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The idea of the Red Riding Style Shoot was stemmed from the owners of The Magnolia Wedding Collective befriending Rachel Brown-Wilson of Mountain Mama Photography, a live wolf photographer in the area in the fall of 2019.
They spoke about her work with wolves and the wedding business. An idea was formed to create a Red Riding Hood Style Shoot in Rachel’s favorite location for her wolf photos, Cacapon Resort State Park. Then Covid-19 hit the industry, the wolf couldn’t travel and the wedding industry shut down.
Creating a Red Riding Hood Styled Shoot
Last summer, Sarah K Events created and planned a Whimsical Sunset Styled Shoot and the owners of Magnolia participated as their individual businesses. They asked us to help them with the Red Riding Hood-style shoot they had imagined and hoped to have in the spring of 2022.
So, with an idea, a venue, and a wolf we started creating and designing the Red Riding Hood Style Shoot. We wanted to create a moody and romantic outdoor wedding. Rebecca of Sarah K Events started inviting wedding professional members of Magnolia Wedding Collective.
Photo by Rachel Wilson-Brown, Mountain Mama Photography
Photo by Rachel Wilson-Brown, Mountain Mama Photography
Then she started to invite some of her favorite vendors to contribute to the styled shoot. Sarah K Events used a timeline program called Timeline Genius.
The software allowed Rebecca to create a detailed timeline that all the vendors could access online to make comments or ask questions regarding the event. An inspiration board was created as part of the timeline and sent to the vendors asking them to contribute according to the style and theme of the styled shoot.
Amazing Floral Designs
They were given the freedom to bring their perspective to the project and they didn’t disappoint! Petal Pushers created amazing floral designs for the mantle and a table centerpiece, as well as the bridal bouquet and boutonniere.
It was created by using dark reds, purples, greens and accented in gold and black. For the design, Sarah of Sarah K Events used chandeliers and furniture outside as well as bringing moss inside for both the table decorations and the area around the cake.
Photo by Rachel Wilson-Brown, Mountain Mama Photography
Photo by Rachel Wilson-Brown, Mountain Mama Photography
She also wanted to use different textures for the shoot, including a velvet table runner, the wood tables, and satin napkins while working with natural settings. Although most brides don’t have access to a real wolf or want one at their wedding, we wanted the wolf to add authenticity to the fantasy of the Red Riding Hood theme. The wedding table and decor made small nods to the theme as well.
The Wedding Venue
Growing up, I have fond memories of vacationing at the Cacapon Resort State Park. The Park has over 6,000 acres of trails, woods, cabins, and a large lake.
The day we visited the park to scout the best areas for the staged areas, the park was shrouded in snow and fog that we had hoped to recreate. We chose several options for the staged areas, our absolute favorite was the Batt Shelter due mostly to the beautiful rustic interior.
Photo by Rachel Wilson-Brown, Mountain Mama Photography
The Staged Areas
It has a large fireplace, stone pillar, and large flagstone patio that created the needed look for our central staged areas. The day of the shoot however was unusually warm and windy, and the park had many visitors, so we made the decision to use the area in and around the Batt Shelter almost exclusively.
It is a log and stone shelter built in the 1930s by the Federal Civilian Conservation Corps, better known as the CCC. We used the shelter to create staged areas in front of a fireplace, Including a burgundy settee provided by Something Borrowed WV, and a chandelier, provided and hung by Grand Event Center.
Photo by Rachel Wilson-Brown, Mountain Mama Photography
Dining in the Woods
Two additional staged areas were for the cakes and the table. On the table, in addition to the florals, we used real moss, a gold velvet table runner, wolf figurines, candles, and individual charcuterie boards created by The Cut-n-Board.
The “Dining in the Woods” area included a chandelier and a picnic of wine and charcuterie for our couple to enjoy. A last-minute decision was made to move the settee to a clearing to stage some photos with Alma, the wolf with Maddie, and Dave, our couple.
Photo by Rachel Wilson-Brown, Mountain Mama Photography
Photo by Rachel Wilson-Brown, Mountain Mama Photography
Ohio Canid Center handles Alma’s presentations and encounters. Alma had been part of the park’s nature center presentation earlier in the day. In fact, she had a very full calendar the weekend of the photoshoot, and took some coaxing for her to get in the mood to work. Luckily, Maddie and Alma instantly connected
Some of the details showcased for the styled shoot included, not only the large charcuterie board used for the Dining in the Woods but also individual charcuterie boards at each place setting.
The Wedding Cake, and The Red Riding Hood Cake
Whisked Sugar Bake Shoppe made two amazing designs for the cakes. One was a beautiful wedding cake. The other was an extremely detailed Red Riding Hood Theme cake. Jennifer Frey, the owner of Tier of Heaven, made a howling wolf made completely out of sugar.
