Capturing Americana in Western Wyoming

In a time when our industry and our world has been met with unprecedented challenges; when every day has asked us to pivot or rebound from one curve ball to the next; when falling off your horse (as I like to say) and getting back on becomes a regular occurrence…

What better place to encapsulate the times than the Wild West itself?

I recently headed to Jackson Hole with an all-star team of creatives and collaborators to shoot classic, Americana-inspired bridal gowns at Amangani.

The destination: Western Wyoming.

The subject: Designer bridal gowns of Americana essence.

The purpose: Capturing the rustic elegance of the western bride—and the modern woman—whose resourcefulness outwits her resources; who pulls up her bootstraps when it’s called for; and who can dig a ditch and look good doing it.

After all, isn’t that what we’ve been doing this past year?

Amangani, a secluded retreat on the outskirts of Grand Teton National Park, did not disappoint. Set on a hilltop and overlooking the valley below, it was the perfect location for our bridal editorial inspired by the equestrian roots of the landscape. The rivers that were so essential to the early settlers of the region wound through the valley, while the cattle spotted the surrounding fields.

This exclusive property is fully immersed in nature, yet offers a holistic luxury experience. From the sustainable fare to the dramatic interiors with expansive views, it has everything you need for a destination wedding in the west.

And the timeless, Americana-inspired bridal gowns reflected both the history of the area and this luxurious setting.

As one of my favorite American designers said,

“Fashion is not necessarily about labels. It’s not about brands. It’s about something else that comes from within you.”
— Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren was certainly part of our inspiration for this shoot, as you’ll see below. But I believe he hit the nail on the head: 

These gowns brought out something from within. Something from within us, and from within the land.

An echo of strength, courage, grace and grit.

It’s apparent in the subjects, in the gowns, and in the Teton Mountains towering just a stone’s throw away.

It’s apparent in the iconic T.A. Moulton barn, famous for the settlers who built it, found in the park and featured in these images.  The presence of the historic barn reminded me of what our early settlers had to find within themselves in order to survive.

Strength, courage, grace… and definitely grit.

Here’s a bit more about this relic:

“Today, two picturesque barns highlight Mormon Row. Settlers John and Thomas Alma (T.A.) Moulton build these barns on adjacent homesteads. After nearly 30 years of working the land, John replaced his log home and barn with a new carpenter-constructed, pink stucco frame house and impressive, two-story gambrel barn north of Antelope Flats Road. South of John’s homestead, T.A. took over 30 years to build his gabel-with-shed style barn. Photographers from around the world stop by the Moulton barns to capture this iconic historic structure with the Teton Range in the background.”
—NationalParkService.gov

Shooting editorials for bridal designers or publications is something that keeps me challenged and inspired, and this one certainly did. I make it a priority each and every year to take the time to create for myself, to push boundaries and to experiment. Collaborating with a group of talented creatives, and solving problems together, is something that helps me continue to hone my craft.

I suppose my team and I felt a kind of kinship with the hands that first cultivated the landscape. It was a privilege to honor the values of collaboration, creation, experimentation and problem solving to make the absolute most of the landscape. Just as was done so many years ago.

With design and planning by Amanda Slater of Slater Events, we aimed to capture the feminine bridal looks against the alluring backdrop. Gabrielle Hurwitz curated our bridal fashion, featuring gowns from Marchesa, Monique Lhuillier, Carolina Herrera and more. 

She brought together a collection of looks worthy of both the rustic landscape and the luxurious experience of Amangani’s unique property.  Any one of these gowns would fit like a glove into the itinerary of a multi-event destination wedding in Jackson Hole.

Staying at Amangani and experiencing the sweeping western skyline at play with these Americana-inspired bridal gowns was certainly a highlight of these past months. I hope these images spark your “wild” side, your imagination and your destination wedding dreams.

They certainly made me want to ride off into the sunset.

Scroll down to see the editorial video by Peyton Frank.

Watch the video here: