When we started to envision the editorial shoot for Issue No. 3, we knew a snowscape was going to be part of the design. Nothing transforms a landscape like a blanket of powder, and after the trials of the previous year, a fresh start was exactly what we needed.
What made this shoot so special? It wasn’t just an ordinary editorial - we were about to have an actual wedding. Cassandra and Nathan, like so many others, had their wedding plans thwarted in 2020, and were forced to make alternate plans.
Meanwhile, we at Sierra Bride were licking our collective wounds of being in the special events industry during this time. We all managed to make it through by creativity, resilience, and some sheer luck. It was time to focus on the future of our careers, of the industry we belonged to, and of course to the magazine itself.
The concept of the “Snow Queen” was ignited by the showcase of sisterhood and strength in Issue No 2. The idea that resilience and fortitude could be found in the commonalities of our feminine spirits had evolved into harnessing our own unique powers to face the harsh and bitter winters of our lives.
Cassandra is the total embodiment of a Queen in all realms. Her entire energy is encompassing of her entrepreneurial, innovative, and manifesting spirit. She is a pioneer of the Clean Beauty Movement, host of the Clean Beauty Podcast, and the founder of the Clean Beauty Kit, and Clean Beauty Con, as well as the inventor of the LashBinder. Originally from the Pacific Northwest, Cassandra has always had an affinity for the mountains. For her and now husband Nathan, an elopement in the snowy Sierra was the perfect backup plan for their original Greece wedding.
Cassandra and Nathan ventured to an iconic lookout at Donner Pass with their good friend and Rabbi, as well as her immediate family, to celebrate their love in the simplest and most beautiful way. Fittingly, the weather was harsh and it was difficult to stay warm. But, like all true loves, the iciness of the world melted away when Cassandra and Nathan came together for their ceremony.
When considering the spirit of the Sierra Bride, we find that resilience and the power to control and work with her own elements has always been a key characteristic. The Snow Queen is our annual reminder that we all have the power to weather any storm, and that bright, sunny days are always ahead.
Below is the cross interview between Creative Director Miranda Meisenbach and bride/model Cassandra McClure celebrating the feature.
Planning & Coordination: MiraWED, LLC | Photography: Melina Wallisch Photography | Floral Design: Love & Lupines | Cake : Tahoe Love Bakery | Model: Cassandra McClure | Gown: Nancy Vuu | Snowflake Necklace: Double Diamond Jewelry | Headband | Peaces of Zaynini | Nails: Clean Beauty Kit | Rings: Scout Mandolin | Ring Diamond: Diamond Foundry