I know you’re itching for more – so check out the film Damon Chamberlain sent our way!

Casper and Themba SMP shoot. from Damon Chamberlain on Vimeo.

When Mary Gonsalves Kinney, Stylist/Editor of Sister|Brother Style and Lauri Levenfeld, Owner/Photographer of Zoom Photography got together they were certain about one thing – bringing together two worlds on opposite sides of the cultural and political spectrum. Mary and Lauri wanted this shoot to be as culturally authentic as possible with high-fashion style and an edge that would inspire people to step outside of their box.

Mary and Lauri had discussed many possibilities, but none seemed more inspiring than the potential love story between an African woman born and raised by the Zulu tribe in the Province of Natal in South Africa and her British fiancée born in Cape town, South Africa. The story is rather contentious as there is a long and torrid history between the Zulu tribe and the British.

This incredibly controversial political relationship framed our Inspiration To Reality story. It is a story about a bride and a groom who work together to overcome the long history of political betrayal and bring two families and cultures together at their wedding. Born in the same country, the bride and groom grew up with totally different cultural traditions and expectations. Even so, they find love and break down those racial barriers that still consume so many South African people. Their story is one of fortitude, passion and color. Fortitude because they remain strong and together through their many trials as a multiracial couple. Passion because it is their love for one another that is so vibrant and so real that nothing can tear them apart. Color because though their own skin color is different and may pose problems between their two families, it only brings them closer together. They learn to appreciate all that defines them and make it imperative that each cultural piece of them properly represented in their wedding.

Authentic pieces were provided during the photo shoot by Sacramento’s Zanzibar Tribal Art store and the Big Bang Events. The set included everything from hand-woven baskets that take years to make and represent each bride’s worth to their tribe, to clay pots used traditionally for drinking beer at Zulu wedding celebrations. Pincushion protea, leucadendron, croton leaves, phalaenopsis orchids and red and orange roses were all exported from South Africa just for this shoot and made into lovely arrangements.

Wooden screens were leaned against barbed wire fences with acres of farmland set behind each vignette so as to show the beauty of the untouched land of Natal. Hanging above, traditional Western elements were displayed through crystal chandeliers and the British-inspired china and silver were carefully selected to coordinate with the colorful African flowers.

The styling wardrobe for this shoot was strongly based on Zulu tradition. The Zulu women of South Africa wear many colors, which are proudly represented in their multicolored beaded necklaces and bracelets. Headscarves, mud cloths and traditional wedding hats are also essential pieces to a Zulu wedding. Because the bride and groom come from different worlds, it was important to blend both African and Western colors and traditions through the custom made gowns, the suiting and the jewelry and accessories. Our bride’s African and Western dresses were custom made for this shoot by the talented, Caren Templet and all shoes and costume jewelry were borrowed from retailers in Northern California. Zulu wedding hats made of real human hair and dignitary straw hats lined with chicken feathers dyed a deep red were used in various shots where the bride was wearing a Western gown so as to show a cultural balance.

The bride’s jewelry was rich in texture and included fine jewelry pieces with diamonds and other gems to add a certain depth along side the beadwork and the copper and silver metals. Jewelry designers made original pieces that represented more traditional looking beaded jewelry just for this shoot. The bride wore a beautiful blue topaz ring as her wedding ring in lieu of a traditional diamond, as a Zulu woman would usually not wear a ring and would never choose to wear a diamond. Her headpieces were created using Zulu scarves and wedding hats and braiding was crucial in providing a more authentic look. The bride’s makeup was also an important piece and transitioned from subtle, Western colors to vibrant Zulu tribal paint.

The groom had traditional suiting for many shots with bow ties, which are British-influenced, but his bowties, pocket squares, shoes (and shoestrings) were bold in color to represent his fiancée’s culture in a subtle way.

Styling & Production: Mary Kinney, Co-Owner, Head Stylist of Sister | Brother Style & Kristi Braflaadt, Assistant / Photography: Lauri Levenfeld of Zoom Photography, second shooter Jessica Epstein / Makeup: Liz Bagatelos & Lea Buehler / Hair: Marci Landgraf of Muse Hair Boutique / Floral & Set Design: Chris Merrick of The Big Bang Event Design & Zanzibar Tribal Art / Stationery: Jen Saltzman of Press Engaged & Marisa Guiterrez of Arte y Mas / Videographer: Damon Chamberlain / Retail Vendors & Designers: Caren Templet,  Julius Clothing, Gracie Mae Kids, Shaw Shoes, Hamilton Jewelers, KKPW Designs, 2ETN, Steve Benson, Koukla Kids, Madam Butterfly / Models: Jadin, JE Model Management & Star Model Management / Calligrapher: Robyn Wylde Calligraphy

