Spring 2013 gowns were either pretty short and preppy, or beaded wonders. We went with preppy short for this shoot since it matched the Cottages on Charleston Harbor setting and the season so well. Photograph by Taylor Horton
Love that striped number from LulaKate! Image by Juliet Elizabeth Photography
We spread the shoe options out on the guest room bed in our staging cottage. Peep-toe pumps and pretty flats, bright colors, and satin, suede, and lamb leather were the name of the game. Image by Juliet Elizabeth Photography
Jewels got the same treatment as the shoes, and you can bet we spent breaks ogling everything from ribbon from Out of Hand to jewels from all over town. Image by Juliet Elizabeth Photography
The combination of a sweet vintage gold locket on strands of seed pearls can’t be beat. Image by Juliet Elizabeth Photography
Model Chelsea in style director Ayoka Lucas’s white glasses, which make a cameo at every shoot. Seriously? Ayoka was fired up over pairing every day ready-to-wear belts, like this leather bowed number, with fine wedding frocks. Great idea. Photograph by Ruta Elvikyte
On the back lawn and beach of the Cottages. We thought this shortie from LulaKate was terrific for a beach bride. Yes, it’s got color, but add a little veil and you’re clearly the bride. Photograph by Ruta Elvikyte
Photographer Juliet Elizabeth Jones and editorial director Melissa Bigner review the shots to see what’s been captured so far. Looking at a stamp-size screen gives you a good feel for things, but it’s still tough to be sure the model’s got open eyes, great expressions, etc. That’s the leap of faith in working with a great shooter like Juliet. Photograph by Ruta Elvikyte
After a few posed shots, style director Ayoka Lucas tosses a Tiger Lily bouquet back and forth with Chelsea to see what candids come of it. It was a good idea, but check out the fashion gallery for our final pick from the series of shots. Photograph by Taylor Horton
The printer that we use to catalog every item that was shot. Photograph by Ruta Elvikyte
And the images we use to inventory each look so we can credit them later. Photograph by Ruta Elvikyte
Style department intern Nikki Schon helps Chelsea into her next look. Photograph by Ruta Elvikyte
Hair and makeup artist Ashley Brooke Perryman gives Chelsea that tousled beach curl look to suit the setting. We commissioned Jessica Bauman of Onawa Designs to create the glittering stars that were used as belts, headbands, and hairpins. Photograph by Taylor Horton
A secret to staying warm while wearing short gowns in 40- to 50-degree weather for hours on end? Hand warmers…that you tuck into your bra! No kidding. Photograph by Taylor Horton
Another stay-warm secret? Make friends like Ashley (left) and Ayoka (right). And have Melissa bring her quilt, too. Photograph by Ruta Elvikyte
We’re nuts over this Anne Barge dress with its removable skirt. To get it shot, we dressed Chelsea, placed her in a prime photo spot while Juliet checked the light, Ashley touched up her legs, Ayoka fluffed her tulle layers, and the interns kept her toasty with the quilt until everything was set and all could step back. It takes a village! Photograph by Taylor Horton
Stomping bugs? Voguing? Juliet shows Chelsea what she’s looking for in the way of posing for this bamboo thicket shot. We ended up calling this image our Taylor Swift photo. Photograph by Taylor Horton
And then things got silly. Juliet hamming it up while her husband plays the straight funny man foil. Used to be on-set that antics were under the radar. Now with everyone snapping shots of the crew, no one is safe! Photograph by Ruta Elvikyte
When we concept a shoot, we hash out everything from clothes, beauty and jewelry, to location, stationery, and flowers. Here, Juliet captures the stationery we thought would be so perfect to accompany this shoot. Sign up for the Bridal Buzz newsletter to get the details in coming weeks on the Cheree Berry suite from mac & murphy. Photograph by Ruta Elvikyte
Della MacNicholas, director of development for the weddings division and head of our blog, TheWeddingRow.com, helps out with the balloon shot. Looking for great balloons? We found these at Party Plann-It (pink and white polka dots!), and had Hughes Party Rental fill them up. Photograph by Taylor Horton
Melissa goofs on the trike we decked out with blooms from TigerLily after the model’s had her turn. This bamboo and wrapped trike is a vintage online find that art director Mel Monk loaned us for the shoot. Too cool. Photograph by Ruta Elvikyte
Hide Tide is a little skiff that has long been aground behind the Cottages and we loved how Chelsea looked perched on it. A good photographer is always on the lookout for similar photo ops. Thanks to Molly Hutter, Charleston Weddings editorial assistant, for acting as a sun shield to nab the shots! Photograph by Taylor Horton
To get the opening shot for the story, we had to swap out some wintery looking planters for some evergreen ones. With the buff Daisy Bainum (Charleston Weddings intern) and Molly, the swap-out was a snap. Photograph by Taylor Horton
In between shots, we all headed inside to warm up, and shared our favorite goofy YouTube videos. Given it was almost Christmas, there were some Muppet-Cee Lo songs, then the “Ain’t Nobody Got Time for That” Auto-Tune remix and the grape-stomping reporter. Just so you know. Photograph by Ruta Elvikyte
