This vegan styled wedding shoot at the Atrium At Meadowlark was inspired by my connection to Daniela Degrassi. Daniela recently founded The Kind Bride, an online blogging community for couples planning a vegan-friendly wedding.  And along with efforts to embrace all things vegan, the creative vision of this shoot included one of the local area’s most beautiful botanical gardens. So, I must add a major Perk Alert: The Atrium is just a short drive west of Washington DC.

A Connection with the Military

Through the family of military connections, I was thrilled to partner with Carissa Campbell of Campbell Events. Carissa styled this shoot with elegance and unique boho flair.  Our goal was to weave eco-friendly design elements with vegan materials to create an eco-ethical-green wedding concept. So, it is our hope that this “green wedding” concept will inspire our current and future clients in their wedding planning process. So, who is looking for an amazing wedding planner? Carissa is your gal!

Vegan Wardrobe?

Yes… Many individuals do not know that many materials commonly used for wedding attire (like silk and wool) are not vegan-friendly. Our bride and bridesmaids wore elegant BHLD gowns. Though purchased used for our eco-friendly concept, the gowns were in perfect condition.  Re-purposing material is one great way to embrace all things eco-friendly and reduce waste (while also saving money). I loved photographing the light ice pink gowns with delicate lace trim. Further, stacked rose gold rings and back necklaces were unique adornments for our models. And, the groom wore an organic suit from The Groomsman’s Suit. In sum, the dark grey, light pink and off-white attire was a perfect match for our shoot.

Hair and Make-up: Animal Cruelty-Free

Several talented hair and make-up artists participated in our luxe-boho styled shoot. And their attention to the vision- elegance in the boho “up-do’s,” natural flawless make-up & their use of animal cruelty-free products made magic! Likewise, the bride’s crystal hair adornments were perfectly woven into the boho style. So, bring me all the #bohobrides, please!

Linens and Florals that take the Cake!

Carissa did an amazing job arranging all the florals and securing the perfect linens for our project. The Bayith, a Brooklyn-based rental company has set itself apart as a company dedicated to supporting ethical events and to giving 10% back to clean waterways. Our stylist used her design experience while also incorporating the use of earth-friendly materials. NC-based Piper, Paper and Petal’s upcycled florals, made from antique sheet music, was one unique eco-friendly element for our shoot. So, by mixing fresh florals with upcycled paper products Carissa demonstrated that her eco-creativity had no limits. In addition, Carissa styled the eco-friendly, made from recycled materials, wedding invitation suite by Minted.  And finally, our delicious lemon marble cake was provided by Camoille’s Delight.

The Dream Team

The highlight of this project was working with my past wedding couples and their vendors, whom I am fortunate to call friends. The bride and groom, Danielle and Ryan hold a special place in my heart as I shot their engagement and wedding in 2018. Ryan is a military service member whose job requires 100% dedication and readiness. Danielle works with young people, no doubt making a difference in the lives of her students. Because Ryan and Danielle share a special connection, it is always a joy to photograph them. Likewise, our second set of models Caitlin and Adam embody sincere faith and kindred connection. Further, Diquan Coleman of Marcellous Studios captured the key moments and behind the scenes of our day on video (stay tuned!).

Our Host and Final Thanks

And a final note of thanks to our host, Bettina Theilacker, Events Coordinator at the Atrium at Meadowlark. With a background in wedding planning, Bettina welcomed us to the Atrium with enthusiasm. I am grateful for her support of the styled shoot. And I am eager to plan future collaborations. Because the Atrium is a beautiful wedding venue, with an outdoor feel, it is perfect for year-round weddings. Finally, my thanks to everyone who took part in this amazing styled shoot! It’s was a joy to share this experience with you!

In wrapping up this project, please enjoy this video shot by Marcellous Studios, and edited in my home studio!

Additional Credits

Hair By:  Zuhal Sarwary and Hylen Spa

Makeup Artists: Natural Looks by Victoria and DaisyHead by Mary

Vegan Menu Design by Brittany Shelly Designs

Floral Provider: Potomac Floral Wholesale

Photography Assistant: Jerie May Trejo

About the photographer:

Michelle is a military spouse living in Northern Virginia who is passionate about shooting green weddings. She is working on a green wedding planning certification, a wedding planning course, and a green business certification. In addition, she is writing a one-of-a-kind book that will help couples planning a wedding. In the meantime, check out Michelle’s involvement with the World’s First-Ever Vegan Bridal Show. And connect on IG to #greenyourwedding.