How many little girls grow up dreaming about the day their prince charming will sweep them off their feet (on a horse nonetheless!?) This real-life couple stepped into that dream for a Princess Bride themed inspiration shoot by Mercy Turner Events and Studio Rebekah Photography. An incredible group of vendors created a full-on magical forest in the middle of Illinois and left no detail unimagined. The enchantment continues in the full gallery and you won’t want to miss the stunning film crafted by Highway 61 Films.
The styling, by Kelly of Intertwine, combined natural elegance with woodsy, farm inspired details. Charming arrangements of lilac, scabiosa, and tweedia created a handpicked feel with a palette fit for a princess.
Thanks goes to Studio Rachel Photography for second shooting and various other vendors for their donations and support.
Bobby and Olivia entered a “Love Story Contest” in order to be the featured models of this inspiration shoot. Having been newlyweds themselves, (they were married 11.5.11) they were eager to participate in the roles of Princess Buttercup and Wesley. Their love story was just as inspirational as the fairytale’s. It involved many years of waiting and ultimately, “Mah-wige”!
From the Bride: Our love story started out about 7 years ago… I was 16, he was 24. Although Bobby had no idea who I was, I was very aware of who he was. During that time he was a firefighter and I was just a freshman in high school and a lifeguard. A few lifeguards were asked to help out with the fire training one night and test their new body suits in the water. They let me be the first to volunteer. I was ‘rescued’ by, of course, Bobby! I had seen him around town plenty of times and often joked about how I was going to marry him someday! It was known that I had a huge crush on him and I was very willing to share it with anyone!
After about 5 years, I had a boyfriend and I was content. However, for a week straight, we (Bobby and I) kept running into each other. I jokingly asked if he was ‘following me’… He laughed and said ‘I guess, haha.’ All I could think of was that he actually noticed me!!!! Then I heard he was available.
One weekend not long after, Bobby was out with a couple of mutual friends of ours. I was with my mom at a wedding. I was leaving the reception and received a text from one of our friends and told me to meet them out. So I went and there he was, I was excited, nervous, and somewhat thought I was crazy! That night we we had talked about everything under the sun. And for the next week, we went up to the firehouse until the sun came up talking about our pasts, presents, and futures… I knew in 5 days I would marry this man! I hoped my dream would come true and it did. November 5, 2011, I became his wife!
Photography: Studio Rebekah Photography / Event Planner: Mercy Turner Events / Floral & Event Design: Intertwine / Videography: Highway 61 Films / Second Shooter: Studio Rachel Photography / Venue: Stateline Stables / Stationery: Aberdeen Affairs to Remember / Dress: Pronovias from Here Comes the Dress / Desserts: Tonya’s Patisserie / Calligrapher: Jane Schreiner / Hair & Makeup: Bethza Makeup Artist / Boots: Silcott’s Shoes / Horse Owner & Horse: Sandy Dorrian & Chloe