By Pum Lefebure, creative director of DESIGN ARMY.
Wedding etiquette dictates many do's and don'ts for the happy couple. But no prenuptial protocol is more important than the look of the wedding dress. The Summer/Fall issue of Washingtonian Bride & Groom takes a look at the latest wedding fashions and planning faux pas – a creative project that inspired designers to declare "I do."
We shot the magazine feature at a relatively unknown treasure in Washington, D.C. - the Armed Forces Retirement Home. Pictured above in center is Pum Lefebure, creative director of DESIGN ARMY and Jill Hudson Neal, editor in chief of Washingtonian Bride & Groom.
The venue afforded us some of the most unique and unknown buildings in the nation's capital. One location, Grant Hall, actually once served as a grand recreation facility with indoor tennis courts, dance hall, and even a bowling alley. The building – which gave us shelter during a rainy first day - was dark and cavernous. Getting from one end to the other required a flashlight and a lot of courage! But what the spaces lacked in natural light, it made up for in natural beauty – not to mention built-in props. Having scouted the space weeks before the shoot, we knew we'd be able to use many of the items found the vast hallways and basements of the buildings. The large open spaces allowed us to build our famous DIY sets with atmospheric special effects but without special permits – a long-coveted logistic perk.
On Day two, we moved across the grounds to the old hospital facility. Despite the now clear skies, the conditions only grew worse. Now on day two we had to make our own rain and we found ourselves on the very edge of the grounds (almost a mile from the wardrobe room). In order to fit in all the day's planned shots, we had to time everything down to the minute – not unlike a wedding ceremony.
Taking a break between takes is the team from DESIGN ARMY - Pum Lefebure, center, flanked by Jake Lefebure, Lucas Badger and Hunter Craighill. At the end of the shoot, they captured 15 images (13 made the cut). The biggest challenge to shooting in these amazing buildings was the lack of electricity so we had to bring all of our own sunlight (aka HMI Lights) on set. But neither stormy weather nor lack of voltage would rain on this wedding day. In the end, we created an array of riveting photos that made for a stunning spread - one to have and to hold, from this day forward.
Check out the video
CREDITS
Washingtonian Bride&Groom
I Do (and Don'ts)
Creative and Art Direction: Design Army
Photography: Cade Martin
Hair/Make Up: Dean Kraph
Stylist: Pascale Lemaire