Styled Wedding Shoot at Boxwood Estate

 On Friday, 21st, 2017, I assisted Jodi of Jodi Gray Photography execute her very first styled photography shoot. Jodi contacted me about a month or two before and asked if I would coordinate a dream wedding shoot for her. I gladly accepted! First off, just look at these pictures. (I will post more in the Photo Gallery.) Are they not flawless? Jodi always does an amazing job with her creative-eye, but to see her ideas come to life in her pictures is remarkable!

Jodi had a vision to style a Fall, Romantic, Southern Wedding shoot. She had a few specific vendors already picked out but she asked me for some recommendations to fulfill her dream. After contacting several vendors and communicating with them about their talents, we assembled a seamless team! We allowed each vendor to incorporate something they have always wanted to do but might not usually have the opportunity as long as they followed Jodi’s inspiration photos.

We chose to use Boxwood Estate in Mocksville, NC. The estate was built on a family farm in 1933 to be used as a winter hunting retreat. Originally known as Yadkin Lodge, the property later became Boxwood Farm when it became a full time agricultural operation. The current owners purchased Boxwood Lodge to preserve the property and rehabilitate the manor and grounds as a certified historic structure. (More history on the venue can be found at the link below.)  Connie, the present owner, welcomed us with open arms when I mentioned the shoot to her. She had the utmost hospitable and sweet hearted personalities. The property and gardens are well kept, the estate is impeccably designed and the services offered sound very reasonable for a wedding ceremony, reception, and weekend stay! I definitely recommend this venue to any couple looking for an estate / garden venue and would love the opportunity to work with Connie and her loving dog again!

Ashley with Ashley Marie Cakes and Co. stated she has always wanted to write a script love quote on a cake. She sweetly gave us a dusty blue ombré, two tier cake. Tonya Anderson, the owner and operator of ABBA Design of Greensboro, designed the florals. Her work is inspirational and I would love to be able to learn more from her about design! She gathered vintage pieces from Southern Event Rental and The Prettiest Pieces to match Jodi’s ideas. She used her professional experience and creativity to suggest the perfect color scheme, tableware, flatware, napkins and candles! Jodi paired all of Tonya’s table design ideas with some cotton and chiffon runners from Party Crush Studio in California. I absolutely loved the mood the decorations set.

The invitation suite, menus, and place cards were custom-made by Rebecca Long, The Keen Bee. Her watercolor and hand written calligraphy, matched with vintage stamps complemented the Maroon, Cameo Pink, Ivory, and Dusty Aegean Blue color scheme we chose!

Jodi assembled the team of models from past clients and mutual friends. I think her idea to choose a dark haired bride and groom sets a mood for fall. Ashleigh looked gorgeous in the 2017 Anna Barge, long-sleeve wedding gown provided by Monica at Bellissima Bridal Boutique. Cameron was a southern gentleman so he really fit the part in his White Coat Tuxedo supplied by Sammy at T.N. Boone in Burlington and his feather bow tie given to us by Brackish Bowties. I had never seen the feather bow-ties and I cannot wait to see those used in the future! I think guys would feel more optimistic about being “stuck” in a tie all day if it is made with different bird feathers.

Corrie and Alix modeled as the Bridesmaids. I adored their dresses, provided by LauraLee at Shop Revelry! The off the shoulder look Jodi chose in the dusty blue was a perfect dress to sideline the Bride and Groom.  Jessica from Studio 111 styled the girls’ hair and Tara Sorrells was their makeup artist.

Jodi contacted Wind and Silk for ribbons featured in several pictures and tied around the bouquets made by Tonya. She also was able to borrow custom-made rings from her good friend Eric Farmer, a ring designer at Windsor Jewelers.

We had trouble finding a vintage car last minute. My dad graciously towed his Jaguar two hours to let us use it! I think the white car against all the greenery of the Boxwood property really popped! I am so appreciative of his love a support to help me achieve my goals in this company!

This was a great experience for me! I hope to design and execute my own styled shoot one day! I enjoyed making new connections with vendors I have never gotten a chance to work with before. Thanks Jodi for thinking of me!

Feel free to click the links below to see the websites of the other vendors in this post.

Photo Gallery
Jodi Gray Photography
Jodi's Blog Post
ABBA Design
The Keen Bee
Boxwood Estate
Bellissima
Reverly
T.N. Boone
Brackish
Wind & Silk
Windsor Jewelers
Party Crush Studio
Southern Event Rental
The Prettiest Pieces
Ashley Marie Cakes & Co.