For an OBX fan, this styled shoot was nothing short of a dream!

A few weeks ago, Claire and I were sitting around the office talking about our favorite quotes from the show to go on signs for our DIY kits (if you’re a fan of the show, you need one of these pogue signs in your life!).  We were talking about John B and Sarah’s unofficial wedding in the boat and got off on a tangent about what their actual wedding might look like! In about 30 minutes we had it all planned out with a mood board to support it. After seeing how everything came together so well, we decided that it was too good not to be executed IRL. In order to do so, I knew the first point of business would be to get our amazing photographer, visionary, and all around badass boss lady, Jordan, on board. She took our vision and went to town creating the perfect team. Once we got all the vendors to support the shoot nailed down, picked a location and set a date, it was just about giving everybody the freedom to do their own thing.

As far as the paper goods go, the bandana obviously had to make an appearance so we twisted it up like Sarah’s necklace and tied it around the custom outer jacket printed with “till death do us part”, words that get referenced multiple times in the show. The wheat wax seal was also a no-brainer so we put it at the top of the invitation itself and gave it prime real estate by cutting out space around it on the jacket. Of course The Twinkie had to be included so we die cut it and used it to print the wedding website, aptly named www.valandvlad.com. Since JJ had some of the best lines in the show, he had to get some love on the RSVP card. “Wanna shotgun one with us in the name of freedom?” replaced the usual RSVP line and the kook vs pogue debate got some attention on the yes/no attendance choices. We set the wedding at The Chateau, with a bonfire reception to follow. The whole little package got tucked into a vellum envelope adorned with vintage beachy stamps. We threw in some place cards for the VIP guests (JJ, Kie, Pope, and Cleo) for good measure. We also made a custom wooden surfboard shaped sign that said “by the power vested in my by the sky, the stars and the sea” – the original wedding vows.

To say everybody BROUGHT IT on shoot day would be an understatement. From the cake with the subtle icing waves to the almost perfect replica of the Twinkie (sans the smashed windshield, obviously) and everything in between, it was magical. I’ll let you see for yourself in the photos and make sure to check out the full list of vendors at the bottom of this page. They all deserve so much credit in bringing this shoot to life.