Who doesn’t love cookies and milk? I do.
A fun idea to feature at your reception is a different kind of buffet. Lots of couples are featuring candy buffets, which are a huge hit with guests. It is always great when the couple go for an ‘alternative’ buffet, like this one! Mmm…chocolate chip cookies and milk!
However, this girl would need a much larger glass of milk!
So, last week I spent some time in my favorite state (Colorado) with some of my favorite people. During my time there, I was able to catch up with a great friend and get a look into her passion (photography). She shared the work of a fantastic Colorado-based photographer and that’s when I fell in love with this.
I would give my left arm to get married there. Actually, I would give both arms and both legs.
Photographs by James Christianson as featured on Style me Pretty.
In case you’re wondering, I have already inquired with the location regarding future use for a vow renewal. Le swoon (big time).
If you’re from the South, love the outdoors or horses, or plain just love cowboy boots, PLEASE do NOT be afraid to wear cowboy boots under your wedding dress.
I big puffy heart this idea (really because I love the South, cowboys and cowboy boots).
Jessica Feely Photography via Lucky Me
Better yet, you could have your bridesmaids do it instead!
I’ve already talked about how much I love the photographer we picked (I’ve raved here). But I’m here to tell you she’s back. Not that she has disappeared, because she hasn’t. She just has not blogged lately because she’s been super busy with wedding season (I don’t blame her!!). I’m amazed at how any photographer finds the time to blog during wedding season! At any rate, I was a like a kid in a candy store when she posted last week and this week (so pardon my excitement).
She blogged about her recent trip to the Jessica Claire OC Photography Workshop (I’m super jealous, btw) last week, and yesterday, she blogged about a recent wedding, with some beautiful colors. So, I wanted to share the beauty!
First up? The JC workshop, of course.
I am totally swooning over the details and the light and just everything. GORGEOUS. And, did I mention I was jealous?
Up next? Her recent post about a wedding.
I’m totally loving the colors in that bouquet.
And, who doesn’t love a sparkler exit?!
All photos courtesy of Lisa Hessel Photography
I’m sure that Lisa thinks I’m a total creeper…but that’s okay, because I appreciate her talent! A ton!!
So in love with these engagement pictures. They just tell a different story that some of the more traditional photos.
I love the laughing photo like whoa. Such a fantastic representation of the dynamic of this couple’s relationship. Beautiful!
Anna Kuperberg Photography via So You’re Engayged
Anna Kuperberg Photography via So You’re Engayged
I love when a photographer is able to capture moments like these.
I am completely in love with this color red. I’m not tots (for you “I Love You Man” movie fans) a fan of the design (it’s very pretty, though), just a little too traditional for me.
I think using colored envelopes or even colors within your invitation suite is a fun idea and a great way to incorporate a splash in your wedding. White is classic, but red is fun!
The FI and I are going back and forth between orange envelopes and chocolate brown ones.
Why not red, you ask? You’ll find out in due time.
How can you not love this color combination?
There is just something so modern and elegant about that majolica blue. Dramatic, yet fresh. Bold, but fun. Swoon. And I’m a sucker for slate. Slate is such a great accent color and I wish more brides would use it. That warm olive color? It looks so delicious against the slate and majolica blue.
I’m begging you, please, PLEASE use these colors for your wedding and send me photos so I can lust over them.
And, for the record, I love our color choices and have no intention of changing them.
A friend of mine at work sent me a link today to a great bridal event happening in Saint Louis. Being from a midwestern town, I can understand that wedding-related events are far and few between, so I was excited to know that the heartland of the country is starting to becoming a booming spot for the wedding industry.
Brides Against Breast Cancer and the Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation are hosting a one-of-a-kind dress shopping experience in Saint Louis on Friday, August 28 at the DoubleTree Hotel & Conference Center in Chesterfield, MO.
