were generously donated by Miette, my favorite San Francisco sweet shop. Cake stands arrived courtesy of Wisteria. The tea cups, saucers, serving plates and silver you see throughout the spread all belong to me, my mother or my grandmother. I loved being able to include a family touch!
Definitely my favorite detail in the whole project, these tiny miniature portraits are a spoof on the current trend in wedding photography to have the bride and groom poise while holding polaroids of each other. I totally cracked myself up with this one--and I owe a huge thanks to the Huz for photoshopping our models' faces onto old portraits from the 1800's!
No wedding is complete without accessories! Myra of Twigs & Honey custom designed all the headpieces for the shoot. Don't those flowers slay you? The antique-inspired reticule bags are from Moyna. Gemstone baubles from Fuss Jewelry oozed elegance and romance. And that stunner of a ring above? My very good friend Juliano of Juliano Jewelry made it. He's a diamond master!
The cake: swoon! Gabby at Cake Coquette came up with the lovely swirling vine and butterfly pattern based on a swatch of silk Chinoiserie I found. And the breathtaking flower arrangements from Sharla Flock Designs took this project to a whole other level. Sharla's work has appeared on the cover of Martha Stewart Weddings so I knew we were in expert hands!
Our models Sterling and Shaye worked the shoot courtesy of Look Model Agency. We couldn't have asked for a more smoldering couple! All the men's apparel that Shaye wears is from John Varvatos, whose 'tailoring meets rock 'n' roll' sensibility made for the perfect brooding Mr. Darcy vibe. And our hair and make-up artist Sherrie Long blew me away with the looks she created for Sterling!
Bella Figura stopped their presses and asked their team of letterpress gurus to create a custom stationery suite. You cannot go wrong with Bella Figura's astounding designs, which are all printed on vintage equipment with eco-friendly inks and papers. Kathryn of Dream a Little Dream Events picked up her graceful pen for the escort card calligraphy. I saved the one that reads 'Elizabeth Bennett!'
The bench in the foreground was loaned to us by Wisteria--they are the nicest folks you'll ever meet! Finally, that folding screen in the background? The Huz built it with my mom--who kindly flew all the way from Toronto to help out! Let's just say that in spite of my attempts to have everything ready in advance, we had to bring a circular saw to the set.
Last but definitely not least, I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Lisa Lefkowitz for sharing my vision and capturing it through her peerless lens. Lisa is a true artist and it was the highlight of my professional career to collaborate with her. And naturally, a massive thank you goes out to Andrew Hsu of Studio MSV for the video he created of the project. My friends, colleagues, and readers, right now my cup runneth over and I am brimming with joy! Have a glorious weekend :)
To see more images from this project, to read my complete write-up, and to get some fun downloadable DIY's, please head to this month's issue of Nonpareil Magazine!
Sponsored Links: Complete list of credits: Photography: Lisa Lefkowitz Photography / Concept, Production and Styling: Anne Sage of The City Sage/ Florals: Sharla Flock Designs / Hair and Makeup: Sherrie Long / Cake: Cake Coquette / Paper Goods: Bella Figura Letterpress / Calligraphy: Kathryn Kalabokes of Dream a Little Dream / Table Settings: Gump’s / Furnishings: Wisteria / Fashion: Custom made by Elizabeth Dye/The English Dept. (Boleros, Polka dot bridal gown) / Ready-to-wear by Bella Bridesmaid (Cream chiffon bridal gown is HB6953 by Saja; blue bridesmaid gown is Santorini, pink bridesmaid gown is Sonoma, both by Swoon / Hair pieces: Custom made by Twigs & Honey / Dessert buffet: Miette / Diamonds: Juliano Jewelry / Other Jewelry: Fuss Jewelry / Models: Shaye and Sterling for Look Model Agency / Location: Villa Montalvo, Saratoga, California / Video: Andrew Hsu of Studio MSV / Men’s Fashion: John Varvatos / Handbags: Moyna Sponsored Links: Pass 1z0-048 exam fast to explore the better job opportunities. Join today for complete set of JN0-343 dumps and 000-087 practice exam.
So fun to see the behind the scenes story!
Everything looks absolutely beautiful, dear!
Posted by: Rachel (heart of light) | June 25, 2010 at 10:16 AM
You did an AMAZING job! Every little detail was perfect! Congrats on this achievement!
