Going to the Chapel of Love, Part 1

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*See part 2 of this wedding here, and part 3 here*

There's a saying where I live, "shy bairns get nowt", and it was with this in mind, that I recently contacted the truly amazing and incredibly talented Photographers that are Justin & Mary Marantz and asked if they'd be kind enough to let me feature one of their wedding shoots on Love My Dress….

"Omigosh YEA!! That would be awesome! We'd love to have you feature Rachel & Terry! Thank you SO much for your awesome email! It brought a smile to my face on this super dreary New England day! :)"

All Photography Copyright (C) 2009, Justin & Mary Marantz

Justin & Mary Photography...

Now I'd been watching these Photographers for a few weeks, since discovering them via my Google Reader, but boy, their latest wedding shoot is like NOTHING I've ever seen before in my life (my Guest Blogger Cat was emailing me about it last night, having almost fainted on seeing these photos!).  Mind blowing, glamour loving, vintage pleasing masterpiece it is, the inspiration for which was Audrey Hepburn/Going to the Chapel.  And can you believe, the Chapel where this gorgeous couple tied the knot, is actually located in 'Romance', West Virginia, USA? 'Tis true, I tell thee!  Google if you don't believe me!   

Justin & Mary Photography...

Huge big hugs, love and thank you's to Mary for her quick reply to my shameless beg of an email.  I'm very proud to be spreading the Marantz magic…

 So without further ado people, I am deliver to you what I think is the most inspirational, innovative and TOTALLY bloomin' gorgeous wedding shoot I have ever come across (I'm just sayin'!).  And because I have such a heavenly number of photographs to share, I'm going to do this one over 2 or 3 posts, so go crack open a bottle of fizz, raise a glass and say "Cheers!" to the absolutely fabulous newlyweds, Rachel and Terry. 

Part 1….

I'm going to pretty much let the pictures speak for themselves, if that's OK with you?…. but perhaps first, just to contextualise a little, here is what the Photographers themselves have to say about this particular wedding shoot…

"There are some girls that are just timeless. Classic. Made for the silver screen. Larger than life, she consumes you with her quiet beauty. She is the stuff that legends are made of, and you can't help but watching in awe as she promises forever to a hero who always deserved the girl.

 Dramatic, I know!! But Rachel & Terry just bring that out of me. Because they were married on a day when screen legends came to life and everyone around them was taken to a better time. A time when ladies were ladies and gentleman wore white tuxes. When white gloves and high heels were considered casual attire. When you ate Breakfast at Tiffany's and straightened your bird cage veil. I would be lying if I didn't say that part of me wants to live in that time forever."

Justin & Mary Photography...

Rachel used Jane Iredal Mineral Make Up Products and Dior Mascara.

 

This pretty bow hair band was tailor made by Professional Tailor Vienna in West Virginia.  It was inspired by Castle Bride Couture, by Kristin Fox Vintage Couture Collection, and the veil was an EBay purchase…

Justin & Mary Photography... 

Isn't she just soooooooooooooo so so pretty?  I want to pocket her and take her home! …

Justin & Mary Photography... 

Justin & Mary Photography...

Ahh, lovely lovely Louboutins…. Rachel actually had TWO pairs of shoes for her wedding! The Christian Louboutin were 'Nooka', in the colour Pearl, and purchased from Bluefly.  Rachel wore this pair for the ceremony…

Justin & Mary Photography... 

 

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…and these sassy pair of red heels are 'Keedan', by Kate Spade, which Rachel bought from Zappos.  Rachel wore these to the reception…

 

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Now listen to this little cracker from the Marantz's website…

"They had to have Terry's ring made special for him because he broke his knuckle when he was younger. So the folks at Tiffany's came up with this hinge ring with a secret pinhole release worthy of James Bond. It is maybe the coolest thing. Ever. And there is currently only one of its kind in the world. Awesome!!"….

WOW!

Justin & Mary Photography... 

Ahh, the dress.  It was inspired by an image of Rachel's own Grandma (see below) on her wedding day.  Rachel told me…

"I was inspired primarily by the marriages of my grandmothers and Ms. Audrey Hepburn.  We truly wanted our wedding to represent our love for each other and not focus on the commercialism of many of todays weddings.  During the 1950s, weddings were simple, elegant and timeless.  I dreamed of this for my wedding day.

