At the heart of Atlanta’s vibrant creative scene, this styled wedding shoot at Hotel Clermont brought together retro flair and boho charm with a fresh, inclusive twist. Originally built in 1924, the hotel’s eclectic yet nostalgic interior was the perfect backdrop for this collaboration between local vendors and visionaries.

With photography by Ashley White Photos and styling by The Sentimentalist (watch out for another one of their collaborative shoots coming to the next issue of Rock n Roll Bride magazine!), the result was a bold, colourful shoot that embraced both the unconventional and the timeless.

“I was going for a retro meets boho colourful vibe”, explains Ashley. “We wanted it to be a little funky and wild, meets romantic and warm.” This direction was key to the shoot’s unique energy, as it captured a playful mix of vintage elements and modern touches.

In line with The Sentimentalist’s signature inclusivity, their choice of using two tattooed women (a real couple!) as models was one chosen to highlight the important of representation and diversity in the wedding industry.

Gabi from The Sentimentalist explains, “We are motivated by the desire to do bridal differently, by supporting small designers, promoting more inclusion and diversity than the traditional bridal shop, and offering a more transparent and encouraging shopping experience. We exclusively carry ethical brands that have no size restrictions and no size fees, and who specialise in colour and customisations.”

“We hear a lot of excuses from other stores or brands as to why they cannot expand their size selections or diversify their representation. Often, it’s something along the lines of “we tried and it didn’t make money,” but the truth is that it takes time to build trust, especially with a clientele you might have previously excluded. Sometimes, representation has to be aspirational before it becomes a reality. The key to both of these concepts is persistence and patience – and maybe even losing a little money before you make it back. The best thing we’ve done is to remain stubborn and avoid blaming the consumer. It’s not always the easiest route, but it’s what feels best for the future of bridal.”