Have you ever visited a country and were absolutely blown away by the friendly people, the vibrant culture, the mouth-watering food, the mesmerizing music, etc. etc.? That’s what Mexico was for me.

I began planning the Dia De Los Muertos shoot as I was finishing up college at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. After visiting Mexico in December/January, I knew I wanted to plan a styled shoot that was out-of-the-box; something new and bold. What’s more perfect than Dia De Los Muertos?

With the help of many wonderful vendors, I was able to bring this vision to life on Monday July 10th. Because of the area we live in, we are mostly used to working with couples that have big southern weddings, so this shoot challenged us to take a big step and tap into a clientele base that is mostly untouched in our area. One of my favorite parts about the shoot was the venue. Cross Keys Barn is a stunning venue with a fabulous view of the Massanutten Mountain. Most people use the upstairs part of the venue (the barn) for their reception, but for this shoot, we used the downstairs part, otherwise known as the Stone Room. I think by using the Stone Room, it shows that a venue is versatile, and even though you might not be having a “southern wedding” or want a “barn wedding”, if you keep an open mind and look at it as more than just that, you will get incredible results.

Overall, my favorite part after the shoot was hearing from the other vendors about how fun and challenging this shoot was. As I mentioned before, most of us are used to serving southern brides. This shoot helps us reach and inspire more couples/clients in our area. One of the most important things that I learned from this shoot was to always trust your vendors. They are the experts in the services they provide, and if you allow the creative juices to flow, you will get amazing results.

Credits

Venue: Cross Keys Barn // Photographer: Lauren Morris Photography // Shoes: Lindsey Richards // Invitation Designer: Anchored Creative Studio // Tuxedo and Mens Attire: Classic Tuxedos // Dress Store: Bridal Impressions // Floral Designer: The Faded Poppy // Design and Decor: Another Chance Designs // Hair Stylist: Royal T’s Hair Care // Cake Designer: Bijou’s Sweet Treats // Event Planner: Anna Mills – It’s Your Day Event Coordinator