London Calling: A quick trip across the pond

Travel is at the heart of Mignonette, and it is hard for me to stay in one place for more than a few months; I do styled shoots with local creatives whenever I travel, and as a woman of color I try to make a point of finding models of color to represent the brand wherever I am (It was quite a trick to find one in Iceland, but we did it!). A recent trip to England and Scotland (with a few weeks in my absolute favorite place for creative regeneration, Iceland), was especially fruitful and exciting because on the morning we were flying back to Iceland I had a quick styled shoot that I was able to put together with only a few day’s notice - the incredible Ami from Rubie Love Photography, lush blooms from Anna Fern Weddings, and soft makeup (my favorite) from Holly Fowles, with our biracial model Syanne (a dead ringer for the gorgeous Meghan Markle) playing the perfect muse. Even though it was about 25 degrees and periodically rainy (thanks, London!) and also, um REMEMBRANCE DAY and we were shooting in front of Parliament (silly me!) we still managed to create a little dawn magic on Westminster Bridge and all around Mayfair. I hope you like this little taste - I certainly never wanted to leave! Click through for some stunning images from that day and get inspired. If you want to know more about her gown, it is the Talita, and yes, it’s in stock!

Published: Nikki-Jay's Capetown wedding with the most sparkly gold sequinned dress

Update: Eeek this dress was featured in the Huffington Post!

It is rare that I look back on a wedding years later and get all teary. Don’t get me wrong, I adore every Mignonette bride, and I think of each dress that leaves the shop the way I imagine moms feel when they send their kids to college, but I also feel a sense of relief, possibly akin to those empty-nesters. “Go make me proud!” I think to the gown, nestled in its garment bag, as it leaves in the arms of its adoptive bride-mom. “Send me pictures when it gets published in the Knot!”. Not so with Nikki-Jay’s gown. I’m not sure what exactly made this wedding stick with me - possibly Nikki’s amazing sense of humor, fantastic shoes, and perfect taste (I mean, only someone with style would commission a gold sequin wrap-dress, pair it with an elegantly mussed braid crown, and totally own the look with zero qualms). How could I not adore her? So naturally when I saw these photos from the inimitable Michaela De Frietas the lump in my throat was huge and immediate - If your fiancee looked at you the way these two are looking at each other, you’d know you were living a fairy-tale, right? And the smiles on their faces when they walk down the aisle? And how gorgeous does Nikki look in general? And the grapevines at the winery? And that suit her husband is wearing? And how happy Nikki looks with her dad?

You guys I’m not crying, IT’S JUST RAINING ON MY FACE.

Clearly I’m not the only one who thought so, because Nikki’s pictures were picked up by Hooray Weddings (a dream!), so now you can share in the magic of her big day and hopefully gets some ideas for yourself!

I’m so very honored (I know, that word is overused, but I actually mean it) that Nikki, who is a beautiful soul, chose me to help her achieve her wedding-day dreams.

Take a look at some of the highlights below or click on over to Hooray Weddings to see the entire spread, Ferrero Rocher tower and all!