Becca + Kyle | Mediterranean-Inspired Styled Shoot

We're pleased to share with you our first styled shoot today, courtesy of Spoken Bride Vendor Sinikka Rohrer of Soul Creations Photography.

We're also beyond excited to include in this piece something that's not always evident in picture-perfect shoots: the story of a love hard-won, refined by holy fire and filled with constant unveilings of the heart. Becca and Kyle, newlyweds and the models for this shoot, have learned firsthand that purification is painful. Yet like the Cross, there is a sweetness--and victory--in suffering for love's sake and in losing yourself to find yourself.

Becca and Kyle were engaged long-distance and planned most of their wedding over the phone. To stay connected, they'd pray together each night before the first of them went to sleep--whether the other was with friends, at the gym, or making dinner. Prayer was their stronghold. They also read Thomas G. Morrow's Christian Courtship in an Oversexed World, Dr. Gregory Popcak's Holy Sex, and Eric and Leslie Ludy's The First 90 Days of Marriage during their engagement.

Three weeks after the wedding, Becca went, as had been planned months ago, on mission to the Philippines with no wifi. Kyle worked back home in Indianapolis and prayed his wife was safe.

From the Photographer: When Becca got home from her mission, life really started. Kyle finally learned what life was like with “ever-present Becca,” and Becca faced working through every buried expectation she'd had about marriage prior to the wedding. Before marriage, she never realized she was so excited about the big picture of her vocation to be Kyle's wife that she'd overlooked about the small details of actually living as a wife. Details like making decisions for two, washing dishes, being intentional about healthy eating, and creating a harmonious environment to come home to.

Their first year of marriage brought challenges, but had Becca and Kyle both thinking constantly of how they can show Christ's love to each other. That passion and desire has brought them together while they grow in Christ, seeing his intangible love in each other. They walk to Mass every day from their shared office building.

This chic Mediterranean styled shoot was inspired by the Soul Creations Photography brand and made possible by the incredible vendors involved with the Indianapolis chapter of the Rising Tide Society.

Soul Creations Photography has just launched a new brand fully focused on serving the Christian bride, which sparked the desire for a styled shoot able to paint the picture of a holy wedding: full of spiritual decor, Middle Eastern dishes, Israeli florals, and a Christ-centered bride and groom.

With the help of local artists and wedding vendors in the Indianapolis Rising Tide group, this dream theme turned into an elegant Mediterranean reality at Emerald Acres Wedding Barn.

The bespoke wedding gown was chosen to evoke a goddess-like feel, with lace details at Becca's shoulders and expertly crafted embellishments gracing her hips. Her real life Maid of Honor, Tristin, was also adorned in a Bella Bridesmaid gown, whispering of Spring in all its glory.

Rebecca and Tristin’s hair and makeup were intended to reflect the essence of tame, yet powerfully beautiful women, with soft, windswept locks accompanied by natural makeup.

The handcrafted florals were full of greenery and flowers found in the Holy Land, including lavender, eucalyptus, olive branches, and heather. From these options, The Zionsville Florist Company created a table runner, bouquets, tabletop displays, boutonnieres and a decorative arch.

To take full advantage of the venue’s brick-lain floors, we collaborated with A Handcrafted Affair, owned by an incredible artist out of Fishers, Indiana. With owner Nakia’s help, each place setting, from gold-rimmed plates and red wine glasses to gold chargers and a hand-stitched tablecloth, exuded the rustic elegance of a Mediterranean dinner table.

Our buffet included lamb cutlets with mint, goat cheese on crostini, and figs stuffed with mascarpone,items that would all be found at a wedding in the Mediterranean. The ‘naked’ cake we chose was decorated with fresh heather and lavender to fit the theme.

As a photographer, my goal was to capture the truth: a relaxed, spiritual story reminiscent of Becca and Kyle's real wedding day. With the help of our incredible vendors and models, the truth of what it looks like to have a Christ-inspired wedding was captured in the most indescribable way.

When recounting a memory from their first year of marriage, Becca told me that Kyle once asked how she was doing as they put away laundry. She really was not okay. Immediately, Kyle threw down the clothes, held her and listened, affirming her along the way. From her own words, if it was normal life, he would never throw down his shirt… and he did it for her! She said, “If we can heroically love one another and God, then love won’t be work anymore.”

I pray you make every moment with your beloved and those around you extraordinary, because Becca is right. We are called to heroic love. Becca and Kyle's relationship shows that overcoming challenges and trusting Christ with our life's steps is what we've been made for in our call to love.