Green, local and organic is the way to be and these words aren't always associated with weddings. However, Dixie of Dixie Gaultney Photography has found vendors and products that are locally sourced and sustainable for her fall styled shoot! And this shoot is everything a fall bride's dreams are made of… fall colors, changing trees, a flowy dress and cathedral veil. In Dixie's style concept, she wanted a fairytale prince + princess to run away to the forest instead of staying in the castle. How cool and different from the traditional happily ever after story! Take a look at the fall photos below and read an exerpt from Dixie herself!
Photographer | Dixie Gaultney Photography
Makeup Artist | Amy Lynn Larwig
Dress Store | LVD Bridal Nashville
Design and Decor | Simply Southern Endeavors
Jewelry | Buckaroo Wood and Leather
Paper Props | Jenna Alexander Art
Musicians | Jenny & Tyler
Jewelry | Melissa Tyson Designs
Floral Designer | Unruly Roses
Location | Long Hunter State Park
From the photographer, Dixie Gaultney: I grew up in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains in East Tennessee, and I've always loved forests in the fall and wintertime. As I thought about what to do for this styled shoot, an idea grabbed me and wouldn't let go: What if, in the fairytale, the prince and princess stayed in the forest, rather than going back to the castle for their happily ever after? Don't get me wrong, I love the idea of a castle, but I could see the princess not wanting to give up her bare feet, woodland animal friends, and wild surroundings for the dignified castle life. So, I got together a team of vendors to make this fairytale come true. Everything is as organic and locally-sourced as possible. When I haven't been able to find people locally, I have tried to find vendors who share my philosophies on community and the importance of taking care of the resources we have.
We went to a state park nearby, to have a very natural setting, and featuring in-season local flowers and foliage, a dress from a shop that believes in consignment, sample sales, and shopping vintage, and ring makers who use responsibly sourced materials to make meaningful rings. (The groom's ring is turned walnut wood from East Tennessee, and the woman's ring is a beautiful combination of rose gold and morganite from North Carolina.) The florist foraged everything except the large flowers in the bouquet to make it as if the princess had gathered her blooms as she walked through the woods on the way to the wedding. We used little pies from a local bakery that we could just picture the songbirds baking for their friend.
The bride and groom wore non-traditional clothing in natural colors to complement the forest. I tried to dress the groom so that he looked like he was wearing the riding clothes he'd had on when he came across the princess, and she wore a natural taupe gown that captured movement beautifully. We also used a long veil that felt waterfall-like to bring one more natural element to her attire. Overall, this is an inspiration for anyone for whom community and of taking care of our resources is important, without compromising that fairytale-like beauty that so many want in their big day.
Thank you so much for sharing these gorgeous photos with us, Dixie! We're so ready for Thanksgiving now! 🙂
Find more of Dixie's work on her Instagram page and her website.
If you like this shoot, then be sure to check out this Modern Lodge Styled Shoot!
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