Credits at the end
SEASONS OF THE BRIDE
By: Mike Tomes
Styling a bridal photoshoot around the four seasons offers a unique opportunity to capture the evolving spirit of the bride, each season reflecting a different aspect of her journey. Spring ushers in a sense of renewal with pastel hues, 3D floral accents, and delicate lace, evoking a dreamy, fairy-tale atmosphere. The bride is surrounded by soft blooms, a whimsical tea garden setup, and the sparkle of sunlight, embodying the fresh, vibrant energy of the season. This lightness and femininity carry through the soft fabrics and intricate details of her gown, highlighting the beauty of new beginnings and growth.
As the seasons shift, summer brings a sense of warmth and freedom, where the bride embraces crisp whites and the breezy elegance of lace. A beachside feeling with flowing dresses and natural, sun-kissed styling, while subtle details like delicate pearls or a loose, windswept hairstyles reinforce the season’s effortless beauty. Summer’s brightness contrasts with the cooler tones of autumn, which introduces deeper, earthier shades like rich browns, burnt oranges, and even bold touches of black. This season exudes sophistication and drama, with luxurious fabrics like silk and colorful overlay with striking accessories, allowing the bride to embody both strength and romance.
Finally, winter transforms the bride into an ice queen, where frosty blues, icy whites, and shimmering silvers create a regal, ethereal atmosphere. Long-sleeved gowns, faux fur wraps, and dramatic crystal accessories reflect the season’s quiet majesty, while snowy or frosted backdrops elevate the sense of elegance. Together, these four seasons create a captivating narrative, each reflecting a different facet of the bride’s evolving journey—from the softness and joy of spring to the boldness of fall and the regal, frozen beauty of winter—culminating in a photoshoot that tells a complete story of love, transformation, and timeless beauty. Incorporating all forms of diversity into this seasonal bridal photoshoot wasn’t just a thoughtful decision—it was essential to ensuring that the shoot celebrated every bride and groom, regardless of their background or identity. After all, love knows no bounds, and neither should a photoshoot that’s meant to tell the universal story of a bride’s journey through the seasons. Imagine the magic of seeing brides of all walks of life, each glowing in their own unique way, as they embody the vibrancy of spring, the freedom of summer, the richness of autumn, and the regal elegance of winter.
Styling and directing this special shoot wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible team behind it. A huge thank you to our talented photographers, Antonio Pantoja and Matt Johnson, for bringing the vision to life. We couldn’t have asked for a better styling team from J Michaels Salon—Mariah, Kaiti, and Corinne—for their expertise and creativity. Our amazing models—Scooter, Alexis, Max, Twitty, Jordan, Jalin, Sheldon, Morgan, Elizabeth, and Luis—were absolute stars, with Mariah and Kaiti going above and beyond as both stylists and models. Special thanks to Mary and Alisha for their invaluable on-set support.
A heartfelt thank you to Amelia for the incredible opportunity, creative guidance, and expert jewelry styling. And to the vendors who worked extra hard behind the scenes to elevate this shoot: Britni and Alex at House of K Boutique, Packy, Alicia and McCall at Sam Myers, Amy, Margaret and Shelby at Susan’s Florist, Brian at The Gillespie, Linda and Jimmy at Aesthetics in Jewelry, Linda at Dolfingers, your contributions were absolutely essential.
Thank you all for making this shoot a success!
LOCATION: The Gillespie
PHOTOGRAPHY: Antonio Pantoja & Matt Johnson
FLORIST: Susan’s Florist
FASHION & ACCESSORIES: House of K Boutique Sam Myers
JEWELRY: Aesthetics In Jewelry
WEDDING DINNERWEAR AND SERVEWEAR: Dolfinger’s
OUR COUPLES: Sheldon Burton-Tomes & Mike Tomes, Mariah Sanchez & Elizabeth Singer, Amanda “Twitty” Conway & Jordan Spurling, Kaiti Venable & Luis Torres
MODELS: Scooter Ray, Jalin Snandon, Max Whelan, Alexis Fischer, Morgan Reining, Margaret Streeter, Shelby Wikoff
HAIR AND MAKEUP: Mariah Sanchez, Kaiti Venable, Corinne Butcher
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT: Mary Zoeller
VOICE-TRIBUNE EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Alisha Proffitt
VOICE-TRIBUNE CEO & PUBLISSURE: Amelia Frazier Theobald