Despite living in the city � although semi-rural � I adore the country and this farm shoot from Ashleigh Jayne & Angela Marie Events has completely stolen my heart. I want to live in it! From the sweet floral invitation suite to the rustic table set up in the field� not to mention those fabulous trees! It's perfection in my eyes! Angela takes us through the inspiration behind the shoot�

�This shoot was to inspire every southern bride to take the time to create breath-taking photographs. Taking the time to collaborate with their photographer in finding that perfect backdrop, that perfect light, that perfect southern feel, it's what makes the day....perfect.

After many miles of driving and searching, I stumbled across an old saw mill that had been converted into old hay barns for a local family's cows that roam the many pastures surrounding their property. The gorgeous oaks in our area are over 300 years old. And this particular oak provided us with a picturesque backdrop for our bride. The mossy limbs, the old barn, the curious cows, and rolling pasture, all made for breath-taking photos.

For our shoot, our bride wore a lace gown from BHLDN. The simple lace style, with a nude slip underneath was perfect for the rustic farm feel we were hoping to create. Her hair and make-up were simple. No frills needed for this country farm girl; we wanted her natural beauty to be seen.�

�We started the shoot with a fun take on a boudoir session. I had Sugar Plum Cottage (Etsy) make her super cute, old-feel bloomers with a touch of pink ribbon. Her hair was flipped under for a bob, with a BHLDN Charleston headband. She wore her bloomers with an antique short pink robe, and also a cr me de menthe topper from BHLDN. She posed on an old whiskey barrel in Mimosa t-strap BHLDN heels and we also had her play in some old vintage sheets on an old wash line in the backyard.

When I think of old farm days, I think of an old kitchen. The heart of the South, especially in Louisiana, is in the kitchen. Why not bring that feel to our shoot? Using sacks of flour and sugar, brown eggs, old sifters and vintage kitchen utensils; I brought the kitchen to our table. I added beautiful plates from Anthropologie, old vintage flatware tied in the moss from that gorgeous oak, beautiful hand written place cards, by Jo Miller of MillerLine Design, on old papyrus, and eyelet napkins monogrammed for our bride and groom. Every southern event must have at least one thing monogrammed, right? I love using what this Earth has to share with us each and every day. When styling an event I always like to use something from the property or venue, when I can. There were some beautiful pear trees on the property that I just couldn't resist using here and there throughout the shoot.

Our food goodies were simple desserts straight out the kitchen. A three tier naked cake from our local bakery, The Ambrosia Bakery, was topped with a simple flower topper, placed on a wine barrel. The rustic fig pies were made by pastry chef, Heidi Pittman, of Heirloom Cuisines and MillerLine Design painted the little wood sign.�

�Our beautiful invitation suite was designed especially for us by The First Snow. Darah with First Snow designed by logo months back, and I have been in love ever since. Her take on the farm feel, was designing an invitation with branches that make a subtle heart, giving it that quaint Southern charm found in the country. Bringing the love of flowers to everything she creates, she hand paints every detail.

I am responsible for all the floral throughout the shoot. I tried to use as many textures as I could, but also keeping that very earthy feel in her bouquet. I used dahlias, caramel garden roses, white veronica, maiden hair fern, tree fern, astilbe, spray roses, wax flowers, Italian ruscus, and scabosia pods. In the shoot she was also holding a wooded ice cream pail with pink hydrangeas and seeded eucalyptus. The table arrangements also had lemon leaf, pink hydrangeas, and privet berries with all the other flowers/plants listed above. The headpiece she was wearing in the fields had a more dramatic colorful feel, using lots more garden roses and pink spray roses.�

Photography and Styling | Ashleigh Jayne Photography, Styling, floral design, and coordinating | Angela Marie Events

Hair | Dustin Gauthier, Make-up | Tina Rodosta, Verde Beauty, Invitations | The First Snow, Cake | The Ambrosia Bakery

Antiques and Furniture | Timeless Vintage Rentals and Design, Signage | MillerLine Design, Fig Pies | Heirloom Cuisine

Bride's gown | BHLDN