Crystal is wearing SHAREEN Bridal (the Ambi). Photography by Amanda Marsalis. Florals by Hollyflora.
See the full story by Crystal Meers featured in ELLE Magazine here.
The year was filled with brides. All of them were beautiful and all created such glorious moments of beauty to honor the day of their marriage.Over the next few months we will share their weddings with you in bits and pieces... from their flowers to their boys.
Here, we celebrate those who captured them in the full blush of celebration; the photographers, those silent witnesses who carefully and mriaculously hold still in time these shimmering moments.These are the best of the best images of our brides in 2015.
Danyale and Matthew
Photography by Erich McVey. The wedding of Danyale, in SHAREEN Bridal (the "Karine" with sleeves), and husband Matthew. Flowers by Burst & Bloom. Venue is Wind & Sea Estate in Big Sur, CA.
Jenni and Stuart
Photography by Paul Raeburn. The wedding of Jenni, in SHAREEN Bridal (the "Libby"), and husband Stuart. Flowers by Linzi Deprez of Jack Fleuriste. Venue is Prestonfield House in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Jill and Michael
Photography by JBM Photography. The wedding of Jill, in SHAREEN Bridal (the "Lea" with sleeves), and husband Michael. Flowers by Stem. Veil by Ashley Lietzel Reichenbach. Venue is Cobble Hill in Brooklyn, NY.
Joanie and Cale
Photography by Max and Friends. The wedding of Joanie, in SHAREEN Bridal (the "Raquel" with custom shoulder detail and beading), and husband Cale. Flowers by Moon Canyon. Venue is The Vibiana in Los Angeles, CA.
Kelly and Brad
Photography by Horizon Light Photography. The wedding of Kelli, in SHAREEN Bridal (the "Liza" in silk taffeta), and husband Brad (shown here with his grandparents). Hair and Makeup by Alathea Rose. Flowers by Unique Floral Design. Venue is Camarillo Ranch in Camarillo, CA.
Kelly and Matt
Photography by Nastassia Clucas Bruckïn. The wedding of Kelly, in SHAREEN Bridal (the "Kelly"), and husband Matt. Flowers by Kelly herself. Venue is Aldermarsh Retreat Center/Live Edge Woodworks on Whidbey Island, WA.
Rebecca and Michael
Photography by AMC Photography. The wedding of Rebecca, in SHAREEN Bridal (one-of-a-kind "Alexa" vintage rework), and husband Michael. Venue is Metropolitan Building.
Kendra
Photography by Scarlet Mann. Kendra in SHAREEN Bridal (the "Ambi") as the Maid of Honor for her mother's wedding. Venue is Ravello, Italy.
Melissa and Ray
Photography by Andria Lindquist. The wedding of Melissa, in SHAREEN Bridal (the "Donna" top lined and the "Melissa" skirt), and husband Ray. Flowers by Melissa's sister-in-law and family. Venue is The Hollywood Schoolhouse in Seattle WA.
Yael and Will
Photography by Shannon Sturgis. The wedding of Yael, in SHAREEN Bridal (the "Helen"), and husband Will. Flowers by Colie Collen. Venue is Blooming Hill Farm.
Shane and Mike
Photography by Katie Branch for Tyler Branch Photo. The wedding of Shane, in SHAREEN Bridal (the "Mandana" with custom neckline), and husband Mike. Flowers by Of the Flowers. Planning and Coordinating by Art & Soul Events. Venue is The Alamo Motel in Los Alamos, CA.
After ParisNovember 2015
When I clean my house I always start in exactly one corner.
Taking on the 6 rooms of the small bungalow at once is too much for me.
I do remember one day when I dusted in one room and swept in another, tidied here and straightened there, and back round again and again. For the most part, it worked, but I felt dizzy from it and scattered. If the phone had rung while I spun these cleaning plates, I certainly would have dropped the whole lot.
When things are in disarray it is best to start in one corner, and work one’s way out, bit by bit.
The world is a mess. If you feel off or down or confused, slightly insecure, flashing anxiety, it is because though your room may be tidy, what surrounds it is in forms of upset ranging from disorder to disaster. The air that touches us is filled with the echo of grief.
As you begin your day today, as you venture out into your immediate world, pick one corner and make it better.
In my church, in churches around the country, near the end of the service the pastor will ask you to ‘pass the peace’. Though you may feel sometimes uncomfortable you will turn behind you, then turn again to reach out in front, and either take a hand, or in my case, embrace a stranger with a hug, and say, “peace be with you” .
At the Presbyterian Church on Fifth avenue, standing beside me was Steve. He was grizzled and big and sweaty. His hands were swollen and cracked. He stood and kneeled and stood again and sat beside me sharing in the service. A stranger holding a respectful distance and silence. But at “pass the peace”, when I took him into my arms, he became mine, a friend, a fellow, a journeyman along my way. “ Peace be with you” I said near his ear. “ Peace be with you.” He said into my hair, and as I pulled away from him, I looked into his eyes, mine then filled with joy at having felt his heart beat. I beamed at him, then leaning in to whisper I said, “ It’s the best part, isn’t it? “ And he smiled too. “ It is. “ he said. And we smiled into each other with shyness and knowing and gratitude. My heart lifted and filled with singing.
Isn’t it sometimes just unbearable sweetness to feel your love penetrate another and receive that gratitude returned?
Pass the peace. Do it everywhere you go today.
Let us begin in our small corner. Hand out a dollar, reach out a hand, deliver a kind word and bit by bit let us make a difference. I dream of a day when we all agree that at a certain hour on a certain day, all over the world, at once, we will turn to whom ever is standing beside us and say, “Peace be with you.”
Shareen