IN THE ISSUE: Hacienda Wines - Captured by Mariel Hannah Photography

The adventure issue was packed with with gorgeous inspiration, and we wanted to share more here on the blog, photographed by the incredible Mariel Hannah Photography. We fell in love with this lovely Californian photographer when we first came across her work in summer 2013. When we began planning the special edition, we knew that we wanted to feature California - a place where we have several family and friend ties, and a place where our ginger freckles come out to play!

We dropped Mariel a line, and we got to work on creating a feature that would focus on a taste of the California wine country, a place where many can tie the knot under a faux italian sun. We asked Mariel to bring together a team that would inspire brides to add a splash of spanish flair to their big day, to represent the warmth and integrity of the californian people and land.

We can't wait to come on down south, with Madison visiting California in the spring, and our new USA issue focusing on California, Oregon and Washington - places we frequent and love.

Thank you again to the amazing team that put together this stunning shoot, and we can't wait to see more from all of you again in the future! You can call The Refinery your northern home, that's for sure! To find out all who made this shoot possible, please see the entire list below.

xoxo Ainsley & Madison

The Vendors:

Photography: Mariel Hannah

Planner & Styling: Shannon Hough Events

Stylist: Kimberly Lawson

Head Pieces: Lacielle Roselle

Hair: Jacob Hernandez

Makeup: Tricia Leigh

Rentals: Walker Lewis

Rentals: Wyld at Heart

Rentals: Simply Shabby Chic

Tux: Finos Mens Wear

Flower Girl Dresses: Amalee Accessories

Dresses: Chic Little Devil

Dresses: Film Fashion

Dresses: Ladies and Gents Bridal

Stationary: Design House of Moira

Web: http://designhouseofmoira.com/

Floral: Eden Floral

Bridal Gown #1: Ines Di Santo

Bridal Gown #2: Eugenia Couture

Shoes: Benjamin Adams & Luichiny

Bridesmaids Dresses: Winnie Couture

Cake & Sweets: Cakes by Dorene

Cater: Full Moon Bar and Bistro

Venue: Pear Valley Winery

 Models:

Mary Ruby ­ Elite Agency: http://www.elitemodel.com 

(Mary Ruby) McCright: https://www.facebook.com/MccrightAgency 

Marla Moreno ­ https://www.facebook.com/MarlaManuelaa?fref=ts 

Micaela Rian ­ https://www.facebook.com/micaela.rian?fref=ts 

Manuel John ­ https://www.facebook.com/manuel.john.7

IN THE ISSUE: Matt & Dom - 'In Love' Session - Captured by Nirav Patel

This incredible destination session on the Isle of Skye truly took my breath away. It was an honour to be able to share some extremely talented photographers in the new Adventure Issue, and we can't wait to share more in the issues to come. (Issue V - Canada - and Issue I USA - both go live on February 14th, 2014!!!)

 Matt & Dom's "In Love" session is a particular favourite of mine, as my roots to the North of Scotland run deep. I wrote a short paragraph to accompany the spectacular photography from Nirav Patel, and you can find it in the newest issue of TRM over on our website!

Here's a great travel tip for all you adventurous couples out there:
Are you planning a trip to a foreign location, and want to remember your time there together through the lens of a real pro? Many photographers travel worldwide, and often are in destinations that you are headed to! Nirav Patel, for instance, is a San Francisco, California based photographer, however he manages to globe trot capturing wicked couples, like Matt & Dom, and possibly in the future, you!

Drop Nirav a line by visiting his website here! Thank you again to Matt, Dom and Nirav for sharing your images with us, and with our followers - we appreciate it deeply.

Enjoy the rest of these stunning images, as I know you will adore them!

xo Ainsley

IN THE ISSUE: 'Field and Flour' - Captured by Brittany Mahood Photography

Canada is a vast land, and from sea to sea, Pacific to Atlantic, you can find endless life changing landscape. From our heavily forested BC rain forests, to the majesty of the Rockies, right through the rolling prairies and all the way to the Rock of Newfoundland, there is a travel destination for anyone, just waiting to happen.

We contacted Brittany Mahood at the beginning stages of planning the special edition Adventure Issue of The Refinery Magazine, and asked if she would be willing to shoot an editorial showcasing the beautiful prairies - and boy, did she deliver! Teaming up with the talented stylist Ashley Nicole, this Winnipeg duo, accompanied by many local pros, produced "Field & Flour" - a play on words, since gorgeous Manitoba relies heavily on the Wheat industry!

Below is some select images from this stunning shoot, and below you can also find a short write up from Brittany about some highlights in Winnipeg. We seriously have to get over there soon!

