The Greenbrier Dorothy Draper and Color

Before working at The Greenbrier in West Virginia I had never heard of it before. Ever since learning about The Greenbrier a part of me has not stopped thinking about it. Perhaps it’s mostly for The Greenbrier’s absolutely insanely beautiful and colorful and daring decor by famed interior designer Dorothy Draper.

When I stepped foot inside The Greenbrier, my heart stopped for a second, then absolutely IMPLODED inside of my chest. WOW! I had never been inside such an inspiring and whimsical space. It was fancy, but so so fun. I felt out of place but so at home with my (then) neon green and purple hair and kelly green Tieks.

My friends that have known me forever love the fact that I slip in and out of this fancy world of luxury resorts, fire star hotels and intimate luxury events. Don’t get it twisted on any level, I fully belong there. Much like a chameleon, I can adapt and change to my environment with ease. Whether I am barefoot on the beach for a casual celebration or in full Scottish regalia where the staff outnumbers the guests 250:65, I am at home.

See, my job is to document life. Rich life, simple life, colorful, sad, happy, poignant, full. Camera in hand, eyes up, heart open; I am there for it all.

I first met Kristy Rice at the Engage Luxury Wedding and Business Summit in Las Vegas, I believe in 2012. It was the first of about 19 I would attend, photograph and then speak at. My partners and I had been working on a book and got a publishing deal and were working hard to get our book out. After it came out Kristy mentioned she had some ideas and was curious about our publisher. We made some introductions and off she went: Kristy now has so many books out I lost count! She is a super talented water color artist and in addition to this gorgeous coffee table book she has coloring books galore. They are beautiful and for sale here.

Once Kristy had her idea and the go ahead for her book, she asked me to photograph her chapter hosted by The Greenbrier in West Virgina. I was already on board because collaborating with fellow creatives is my JAM, but man oh MAN one quick google search for The Greenbrier and BOOP. I was done!

The Greenbrier Photographed by CT photographer Carla Ten Eyck for watercolor artist Kristy Rice’s coffee table book The Painter’s Wedding: Inspired Celebrations with an Artistic Edge

When I first walked by this hallway, I stopped dead in my tracks. The color! The light! The banister. I just knew I would be creating something here, and made a mental note to include this spot on my schedule for our shoot.

CT Photographer Carla Ten Eyck works at The Greenbrier in West Virginia photographing a model for her book

Our model was an employee at the Spa at The Greenbrier. And can I be honest when I walked on property I said wow a redhead would make my world sparkle a bit here and BAM there she was! She was the absolute sweetest person, and humored me and my cackling and laughing for two days straight!

A bride poses on the colorful stairway at The Greenbrier in West Virginia

Seriously, either way you slice it, this hallway is MAGIC.

A bride poses on the colorful stairway at The Greenbrier in West Virginia

This carpet made me feel like I had pop rocks in my heart!

A bride poses at the Dorothy Draper designed The Greenbrier in West Virginia A bride poses on a green chaise at The Greenbrier in West Virginia

This combo. Do I really need to say anything?

A bride poses on a green chaise at The Greenbrier in West Virginia A bride poses in one of the colorful rooms at The Greenbrier in West Virginia

Man, I sure am cute!

A bride poses in one of the colorful rooms at The Greenbrier in West Virginia

Maybe I also get super excited when I work? MAYBE I DO

A bride poses in the pink ballroom at The Greenbrier in West Virginia A bride poses in the pink ballroom at The Greenbrier in West Virginia A bride poses in the pink ballroom at The Greenbrier in West Virginia

Because despite having an absolute HONKER of a professional Nikon camera dangling from my neck, if I don’t take a snap with my iPhone, it did not officially happen…

A bride poses in the pink ballroom at The Greenbrier in West Virginia

Upon my super google sleuthing I saw photos- but not many- of this red staircase and green chaise and I was all WHERE IS THIS MAGICAL LAND AND HOW CAN I PHOTOGRAPH THERE?? I asked the staff and they told me it was the famed Presidential Suite… and since it was not currently booked they allowed us to photograph there (can’t guarantee that will be the case again, so I suer feel lucky as a duck!)

A bride poses in the Presidential Suite at The Greenbrier in West Virginia A bride poses in the Presidential Suite at The Greenbrier in West Virginia A bride poses in the Presidential Suite at The Greenbrier in West Virginia

Emily Clarke Events was our event planner, and I loved the help!

The wallpaper was so inspiring and Kristy and I agreed, we had to photograph this suite on the wall!

This image makes me really freaking happy!

A bride poses in the Presidential Suite at The Greenbrier in West Virginia Ct wedding photographer Carla Ten Eyck laughs, as usual, while working at The Greenbrier in West Virginia A bride poses in the Presidential Suite at The Greenbrier in West Virginia A bride poses in the Presidential Suite at The Greenbrier in West Virginia A bride poses in the Presidential Suite at The Greenbrier in West Virginia A bride poses in the Presidential Suite at The Greenbrier in West Virginia Photographer Carla Ten Eyck works in the Presidential Suite at the famed Greenbrier in West Virgina A bride poses in the Presidential Suite at The Greenbrier in West Virginia A bride poses in the Presidential Suite at The Greenbrier in West Virginia A bride poses in the Presidential Suite at The Greenbrier in West Virginia

To see more inspirations shoots by Carla Ten Eyck, click the links below:

Mount Hope RI Inspiration Shoot for Bliss Celebrations Magazine

Cuba Inspired Wedding Celebration Shoot at Gather and Lounge

Grand Cayman Cave and Beach Inspiration Shoot for Cayman Vows Magazine

Smith Farm Gardens CT Intimate Wedding Inspiration Shoot

Chatfield Hollow CT Wedding Fashion Inspiration Shoot with Everthine Bridal

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