It’s hard to believe that anything could steal the show from the Fiji Highlands, but these paper dresses are so beautiful that we can hardly look away! Kama Catch Me arranged at photographed this naturally elegant shoot inspired by the unique gowns. Tabuadrau Designs crafted the three paper wedding gowns featured in this photo shoot, each dress with varying design elements perfect for a bride with earthy vibes in her day.
From the photographers: Captured in the Fijian Highlands, we felt it important to shine a spotlight on two import factors, the first being the connection to nature through the use of custom made paper dresses, and the location being the Fijian Highlands, as opposed to the cliche beach environment synonymous with Fiji.
The three dresses that feature throughout are made from the bark of the Mulberry Tree (Broussonetia Papyrifera), which means that they are paper dresses, or “Masi,” as is more commonly known here in Fiji. The process of stripping the bark off the Mulberry Tree to its finished product is both a lengthy and laborious task, but it is how the Pacific Islands once clothed themselves (though not as elaborate), before the introduction of cotton.
A big thanks to Kama Catch Me for sharing this incredible bridal inspiration with Junebug! For more of their Fiji wedding photography, check out Yanna and Peter’s traditional Greek wedding in Fiji.
Adventure-loving couple Kendra and Taylor married in the forest at Horning’s Hideout surrounded by the loving friends and family who helped make the whole day possible. From the flowers to the the live band to the dessert, everyone pitched in to make Kendra and Taylor’s earthy Oregon wedding beautiful, personal, and unforgettable. If we listed everything we loved about this wedding, we’d be here all day, so scroll on and see the magic for yourself!
We personalized our ceremony in a few ways. 1. Our dear mentor,friend and past professor (Taylor and I met in grad school) was the officiant and offered personal memories of the two of us. 2. Taylor‘s father gave a heart-warming blessing. 3. Taylor and I each wrote a short love letter to each other and original vows that incorporated our sense of humor and adventurous nature. 4. We had 8 of our bridesmaid/groomsmen read quotes on love and life that we had found and related to.
The most memorable part of the day was during our ceremony. It had down-poured all morning and dried up just before the ceremony. The sky was cloudy as we started the ceremony. But as Taylor began to say his vows a perfectly-timed ray of sunshine came splintering through the clouds and trees and landed right on us. It was like the earth was celebrating with us. We both smiled at each other and looked to the sky.
For my wedding day look, I wanted to find a dress that I wouldn’t be embarrassed to show to people in 30-50 years — something classic, but fun. I used the same strategy for my hair and make-up. I gave the wedding party instructions to find a white (or any shade a wedding dress comes in) knee-length dress that they would feel beautiful in. I think everyone realized how much I liked lace and each one ended up finding a lace dress. It ended up looking great together.
We wanted our wedding to reflect our fun-loving, adventure-filled way of life as well as our love for the outdoors; specifically the forest. On the fun side, we incorporated a raffle prize give-away in which each winner found a photo of the bride or groom giving the thumbs up taped under the chair. Each winner won a hiking backpack to take adventuring. We also had our favorite Portland restaurant cater the wedding, bringing taco-happy smiles to all the guests. On the forest side, the venue was the perfect location with large pine trees and ferns filling the ceremony area. We also incorporated a grass aisle runner, ferns, natural wood centerpieces (diyed by dad), and kraft paper signs for decor to create a sort of rustic forest elegance. Guests were also encouraged to camp under the stars with the couple.
The more important things were that the celebration reflected who we are, budget, and that are guests have fun. We were able to create the whole event for $17k utilizing the incredible help from our friends and family. Most of our vendors were friends and were incredibly generous with their services. From dessert, to flowers, dj, live music, bar tending, day-of coordinating, make-up and venue set-up. Obviously being surrounded by so many friends willing to help make the day beautiful gave the event special personal touches.
It’s not uncommon for couples to feel overwhelmed with planning a luxe wedding; with so many details to curate and so many design elements to make cohesive, it’s easy to get lost in it all! Today we have a true expert, Kristin Banta Events, sharing her favorite ways for couples to get involved in the planning process so their true colors shine in every element of their day! Read on for tips about signature cocktails, interactive seating arrangements, and even how to personalize the sound of your luxe wedding.
1. Consider foregoing florals as your decor statement in lieu of lush greenery, installation art or residentially inspired decor based on your interests.
2. If you’re thinking about incorporating the traditional ice sculpture, don’t feel like you have to do a swan – get creative! Choose a word or symbol that is significant to you as a couple. Or, if you have a pet, consider getting ice sculpted in their honor!
3. Don’t have a cake unless you love cake. I personally love cake but if you don’t, feel free to do a truffle bar giving guests the opportunity to put together their favorites to take home in beautiful boxes and to sample throughout the night along with specialty cordials or consider a bread pudding bar consisting of several favors served in jars and displayed on a chic shelving unit. If you love pie, create a pie bar with selections of mini pies or individual pies on sticks.
4. Serve specialty cocktails offering your own favorites and not just something that is tied to the colors of your décor. This will be more relevant and meaningful to you and your guests. If you would like to add an interactive element, hire a mixologist to show the guests how to make the cocktail at home, sending them away with a specially printed copy of the recipe.
6. Don’t feel like you have to have all bridesmaids on one side and all groomsmen on the other. Bunking the format can make for more intriguing photos and a less pageant feeling to the processional. Additionally not all have to be standing; have some sit versus some stand which will add dimension and depth to your statement at the alter. Think Vanity Fair‘s Hollywood issue, providing mixed seating and side tables upon which the girls can rest their bouquets.
7. Additionally, don’t be afraid to have your bridal party be seated among your guests. At the end of the day, this is about you and your partner. While you can still honor them by having them walk down the aisle, having the opportunity of it being just the two of you at the alter with your officiant can make for a very intimate ceremony.
8. Incorporate natural lighting in hues like amber, chocolate and soft white, as opposed to colored lighting, to create a more luxe, residential feel. Think about it as just volumized candlelight.
9. Be creative with seating assignments! Use unexpected materials to create intrigue and personalization. We have used everything from clocks to acrylic blocks, library cards in shelves to books with guests names on the spine, calligraphed sanddollars to a hanging wall of capiz shells. We have even done cards with pictures on them representing an element on each table for guests to discover. Have fun with it and your guests will too!
10. There are luxe ways to incorporate some of your favorite food items, even casual fare! If your first date was at a carnival, consider having mini corndogs passed as a late night snacks. If you love ramen, consider a ramen noodle station, allowing guests to select their ingredients and spice level. If you lived in Barcelona together, consider serving a first course inspired by the cuisine you experienced while living there.
11. Consider incorporating a fun interactive experience to liven up the event and get the conversation started. You can achieve this in a multitude of ways from offering a cigar rolling bar or whiskey sipping station to having your favorite food truck come in for the after party to placing signage in your lounge vignettes with certain fun facts about you as a couple for guests to chat about.
12. Remember it’s not just his day or her day, it’s your day as a couple! Make sure both voices are being heard and the day is a representation of the both you and your unique interests and personalities.
We couldn’t agree more, Kristin! A big thanks to Kristin Banta Events for sharing these expert tips on personalizing a luxe wedding with Junebug! To see her amazing planning in action, check out Melissa and Sam’s blue and gold wedding at Sony Studios.
Junebug Weddings uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. We also use cookies to show advertising that is most relevant to you. If you continue you agree to the use of cookies on Junebug Weddings.
Terms & Conditions
Photo by 
Photo by 
Photo by 
Photo by 
Photo by 
Photo by 
Photo by 
Photo by 
Photo by 
Photo by 
Photo by 
Photo by 
.jpg "Photographers")
