Our local Tuesdays Together recently participated in RTS Styled Shoot Challenge. We were charged to work with at least 5 different category of vendors, and boy, we definitely hit over five. Our initial vision was to show a bit more of the behind the scenes of the professional wedding vendors. We had our final table scape hosted at Oyster Ridge Barn at Ancient Peaks Winery in Santa Margarita. It is such a stunning view of rolling hills covered in vines and this majestic oak tree stands outside of the barn, creating a beautiful backdrop for our styled shoot. Nena Johansen of Vino Therapy began the legwork of the design process – a mixture of elegant western design mixed with teal, mauve and silver. Raina Toy-Smith of Fete & Quill did a gorgeous job making oyster “place cards.” Our floral arrangement was made by the ever so talented Adelaide Floral. Erin Mazzei of Guesto on the Go Bistro provided a couple appetizers and meal that caused all our mouths to water while Ancient Peaks provided their local wine. Steven Herring of All about Events provided the table and plates, while Embellish Vintage Rentals provide chairs and a few other vintage flairs that put the finishing touches to our design. During the shoot, Heather Millenaar of Artsy Camera, executed a live painting of the scene!

Several other shoots had taken place during to photograph the behind-the-scenes of many of our vendors, here are my own photos from our time shooting at Oyster Ridge. We had four photographers on the scene as we watched the beginnings of Samantha of Memory Making Events and Nena Johansen been to bring the dream to life. I am not a wedding planner nor wedding designer – I was in awe at watching them move, place, create and set up! Everyone did such a beautiful job and I am so amazed by everyone’s talent. I truly love this community and the chance we had to come together and create such beauty.

VENDORS// VENUE: Oyster Ridge at Ancient Peaks // EVENT PLANNING: Vino Therapy / Memory Making Events / Spark And Sparkle Events // CATERER: Gusto On The Go Bistro // FLORAL: Adelaide Floral // PUBLISHER: A Silver Thread // CALLIGRAPHY: Fête & Quill // LIVE PAINTER: Heather Millenaar of Artsy Camera // RENTALS: Embellish Vintage Rentals / All About Events // PHOTOGRAPHERS: Loveridge Photography / One, Another / Kristyn Villars Photography / Brady Cabe Photography / Yvonne Goll Photography / Alyssa Poland Photography / Patrick Ang Photography / Austyn Elizabeth Photography.

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There is a group of us that believe in community over competition. It’s actually a pretty large group and stretches across the entire continent and beyond. It’s called the Rising Tide Society and is full of a variety of creative entrepreneur – includes bloggers, wedding professionals, artists, boutique owners, designers, authors, etc.. Under the umbrella of #communityovercompetition, we get together with our creative local community every second Tuesday of the month to learn, grown, challenge, encourage, and inspire. So many of us have lived in a world of “fake it to you make it.” As that has helped many of us through the first few years of our businesses, it creates a lie that we have to do this on our own. Most creative entrepreneurs didn’t go to school for business – we spent our time and money learning and honing our craft and passion. This group is a place to let your hair down, see others in your field as coworkers instead of seeing them as pure competition. When we take the time to invest and lift each other up in our buinesses, we are lifting ourselves up too. That is what we are all about. If you are interested in joining the movement, check out the Rising Tide Society’s website to find a community close to you! If you are in the San Luis Obispo area, we would LOVE to have you join us! Check out our Facebook group here.

Cheers + Love!