When fun and refinement collide
The inspiration for this shoot began with one simple, playful idea: a six-foot-tall cake. A bold gesture that instantly set the tone. Once Joelle Eats Cake agreed to bring this towering vision to life, the concept began to unfold organically. Bridget and Juliana shaped an intimate lakeside celebration around the cake itself, allowing its sense of scale and whimsy to guide the creative direction. Rather than overpowering the setting, the cake became a focal point that invited curiosity, joy and a touch of irreverence, reminding us that celebration can be both elevated and light-hearted.
The goal was to strike a balance between fun and refinement. A scene where thoughtful design met a relaxed, joyful spirit, and where each member of the vendor team could contribute ideas that felt genuinely exciting rather than expected. Set within the nature-surrounded beauty of Cedar Lakes, the shoot embraced the quiet drama of its Hudson Valley surroundings. The spring colour palette leaned fully into locally grown and sourced florals, grounding the design in a sense of place and seasonality.
Michael of The Plot designed floral meadows that felt as though they were emerging naturally from the landscape itself. Rather than formal arrangements, the florals softened the ceremony deck and spilled gently into the surrounding environment, enveloping the couple as they exchanged vows. The effect was immersive and alive, blurring the line between styled setting and natural landscape. It felt less like décor and more like a moment unfolding in harmony with its surroundings, a celebration shaped by nature rather than imposed upon it.
Styling played a key role in shaping the narrative of the day. Nicole of Atelier Amarise provided thoughtful creative direction across two distinct bridal looks, each reflecting a different facet of the celebration. The Liza Ray dress echoed the architectural structure of the towering cake, playful yet considered, perfectly suited to the light-hearted energy of the scene. It invited movement, laughter and the inevitable question that lingered throughout the day: how do you cut a cake that tall?
For the ceremony, the Atelier Arielle gown offered a striking contrast. Its sculptural silhouette introduced a sense of modern refinement, providing a beautiful counterpoint to the softness of the florals and the relaxed lakeside setting. Together, the two looks spoke to the evolving nature of modern weddings, where brides are free to express multiple moods, identities and moments within a single day.
Taken as a whole, the shoot celebrates weddings and milestone occasions as spaces for creativity, play and personal expression. A reminder that elevated design does not have to feel serious, and that joy, imagination and thoughtful detail can coexist effortlessly. This is celebration inspiration for couples who want their day to feel intentional, expressive and unmistakably their own.
STYLIST & ON-THE-DAY COORDINATOR Bridget Dawson of Merilina Events, @merilina.events PHOTOGRAPHER Juliana Cole Photo, @julianacolephoto VIDEOGRAPHER Gabrielle Fordham, @gabriellefordhamfilms MODELS & AGENCY Haianny Pereira-Carvalho, @hai.anny; Kristijan Todorovski, @itsrovski; Vie Model + Talent Agency, @vieagency FLORIST The Plot, @theplot_buffalo HAIR & MAKEUP Le Shag, @leshagbeauty VENUE Sisters of Cedar Lakes, @thesistersofcedarlakes HIRE Linens – PEAK Event Services, @peakeventservices; Furniture – Sisters of Cedar Lakes, @thesistersofcedarlakes GARMENTS Reception Dress – Liza Ray, @lizaraynewyork; Ceremony Dress – Atelier Arielle, @atelierarielle SHOES Jimmy Choo, @jimmychoo VEIL One Blushing Bride, @oneblushingbride CAKE Joelle Eats Cake, @joelle_eats_cake STATIONERY Gala Phipps Design, @galaphippsdesign STYLING CONSULTANT Nicole Amarise of Atelier Amarise, @Nicole.amarise
