From Eliza Gwendalyn: Our Southern Wedding shoot was inspired by our dear friends Rob & Carly Ackley who are celebrating 6 years of marriage this 2016. They had a beautiful story; she grew up on the Gold Coast of Long Island and decided to get out of her ‘bubble’ and go to an all girls school for college, Hollins University in Virginia. It was there that she met her handsome southern gent Robert. Rob was smitten by not just Carly’s beauty on the outside but inside too. This vivacious, artistic Argentinian New Yorker filled with so much love and positivity, was so foreign to him. She was cultured, well traveled and full of inspiration. He was so taken by her that he made the big move to New York City after graduation and where they started a life together filled with love, travel and design.
Event planner Meredith Falk of GLDN Events came up with a vibrant color palette for the theme: southern baby blues and sweet southern peach tones with a pop of red & gold and an emphasis on pattern, since Carly started her career as a pattern designer. Carly painted all the patterns in the shoot from the tablecloth to the napkins & envelope liner for Eliza Gwendalyn’s calligraphy suite. She has a brand of home products that is available through Anthropologie under her brand Carly Home. The stationery Eliza designed was printed by Dolce Press and showcases Eliza’s new font line called ‘Petunia’ she just launched with Great Lakes Lettering.
The tablescape was a labor of love that GLDN Events and Alayna Kanata of Glen Head Flower Shop dreamed up. They really wanted to incorporate the travels that Carly frequently takes for work, while embracing the southern heritage of where their love began, the heritage that is deep within. GLDN chose vintage Takashimaya China that Alayna adorned with a mixture of dahlias and lilies paired with green foliage which flowed throughout. She kept the bouquet soft and sweet for our southern belle that adorned a two piece bridal gown designed by European bridal designer Anita Benes, the mastermind behind fashion brand Daalarna Couture exclusively sold in the states at Spina Bride NY. To capture our brides soft and romantic look. A.K. Bridal gave her a romantic twist with a modern take; mixing vintage and romantic. She kept our lovebirds effortless chic for their southern soirée through airbrush make-up and touch-ups. The groom was styled by the power couple behind Mr. Baldwin Style. The Baldwins chose a gorgeous ivory and brown pincord suit by Club Monaco and adorned the look with vintage accoutrements purchased at estate sales that they frequent.
The entire shoot was shot through the eyes of Jamie Baldwin of For the Love Photography, from the wide views and the couple sessions down, to the close-up shots of the custom specialty cocktails by the LIQ NY, leather escort pouches by Vianel and the stunning diamond rings from Nally’s Jewels Inc.
Photography: For the Love Photography // Event Planner: GLDN EVENTS // Calligraphy & Stationery: Eliza Gwendalyn // Flowers: Glen Head Flower Shop // Hair & Makeup: A.K. Bridal // Cocktails: The LiqNY // Linens: Carly Home // Groom Styling: Mr. Baldwin Style // Groom Model: Matthew Billman, Soul Artist Management // Jewelry: Nally’s Jewels // Leather goods: Vianel // Headpiece: Naturae Design // Venue: Private Residence