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 47 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: 2ETN, African, Arte y Mas, Bold Color Palette, California, Caren Temple, Chandelier, Damon Chamberlain, Gemstone Engagement Ring, Gracie Mae Kids, Hamilton Jewelers, Inspiration Shoot, JE Model Management, Julius Clothing, KKPW Designs, Lea Buehler, Liz Bagatelos, Muse Hair Boutique, Photo Shoot, Pink Wedding Dress, Press Engaged, Robyn Wylde Calligraphy, Shaw Shoes, Sister | Brother Style, Star Model Management, Steve Benson, The Big Bang Event Design, Wedding Inspiration, Zanzibar Tribal Art, Zoom Photography
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Photo Shoot

Get your J. Cogliandro on in the gallery while you wait for more!

From the groom … I proposed on a mundane Wednesday when I knew no one would be expecting it. Aarti thought I was still at work but I had decorated her place with candles and pictures of us over the last eight years. When she walked in I was already down on one knee. Of course, she thought I was a robber! After I convinced her to come inside I asked her to marry me and she said yes. We sat down and had some champagne. She was completely shocked and confused. “Why today?  What’s going on?  I have to work tomorrow!” Little did she know, I had arranged the next few days off for her, as well as a dinner and night out on the town.

From the bride … Planning for an Indian Wedding is not easy!  Multiple events, large guest counts, lots of traditions, and as we found out – lots of opinions! After many, lets call them “spirited”, debates we finally made it happen. People would tell me not to stress about picking a wedding venue. They would say when you saw the right place you would just know.  That is exactly how I felt about Lakeway Resort and Villa del Lago. I knew the minute we saw both of these places that this is where I wanted to get married.

Purav and I wanted to keep our wedding simple and elegant while still incorporating our Indian heritage in a modern way. On Friday evening we had our Sangeet. This is a very festive, traditional event full with color and energy. To emphasize this we used a very vibrant swatch of colors and textures for the linens and bathed the ceiling in colorful saris and inverted parasols. This was the perfect casual night before the big day!

The wedding was perfect. I constantly stressed about the weather – it was supposed to rain. I had been so anxious for so long. But on the day, everything was different. I had pictured my wedding day and I always thought that I would be full of emotion and nerves as I walked down the aisle. But as we were driving to the ceremony site, I was the calmest I have ever been. I remember looking around just thinking that everything felt so right. I was trying to let the moment soak in – this was the day I was getting married!

Our photographer, Joe, captured the wedding perfectly. I felt like I was reliving the excitement when I saw our pictures. We had so much fun celebrating with all our friends and family.  I smile just thinking about it!  It was the perfect ending to the most amazing weekend of my life.

Photography: J. Cogliandro Photography / Cinematography: A n A Video Productions / Floral:  Amy Bodle of Merveille Events, LLC / Event Design & Planning: Gina Whittington of CLINK / Event Design, Sangeet: Saman Ansari – Saffron Affairs / Location: Lakeway Resort and Spa / Ceremony Location: Villa Del Lago / Catering: Claypit Restaurant and Catering / Stationery: Jayesh Shah / Hair and Makeup: Saman Ansari of Studio Sila / Sangeet and Reception Dress: Shehnaai Couture / Wedding Dress: Maharani Fashions, NJ / Cake: Austin Cake Balls / Live Cigar Roller: Bobalou Cigar Co.

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 18 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: A n A Video Productions, Austin, Austin Cake Balls, Bobalou Cigar Co., Bold Color Palette, Claypit Restaurant and Catering, CLINK, Cultural Beauty, Indian Wedding, J. Cogliandro Photography, Lakeway Resort & Spa, Merveille Events, Saffron Affairs, Sangeet, Shehnaai Couture, Studio Sila, Texas, Villa Del Lago, Wedding Photography
Post categories: Cultural Beauty, Little Black Book Blog, Wedding Photography

Our next reader designed board was sent to me by Liz, who has a quick question about her color palette…

From Liz…

Because I have such strong colors in my palette, I would love some ideas for table settings with these colors. I was considering black tablecloths with pops of color but I don’t want it to be too dark. The venue is going to be a loft space in downtown providence. I also considered white with red and orange. I just don’t want to overdo it.

What do you guys think?

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2008. | Permalink | 20 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Bold Color Palette, Color Palette Help
Post categories: Color Palettes