We are back with our favorite vendor spotlights and on this summer evening we are featuring the lovely Heather of Heather Gray Photography! Her work (and words below) speak volumes about the passion for her craft and for that we’re always grateful for her warm & welcoming presence. Heather has lent her immeasurable talent to some of our favorite couples – Callie + Nick’s engagement shoot and Broadmoor Wedding, Molly + Nicks Spruce Mountain Ranch wedding to name a few – leaving us with romantic keepsakes filled to the brim with love. We are lucky to have Heather as a friend in the industry, and to introduce her to you. We know you’ll get along famously.
Describe what you do.
In my work, I hold space for love, recording it with my camera and heart. I want my clients to feel seen and their stories told. I have the humble honor of witnessing some of the most precious moments in my clients’ lives and that responsibility drives me to do the best work I can. I also do my best to create a peaceful and grounding presence around my couples. Wedding days can cause stress and chaos that brings people out of the moment, so it’s important to bring them back so they can live fully and be present, which not only allows me to create beautiful photos, but most importantly brings them back to them.
What is your idea of a dream project?
My dream project would be a small wedding on the top of a mountain in Colorado or nestled along a coastal cliff in the Pacific Northwest, with farm to table food, open air dining under the stars, and live music. The couple would have their closest and dearest friends and family there, and they’d all dance through night under the moon. I truly love smaller weddings, ones where you leave with more friends and plenty of memories. One of my favorite things about weddings is meeting my clients’ “village,” this group of family and friends who have help form who these beautiful souls are and who will hold space for them through their lives together.
What makes you excited to go to work in the morning?
My tag line is, “heartfelt photography for beautiful souls,” and this is where I begin each work day, it’s the intention I set for my work. Creating work that is felt deeply in the hearts of my clients and honoring who they are, is what leads me to work each day. Knowing that I’m telling people’s stories excites me. I love people, it’s cliche, I know, but truly, I do. I love heartfelt, authentic, joyful, tearful, beautiful, and messy moments, I want it all. I want to know my clients, not just show up on their wedding day and photograph them. I want to know what makes their hearts shine, how they met, where their from, what makes them laugh, etc. these things help me tell the best stories I can. The responsibility of telling my clients’ stories is what excites me each and everyday, knowing that these photos will live on, sharing their special day with their children and generations to come. I’m immensely grateful to be a storyteller.
What’s a favorite trend you are seeing in the industry these days?
I really love how couples are designing their dream weddings and doing it their own way. I love the unique and unconventional, my favorite weddings recently haven’t followed traditional wedding formulas and I love that. People should get married however they want to.
One of my favorite trends is smaller weddings, especially destination weddings that fill a whole weekend, the connections and memories from these more intimate weddings are so special. Everyone really gets to know each other and the families blend so sweetly. I wish I could go back in time and tell myself to do this for my own wedding; plan a weekend where your nearest and dearest can really get to know each other, build a wedding around connecting and community, begin your marriage with the beautiful foundation of your village, really see everyone, spend time with your people.
What advice would you give a younger you?
I would tell myself, don’t shy away from leading with your heart, it’s your greatest strength in life and work. Trust your instincts and truly listen to yourself. In my business, I would tell myself to avoid following other trails and find your own way. In this industry, photographers are a dime a dozen, you can find them everywhere, and I definitely let that get to me sometimes. It took me years to solidify my brand and my intentions in my work, but once I did, I was no longer floating in the sea of photographers. I built an island, I made my own space, and I’ve been blessed to welcome some truly incredible people into my little world and to tell their stories. I would invite my younger self to find this space sooner and to trust my instincts in getting there.