Photo by Rachel Wilson-Brown, Mountain Mama Photography
The Bride’s Hairstyle
Hair and make-up artist Amber Warren from Studio Verne created a dramatic look accenting Madison’s eyes and creating the overall moody vibe for the shoot. Her hair was styled in a low boho chignon bun with a wisp of hair framing both sides of her face for the overall effect.
The two nice models for our bride and groom were real-life couple Maddie Mackintosh and David Betz. The two met back in high school and found each other later when they were at college, at a Bluegrass music festival.
They are planning their own wedding for the fall. How did David propose? He took her to a waterfall along the Shenandoah River where they visit every year. This is where they went out on one of their first dates.
Photo by Rachel Wilson-Brown, Mountain Mama Photography
The “Proposal”
As they were standing at the top of what they call “the falls” Maddie asked David if he was ready to jump in, meaning literally to jump into the water beneath the falls. When she turned around to hear his answer, he was on one knee! After Maddie said, “Yes!”
They did jump in together! Maddie said she likes to think of their proposal as “the big jump” as it is the beginning of the rest of their lives together. Maddie wore a strapless Adore by Justin Alexander gown provided by The Valley Bride.
Photo by Rachel Wilson-Brown, Mountain Mama Photography
Photo by Rachel Wilson-Brown, Mountain Mama Photography
Photo by Rachel Wilson-Brown, Mountain Mama Photography
The Valley Bride also provided the burgundy hooded cape. David wore a classic black tuxedo from True Elegance Bridal & Formal Boutique.
We invited Elevated Media a videographer in addition to three different photographers to the styled shoot, each of them giving a little different perspective to what we were trying to achieve. This album was created by Mountain Mama Photography.
Here’s the list of the Styled Shoot Vendors:
Event Planners and Design:
Sarah K Events, LLC
Sarah or Rebecca Hott
Mobile: Rebecca: 304.671.0650
Sarah: 304-.671.6302
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: @sarahkevents
IG: @Sarahkevents16
Florist:
Petal Pushers
Kelsie Mast
Mobile: 5403335339
Email: [email protected]
Facebook:@petalpushersva
IG:@petalpushersva
Cakes:
Whisked Sugar BakeShoppe
Cheree May
Mobile: 304-279-7255
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: @/whiskedsugarbakeshoppe
IG: @/whiskedsugarbakeshoppe
Photographer:
Mountain Mama Photography
Rachel Wilson-Brown
Mobile: (540) 664-9019
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: @RGBWilson
IG: @colourcrazy23
Hair Stylist and Make-up Artist:
Studio Verde
Amber Warren
Phone: (540) 692-8945
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: facebook.com/svog511
IG: @studio_verde_salon_and_spa
Rentals:
Grand Events Center
Annie Solenberger
Mobile: (540)247-0067
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: @grandeventcenter
IG: @grandeventcenter
Wedding Attire:
The Valley Bride
Morgan Beachler
Mobile: 540-664-7580
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: @TheValleyBride
IG: @the_valley_bride
Favors and Sugar Wolf:
Tiers in Heaven
Jennifer Frey
Mobile: (703) 887-8205
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: @TiersInHeaven
IG: @ediblesugarart
Rental Company:
Something Borrowed
April Johnson
Mobile: 3049196922
Email: [email protected]
Facebook:@somethingborrowedwv
IG:@somethingborrowedwv
Calligraphy:
Nicole Walsh Creative
Nicole Walsh
Mobile: 337-313-8224
Email:[email protected]
IG: @NicoleWalshCreative
Videography:
Elevated Media
Rob Atha
Mobile: 304.451.9300
Email: [email protected]
Facebook:@ElevatedWV
IG:@elevated_media
Caterer:
The Cut-n-Board Charcuterie Boards
Jonelle Daugherty
Mobile: (570) 640-8768
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: @thecutnboard
Wolf Handler:
Ohio Canid Center
Rachel Lauren
Mobile: 740-759-1289
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: @Ohio Canid Center
IG: @ohiocanidcntr
Jewelry:
Creekside Gift
Phone: 540.662.0270
Website: www.creeksidegift.com
IG: @creeksidegifts
Bride Model:
Madison McKenzie
IG: @madmackfit
Groom Model:
David Betz
IG: @david-betz10
Venue:
Cacapon Resort State Park
Contact: Valarie Chaney or Kim Malar
Facebook:@cacaponresortstatepark
IG: @cacaponstatepark
Style Shoot Sponsor
Magnolia Wedding Collective
Contact: Jennifer Frey
Phone: 703-887-8205
Website: http://www.MagnoliaWeddingCollective.om
Facebook:@magnoliaweddingcollective
IG: mangoliaweddingcollective
Want to check out another styled shoot we featured? Here’s a classic Savannah styled Wedding shoot.
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