There’s been an idea brewing inside of me for awhile now and it’s all based on this notion that styled shoots, while absolutely gorgeous, are also a bit of a waste.  I enjoy working without limitations and being able to create whatever I envision. Plus the collaboration between vendors can be a really beautiful form of creative expression.  But at the end of each day I can’t help but feel that I just set up an amazing tablescape, pieced together what was sure to be an over-the-top amazing soiree and now I have to tear it down, without anyone really appreciating it for months to come.

So last month I took a new approach to the “styled shoot”.  Rather than wasting the beauty and hospitality, I invited guests to be a part.  They were guests that I didn’t know, people nominated by others who needed a little love and something extra pretty in their lives.  The results were more than I could have ever imagined.

I’ve yet to sit down with Ashely Slater to browse through all of what are sure to be incredible memories from the night but I can’t wait.  I want to remember the evening that I took a risk and invited complete strangers to a dinner party.  In time, I will also share with you the inspiration, the execution, as well as the hiccups that happened along the way as this was not an easy party to pull off.  But I can promise you, it was worth it!

Full vendor credits will be shared when I post the results in their entirety but for now I’d like to thank Ashley Slater Photography, The Rental Company, Chef Josh Ferguson, Wondrous Whimsy, Kirribilla and Ed Dunnebeck & Girls Farm Market for being a part.