I’m so excited to finally share the Hunting Lodge Inspired Wedding Shoot I photographed last November at Sawtooth Plantation near Auburn, Alabama. The inspiration for this styled shoot begin one year prior, when I photographed Sawtooth for Birmingham Magazine’s November 2013 issue. The moment I drove through the plantation’s grand gates, I saw a bride and groom strolling throughout the property. The vision for this shoot begins with the groom, a southern gentleman and an avid outdoorsman, who has expressed to his bride that he wants to be married in the great outdoors, surrounded by the peaceful beauty of nature he so enjoys. She happily agrees.
The long country road that led me to Sawtooth, revealed sprawling land, trees full of fall color and glimpses of deer and turkey peaking through the hardwoods. I immediately had ideas for a refined woodland wedding theme, guest tables by the lake, deer antlers and pheasant feathers mixed in with the floral design, and a nod to southern cuisine, with a dinner menu including wild game. When I contacted the owner, John Cassimus, he graciously agreed to host our shoot at Sawtooth.
Over the next several months, the vision continued to unfold as the most amazing team of creatives was gathered to make my dream become a reality…and even better than I could have ever imagined. The team included the talents of Invision Events, Lisa Thorne of Thorne and Thistles for floral design, Laura McCarty of Marked for the paper suite, and Robby Melvin (Southern Living Test Kitchens Director) for the menu creation, among others. I hope you enjoy the images as much as we enjoyed creating them, and maybe you will be inspired for your upcoming wedding or gathering.
You can also see this shoot featured on Weddings Unveiled and Who What Wear.
And, we were beyond thrilled to find out we had inspired the fabulously stylish Who What Wear…
See the Behind the Scenes Video here.
See Invision Events Blog Post here.
Photographer: Heather Durham Photography | Planning: Invision Events | Styling: Heather Durham and Lisa Smith Thorne | Floral Design: Thorne and Thistle, Lisa Smith Thorne | Venue: Sawtooth Plantation | Invitation Suite and Menu Design: Marked, Laura McCarty | Menu Creation: Southern Living Test Kitchens Director, Chef Robby Melvin | Wardrobe Styling: Tracey Richey | MUA: Celine Russell | Hair: Courtney White | BTS Video: Main Street Productions, John Deaver | Bridal Gown: Lela Rose “The Cove” from Ivory & White Boutique | Bride’s Earrings: Maria Elena Pettie Crystal Drops in silver from Ivory & White Boutique | Bridesmaids Dresses: Joanna August “Ceremony” from Bella Bridesmaids | Groom’s Suit: Billy Reid “Dorsy” suit, “Holt” shirt and “Heirloom” tie all from Saks Fifth Avenue | Groom’s Watch: Armani | Groom’s Shoes: Broletto Mondello from Nordstrom | Table Settings: Bromberg’s and Williams Sonoma | Rentals: Event Group Auburn and Prophouse Birmingham | Cashmere Throws: Restoration Hardware | Custom Pheasant Cuff Links: Perch Jewelry Studio, Barbara Birdsong | Sweetheart Table and Wishbone Chairs: World Market | Cowhides: Wakefield Design Group, Auburn AL | Vintage oushak rugs from Thorne and Thistle designs | Other Items from personal collections
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