Today I want to share with you the behind the scenes of Weddings Unveiled, an amazing Southern wedding magazine that is led by its talented, creative director, Brooke Thomas. If you haven’t checked out the mag yet, run and get a copy, the images are absolutely stunning! In addition to its high distribution in the Southeast, Weddings Unveiled is distributed nationally in major bookstore chains such as Barnes and Noble, Borders, and Books a Million. They have readers from all over the country. Subscriptions and copies can also be purchased on their website here or on Amazon.com!
Brooke sent us the below information about what inspires her and her work at the magazine.
“As the Creative Director of Weddings Unveiled Magazine — I handle all things creative, from the direction, focus and layout of each issue, to producing specific editorials to editing each story our writers submit. I’m also the Co-Founder and Co-Publisher, which means that I lend a hand on the business end as well. I also direct and manage our Blog, Completely Unveiled at www.weddingsunveiledblog.blogspot.com. Anne Marie Ashley and Emily Howard are our regular staff bloggers.
I grew up in a very small town in North Carolina. I graduated from the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics. I am also a graduate of Davidson College, where I studied English Literature and Art History. I am married to a gorgeous, amazing man who is also a chef. I have traveled extensively throughout Europe and in particular, I love the Scottish Highlands. Among many things, a few of my loves are my mother’s and my husband’s cooking, my new Nina Ricci platform peep-toe pumps, Beat literature, Jane Austen novels, paintings by Modigliani, photography by Neal Preston, large pearl earrings, driving gloves, the Musee d’Orsay, Bald Head Island, Oscar de la Renta, Chanel, Giambattista Valli, Roland Mouret, vintage jewels and silver tea sets found at the Metrolina Expo and 1968 Camaros. (Side note from Leila- how amazing is her taste? the magazine is a pure reflection of it.. LOVE it)
I’m always inspired by my upbringing and the beautiful, pastoral area where I grew up. I’m inspired by my parents and the values they taught me and I have always hoped to make them proud. I’m also inspired by my two wonderful sisters and the rest of my very large family. We have lots of family gatherings and everyone loves Weddings Unveiled. My middle sister is currently engaged and we are all in the midst of planning her wedding in Charleston, SC. When thinking about inspiration for the overall look of an issue, I often take inspiration from the season and from our Southern region and its food, style and culture.
I’m known for the styling of our fashion editorials and for the style/fashion personality that I bring to Weddings Unveiled. I think that I have a unique viewpoint and our Weddings Unveiled fashion editorials and covers are unlike those of any other bridal magazine. I love bridal fashion of course, but also love ready-to-wear and rtw pieces often show up in our fashion editorials. I especially love the Ports 1961 dress appearing in our current issue (Summer 2009). I have often been characterized as having an “edgy take on classic style” and I think that’s a good way to describe my style, though sometimes, like any stylist, it varies with my inspiration. I do like classic and sophisticated, intelligent silhouettes, but I also like to style them with an edge that is sometimes a little vintage, sometimes a little tough-girl rock ‘n roll and sometimes very prim and ladylike, depending on my mood and inspiration at the moment. I’m inspired by so many things when it comes to fashion that it’s difficult to narrow it down.”
Here are some of the images from the fashion spread in the current issue! I’m in LOVE with them!
This is a real wedding they featured on their Weddings Unveiled blog. So gorgeous and totally my style!
Photography: Our Labor of Love. Event Planning: Gloriosa. Dress: Vera Wang
Thank you Brooke for being so real about you and the voice behind Weddings Unveiled for my readers. You are the greatest and your magazine is an inspiration to us all!
I know Brooke personally. She is just as fabulous as photos.
I have had the great pleasure to work with Brooke Thomas and Weddings Unveiled for the past couple of years as a makeup artist and (sometimes) hairstylist for the fashion editorials. Brooke has such a unique, inspired view for her magazine and I am always thrilled when I get the call for a shoot. I can’t wait to see what she has planned for each season! We always have some sort of adventure while we are on location and I think that spark adds intensity to the already special vision that she has.
Thank you for featuring such a great a publication on your blog – Brooke and Weddings Unveiled continue to inspire me as an artist and continue to inspire all of those blushing brides!
So happy you featured Brooke & Weddings Unveiled. Its such and beautiful publication and always leaves me inspired. That fashion spread is absolutely divine!
I am the aforementioned newly engaged sister and I too find great inspiration in Brooke’s magazine. Her vision has certainly been influenced by all things from our home and her own life experiences. I am always amazed at what she comes up with and awestruck by the results. I am so lucky to have an amazing source of style and inspiration while I plan my wedding!
Fantastic feature! We love Weddings Unveiled, and with Joy growing up in Charleston (and us getting married there too!), it feels so close to home. Thanks, Brooke and the entire Weddings Unveiled team. Everything you said was spot-on. We look forward to the fashion pages each issue too. Next time could you just put them a little closer to the front?!?!?!?! just kidding. 😉
Those photos are so dreamy! I am in love with ruffles and feathers!
I have known Brooke all of our lives, as I am a cousin in the mentioned “large family”, and we grew up next door to each other. She is truly a big sister to me, and I love her and her sisters dearly. I always look forward to the new issue of Wedding Unveiled because I know that it is always going to be one of a kind, just as Brooke’s style. She never fails to bring our home to her images and style of the magazine. Brooke, I love you and you will always be an inspiration to me. Leila, thank you so much for a beautiful feature.
Oh, I’ve been so in love with Weddings Unveiled since I was handed a copy at a Charlotte Bridal Shop a few years back! They have such a great southern style that I grew to love while living in North Carolina. Great job, Brooke!! I’m sure I’ll become an addict to your blog now 🙂
Weddings Unveiled addict right here. We keep 2 issues of each in our studio, because I don’t let anyone rip from one. Its too good. Glad you’re giving them some very much overdue time in the spotlight.
I love this magazine, particularly because it does push the envelope fashion wise. The models they use and the styling and photography are amazing. When I see it on the stands it screams “BUY ME.” Great article. Great Magazine.
Everyone made some very good points in this article.
I love how creative this magazine is – the dresses are so out of the box. The photography is amazing too. I can’t wait for my own special day to come!!!