Planning, designing and orchestrating this styled shoot felt like stepping into a dream I’ve carried with me for years. I’ve always been inspired by the idea of storytelling through texture rather than color, and this was my opportunity to bring that vision to life. Every detail was crafted with intention. From the laser-engraved rose seating chart to the custom napkins, the bold altar installation, and the layers of satin and sequins that added movement and depth to the tablescape, everything served a purpose. I created a caterpillar-style floor plan using mixed table sizes to give the layout a sense of rhythm. Every rose was reflexed by hand, and the bleached amaranthus was purposed to look like melting candle wax, adding an organic, sculptural quality. Pairing minimal florals with candlelight brought a quiet intimacy to the overall design that I truly loved.

One of the greatest joys of this shoot was the incredible team behind it. Honstyne Dixon, our makeup artist, was unbelievably professional and deeply talented. She needed almost no direction and instinctively knew exactly how to bring the look to life. Ava from Bridal Glow Beauty Co. was just the same. Her calm energy and skilled artistry tied everything together with such ease. Laurie Kottke’s jewelry was absolutely stunning. Each piece elevated the look in such a thoughtful and beautiful way.

It was also such a joy to meet Kalyn from Kalyn Wolf Studios. Her warmth, care, and attention to detail were everything I hoped for, and I am so glad to have her as part of the creative circle I can call on in the future. Andrew from VOW’D brought such positivity and enthusiasm to the day. He was wonderful to work with and made every step feel joyful. Kathryn from Urban Daisy has always been one of my favorite people to work with and her kindness, professionalism, and generosity in letting us use her space meant so much to me, and I feel lucky to now call her a friend.

Our models, Cyrah and Asher, were true professionals from start to finish. Their presence brought the entire vision to life. MartinPatrick3 and Apres stepped in to help us bring a final layer of polish to the day.

And last but certainly not least, working with Elena Stanton was a dream come true. Being able to collaborate with her on something so personal was a true highlight of my year. What started as a creative concept became something even more meaningful. These incredible people brought their full hearts to the table, and I am so grateful that many of them have become more than acquaintances. They’ve become true friendors.

For Hana April Inc.