La Dolce Vita: WeddingDay Magazine's Exclusive 2026 Look Book Cover Shoot

Photos ByNeeley Photography

Written By

Date

March 5, 2026

The Vision

Our 2026 Look Book cover shoot was a dream brought to life by the incredibly talented Beth Waterman—planner, florist, venue owner and more all in one! This year’s concept was especially personal, as Beth drew inspiration from her own Italian heritage to create a romantic celebration infused with Tuscan charm. Aptly named La Dolce Vita—“The Sweet Life”—the shoot, photographed by Neeley Photography, captured the feeling of an intimate outdoor wedding surrounded by trees, soft breezes and effortless elegance.

Beth and her company Flora + Flame envisioned a day that felt warm, inviting and timeless. Think sun-drenched textures, old-world romance and a color palette that radiates warmth in any season. While incorporating authentic Italian wedding traditions into a Midwest setting presented a creative challenge, Beth found beautiful, thoughtful ways to weave them into the design—resulting in a shoot that feels both globally inspired and perfectly at home.

The Venue

Hosting the shoot in Indianapolis at Ivory Foundry Weddings & Events was an obvious choice. “Ivory Foundry is always my happy place,” she shares—and it’s easy to see why! The venue offers a stunning blend of aesthetics, making it versatile for a variety of backdrops. For this Tuscan-inspired vision, the outdoor space was the biggest draw. The tree-lined setting created that dreamy al fresco atmosphere reminiscent of the Italian countryside. Inside, the exposed concrete walls paired with soft draping added depth and romance, striking a perfect balance between modern industrial elements and old-world charm. One of our favorite details are the murals (hand-painted by Beth's husband Rich!) on the building's exterior that make for the cutest portrait locales!

The Décor

Warmth was at the heart of this design! The palette featured rich greens, burgundy, blush and soft pinks—tones that feel inviting and timeless in any season. The reception table embraced one of the hottest trends of the season: spilling florals cascading organically across the tabletop, adding movement and drama to the setting. The rest of the tablescape was filled with elegant tableware, romantic candles and white busts that helped carry out the theme. And no Italian shoot would be complete without an abundance of grapes and an Aperol Spritz cocktail tower!

Projection elements were also incorporated, another trend gaining popularity this year. These layered visuals elevated the ambiance and brought a contemporary edge to the otherwise classic aesthetic—an ideal fusion of modern and traditional influences.

The Florals

Florals played a starring role in bringing our Look Book cover shoot to life. Beth designed a modern handbag-style bouquet—a trend we are absolutely loving this season! The bouquet featured elegant white calla lilies, cascading green hanging amaranthus and rich wine-colored cymbidium orchids. The combination felt sculptural yet romantic, perfectly suited to the Tuscan-inspired setting. The reception design echoed the palette, with lush arrangements spilling gracefully across the table, enhancing the organic, alfresco feel of the shoot. And our favorite element is the hanging orbs filled with even more cascading florals, that make the space feel more intimate, yet grand!

The Looks

The bridal looks embodied that beautiful balance between traditional and modern. We utilized two gowns from La Bridal Loft in our shoot. Our model wore a strapless, layered gown featuring a slightly classic silhouette with contemporary touches for the ceremony and outdoor reception. At the indoor reception, she donned an all-over lace dress with a deep V neckline and delicate cap sleeves. The bride’s hair was styled in loose waves that gave off a soft, old-world feel, while her neutral makeup enhanced her natural features without overpowering them. The overall beauty look by The Mane Bridal complemented the warmth of the color palette and allowed the bride’s radiance to shine through! The groom looked dapper in his off-white tuxedo jacket, bow tie and black pants from JBenzal Menswear.

The Stationery & Signage

Beth also took on the role of stationery designer—and had so much fun doing it! The invitation suite incorporated the greens from the color palette, creating a cohesive first impression of the day. One of our favorite details was the envelope insert featuring an old-world Italian painting, subtly tying back to the Tuscan inspiration and adding a layer of European romance. We also love the unique ribbon place cards that hung elegantly on the back of the reception chairs!

The Cake

The cake by Sprinkled With Love was a modern, square three-tier design with a crisp white base. Pops of silk florals in burgundy, blush and pink added dimension and tied seamlessly into the overall palette. The clean structure of the cake balanced beautifully with the organic, flowing elements found throughout the rest of the décor—another perfect example of modern meets timeless!