Grace Kelly | Timeless Wedding Inspiration

Sometimes inspiration finds you in the oddest ways. Case in point: I intended to write a quick note today apologizing for my lack of posts while vacationing in Italy with my husband. However, in the process of digging up a famed Ruth Orkin photo for visual accompaniment, I somehow stumbled across this simply enchanting shot of Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly at the 28th Annual Academy Awards {March 21, 1956} and was completely sidetracked.

Isn't it just breathtaking how classic, poised beauty is wonderfully timeless? Though we all know these women to be two of the most graceful starlets Hollywood has ever seen {and we should certainly acknowledge the shot for what it signifies}, I couldn't help realizing how the mix of emotions on their faces recall the varied emotions of a bride on her wedding day. Breathtakingly beautiful, yet pensively excited. Poised and elegant, but anxiously awaiting her big reveal....

For any photography lovers out there, this was shot by Alan Grant, a NYC-born photojournalist for Life magazine. Despite having the last photo shoot with Marilyn Monroe and the first of Lee Harvey Oswald's wife, Marina, following JFK's assassination, Grant was lesser known than other photojournalists of the Hollywood heyday era.

To me, this photo speaks much more than most American glitterati shots. It has a depth and beauty that I thought would resonate with our readers. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Photo credit Alan Grant for Time Inc. via artnet.com