Stairway to Heaven – Behind the Scenes of VIE’s May/June 2014 Cover Shoot in Seaside, FL

The date and time of the photo shoot had been changed as often as the weather. Not surprising, since the cover shot was staged on a rooftop terrace with spiraling stairs that wind upwards as if trying to touch the clouds that hover above the quaint town of Seaside, Florida.

But on Monday, April 28, the VIE team thankfully nailed one of the most beautiful days of 2014 so far for its May/June Wedding Issue cover shoot. The dramatic shooting locale, tucked within Ruskin Place’s tree-lined enclave of artsy boutiques and galleries, is aptly christened “Stairway to Heaven” and was designed by New York architect Alexander Gorlin. The home was featured in Architectural Digest in 1994.

Unless you’re afraid of heights, you can’t resist climbing up to Stairway to Heaven’s crow’s nest, which offers a bird’s eye view spanning above Seaside’s sea of tin roofs and white wooden cupolas that resemble wedding cake toppers. To the south, sea oat-covered dunes shadow the Gulf of Mexico’s sugar-white shores.

I walked up the stairs and was immediately taken in by the home’s dramatic great room, which has soaring ceilings and a 1950s Hollywood glam-inspired décor, complete with a fuzzy white shag rug. Standing across the room at the kitchen table, hairstylist Brooke Miller was busy curling and styling Lizzie Shriner’s long, dark tresses. Lizzie is VIE’s new Wedding Issue cover model from Wickford, Rhode Island, who flew down the night before with her mom, Susan. By the time I had arrived make-up artist Yvette Nation had already come and gone hours earlier, but her masterful work was evidenced by Lizzie’s flawless face.

A crew of twelve crammed within the master bedroom with several tripods, various lighting equipment, extension cords, and other trip hazards. Once again, accomplished local photographer Romona Robbins (who has shot several of VIE’s covers, including the last issue with Emeril and Alden Lagasse) displayed her photographic genius with the help of her assistant, Shawna Olsen. Also jockeying for the perfect angle in these tight quarters were VIE videographers Ben Rosenau and Tim Dutrow, who in between location changes also filmed interviews with Lizzie and Stairway to Heaven’s interior designer, Tammy Massey. Rounding out the photo and video entourage was freelancer Derek Makekau, insuring every angle was covered from the fashion poses to behind-the-scenes action.

To me high fashion is about all drama and often has an element of the unexpected. Lizzie’s first bridal ensemble wasn’t your typical traditional long flowing bridal gown, largely in part due to an edgy, cage-constructed corset belt from BCBG MaxAzria. It proved to be one sexy cincher and was a game changer when paired with a white, poufy tulle skirt. I’ve always adored clothes, but watching VIE publisher Lisa Burwell and art director Tracey Thomas in action made me feel like a real novice dresser. It wasn’t a coincidence that Lizzie’s ensembles mirrored her surroundings. Lisa said that the décor had inspired and influenced the looks that she and Tracey had strived to create.

When I saw the large, ornate statement necklaces and earrings by Adorn, a line created by local artist Mary Kay Samouce, that were chosen to be paired with several of Nicole Paloma’s wispy, detailed dresses, I thought they would overpower them. I could not have been more wrong. They all looked exquisite, and a pair of caramel-colored Ralph Lauren cat-eye sunglasses and a pink headscarf created another retro look when paired with a pink BCBG kimono dress. Lizzie loved it, as did I!

By the time the lunch break rolled around Lizzie had already changed wardrobes three times and the crew had trotted up and down steep stairs umpteen times as the temperature began to heat up. Lizzie, who while contorting her body in a myriad of not-so-comfy poses, pretended she was floating on a cloud of pre-wedding bliss. I hand it to her, Lizzie epitomized the old cliché, “Never let them see you sweat.” She remained calm, cool (at least on the outside), and collected throughout the long, tiresome day of shooting, and even her makeup seemed to remain fresh as a daisy thanks to MAC cosmetics expert Yvette.

As the afternoon wore on, ominous storm clouds began building in the horizon. Lisa kept checking the time along with the list of remaining shots, carefully weighing out the optimal lighting versus approaching foul weather, because the last scene was for the cover, and would be taken on the roof—the Stairway to Heaven. At 5:20 p.m., the team loaded up and mobilized on the terrace. It was all hands on deck, including editor-in-chief Jerry Burwell and VIE’s beloved blonde Chihuahua mascot, Sucré, who joined the excited entourage for the big event. As soon as I stepped onto the sexy rooftop terrace, I felt a cool, refreshing breeze. Unfortunately, the same vigorous wind was also wreaking havoc on Lizzie’s hair—but lady-in-waiting Brooke was never more than a foot away, armed and ready with a teasing brush and can of hairspray.

While the sun slowly inched closer to its lighting zenith, Romona and Derek shot several poses of Lizzie against a backdrop of Seaside’s photogenic roofscapes. As the clock ticked closer to six and Mother Nature reminded us of her impending approach, the crew quickly shifted positions for the final time and prepared for the crème de la crème—the cover shot. You could feel the tension building as everyone anxiously fidgeted and the sun darted back and forth between puffy clouds. Jerry and Romona, who was perched high on a ladder, tweaked her angle and Lizzie moved up a step. Quite unexpectedly and just as Seaside’s church bells rang out six times, the brisk wind suddenly died, the clouds magically shifted, and just like that—click, click, click—the heavenly moment was forever.

Look for VIE’s 2014 Wedding Issue online and on newsstands very soon!