Elopement: Michelle & Tom - Stonehole Bay & The Loren
Photography: Fiander Foto | Venues: The Loren
Wedding Planner: The Bridal Suite Bermuda | Florist: Demco | Hair & Make-Up: Stylz by Traci
Wedding: Lauren & Erik - The Reefs
A special congrats to the newly weds, Lauren & Erik!
A special congrats to the newly weds, Lauren & Erik!
Photography: Fiander Foto
Getting Ready Locations: AirBnB | Venue: The Reefs | Wedding Planner: Bermuda Event Solutions
Hair & Make-Up: Aphrodite Makeup | Flowers: Flowers by GIMI | Video: LDS Multimedia
Stylized Wedding Shoot - Glen Coe, Scotland
As a destination wedding photographer, I enjoy creating and designing stylized photo shoots as a way to push my creative energy. With a strong interest in the history and culture of Scotland, I organized this stylized shoot to take place in and around Glen Coe, which is a little village right at the start of the Highlands!
Initially, the shoot started out very basic with only a model to play the role of the bride in a dress with a bouquet. My plans quickly escalated when I reached out to other wedding vendors in Scotland within a Facebook Group that's dedicated to stylized photo shoots. From there, I was able to connect with several Scottish vendors, venues, and models whose work I thought would go well with the overall vision I had in mind.
The landscape, flora, and fauna of this section of Scotland were also important to the photo shoot. Part of the reason why Scotland is such a great location for weddings is because of its' richness and lush scenery - even in March!
In terms of weather, we were very lucky having just missed the infamous "Beast from the East" . We flew to Edinburgh from Bermuda - with our winter clothing, rain gear, and wellies in tow - rented an SUV that could tackle most snow storms and took off for Glen Coe. To my surprise, on the morning of the photo shoot it was bright and sunny. By the afternoon, the clouds had rolled in and provided a softer light. All in all it was a wonderful experience and I look forward to planning my next stylized photo shoot!
Stylized Wedding Shoot: Glen Coe, Scotland ~ 3.12.18
Stylist & Photographer: Melanie Fiander of Fiander Foto | Venue: Glencoe House | Make Up & Hair: Clare Pearson
Dress: BHLDN | Suit: Slader Menswear | Bride's Shoes: Rainbow Shoes | Groom's Shoes: Vans
Flat Lay Jewelry: BHLDN & Family Heirlooms | Bride's Jewelry & Hair Piece: Gioiamia
Cake: Rosewood Cakes | Floral Designer: Narcissus Wedding Flowers by Susan
Stationary: Bottled Love | Silk Ribbon: Pom Pom Blossom
Models: Chloe Connelly & Phil Griffiths
Bridal Portrait: Hadeel & Osama - Cooper's Island, Bermuda
Hadeel and her husband, Osama, decided to celebrate their One Year Wedding Anniversary aboard the Norwegian Escape. Hadeel and Osama flew from Alberta, Canada to New York City and hopped on their cruise ship. The first stop - Bermuda! The first thing planned - a Trash the Dress Photo Shoot! When I first heard from Hadeel, I knew it would be a fun photo shoot!
Hadeel and her husband, Osama, decided to celebrate their One Year Wedding Anniversary aboard the Norwegian Escape. Hadeel and Osama flew from Alberta, Canada to New York City and hopped on their cruise ship. The first stop - Bermuda! The first thing planned - a Trash the Dress Photo Shoot! When I first heard from Hadeel, I knew it would be a fun photo shoot!
Given that Hadeel and Osama were escaping the cold weather in Alberta, it seemed only fitting that we would do this shoot at the beach! Although there are a variety of beaches in Bermuda, I suggested that we go to Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve, where we could capture a few different types of backdrops for their photos. Hadeel's dress was a stunning ballroom style gown with lace sleeves. The beading on the dress was amazing and caught the sunlight perfectly!
If you have been to Bermuda in the spring time, then you know that the water is not necessarily warm towards the end of April… at least, not for those of us who live here! Another common weather trait for our tiny island in the spring is wind! Hadeel and Osama not only braved the chilly waters for the final portion of their photo shoot, but they also posed effortlessly in 20 knots of wind... while continuing to laugh with each other the entire time.
I was lucky enough to have my husband, Jim, assist me for this shoot. During our time together, the four of us talked about every topic under the sun: how we met our spouse, where we got married, our honeymoon destinations, school, work, life in Bermuda, and politics. By the end of the evening, Jim and I knew we had made two new friends. It goes without saying that Hadeel and Osama were a joy to work with! Please join me in wishing these two lovebirds a very happy first Wedding Anniversary!
