All the romantic vibes - all the time! I am a lover of creating magical moments - this shoot was done a few years ago, but something I have held close to my heart and still enjoy looking back on.
My position at Texas A&M has created a ton of new opportunities, not only for me to continue to learn and grow, but also for me to share my knowledge. I had the pleasure of working with a select group of my students from the RPTS 320 Event Operations class, each student was charged with contacting a specific vendor and getting them to partner with us for the shoot. Overall this shoot was a partnership between myself as the Teaching Assistant, business owner of RMK DESIGNS Events by Rachel, and the Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences Department of Texas A&M University.
You HAVE to watch this amazing video that Rachel Driskells team, it is beyond words!
The cutest custom letters for spelling out words from your last name to something as sweet as Happily Ever After! Even better they aren't just for weddings and can easily brighten any wedding or special event. Each letter stands at about 4 feet tall and lights up - they are sure to get everyone's attention.
Now styled shoots are quite literally my favorite - the creative freedom and control in all the decisions, it is a lot of control and it brings me such joy. I let each of my students create a vision board and submit it to the class, we then voted as a class for which vision we wanted to execute as a team. I was able to use my resources and knowledge to help guide and teach my students about the industry and also give up some of the control and let them gain valuable experience in the planning process of an event.
I couldn't be more proud as a planner, designer, and coordinator of what my students were able to put together. We brought together 20 amazing vendors to create a magical, vibrant shoot like no other. My students truly made this wonderful, they not only helped in the planning process but also the day-of with set up, managing the vendors, and tear down. Two of the girls even stepped in to model for the shoot but an emergency came up with the original models. I mean just look at Preslee here, she is seriously stunning.
Check out below what we created - even though it has been years, I am still loving this! This is seriously one of my favorite pictures and not just because it is of one of my sweetest friends - but the WHITE. It is classic, which the leather red chair and hints of red in the florals. But what makes this picture perfect for me in seeing my sweet friend who refused to wear heels, in her fairy vibes dream dress propping her feet up and out of the window with the most genuine of smiles on her face. THAT is what makes this picture. Also, can we not all agree that The Vintage Brew is not just the cutest and most unique way to offer a bar to your guests. Lindsey, the owner drove out if state to pick up this girl and completely remade her during covid and launched her business, I am not only freaking impressed but obsessed with how cute is Iris - es this cute little VW has a name and it's IRIS - in love!!
The Reserve at Cottonwood Creek is a literal GEM! It is a new venue to Bryan College Station, but the location places it just a few blocks from Downtown Bryan. With several acres smack dab in the center of the city, but really letting you feel secluded and surrounded by nature. When I found about about this new venue I reached out right away. It is BEYOND UNIQUE. They have the original house on the property which serves as the bridal suite, but its really the bridal house! They also have the new structure and reception venue (shown in the first picture on the left), this is amazing. It features high ceilings, a stunning staircase, a bar, and an indoor/outdoor firepalce. They also have several ceremony site, this adorable chapel like structure, or for smaller more intimate ceremonies you can tie the knot on the green which features the beautiful outdoor fireplace. Still not sold?!? It also has a vineyard on site that you can get married it or even have a tent set up next to it and have an outdoor reception. There are literally a million amazing features to this venue and I love them all. This shoot could have gone on for HOURS longer than it did. I had a list of dream shots and ideas and we didn't make it through them all because there is simply just so much that can be done here. If you are still looking for a venue or just want to fan girl with me over how beautiful this venue is, check out their social media and website, OR better yet, schedule a tour!
All the details, all the balloons!
Okay, so I know that you have probably heard of bath bombs, and maybe even hot chocolate bombs, but stay with me for a second because I know for a fact that you have never heard of cotton candy bombs! Not only do the sugar bombs dissolve they can even sparkle - this makes each and every drink that much more bubbly and tasty!
Everything about this: the roses, wax seals, custom champagne bottles, candle sticks, ribbon, flower petals, perfume bottle, scissors and just so much more. This is the Pinterest Perfect Picture!!
You cannot tell me that you do not love these and believe it or not but it was all hand drawn and designed by Maddie June, one of my amazing and special students! I mean look at this custom crest and the map of Aggieland, and the antique stamps, the wax seals, the custom cards and envelops - just everything was perfect and beautiful - just all the DETAILS.
All the romantic vibes, all of the time! I couldn't have wished for a better look. The black and emerald green velvet table clothes, gold table charger, floral watercolored napkins - it just makes me want to scream with joy. The vibrant reds, pops of pink, black and gold accents, this is classic, this is elegant, this is romantic.
I die for this look, not only is Presley just insanely beautiful she is an amazing model and seriously owned the camera! This dress, this veil, this jewelry, this subtle makeup and hair updo is just stunning and beautiful and just everything I could wish for and more!
Cotton Candy - heck yes, S.O.S. even bigger yes because they are Aggie owned and operated! This is the cutest new small business in College Station and I am so happy that such a sweet friend and fellow RPTS graduate owns it. Who would have thought that cotton candy could be used for weddings and such a hit?!
Check out these adorable sparklers and how fun they make pictures, such a unique touch!
ALSO - this what the heck, I LOVED it when someone at the shoot recommended putting a sparkler in the bouquet - this is amazing!
This crown, this bouquet, this couple - they brought the FIRE to this shoot. Stunning sunset pictures!!
The cutest pink set up to match the shoot. S.O.S. - savor our sweets - I mean the name of their small business alone is the cutest. Creating sweet satisfaction and letting every taster find their inner child again, this is what I love. A vision, a dream, a unique niche and the desire to get out there and grow. Kassidy, the owner of SOS with her husband has the same event education as me and is showcasing a unique way that our degrees can be utilized. It all starts with a dream and a passion and it is successful because of the drive that she has to share joy, love, laughter and of course, cotton candy!
VENDORS THAT MADE THIS DAY POSSIBLE:
PLANNER: RMK DESIGNS Events by Rachel in partnership with TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY and the RECREATION, PARK & TOURISM SCIENCES DEPARTMENT
STUDENT VOLUNTEERS: Preslee Taylor, Christine Steck,
VENUE: Reserve at Cottonwood Creek
PHOTOGRAPHER & VIDEOGRAPHER: Rachel Driskell
CAKE: Moma Cakes by Monica
SWEETS: SOS Cotton Candy
MACAROONS: Le Maracrons
RENTALS: Party Time Rentals
FLORIST: Fifty Seven Bloom Co
DRESS BOUTIQUE: Evangeline Bridal
SUIT SHOP: Als Formal Wear
HAIR & MAKEUP: Lily Artistry
JEWELRY: The Jewelry Store - BCS
STATIONARY: Maddy June Creates
BALLOON ART: Bubblelloon Giant Balloons
ALPHA LETTERS: Alpha Lit BCS
SPARKLERS: Broadway Bridal
MODELS: Preslee Taylor, Abby & Blake Winters, Aleyda, & Christine Stecks