First Anniversary Paper Shoot by Courtney Dellafiora

Happy Monday everyone! Hopefully you all had super rad weekends celebrating the official start of summer. I think I'm finally starting to feel like I'm back in the swing of things. Last week was so crazy busy with my girl cave shoot on Monday (which was so incredibly fun) and the inspiration shoot up north (which was also so incredibly fun), that when I woke up Thursday, I thought it was Saturday. And on Friday I was telling people Happy Monday. Ugh how embarrassing right? Suffice to say, I was a hot mess and ended up taking a few naps throughout the weekend to get myself back on track. That and a nice Sunday afternoon at the Bucks. So sit tight I have an entire week of pretty posts prepared for you all! Starting with this one right here.

Which leads me to explain: The first thing I thought after all the excitement came to an end following our wedding, was how can I feel like there's something big and blog-worthy to look forward to? (Before you go thinking I'm all selfish and stuff just hear me out, guys). Like most girls, and especially as a wedding blogger, getting back my professional wedding photos was one of the highlights of post-marital bliss, and once that was all said and done, I was itching to get engaged all over again just to have another engagement session. But whose kidding who, that wasn't going to happen. Enter this adorable and clever shoot idea sent over from Courtney Dellafiora; why not celebrate your first anniversary (you know, the one that's all about paper) with a fun photo shoot? Obviously, I'm all over this wicked idea. Scroll on to catch the amazing details prepared by the gorgeous Deirdra, who happens to be Courtney's wonderful assistant. This is one post you'll want to bookmark, blogettes! xo

{From the beautiful, Deirdra} The inspiration from this shoot started with the concept of our first anniversary being another chapter in Duston and I's Love Story. We met in college and have really gotten the opportunity to grow with one another from college life, starting our first careers, getting engaged, making the commitment of a lifetime together, and now living out our life dreams with one another. I wanted the shoot to capture the chapter of our first anniversary by having a very soft, passionate setting. On your first anniversary, you are supposed to give paper gifts to one another (a boudoir album was definitely the best paper gift ever to give him!) Therefore, I wanted to try and incorporate paper into the shoot as much as possible. Some of the paper items I created up for the shoot were: paper flowers for the bouquet, boutonniere and vases which were jars wrapped in paper doilies, tissue balls to hand from the ceiling of the barn, paper doilies found under the desserts and place settings; a paper umbrella used for a prop, and awesome paper invitations, menu cards, dessert cards, and banners were made by Lauren VanZandt. The set included many items borrowed from my grandmother and mother which made it even more personal as each of the tea pots, plates, platters and some furniture had meaningful history behind it. I do not think our love story could have been captured any more perfectly then by the one and only Courtney Dellafiora, and I hope that she captures the many chapters that lie ahead in our lives. (To see the rest of the beautiful shots from their shoot head over here).

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Photography: Courtney Dellafiora / Hair/Makeup: Courtney Davis, Kiki's Consulting / Paper Goods: Lauren VanZandt, Everyday's a Soirée /  Deirdra's dress: Bustle / Couch: The Estate Center / Bouquet, boutinniere, decorations, hairpieces: Deirdra Doré / Bowtie: XOELLE