A Stitch in Time {which appeared yesterday on Once Wed} was inspired by the true story of an engagement. We took the real life story and ran with it, breathing more and more inspiration and texture into the shoot everyday as we concepted.

I usually start projects with an inspiration board. Not every designer works that way, but they help me to narrow and focus. I also wrote a story that gave us a narrative to concept around. Then we got to work.

Kimberly at Chez Sucre Chez and Jen at Miss Pickles Press were the first people I called. I knew they’d be perfect for this project.

We found an amazing venue outside of Richmond called Amber Grove Inn. Amber Grove is a wedding venue operated by John McDermott. The barn {pictured above} was a dairy barn in a former life; now it hosts ceremonies and small receptions. There’s also a house on the property that John rents for events and a large tented area perfect for larger receptions.

Need Supply hooked us up with the coziest sweater for Jill to wear over her pink ruffle dress (found at H + M) and a pair of killer booties. We outfitted Chris with an assortment of things found, borrowed and purchased. His handsome bowtie came from Halcyon — an amazing vintage store in Richmond.

Check out that headband. It was designed by Lyndzee Ellsworth at Lady Vintique. All of Lyndzee’s pieces are one of a kind.

Janie made the prettiest bouquets full of red dahlias, and Miss Pickles Press hand stamped muslin bags. Each bag contained a special memory our fictitious groom scribed for his bride-to- be, which she found on her way to him at the end of the string of yarn, where he was waiting to “propose.”

Miss Pickles Press made signs that read, “will you marry me” and “she said yes” printed on wood veneer. Rumor has it that Jen will be adding signs to her shop soon!

Vintage spools of thread {found on etsy} along a fence at Amber Grove…

Drawer pulls collected at Anthropologie…wouldn’t this be a lovely way to display escort cards or pictures at a reception?

The talented people who brought this shoot to life are truly amazing. Big thanks to…
Jen at Miss Pickles Press
Ryan and Kelly at Kellan Studios
Janie Medley at The Brides Cafe
Need Supply Company
The Yarn Lounge
Erika Nixon at Makeup on Demand (contact Erika at makeupondemand@comcast.net)
Kimberly at Chez Sucre Chez
John at Amber Grove Inn
Moore and Giles (who loaned us the leather chairs)
and our models, my dear friends, Chris + Jill