Style Me Pretty Feature: The Club at Corazon Wedding Inspiration

Alejandra + Rachel

Today I’m poppin’ the bubbly in celebration of this dream collaboration being featured on the front page of Styled Me Pretty!! There was so much heart and intention poured into every detail of this styled shoot at The Club at Corazón and I am just so grateful to have photographed it. Not only was it flawlessly designed by Jeannene Lillie Events with gorgeous flowers from Prema Designs, a stunning La Jeune Mariee dress and exquisite stationery from Lupine Letters, but the story behind it takes the cake (Oh, and don’t miss the actual cake by Lavender and Honey).

Our stunning models were a real life couple who were supposed to get married on the actual day of our shoot, but just like most weddings in 2020, the pandemic forced them to change their plans. During a year where conversations around marriage equality rights have become a topic of debate, this shoot created an opportunity to celebrate both femininity and masculinity together, while embracing love and romance in all its forms. Bride Alejandra Esson said it best, “In a world that can be so heavy, there are moments of light and love and people who exude this.”

Jeannene and I started the planning process with one major goal in mind— to celebrate love and inclusion. We built a vendor team who either LGBTQ+ identified or is an outspoken ally for the community. I am incredibly proud of these photos and am honored to see them grace the front page of Style Me Pretty!

There is no way I could even describe this shoot as perfectly as the vendor team did for our SMP submission below, so enjoy!

Nestled in the heart of Dublin, Ohio, ivy creeps up rosé stone, greeted by the deep terracotta of Spanish roof tiles, and the trickling fountain sings as it transports you to the Tuscan countryside. This is The Club at Corazón. For so many, this year has brought unexpected change and unavoidable delay to quintessential life milestones...but not here.

On the coveted October 10th, 2020, Alejandra & Rachel’s original wedding date, planner and designer Jeannene Lillie (LGBTQ+) crafted an oasis of European elegance marrying the vibrancy of Summer with the warmth of Autumn. A delicate palette of apricot and cream cloaked in luxury textiles and delicate gold details exudes refinement from every element. Breathe deeply while you gaze at the gorgeous images, courtesy of Tessa Berg at Starling Studio, and you can almost smell the delicate florals on the warm Summer breeze, the buttercream on your tongue, and feel the hint of crispness as Ohio fades into fall.

Lush florals by Prema Designs featured refreshing pops of ivory and greens, creating a palette that transcends the seasons. Locally grown dahlias, cosmos, larkspur, and carnations offer depth and draw your eye into a textural journey through this inspirited, but purposeful design. Rachel’s custom Threadwell Clothiers suit was accented by a custom lapel style floral boutonniere, a fusion of androgynous and feminine energy. Alejandra donned the Sanibel gown by designer Ines Di Santo, with its signature illusion back, paired with a tulle overskirt, full length veil, and black lace Bella Belle heels. Her bouquet itself was draped in rich, apricot silk ribbon flowing delicately downward to kiss the floor.

Rachel & Alejandra shared their first look on the terrace near the Italian-inspired fountain. As they recited their wedding vows, the breeze floated through the florals, fluttering through Alejandra’s veil and gently carrying away their promises to each other - with not a dry eye to be found. The entire shoot was designed with the couple’s personality at the forefront. Photographer Tessa Berg (Ally) said, “The love they have for each other is so inspiring and I feel honored to have captured their newlywed bliss in such an authentic way.” Stationer, Erin Kimbell, crafted a suite of delicate, handmade paper, flowing calligraphy, and deckled edges in blush and ivory, punctuated by strong slates and glittering gold for added European elegance. Mirroring the invitation’s delicacy, the wedding cake featured handcrafted wafer paper ranunculus blooms, delicate branches and a subtle watercolor texture designed to speak through its simplicity.

The creative team, assembled by queer wedding planner and designer, Jeannene Lillie Events, was composed entirely of either LGBTQ+ identified our outspoken ally professionals from the Central Ohio Community, crafted the day with a strong responsibility to honor the significance of this date for Rachel and Alejandra. Morgan and Colby (LGBTQ+ identified) of Prema Designs who dreamed up the breathtaking florals reflected, “Taking part in a shoot that celebrates the universe of diversity and strength of love in all capacities from vendors to models, was heartwarming and affirming in so many ways!” she continued, “Having a real, married couple as models for our designs was so, so special. We can only hope to one day inspire LBGTQIA+ couples with this shoot in the way it inspired us.”