We encourage all readers of The Refinery to seek some new borders in 2014, and create your own adventures. Need some inspiration on how? Read the new issue over on our website:
www.therefinerymag.com

Planning a destination wedding? Brittany Mahood is available for travel worldwide, and would love to document your love story. Visit her website here for more information:
www.brittanymahood.com

From Brittany Mahood:

Winnipeg is coming into it’s prime, of this I am certain. We have eclectic coffee shops opening all around the city and plenty of creative types to fill them. We have amazing wedding vendors who are internationally known for their work. We have got our NHL team back, we have a folk festival that attracts amazing indie artists and endless outdoor summer events. 
One of my favourite things about Winnipeg is that it is fiercely loyal. Of all the North American cities I’ve lived in, Winnipeg does the best job at supporting locally grown creatives and entrepreneurs. We look for uniqueness and talent and lucky for me, that oozes into the wedding industry, where I am lucky enough to capture the work of these fine artists in these establishments all year. 

Now let’s talk specifics. 

Lattes: Thom Bargen Coffee + Tea on Sherbrooke is the real deal. Real people, real coffee, real leather shop in the back that made me a camera strap I use at every wedding. Also their white walls, wood accents and big windows make it the perfect Instagram backdrop. 

Bread: Stella’s Bakery + Cafe. It’s a Winnipeg institution. At the café, the chicken sandwich with homemade cranberry sauce and a side of their house salad is my favourite. At their Sherbrooke location, they have a bakery that looks and feels like it’s something straight out of Europe. Indulge in their daily dessert creations. 

Stems: Academy Florists is everything right about florals. Their modern twists on classic influences leaves every single bouquet that comes out of their shop amazing and Pinterest-able. They also have a selection of gifts, like eco-friendly candles and household items that make it creative heaven.  

Art + Shop: Tiny Feast, a stationary shop, which carries some of the most amazing local and international creatives. The amazing One Plus One Design, who designed the invites for our shoot, has a selection of their cards and prints for sale at the shop, in addition to their Etsy store.  

Skating: In the winter Winnipeg has one of the largest trails in the world in the Red River at The Forks. It’s best to go with friends or as a bundled up date night. 



Folks: I’d be remiss if I spoke about Winnipeg without mentioning its greatest asset, its people. For instance, Ashley Nicole, the creative genius behind this shoot and once of the most endearing people you’ll ever meet. Lucky for you, there are two of her, as her twin sister Jenna is the talent behind the cake done for this shoot. When you’re here and drinking lattes, it has to be with people like these two. 

Suffice to say, come to Winnipeg. Come drink our wheat beer and eat our homemade bread. We have all the right ingredients for a wedding and all the right talent to pull it off. The wheat fields are the perfect backdrop for a summer wedding and we have plenty to share. 


VENDORS:
Photographer: Brittany Mahood Photographer *organizer
Stylist: Ashley Nicole *organizer
Stationery: One Plus One Design + Illustration
Calligraphy: Julie Doan
Flowers: Academy Florist
Cake: Jenna Rae Cakes
Dress: Bliss Bridal 

Hair and Makeup: Prep Hair 

IN THE ISSUE: City Guide: Travelling through Vietnam - with Shari + Mike Photographers

After looking through Shari + Mike's photography from their recent travels to Vietnam, we immediately went to expedia.com to book our flights. 

Having little cash, and little time, we realized the opportunity was not realistic, but after seeing these stunning photos, Vietnam has been added to the bucket list:

See more in the newest issue of The Refinery Magazine - The Adventure Issue - found here:

www.therefinerymag.com

- xo A & M

IN THE ISSUE: On The Road Again: He Said/She Said with Shari & Mike Photographers

We don't mean to brag, but this issue is jam packed full of some of the coolest couples we have yet to share in TRM. From cuties in Spain in white birch forests, to cool photographers who travel far and wide, we are pretty pumped by the love stories that we get to share with you.

Take Shari + Mike for example. Their totally in love, they shoot love stories, they explore the globe shooting weddings, and yeup - they're married! She has wicked style, and he's a fantastic bboy dancer (and we even have a pic of it in the issue - worth the read just for that) - and you can take it from us, they do what they do amazingly well.

Head on over to the newest Special Edition Adventure Issue of The Refinery Magazine, which features a great He Said, She Said article from Shari + Mike. Inside you can find great tips for travelling abroad - from the basic logistics all the way to how to cherish your partner while spending extended time on the road. 

After you have read through their advice, take a look at an adventure they shared together in Vietnam! (More photos on the blog, coming your way later today!) A huge thank you to Shari & Mike for your work and willingness to share your images with us!

Photos of Shari + Mike were captured by the amazing Rowan Jane Photography.

We hope you have a few minutes to take a read of the newest Adventure issue - there is surely something for you, with over 9 countries represented with works from some of the biggest names in the international wedding industry! Its only a hop, skip and a jump away: www.therefinerymag.com!

Xo Ainsley & Madison