How To Have A Stylish Wedding with Together Journal's Greta Kenyon
by Ben St. George
Greta Kenyon has pulled off the remarkable feat of completely reinvigorating the wedding market. In just a few short years, her magazine Together Journal has established itself as the premiere wedding publication, both locally and internationally, driven by her bold, modern vision for what a wedding could be.
We're proud to have been working with Greta since Together Journal's very first issue, and with wedding season getting into full swing and a very busy few months on the horizon it felt like the perfect time to get together for a chat. Read on to hear how couples are making it happen around COVID, what to look for in a photographer and Greta's essential style advice for grooms-to-be.
Together Journal has always felt markedly different from other wedding publications. Tell us where the initial idea came from.
The majority of my career was spent in the fashion industry in marketing positions. I dealt with many media brands and agencies but never worked on the media or magazine side. After my first two children, I fell into a photography career (I had studied photography, marketing and graphic design) because the freelance aspect fitted well with a young family. I shot a mix of lifestyle for magazines, commercial and wedding work. Due to my background, I noticed pretty quickly a large gap in the media landscape for a contemporary wedding magazine and media platform. Compared to other sectors like interior design, food and architecture, the wedding sector seemed to be lagging in the media space.
What did you hope to achieve with the publication?
A niche part of the wedding market was creating and shooting very different, very cool modern and fashion orientated weddings. I wanted more people to see the new things that were starting to happen, to really drive this trend forward and encourage more people to step away from tradition and celebrate in a way that was more authentically theirs.
How has this year affected how people are approaching weddings?
A few good things have come from COVID. Some of the hype has been stripped away from weddings, and couples are more aware of the significance of marriage. People are more open to different ways of celebrating, new locations, more modern and creative styling, more fashion orientated outfits. Everything has been tipped on its head; couples are opting for a smaller, non-traditional wedding with the idea of celebrating with a party down the track when more freedoms are allowed.
What are some ways that couples can make getting married this season easier?
Be ready to adapt, have a plan B and maybe even a plan C. Listen to the experts; we are so lucky to have so much talent across all areas of the wedding sector. Remember, these experts have a wealth of experience and deal with many COVID affected couples daily. Listen to their advice, be guided by them.
Spend time researching online, look at both website and Instagram channels and once you identify a photographer whose work you love, reach out to them. Meet up if you can (this may not be possible at the moment), ask to see a whole portfolio of one single wedding (or several full weddings); this will give you a good understanding of their true skill level and consistency of work. Be aware that 5 to 10 hero shots from many weddings can sometimes be misleading. You want to be certain that a photographer can handle many different light situations and cope in a fast-paced environment like a wedding day. That they are skilled enough to deliver a consistently high body of work across one wedding day. I often see holes in some photographers' work through the many submissions I receive; it's easy to produce ten great shots from a ten-hour wedding day. Be sure they can produce hundreds of great shots from one day.
What trends have you seen recently in wedding photography that couples should be aware of?
There is a trend back towards film, which is lovely. But it can be risky. There are talented photographers who shoot with film, but there are not many who truly have mastered the medium in this digital age. If you love film, make sure you pick one of the few who have. Again, ask to see a full portfolio of several film weddings to be 100% sure.
Documentary style photography rather than anything too posed or contrived is a trend that Together Journal loves and has helped drive forward. Whilst a documentary style is wonderful and desirable, and we ourselves truly love it, there are still boxes that need to be ticked. You should still spend a small amount of time getting relaxed portraits and writing a list to ensure important family photos or group photos are not missed. Often I have struggled with submissions that are too documentary; sometimes, I have not been able to find a shot of the couple where they are both looking ahead and engaged with the camera, and I really do think you need that shot or a couple of versions of it. From a style perspective, what translates well to photography, particularly for grooms?
A suit that fits well, made of quality cloth! My background is in fashion and photography; I have shot a lot of fashion and many grooms. Suits are hard to photograph; they are structured and made of woven fabrics. If your suit doesn't fit or sit right, the camera will catch all the imperfections. And on a wedding day, you don't have the ability to pin or clip like we can in a fashion shoot. You don’t want to be worried about sleeve or trouser length or something looking bulky and strange and you certainly don’t want a record of that in your wedding photos for years to come. And don’t put your phone in your trouser pocket!
So many of our featured couples are wonderful, but two that stick in my mind are Harry & Sarah and Eddie & Laura. They are both, in their own way, the quintessential Together Journal wedding couple. Their outfits and styling are very modern and lead the trends, but I know that their wedding photos and style will still look relevant in ten years. I would say both couples know their own style well, and they leveraged this for their wedding day, staying true to themselves. That's the key. What are you seeing in terms of broader trends for grooms in particular?
Two outfits! I love seeing grooms have a jacket or outfit change for the reception. I feel like this trend is overdue for the gents; the ladies have been doing it for a long time. Why not invest in a second shirt and something like a beautiful velvet dinner jacket to make a statement for the reception. If it’s a summer wedding, you will likely be very happy to have a fresh outfit after a long hot summer day. And you will also have a beautiful occasion piece to add to your wardrobe to wear time and time again. Any specific styling touches or details that are really standing out to you personally?
Where a groom can really make a difference is with small details and accessories. A custom lining in a suit jacket, initialled cuffs on shirts or handkerchiefs (you might actually need that handkerchief, so don’t overlook it), a beautiful pair of cufflinks or a tie pin. These things can also make wonderful cherished gifts for groomsmen and fathers of grooms or brides.
For a groom-to-be who is unsure of where to begin when it comes to wedding preparation, what advice would you give?
Seek an expert! Sadly New Zealand men are not renowned for their fashion (sorry guys!), and even those few who break the mould and are fashion orientated will still benefit from expert advice. Remember, brands like Crane Brothers are at the forefront of cloth development, they see trends far in advance, and they have made thousands of garments for men of all preferences, shapes and sizes. They want you to look the best you can in an outfit that will stand the test of time. What is a critical detail that often gets overlooked, especially style-wise?
I would have to say shoes. Again something that the ladies are very good at but not all men place enough importance on. Treat yourself! Buy the best pair of shoes you have ever owned; it's your day. I would look at the black patent leather Oxford shoe if wearing a tuxedo or a penny loafer in brown, black or suede, depending on your suit.
View more Dispatch posts
Back to DispatchGurkha Trouser
The British Gurkha regiments in service to Britain were renowned as the bravest of the brave and won a remarkable 26 Victoria Crosses for courage under fire. The Gurkha Trouser,...
Lottie Consalvo
If you're visiting the Auckland Art Fair make sure you check out the works of Lottie Consalvo. Based in Australia Lottie showcases her works in New Zealand, New York, and Paris. Her...
Introducing Astorflex
Born in Italy in 1984, Astorflex stands for meticulous craftsmanship and eco-conscious practices. From the beginning, the brand has emphasized utilizing locally sourced materials and traditional production methods, ensuring quality...