They are offering “Power Hours,” which is a sneak peak/early preview of the merchandise from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. In order to take part in Power Hours, you will need to register ahead of time and pay a registration fee of $20. General Admission hours are from 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
The event features hundreds of designer wedding gowns at 25% – 75% savings! Almost as good as a sample sale, except the bonus is that you are supporting a GREAT cause. Plus, more than half of the gowns are brand new, straight from the designers/boutiques. Everyone loves a good deal and a gorgeous gown!
So, for all of you Saint Louis-area brides out there still looking for a wedding dress, I STRONGLY urge you to attend this event.
And, as an added bonus, you can also donate your wedding gown after your wedding to the Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation. Click here for more information.
UPDATE:
The event is also on Saturday, August 29. General Admission is 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., so if you can’t make it Friday, you can go Saturday!
Yes, I know this is two “things i love” posts in less than 24 hours, let alone two posts about photography. Indulge me.
I realized I never actually introduced you all to our photographer, whom we absolutely love. If you’re antsy, you can skip down some since I first want to share at how we arrived at her.
I spent the first few months after our engagement scouring the internet for a local photographer we both liked. We already had our venues booked and date set, so it was important that the next thing we booked be our photographer. I had contacted what seems like a million photographers inquiring about availability, packages, pricing, etc. before we narrowed it down to a handful. After we narrowed it down to about 4 or 5, we spend some time reviewing their bodies of work, their blogs and websites and asking people we knew that had used them before what they were like. I had shared with my mom right off the bat who was one of our top picks (this was a tough decision), and she wasn’t very happy about her work as we were, so it was back to more research.
It was at that point when I decided to meet with two of them. I had heard fantastic things about both of them from people we know first-hand, and I (we) really loved their work. The FI was not as concerned about how well we clicked with them as I was, so I went alone to both meetings. They each showed me some albums and photos, shared with me their backgrounds and pricing and we chatted over just about everything. It really was like sitting at a coffee shop with an old friend just catching up. That was uber important to me. I wanted to make sure I clicked with our photographer. After all, she was going to spending one of the most important days of my life with me and documenting it.
Once I met with both of them, the FI and I spend a few weeks talking about what we liked about each. We had some criteria for our photographer, regardless:
1. We wanted a second shooter. I know some photographers tell you that you do not need want, but we WANTED one.
2. To have some sort of album or product credit with their packages.
3. That the engagement session was included with the package.
Each of the photographers offered all of the above. So it was a matter of who we liked better (boy this was tough). In the end, we chose Lisa Hessel. We loved her work, mom loved her work, all of her packages included the above AND they all included unlimited time. As an aspiring photographer myself, I think with weddings, you cannot put a time limit on photography. We loved that her and her second shooter would be able to be with us all day, capturing the happy and loving moments, the laughter and the emotion.
We have yet to have our engagement pictures done yet, which we are doing this Fall. BUT I love her work. I love when she updates her blog because it is as if I fall in love with her work all over again. Plus, I love that she uses Finao albums (this probably means nothing to most of you). These are some of my favorite professional albums and I love the variety you can get with these. So, lets just say I am beyond excited about my wedding album.
This is one of my favorite images by her:
I know it isn’t a super exciting image, but I have had my eye on that photo since day one of stumbling upon her work. It just captures the emotion so well.
I also love that she loves sunflare. Take note:
And, I also love that she loves urban photos, especially in her favorite alley:
And, one more. Promise (at least for now). I love this alley/backstreet/urban shot:
What are your requirements for your photographer? Any specific qualities or options you’re looking for?
We all know how much I love photography (and if you don’t, well I LOVE photography). BUT, one thing I absolutely love are photography blog posts that really tell a story. I mean, most of them do in their photos alone, but I love when the photographer provides some background.
My favorite? Jasmine Star. She always provides a background, a scene or feeling of emotion before she shares her photos from a wedding or whatever. It really sets the tone for you when you start to scroll through the photos; almost like you are there.
When you have some time today, be sure to take a trip over to Jasmine’s blog and just enjoy!
