This provocative inspired shoot is designed to amplify what it means to be empowered and committed, reimagining the way we see weddings. It is designed to inspire the nontraditional couple that wants their wedding to reflect their unrestrained personality and expression of love, reminding us that chic decorum and progressive ideas are not mutually exclusive. We wanted to show off these two gorgeous, tattoo-covered women, and we did that with a dark, jewel-toned color palette, mohawk up-dos, a vintage motorcycle, and details all stitched up with spikes and safety pins. It is a bold, riotous statement for a fearless couple with nothing to hide.

The florals are alluring, wildly romantic, and have an almost poisonous look: deep maroon blooms with hot pink accents coupled with vines crawl throughout the space. The cake is simply EPIC. It is black matte with gold spikes and a fishnet-like texture, complete with hot pink edible flowers. The laser-cut invitation suite has a great, hand-written gothic aesthetic that is complimented by hand-painted escort & table cards from graphic artist Chrisolux. His main feature, a canvas that reads “No Regrets,” encompasses the central message of our shoot: this ink, this skin, this person, our life, our love, our marriage — NO REGRETS.

I think the true significance of our shoot is embodied in Ananda and Mari, our two models. I can’t tell you how rewarding it felt to hear Ananda, upon seeing herself in this gorgeous Galit Levi dress, say, “You know, I've really never seen myself getting married, but I would TOTALLY get married in this dress!” For Mari, I envisioned a sleek suit only to find out how impossible it is to find suits designed for women. Eventually, I expanded what I was looking for and found a slinky purple number from Rent The Runway, topped off with my own leather jacket, but aside from how gorgeous this all looked, the defining moment came near the end of our shoot. We had been dealing with these two repairmen sitting in a van across the street ogling our models all day. They did not try to hide it, and it started to set me on edge. We were halfway through our shoot when a car drove by and its male driver slowed to honk his horn to harass us. I felt dread in my stomach, worried I had lost the shoot. Thankfully, I had these two badass women in front of the camera. They coolly looked toward the car, and with the greatest of ease, extended their middle fingers as high as they could. The dread and anger turned into roaring laughter, and everyone else on the shoot joined in. These two women were the perfect embodiment of what I wanted to represent. Be aggressively yourself.

Words and Photos by Amy Sims Photography

Bridal portrait, featuring wedding by Tiffany Bartok

Back laceup detail of Galit Levi from Designer Loft wedding gown

Foxglove Floral bouquet with dark red flowers

Bridal portrait featuring hair by Stephen Keough

boutioneirre by foxglove floral design studio

two brides flipping the bird on a motorcycle.

brides drinking cocktails at their wedding at MyMoon

Purple and red bouquet by Foxglove Floral Design Studio in Brooklyn

Rock n' roll wedding stationery by Chrisolux

No regrets signage for wedding by Chrisolux

wedding invitations by Coral Pheasant in Brooklyn

Wedding centerpieces by Foxglove Floral Design Studio

Punk rock wedding cake by Lael Cakes in Brooklyn

same-sex wedding portrait featuring hair by stephen keough

Vendors

AMY SIMS PHOTOGRAPHY

The very first wedding I shot was of my friends, both named Jeffrey. I had such a great time, but it wasn’t until after my own wedding that I decided wedding photography was something I really wanted to do - and I absolutely love it! I love capturing the joy and chaos of a couple surrounded by their loved ones on one of the best damn days of their lives. Getting to work with other industry creatives and seeing all the amazing & beautiful things they create makes each wedding/shoot so exciting because I’m the person who gets to capture it all! From Colorado, but really a New Yorker. Obsessed with corgis & Joss Whedon.