Posted by: Emily | June 25, 2010 at 10:25 AM
Oh how sweet of you to share all this goodness! I love Villa Montalvo...was just there a couple months ago and thought that it would be the perfect location for a wedding shoot! It obviously is :) Everything was perfect! And I love that the circular saw made the trip too :)
xoxo
kristi
Posted by: Kristi | June 25, 2010 at 10:26 AM
Really lovely!
Posted by: Laurie | June 25, 2010 at 10:33 AM
Thank you for sharing the behind the scenes details. I was floored by all the beautiful images. Everyone did an Amazing job. I felt like I was right in the middle of Pride and Prejudice. Congrats!
Posted by: People St. Clair | June 25, 2010 at 10:40 AM
Anne! I'm speechless.
Posted by: evencleveland | June 25, 2010 at 10:58 AM
This shoot is so beyond beautiful, Anne!
I featured it in my Friday Faves- the post from Style me Pretty.
Posted by: Jaime @ La vie...J'aime | June 25, 2010 at 11:09 AM
Wowza! So fun to hear the details. You are so lucky to have a husband that is also a carpenter! And your mom flew in?? That is so sweet!!
Posted by: chelsea | June 25, 2010 at 11:13 AM
Thanks for sharing the details. Too bad the table was only a prop - it is lovely.
Posted by: Grace | June 25, 2010 at 12:14 PM
ANNE. i have chills. this is SPECTACULAR, lady!!!!
Posted by: maemae | June 25, 2010 at 01:15 PM
Officially the most beautiful photoshoot ever - I love everything about it. Just stunning xx
Posted by: Liz@VioletPosy | June 25, 2010 at 01:28 PM
Loved reading through this post. Thank you for sharing all the details of the day!
Posted by: Crystal @ Plush Palate | June 25, 2010 at 01:31 PM
Congratulations Anne- what a beautiful project! How wonderful for you :)
Posted by: katrina | June 25, 2010 at 02:13 PM
HOLY CRAP, ANNE! You did an amazing job! I love it. I am a huge fan of P&P, and so glad you styled it this way.
The Huz & mum did wonders with that screen.
Congrats! This is a job well done. I'm salivating right now.
Posted by: Mae Lu | June 25, 2010 at 02:41 PM
WOW. absolutely breathtaking! congrats on an amazing, amazing project. and p.s. i just love gumps too, i would have been PARALYZED in excitement in there...
so excited to hear more and huge congratulations!
xoxo
Posted by: Account Deleted | June 25, 2010 at 04:35 PM
Anne,
Bravo, Bravo...I posted it on FaceBook last evening. It was indeed met with much applause. Have a most wonderful weekend. You certainly, deserve it. ox, Maureen
Posted by: Maureen Sullivan Stemberg, Interior's | June 25, 2010 at 06:43 PM
My goodness, I am gushing over this! Everything is perfect! I wanna cry, it's so gorgeous. This is a dream turned into reality. Phenomenal work!
Posted by: Merissa | June 25, 2010 at 07:40 PM
THESE ARE BEAUTIFUL! All I can say is well–done! I am enjoying all of the fine details and intricacies that have been carefully planned out here... lovely...
xoxo
Posted by: Sarah Klassen | June 25, 2010 at 10:43 PM
Really really lovely darling! I am head over heels for the entire shoot!!!
Posted by: Alva | June 26, 2010 at 01:52 AM
Amazing!! This is such a beautiful shoot!
Posted by: Terri | June 26, 2010 at 07:22 AM
seriously, so so amazing my dear. you are so talented and fabulous! what remarkable vendors, props and gorgeous details. missing you!!!! xoxo
Posted by: cassandra @ coco+kelley | June 26, 2010 at 11:10 AM
Wow, absolutely beautiful!
Posted by: Jenny | June 26, 2010 at 01:32 PM
Amazing, simply amazing! Those boleros and the wedding dress are totally swoonworthy! Love everything about this shoot! Congrats!
Posted by: AEOT | June 26, 2010 at 02:37 PM
SO beautiful! Wow! GREAT work everyone! You can get completely lost looking at those photos. Thank you for the magical afternoon escape ;)
Posted by: carrie | June 26, 2010 at 04:59 PM
Truly amazing! Thanks for sharing all the fun details. It turned out beautifully!
Posted by: alli/hooray | June 26, 2010 at 06:39 PM