In honor of Valentine's Day, Little Miss Lovely presents a super sweet bridal shoot... Sweet as Honey!
Last week (when it was exactly 27 degrees outside), I packed my car filled with supplies for this funky photo shoot and headed out into the woods. Natalie, my supportive boyfriend, fantastic friend Mary, Sandi the Labradoodle, and Cooper the Golden Retriever made the trek also. After several trips through the woods, the supplies were all accounted for and set up had begun. I hurried things up and ran around like a mad woman because I knew Natalie was freeeeezing in her gorgeous wedding gown.
I have had ideas about a honey and bluegrass themed bridal shoot on the banks of the Turville Creek for months now. The Creek runs a short distance from my house and is so peaceful. The goal of the Sweet as Honey shoot was to bring some color to the browns, grays and golds that overcome the banks of the creek during the winter months. Bright mustard, deep yellow, and shades of green were incorporated through design elements and livened up the surroundings... and so did Natalie's stark white gown.
Seeing as the ever-romantic holiday of Valentine's Day was nearing, I chose to use honey instead of traditional chocolates and red candies. Honey is a natural candy! It's full of raw sweetness. My Papa sent me some Ross rounds oozing with raw honey from his hives in northern PA and I displayed jars of golden honey from local MD beekeepers. I displayed the honey collection on a pedestal table covered with a 'table cloth' made of live moss. Yep, live moss - straight from my front yard. Perched atop the mossy table were freshly cut floral arrangements and a collection of candles made from beeswax.
Desserts by Rita of West Ocean City created a collection of flowery lemon cupcakes topped with sugar in the raw. Cupcake wrappers were hand-painted with golden-yellow paint and gold ribbons were tied to the miniature cakes. They looked so precious on the dessert table set up in the woods. 
My lovely friend, Natalie, is an artsy individual. She's an art student at University of Maryland Eastern Shore. She was crazy excited when I asked her to pick up a banjo and pose by the shoreline among the reeds. There's nothing like some bluegrass on the Eastern Shore. In case you didn't know, I'm an enormous fan of bluegrass music. It's playing nonstop at my house. Cooper, Mary's Golden Retriever, posed for a few photos with Natalie before begging to play fetch. Doesn't Natalie look completely comfortable with that banjo in her hands? She's stunning.
This shoot was a blast and I enjoyed myself from beginning to end. I'm so thankful that Natalie said yes when I asked her to play dress up for the afternoon. I'm also thankful that I had Mary and Chaz to help me set up. Ya'll as so sweet!
Have an extremely sweet and lovely Valentine's Day!
Event Styling: Little Miss Lovely | Flowers: Little Miss Lovely | Dress: Little Miss Lovely Vintage | Photography: Ami Reist | Cupcakes: Desserts by Rita | Honey: John Munnion | Model: Natalie Curry | Dog Model: Cooper Malone | Location: Turville Creek, Berlin, MD