Nicole & Kelsey
How do I even begin to express my feelings about working with nordeen real bride, Nicole, to create the piece for her special day? There is so much to say, yet it can all be wrapped up in one word: destiny. It sounds cheesy, I know. But you know those moments where things from different parts of your life seem to align and it just feels right? Well, Nicole & Kelsey’s wedding day was a full circle moment for nordeen that just feels like it was meant to be.
If you’ve been around since the beginning, you know the idea for this bridal brand was born the day after my own outdoor elopement in the Colorado mountains. My wedding, that Cedar & Pines photographed, was the day I met Stevie of Wildly Collective for the first time. Stevie wasn’t originally supposed to be there, but was helping out a pregnant friend, and I’m so glad our paths crossed. The ladies behind Wildly Collective are insanely talented and I have had the pleasure of watching their business blossom since that day.
If you haven’t heard this story before, it was when my partner and I were jeeping around Southwest Colorado on our way to a day after session with Cedar & Pines, when I thought to myself, “What if I designed that collection of wedding attire for the outdoor bride? Bridal attire that would move harmoniously with the natural landscapes couples desire to say ‘i do’ in?” When we arrived to the spot we were meeting, I remember mentioning the idea to MEgan, who met my idea with extreme excitement.
A few months later, I sent my Prelude Collection off to Morocco with the unbelievably talented Megan & Nate to shoot in the Sahara Desert. This was my very first editorial shoot and it couldn’t have happened without their support. Since then, we have collaborated on various inspirational shoots, including one with Wildly Collective’s artistic styling in Joshua Tree.
So you can imagine my excitement when nicole told me that Cedar & Pines would be photographing their wedding in the Mojave desert and Wildly Collective was helping them with planning & styling. We had collaborated together on creative projects, but here we were all contributing to the same real wedding. It felt like graduation. Nicole had unknowingly cultivated this first full circle moment for us and it will forever hold a special place in my heart.
The gorgeous, stunning nordeen real bride, Nicole, wore the amirah overlay over her gown from made with love. I must say, I love that she married two pieces from two different designers for her look. In a way, we are two competing bridal brands, but this showed we can live in harmony. In a tough world, we can support and lift each other up for the better. This look was a dreamy pairing I didn’t know existed until Nicole brought the vision to life. In her own words, Nicole shares what drew her to the nordeen brand and how she felt wearing her wedding look:
What drew you towards nordeen? Why did you choose nordeen for your special day?
“The discernible reason is Brenna’s vision for her brand. Her values of transparency, honesty, and balance fashion the foundation of nordeen. Still, what especially stands out is best explained by intuition, there’s a beauty to her work that you understand immediately.”
How did you know the Amirah Overlay was the one? How did the additional layer to your look make you feel?
“The juxtaposition. The fabric and style are delicate and lightweight, elegant and luxurious. Yet the piece belongs in wild places. There’s a powerful femininity to the Amirah Overlay.”
What was a favorite/significant moment during your wedding day when wearing the Amirah Overlay stood out to you? Can you describe it?
“The day after, in the wide open space of the Kelso Dune Field. It was the perfect day. We were married and free to explore together. There the Amirah Overlay really came alive, in the wind, atop the aeolian sand dunes.”
Photography: Cedar & Pines
Styling & Planning: Wildly Collective
Florals: Wild Muse Floral
Dress Underneath: Made With Love
Venue: The Morada
Rentals: Adore Folklore
