Great Gatsby Wedding Reception Photo Shoot | Featured: Southern Bride and Groom

IT WAS A PLEASURE TO BE ASKED TO PHOTOGRAPH THIS GREAT GATSBY-THEMED RECEPTION for Southern Bride and Groom at Raleigh’s historic Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern. As Jenna with SB&G and I sat at lunch brainstorming last winter, our conversation turned to possible movie themes. And there it was. The Great Gatsby. We knew that once the classic novel hit the silver screen this year, Gatsby fever would sweep the nation. And we both wanted to be part of it! So, the theme for this styled shoot for the 2013 edition of SB&G was born. I love this resurgence of the old, classic style and often joke that I lived a past like during the original Great Gatsby era. The 1920’s were a seriously stylish decade full of flapper girls, feathers, sequins and amazing hairpieces, so this swingin’ soiree was right up this fashionista’s alley!

To transform 2012 into the 1920’s and back again, there was an entire team of talented people collaborating on the effort: Design & Styling: Your Special Day Weddings & Special Events // Floral Design: Tre Bella Flowers // Hair & Make Up: Makeup For Your Day // Stationery: Cute Buttons // Venue: Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern  // Models & Props: Elevate // Bridal Gown: Tre Bella Bridal // Accessories: Bel Canto Designs // Formalwear:  Bernard’s Formalwear // China & Stemware: Bailey’s Fine Jewelry  // Transportation: Classy Transportation // Photography : Renee Sprink Photography

Of course, photographing this shoot was the easy part. Waiting to reveal the images until after the magazine came out in December was the hard part! I am honored to have worked with such amazing colleagues and am thrilled to finally get to share the pages from the magazine:

Talk about knocking a theme out of the park! This team created a great atmosphere and the models looked amazing! Every detail was impeccably styled from the accessories and the dresses down to the custom personalized cigar bands — all the while capturing the atmosphere and essence of the decade with a modern twist.

Thanks to Southern Bride and Groom for putting together such a great group of people to pull off this shoot and thanks to the entire creative team for making my job so easy! Hugs and high-fives to you all! If you’re in the Triangle and are planning a wedding, be sure to pick up your copy of the 2013 Southern Bride & Groom Magazine for this and loads of other AMAZING inspiration (I have a number of photos throughout the magazine as well). You can also keep up with the SB&G for daily inspiration!

OXOX! ~R