I try to stay as topical season wise as I possibly can and as such have been forced to turn down some lovely winter weddings & styled shoots.  There is always a ‘however‘ right?!  Such is the case with today’s beautifully styled late winter wedding shoot in Washington State. From the wonderfully rustic setting to the vintage pieces that craft the decor, it was just too hard for me to let this beauty slip through my fingers, wrong season and all!  Washington photographer Amanda Lloyd Photography took the helm, wanting to kick off 2013 in a big way with a gorgeous styled late winter session with rustic vintage touches & mother nature in her finest ranging with everything from warm sunshine to pouring rain, then heavy snowfalls!

“Zong Her of Her Couture was so amazing and provided gorgeous veils, amazing flowers, and got me in touch with Dianne’s Delights in Seattle who provided the seriously adorable cream colored ruffed cake, complete with a burlap banner style cake topper. The “dream team” as I call them were fabulous! I collected all the fun vintage pieces from the Old Main Street Spanaway Antique Mall and all the unique wood pieces, including the chevron cake plate were make by a local wood shop called “from the wood shed” in Spanaway.  Let me say that the weather for our shoot was total CHAOS! It was sunshine, then pouring rain! Then, we decided to head up to Summit at Steven’s Pass for an insanely gorgeous snowfall! It was DOWNPOURING snow! Dyan and Daniel were complete troopers and totally rocked the shoot! The weather was typical of Washington, and I loved every bit of it! I’m so over-the-moon in love with images and can’t wait to share them!”

Vendor Love

Venue: Family Cabin in Skykomish | Dress Boutique: David’s Bridal | Men’s Attire: Men’s Warehouse | Bakery: Dianne’s Delights | Handmade Goods Designer: Her Couture, From The Wood Shed | Photographer: Amanda Lloyd Photography

I am feeling a bit Marie Antoinette this morning, so cake we shall have!  I am not even going to be bashful about it, I have a ridiculous sweet tooth so when it comes time for cake tastings, desserts, or the not so occasional cupcake craving…..well… just steer clear of me, that’s all I am going to say!  But in all seriousness, sweets are such a wonderful part of the wedding process and a truly epic place for design!

For today’s WIWW feature, I have chosen a Great Gatsby {might as well embrace the current trend!} inspired cake that comes to us from SBW friend, Style Unveiled.  Now if you don’t already know of her {I find this pretty much impossible!} most certainly carve out some time in the very near future to get to know her and her delicious site which is filled with tremendous amounts of pretty, inspiration, and everything in between.  Everything she selects to feature is beautifully styled & perfectly on trend.  You’re welcome ahead of time!

Ok so back to our Gatsby cake.  To view Styled Unveiled’s sneak peek post on the cake,  Click Here and for the full write up on the Gatsby inspired wedding, Click Here.  What makes this gorgeous cake work so well, isn’t as much about texture {though always a key player!}, color & a beautiful mix of media, but design itself.  Specifically how Paola Cake Atelier was able to whip literal art deco design elements into cake form.  The overall effect is a stunning art deco cake that is perfectly on trend with the roaring 20′s!

 *Photograph by Jamilah Photography

There are two major attention grabbing elements at play here, both of which echo that of art deco design.  Working from the bottom up, our base layer is given the rhinestone chevron treatment in impressive symmetry relaying a very classic art deco design from back in the day.  The sharp lines & crisp angles are very much inline with the elements used in the 1920′s,  often immortalized in the florish of buildings created around that time.  It is a hallmark of the art deco era and an unmistakable fingerprint.  Whether these sparkling gems are edible or not, I can not say, but if I know my bakers, these crafty wizards can make just about anything edible, so my money is on yes!

The show piece layer of the cake is indeed a stunner, playing handily into a look often seen in the brooch headpiece many flappers would wear in the roaring 20′s.  Perfectly designed & expertly made, this band layer utilizes not only fondant carving to mimic fabric but hand crafted detailing that, piece by piece, assembles into that of an art deco brooch.  Ovals, tear drops, even more rhinestones come together to create a show piece element that is a gorgeous piece of jewelry all its own.

When viewed together, these two layers resemble that of an outfit a flapper may wear, a sequined chevron dress with jeweled headpiece, dont you think!?  The overall design is terribly clever and I would be remiss if I did not point out that the finishing elements of the softly beaded pearl dots & simple 2 row rhinestone base layer are the the perfect accoutrements to such terrific design work.  Poignant and beautifully understated exactly as they ought to be.  Likewise the choice of cake stand is incredibly brilliant, here again, echoing the art deco style.

I really encourage you to head over to check out Style Unveiled’s Full Post on their Gatsby Inspired Wedding.  There are so many terrific elements that your  little fingers are going to get tired from all the pinning!  So do tell me, which are your favorite elements of this beautiful cake?  Are you a chevron fan or do you fancy more complex patterns?  Gatsby certainly has a strong hold on design at the moment, are you a fan of all things Great and Gatsby like?!

Vendor Love

Wedding Cake: Paola Cake Atelier | Venue: Vizcaya Museum & Gardens | Photographer: Jamilah Photography

Not every girl dreams of being down up to a T on her wedding day.  The idea of a big bulky dress, tightly pinned hair, heels as tall as sky scrapers, is enough to send many sweet ladies running in fear!  Some gals prefer the KISS method, Keep It Simple Stupid!  Our wonderfully ethereal styled bridal session  today has two lovely looks which will truly inspire ladies looking to keep things more simple on their big day, shoes optional even!  Softly tumbling barrel curl locks, a delicate strapless blush 50′s dress, or a lace vintage dress with pinched 3/4 sleeves, elements that are equally relaxed and laid back as they are elegant & beautiful.  Being ones true lovely self comes in many many forms, and for some, feeling the grass between her toes, while her sways in the wind, dressed in a simple yet beautiful dress, is all  she needs!

Vendor Love

Florist: Valle Wholesale Flowers | Makeup Artist: Flawless Team | Photographer: Lucy Munoz Photography

I gotta tell you, I am in love with the idea of vintage camera equipment, as well as Polaroids, as THE perfect engagement session accessories!  Often times couples feel too overwhelmed by engagement sessions with big themes, lots of props, clothing etc.  Working with some wonderful old school camera equipment, having a good time shooting another with Polaroids, and of course bringing your best attitude, can truly make for a lovely engagement photographs, just as Andrea Garvin & Trent Breci prove here!  California photographer Siegel Thurston Photography uniquely captured some really fun aspects of working with cameras, from viewing the couple within the frame of a medium format camera, to artistic views of Polaroids held in our couple’s hands.  Andrew & Trent ham it up just the right amount to bring the extra zest that makes the session perfection!  With just the right accessory or two your session can be art all its own!

Vendor Love

Venue: Historic Sweetwater Bridge
Photographer: Siegel Thurston Photography