All photography credit to the wonderful Heather Gray Photography Thank you for being involved with Calluna Events! xx
Everybody knows that the big day just wouldn’t be the same without your best girls by your side. Whether they’re helping plan your bachelorette party or getting you ready to walk down the aisle, your bridesmaids deserve an ample amount of love and appreciation. We have absolutely adored some of the ways we have seen Brides “propose” to their besties, so we have created a list of the sweetest, most creative ways to ask your BFF’s to be your future bridesmaids!
xo, Calluna
The “Ask” Brunch: You can never go wrong with delicious food and your best friends! Treat your main gals to a special brunch where you ask them to be your bridesmaids followed by a mimosa toast! Not only will it be a morning to remember, but you guys will get to enjoy a fabulous breakfast.
Photo credit: Tess Pace Photography (top) Cynthia Kain Photography (bottom)
The Essentials Bag: Surprise your girls with the sweetest totes filled with all of the wedding essentials. Some bubbly to sip and bling for them to wear on the big day is the perfect gift. To make it even more personalized, a champagne flute engraved with your wedding logo will be even more memorable!
Whimsy Design Studio (bottom)
The Sweet Tooth: We all know the way to a girls heart is through sugar! Host a sweet treat buffet and let your girls enjoy themselves while you ask them to stand with you on the big day. If you know some of your girlfriends favorite desserts, make sure to incorporate them to make your bestie feel extra special.
Photo Credit: Tess Pace Photography (top right)
Rest & Relaxation: A spa day is the perfect way to relax with your best friends. Whether you do mani+pedis or a full-blown day of ahhhmazing treatments, your main gals will appreciate the love they are being shown by you. Can’t all get together at the same time? Send your friends, “at home spa kits” where they can relax on their own time.
Photo Credit: Heather Gray Photography (top)
Get Creative With Paper: Some beautiful stationery goes a long way! Get creative and do a fun crossword for your bridesmaids to fill out, or send them a sweet note in the mail explaining why you need them by yourself through the wedding process!
Photo Credit: Rachel Gomez Photography (top) Lana’s Shop (bottom)
We have adored seeing all of the creative ways that brides are asking their BFF’s to be Bridesmaids. Whether you are looking to do a luxurious spa day or just sending a simple sweet note, your best friends will appreciate the effort and care you’re putting in. Calluna is happy to help with planning any special moment for the Bride! To contact us click here!
Featured Image: Rachel Gomez Photography
We are ecstatic that Molly + Nick tied the knot this past weekend at Spruce Mountain Ranch! Spruce Mountain Ranch is the perfect venue for that all around Colorado feel and couldn’t have been a better place for Molly + Nick to say “I do.” It was everything we could have hoped for and more! Molly was simply a dream – everything from her hair and make up to her stunning blush wedding dress. She was an absolute vision and her lovely maids complemented her perfectly in their gorgeous sage green chiffon dresses from JCrew.
Plum Sage Flowers out did themselves with all the flowers, especially on Molly’s bouquet. The arrangement was exploding with bright colors and of course with the perfect peony blooms! Epicurean Catering had the most amazing appetizers as well as an excellent buffet with small plates, which allowed the guests to get a tasting of each station! LMD Productions completely transformed the reception room with their draping and lighting.
After dinner, DJ Jahsonic got everyone on the dance floor and had them there the rest of the night! It was certainly a night to remember and we cannot wait to get all the photos from Heather Gray Photography. Until then – take a moment to check out the photos we snapped with our iPhones as well as some we got from #exchangingvauxs – Enjoy! xx, Calluna
:: Vendor Love::
Venue: Spruce Mountain Ranch | Catering: Epicurean | Beverage Service: Peak Beverage | Baker: Mulberries Cake Shop | Floral: Plum Sage Flowers | Photographer: Heather Gray Photography | Videographer: Pixels Poetic | Music: DJ Jahsonic | Rentals: Event Rents | Lighting: LMD Productions | Hair: The Bridal Goddess | Make Up: Alchemy Mineral Blends | Dress Shop: a&bé Bridal Shop | Dress: Rebecca Schoneveld | Bridesmaids Dresses: J. Crew | Limo Service: Special Time Limo | Guest Transportation: Grace Coach LInes | Ceremony Musicians: Alex Kula + Stefan Gysler (Friends of the bride + groom) | Officiant: Catherine (bride’s aunt)
