Nov 16

Nov 16 Here Comes The Bride

We popped in to visit fashion and lifestyle photographer, Erin Crooks to discuss all the pretty details of her upcoming summer wedding. Erin had just returned from a brilliant bachelorette party away with friends and was feeling refreshed and ready to take on some wedding planning specifics - namely THE dress. We were blown away by the little sneak peek we received and we can hardly wait to see the creation once complete. Read on as Erin talks love, style and all things wedding.

Before we get into all things wedding, tell us a bit about your day-to-day style? You have incredible style, so we’re really looking forward to how that transfers to your wedding day.

My personal style day to day is definitely less glam and a little more edgy then I will be on my wedding day. On a typical day in the studio or out and about with my daughter, you'll find me wearing some combination of, black on black on black, topped off with a choker and some chunky rings on my fingers. I feel the most comfortable in a pair of black skinny jeans, a loose fitting t-shirt tucked in on one side, and my fitted Zara leather jacket. I love basic pieces and collect these stapes so my wardrobe is pretty much one big collection of my daily "uniform".

What do you look forward to most about your big day?

Aside from the obvious - marrying my guy I've been in love with for 10 years - I am so excited to see all my inspiration come together. Being a photographer, I am very visual. When I come up with an over all concept, look, and feel, I want that to shine through, and for others to feel it. I want our personal style to come into play, so that every aspect of the day not only looks beautiful, but it truly US.

What's been the best part about planning your wedding?

Since we are still in the earlier stages of planning, the best part so far has been sitting down together to decide what we memories we want to make and what is the most important to us for the big day. While Paul is more laid back then I when it comes to planning, we've been in nearly total agreement when it comes to where we want to put in the most work for our wedding day. We want to throw a beautiful, yet laid back party. We want good music, good atmosphere, good food & wine, with the best company whom are closest to our hearts. The best part so far has been knowing that this is one day all about us - and we can create it to be anything we like.

What challenges are you facing while planning a destination wedding?

Our wedding is this coming June 2017, and we are planning a destination wedding for in Cypress Hills. The most challenging aspects of this planning adventure I think will be organizing most things from far away. Such as the majority of our decor and ceremony set up. The questions of the unknown seem the most daunting. Such as, we will be having our ceremony outdoors in the forest - think rustic bohemian vibes, lights strung in the lodge pole trees of the forest clearing encircling us, benches made of logs and reclaimed wood, with ferns and babies-breath lining the isle path, as the sun peaks through the tree branches! Sounds pretty magical right? As long as weather cooperates... and I find a way to transport enough wood to seat 200 friends & family!

Any specific details or styles you're hoping to incorporate into the wedding?

As I mentioned above, our ideal style for the wedding is Rustic Bohemian Chic. I want it to feel as intimate as a backyard party, but in a larger setting. I want to incorporate lighting and soft colours to create the mood. Since we are having our wedding in the forest, I want to continue that look into the reception. In lieu of flowers I want my tables to be dressed with foraged moss, ferns, forest & prairie greens and grasses. I want a lush feeling to the room. We also have a large outdoor space for part of the reception where we will have our DJ near by so our friends can dance under the stars in the forest. I want that outdoor feel to seamlessly translate to the indoors.

You photograph fashion editorials and have an eye for style. Tell us about your dress dreams.

This is one part of my day I am definitely so excited and freaking out about inside! Without giving away too much, I will share that I am incredibly excited to be having a one of a kind dress designed just for me, by my dear friend and YXE designer Laurie Brown! I made a trip to Calgary this fall to try on some dresses and gain and idea of what works for my body and what I want in my dress. I pulled together parts of each dress that I loved, and then met with Laurie to begin sketching and designing the most fab custom creation. I am into streamline, and simple, with very on trend details. Our next step is going to be gathering material samples from larger fashion districts like Vancouver, and picking the most perfect textures and materials to make the dress.