Ms Audrey Hepburn has long been an admiration of mine.  Her style continues to be the inspiration for fashion today.  She was truly a one of a kind beauty.  Ms. Audrey also connected many of our favorite traditions as a couple…." 

 

Justin & Mary Photography... 

"I combed the internet searching for a dress matching the vision in my  dreams.  I wanted the timeless shape of the 1950s, but I did not want my dress to be a costume .  After months of searching, and viewing what seems like thousands of dresses, I went home to Parkersburg, West Virginia for a weekend of dress shopping with my mother and sister.  I did not expect to find anything close to what I was looking for–Parkersburg is a very small town." 

Rachel's Grandma's original dress…isn't it stunning? What a fabulous photograph!

Justin & Mary Photography...

"I tried on two dress at two separate bridal shops. . .one tea length. . .one ball gown.  Neither were what I was looking for exactly;  they were the same strapless style and beaded bodice of all other bridal gowns of today. 

At the suggestion of my mother, we visited a tiny bridal shop in Vienna.  Flipping through the dressed we found what would become my dress.  The pleated skirt offered the Audrey Hepburn style.  The backless bodice with tiny bows added the modern update I needed to prevent it from becoming a costume.  There was only one thing . . . the dress was a US size 8, floor length and had a four foot train.  Squinting and turning in the mirror, I attempted to invision my dress.  This was the one –it was my dress."

 

Justin & Mary Photography... 

"The tiny little bridal shop where my bridal gown shopping ended was also the tiny bridal shop my mother purchased her bridal gown from thirty years ago.

A very special thank you goes to Professional Tailor of Vienna, West Virginia.  They completely altered my dress to transform it into my dream vision.  My dress is truly one of a kind".

Justin & Mary Photography...

Red lipstick.  A girl VERY much after my own heart…(Rachel, I am saving up to hop on a plane to come and meet you, you are too flippin' gorgeous!).  These pretty earrings and necklace were a gift to the Bride from her parents some years ago…

Justin & Mary Photography...

Justin & Mary Photography...

So demure…

Justin & Mary Photography...

Beautiful Tiffany pearls.  Ms Holly Golightly eat your heart out….

Justin & Mary Photography... 

Justin & Mary Photography...

Arriving at the Chapel, in Romance…

Justin & Mary Photography...

Justin & Mary Photography... 

Justin & Mary Photography... 

Justin & Mary Photography... 

Justin & Mary Photography... 

Justin & Mary Photography... 

Justin & Mary Photography...

Married!

Justin & Mary Photography... 

Oh my, my heart is all a flutter, my limbs feel weak. I tell you…

Much much more gorgeousness coming soon, I absolutely promise you…

♥  

Annabel

Annabel View all Annabel's articles

Founder of Love My Dress. Passionate Podcaster and Editor. Annabel lives in rural North Yorkshire with her husband and business partner Philip, their two daughters and menagerie of furry hounds. She loves photography, meditation, walking, being outdoors and star gazing. She is fierce when it comes to championing talent within the wedding industry and when she's not working on Love My Dress, she supports her husband Philip in the running of the family's sustainable flower farm and floral design business, Moonwind Flowers. In 2013, she became a published author.

8 thoughts on “Going to the Chapel of Love, Part 1

  1. Isn’t this just THE most gorgeous wedding, I never want the pictures to end. I could barely drag myself away from the computer when I first saw them.
    Such wonderful understated style.
    Cat
    x

  2. The posts are beautiful and we are so happy to be part of Love My Dress! Annabel, you incorporated my comments seamlessly. I still cannot believe it is all real…somebody needs to seriously pinch me! May lovely vintage photographs always grace Love My Dress!
    With love,
    Rachel

  3. No, thank *you* Rachel – it was a complete and utter pleasure, believe me. One of a kind you are, and I thank you for making my Blog look all the prettier for it.
    God Bless you and your lovely Husband.
    Much love,
    Annabel
    xXx

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