Stylized Wedding Shoot - Private Home, Bermuda
I had a great time designing and planning the rustic seaside stylized bridal portrait shoot with several wedding vendors in Bermuda. I began chatting about this idea with my friend Lara Smith, who is the owner and wedding videographer behind LDS Multimedia after the 2016 Orchid Spa Bridal Expo at the Fairmont Southampton. After weeks of tossing around a few ideas in my head, I reached out to different vendors that could make it happen: BHLDN , Flowers by GIMI, Studio Wedding Hair Bermuda, Chrysalis Cosmetics, LDS Multimedia, The English Sports Shop, and TABS. Working close together with the florist, hair stylist, make-up artists, seamstress, videographer, and the different brands was a unique experience, which created a sense of bonding throughout our group. The Stylized Bridal Portrait Shoot started out as an idea to capture a specific visual concept but in the end, became much more.
I had a great time designing and planning the rustic seaside stylized bridal portrait shoot with several wedding vendors in Bermuda. I began chatting about this idea with my friend Lara Smith, who is the owner and wedding videographer behind LDS Multimedia after the 2016 Orchid Spa Bridal Expo at the Fairmont Southampton. After weeks of tossing around a few ideas in my head, I reached out to different vendors that could make it happen: BHLDN , Flowers by GIMI, Studio Wedding Hair Bermuda, Chrysalis Cosmetics, LDS Multimedia, The English Sports Shop, and TABS. Working close together with the florist, hair stylist, make-up artists, seamstress, videographer, and the different brands was a unique experience, which created a sense of bonding throughout our group. The Stylized Bridal Portrait Shoot started out as an idea to capture a specific visual concept but in the end, became much more.
I contacted two models to play the role of the bride and groom: Rachel, a professional model and entrepreneur, and Ryan, a Para-Olympic hopeful athlete and bartender. I had worked with Rachel before, although had not yet met Ryan when I asked him to pose for the shoot. After seeing an interview from Bermuda Broadcasting about Ryan’s decision to amputate below the knee after a series of unsuccessful surgeries following a moped accident, I was inspired by his positive approach towards recovery.
The images were shot at my in-laws property in Hamilton Parish, Bermuda, who were both kind enough to let myself and the other vendors take over their house for the day. I took the detailed shots in my husband's childhood bedroom and with the french doors wide open, the sunlight beamed onto the Calla Gown, which was loaned to me for the photo shoot from BHLDN's Corporate Office. I arranged the Pearly Black Drape Necklace, earrings, and sash - which I wore for my own wedding, also purchased from BHLDN, on an antique tray my mother had given me.
It’s important to note that not only did my in-laws allow myself, a videographer, a florist, hair-stylist, make-up artist, two models, and a seamstress to take over their house… they also worked for weeks preparing their yard for the shoot! My mother-in-law, Jenny, a gifted horticulturist, who has a knack for gardening! My father-in-law, Blake, and husband, Jim, are both commercial fisherman by trade, although also pitched in to “tidy up” the yard for the shoot.
The items that I chose to decorate the table with were also personal choices: the plates, napkins, and cutlery were wedding gifts Jim and I received. The cedar roots, an important tie to the history of Bermuda, and vintage bottles were décor from our wedding. I left all of these items in the hands of Michelle Geary of Flowers by GIMI to arrange them and add her floral touches. When Michelle had finished her arrangements, the words “simply elegant and stunning” came to mind!
With the sunset fast approaching, I re-located our models from the lower garden to the top of the hill, which overlooks the north side of the island and has a stunning view of the sunset. The glow of the setting sun through the fluffy Bermudian clouds did not disappoint!
At the end of the photo shoot, the crew and I sat down for a well-deserved glass of wine (okay… maybe two glasses of wine) and homemade lasagna. We spent the rest of the evening laughing, telling stories, and discussing the possibilities of the next stylized shoot! Special thanks to all who participated in this amazing event; it was a blast!
Bouquet by Flowers by GIMI and Arrangement by Melanie Fiander of Fiander Foto
Stylized Bridal Shoot by Lara D. Smith of LDS Multimedia
Location 1: Private Residency in Hamilton Parish, Bermuda
Modeling the Bride: Rachel Sawden (wearing BHLDN and floral crown by Flowers by GIMI)
Modeling the Groom: Ryan Gibbons (wearing TABS Bermuda Shorts & Blazer from The English Sports Shop)
Hair By: Jenn Doe of Studio Wedding Hair Bermuda - Make-up By: Keisha Ramsay of Chrysalis Cosmetics
Seamstress: Gail Musson of the English Sports Shop
