Can you imagine tying the knot in front of a Prohibition Era bank vault inside of a bridal boutique?! Now add to that an asymmetrical arbor flowing with floral and cascading greenery! This one-of-a-kind ceremony space at Ava Laurénne Bride creates a unique juxtaposition of bursting summer blooms against the backdrop of the cool steel and stone of an antique bank vault.
Ava Laurénne Bride is not only the premier bridal boutique in Virginia, but it is also a new wedding ceremony space nestled in the heart of historic Fredericksburg. The building was built as a bank in 1927 and was since renovated with the original steel vault still in tact. So when Wendy Mercer of Gatherings by Mercer began telling me about her ideas to decorate the vault entrance with sprawling greens and lush florals combined with a bride in a pearl splattered gown, my imagination ran wild! So we began to plan this hybrid inspirational shoot, photographed in both digital and film formats.
Because Ava Laurénne Bride is a bridal boutique and a wedding venue, we wanted to inspire brides with a bridal portrait session complete with romantic details to show what a ceremony could look like in this historic space. Inspired by romantic, warm florals, Wendy and I collaborated to bring the outdoors into this redesigned space. Everything from the vintage beveled glass ring box to the bas relief inspired cake reflects the character of the Old Hollywood and Prohibition Era mingled with hints of Spanish Romanticism.
Wendy created an asymmetrical floral arbor over the vault with florals that mimicked the hue of the wall behind the vault. Jami of Noted Calligraphy created the love letters, escort cards and geodes to compliment the creamy apricot tone as well. The bas relief inspired cake has such delicate details and texture that perfectly reflect the texture of the pearls and tulle in the private label gown from Ava Laurenne.
But we didn’t stop with just one gown. As Ava Laurénne Bride is a bridal boutique, we saw it fitting to have our model also don another dress to continue the look. The second Ava Laurénne Private Label dress and cathedral veil flow with an ethereal glow as our model graces the open space at Ava Laurénne. And the rose gold and Morgantie ring is the perfect peachy rose accent piece for such a romantic arrangement.
Everything worked in a textured harmony to create a lovely bridal portrait vignette in this distinctly transformed historic space! Now THIS is how you use an intimate romantic architectural space to its full potential!
Thank you to these incredible wedding professionals who helped to make this such a beautiful and inspirational experience! Keep scrolling for more highlights!
Venue: Ava Laurenne Bride | Florals: Gatherings by Mercer | Model: Aslan Harris | Flatware and Candlesticks: Bride and Joy | China and Cathcalls: The Globe | Jewelry and Hairpiece: Blushing Gold Brides | Rings: Coast Diamond | Film Lab: The Find Lab | Rentals: Bella Villa | Cake Artist: Cakes in Art | Make Up | Jordan Simpson | Hair: Ashley Sanchez | Wedding Gowns: Ava Laurenne Private Label | Stationery/Calligraphy: Noted Calligraphy | Photography: Lieb Photographic
To see more Bridal Portrait sessions, peruse HERE.
Michelle Lieb with Lieb Photographic is a Virginia Wedding Photographer, Charlottesville Wedding Photographer. She is also a Washington DC Wedding Photographer and a Film Photographer serving couples with weddings in all destinations.
