Feminine & Romantic: Inspirational Shoot at the Cornstalk Hotel in New Orleans | Part I

We’re so excited to finally share our amazing shoot from January that was inspired by one of my all time favorite towns: New Orleans! I’ve traveled to New Orleans many times and love the people, culture, architecture, food, history, art, and their philosophy to let the good times roll! We started out with a small idea: let’s take our creative team on the road and design an editorial shoot in a different location. New Orleans was really the impetus for all the other road projects we’ve done— and the start of something amazing and special for our team. This shoot will always be my favorite for so many reasons, but each time I look back at these gorgeous images I’m reminded of the energy felt on Royal Street that day.

Our team started with our talented photography crew: Carla Ten Eyck, Katie Slater, Sara-Code Kroll, and Carla’s studio manager Dodie of Carla Ten Eyck Photography. The gorgeous fashions, accessories and styling of our models was the vision of Beth Chapman from The White Dress by the Shore. Tony from Datura: A Modern Garden designed all the gorgeous floral and collaborated with me on our epic tablescape! Jennie Fresa and Nedelyn Perry of Jennie Fresa Beauty Library composed our beauty team and created gorgeous looks for our models. To top it off– our friend Tom from Vantage Point Films was there to document the entire trip. You can see his incredible video here! Diana and I round out the rest of the team, accompanied by my friend and colleague Samantha Darr of soirrebliss! in Houston, Texas who came down to hang out and help!

Our morning started off at the historic Cornstalk Hotel, which, I might add, might be the prettiest Southern inn in the French Quarter. The Cornstalk is most famous for it’s iron cornstalk fence and famous guests (one of which is Harriet Beecher Stowe who was inspired to write “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” after visiting the inn).The Inn sits on Royal Street, which we’d later shut down and stage our entire shoot in it’s heart.

This shoot was inspired by fashion, and included a custom Modern Tousseau created just for our shoot. The bride wore a vintage rose applique by Karen Lindner Designs in her hair and jewels by Haute Bride. The classic black tuxedo was provided by Perlis, and the groom wore a sweet little peony boutionerre. The bridesmaid gowns are part of the Jenny Yoo collection and were in a shade of grey, accentuated by pink fabric flower sash by Twigs & Honey and jewels by Haute Bride. The hot pink shoes are designed by Poetic License. The pink tulip and pink peony bouquet with tulle hem were created by Datura: A Modern Garden. The pink paper “just married” banner was designed and hand made by posh paperie. Bella Umbrella provided the gorgeous white and pink ruffled vintage umbrellas!

{ images by carla, katie and sara for carla ten eyck photography }

{ photography by carla ten eyck photography; custom “Tia” gown by modern trousseau; vintage rose applique by Karen Lindner Designs; tuxedo provided by Perlis; bridesmaid gowns provided by Jenny Yoo; floral sash by Twigs & Honey; pink and white umbrellas by Bella Umbrella; jewels by Haute Bride; hot pink shoes by Poetic License; pink tulip and pink peony bouquet with tulle hem by Datura: A Modern Garden; paper “just married” banner by posh paperie }

up next: what happens when we shut down Royal Street? much more to come! xoxo

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21 Aug
2009

Posted in: Fashion & Accessories
By Candice

1 Comment

New fall lovelies at jcrew

Today I discovered some new beautiful pieces at jcrew while looking for a new dress to wear to an upcoming wedding that I am a guest at.

Silk gazar Channing gown… I love the black ribbon! Although I think it could be accentuated even better with something by Emerson made.

Silk dupioni rosette gown

Gwen dress… has jcrew heeded my call for a short wedding dress? Kind of, but not really. This will have to do! I love this. It’s very winter to me with the layers of chiffon, organza and soft French tulle, and a hand-stitched collage of glass beads, sequins and feathers. But for $2,000 you’d have to bury me in it.

strapless silk taffeta Gracen dress, slub silk Betty dress, and confetti flapper dress…. I love these options for your maids!

and last but not least, my favorite accessories! Love the shoes, but love the jewels more. I don’t really like a heavy shoe with a bridal gown so there wasn’t much to choose from with fall on the horizon.

Happy shopping!

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2 Oct
2008

Posted in: Uncategorized
By Candice

15 Comments

Love At First Shoe

In case you don’t know: the planner is planning a wedding! Yes, it is a bit unusual and not the way things tend to work in my industry. I am a planner turned bride and I couldn’t be more thrilled. I haven’t divulged any details of my own nuptials yet and will probably refrain from posting a lot of them. This blog isn’t about me it is about you, the reader, but I simply had to share the impetus for my wedding design. As every designer knows all it takes is one singular thought, object, color, or emotion to start the ball rolling on a design scheme. For me, it was this shoe. It was love at first shoe.

Originally I had big plans for me feet. And in big I mean Christian Louboutin. I had conceded that I would wear a ridiculously overpriced shoe and spend a month’s mortgage payment just to wear it. I didn’t need much convincing but I can assure you that my fiancée was not swayed by the beauty or prestige of a red sole! I was determined, that is, until I met Plath by Natalie Portman. Never in all my days have I met a shoe so very me. But as I said, I had already started to court another pair, and my love for Natalie and her beautiful purple shoe would be mulled over and over for weeks and weeks.

Finally, I was ready for a commitment. The shoe had a life of its own and it had started to dictate my color scheme, centerpiece design, linen choice, and the direction I wanted to go with my gown. The shoe had become my muse! I signed on to Te Casan, the website where my limited edition beauty lived. And to my horror: SOLD OUT. Not just in my size, but EVERY size. Apparently when they say limited edition they mean limited edition! How could I have let this happen? How could I design a wedding around a shoe and NOT wear it on my wedding day! I really became very upset. That is, until I emailed the staff at Te Casan and inquired about the availability of the shoe. Did they have any left, just one pair, in my very popular size of 8 ½? I figured it was a lost cause and in the meantime, cruised ebay for any sign of Natalie and her beautiful shoe. Nothing – and why should there be? Who in their right mind would sell this shoe!

The very next day I got an email on my blackberry while I was meeting with a client. They just so happened to have a pair in my size! I couldn’t dial the number fast enough (after my client meeting was over, of course). They were such a pleasure to work with and I want to thank Bernadette for her help in getting this shoe. It really meant a lot to me to be able to wear it and I received it just in time for my appointment at The White Dress by the Shore!

And now, I present to you, my wedding shoe: