One of my favorite up and coming photographers, Maria Noble (The Great) recently submitted a few photos of a wedding she shot at The Sunset restuarant in Malibu (adore this location!).
So, one of my favorite people, working at one of my favorite places = a no brainer blog feature.
Check out these lovely images and get inspired!
Oh, and Maria also does a wide variety of other shoots (head shots, portraits, etc.)… check her out at www.marianoble.com.
I had the pleasure of meeting Wedding Photographer Meredith from Zoom Theory Photography who is organizing an amazing event for newly engaged couples! Sounds like an amazing way to spend a Wednesday evening, so check it out!
The Love Tour
Wedding & Wine Wednesdays in the South Bay a place for brides and grooms to mix and mingle
February 23 | Portofino Hotel & Yacht Club
March 16 | Palos Verdes Golf Club
April 13 | Shade Hotel
May 18 | Blue Water Grill Redondo Beach
V.I.P Gift for first 30 brides
Please RSVP to sblovetour@gmail.com
sbweddinglovetour.wordpress.com
It’s your wedding day and of course you want everything to be perfect. The most intrinsic item to stress most brides out: finding the right dress.
First step? Don’t stress! By the time you’re ready to prepare for your big day, the tools to make all things wedding a big success are already within in. And shopping? Most brides had that in the bag long before he popped the question.
Here are a few tips to make finding that awesome gown a breeze (I promise):
1. Choose the right style gown for YOU
Design powerhouse Yves Saint Laurent said “La mode passe. Le style demeure.” - fashion passes, but the style remains. Basically don’t let current trends dictate the look for your day. Try searching the gown sections of sites like The Knot www.theknot.com and Martha Stewart Weddings www.marthastewartweddings.com to decipher which style works best for your body type and current designer offerings that fit your personal aesthetic. You’ll be more prepared when you hit the shops.
Trumpet style by Liancarlo, Sheath style by Oscar de la Rentra, Ball gown by Justin Alexandar (all photos via www.marthastewartweddings.com)
2. Don’t stray from your normal strategy
Because your big day is once in a lifetime you’re tempted to try on every dress created until you find the one. However, if you wouldn’t normally go to 30 stores trying 30 dresses in each, don’t fall victim to doing it for your wedding. Instead narrow your bridal salon list down to a few choices offering services that meet your needs, styles that suit you and, most importantly, dresses in your budget! Too many options can take the fun out of your experience altogether.
3. Trust your instincts!
Now that you’ve done a little research on the right shops to peruse and you totally know what your style is, the only thing left to do is enjoy. Take the time to truly enjoy each step on the road to your big day! When you slide on that dress that you thought looked good on the hanger and even now looks even more amazing once draped on your frame, trust the feeling that every bride gets when they find “the one.” Don’t second-guess – your senses won’t lead you astray!
Start here and you’re well on your way to finding the gown to make you shine on your day – happy shopping!
Do you have any other wedding gown shopping tips? Share!
In the wedding industry, www.etsy.com can be your best friend. When looking for inspiration, sometimes I love to just sit down with a hot cup of tea and click from shop to shop looking at all the creativity that www.esty.com has to offer. One of my all time favorite spots to stop is Oh, hello friend‘s shop.
Over the past year, I’ve had the pleasure of befriending an amazing woman who has taken the blogging and crafting industry by storm! Danni, from Oh, hello friend has such a keen eye for style, fashion, and detail. Just perusing through her shop and her blog, you already gain a sense of how beautiful the world looks through her eyes in her designs and product.
www.ohhellofriendblog.com
Last year, I was able to work with Danni and her wonderful new husband Nick on coordinating their wedding. As a true DIY bride, Danni’s inspiration from her wedding was drawn from her love of Harry Potter and a little bit of science mixed into one. The end product: something magically beautiful that looked like a snapshot from an Anthropology catalogue.
- Photo Credit: Hopefeathers Photography www.hopefeathersphotography.com
Looking through Danni’s collection of goods in her etsy shop and previewing the photos from her wedding by Hopefeather’s photographer Mindy Johnson, you can see how timeless and classic her use of vintage pieces makes her wedding unique.
www.etsy.com/shop/ohhellofriend
Danni’s furniture rentals came from Found Vintage Rentals, a studio in Fullerton, California. You can read more about Found on Danni’s blog here. Oh, hello friend is a great blog to draw inspiration from, maybe even to use as a source to gain some great design concepts, bridal party gifts, or everyday pieces for yourself. Incredibly talented, truly humble, and an amazing perspective on life – Danni from Oh, hello friend is a worth a good browse.
Happy Browsing!
When I think vintage, I think classy, classy, and classy!
There’s just an air about it that makes it seem so much more romantic and timeless than any other wedding theme that comes to mind. Of all things vintage that could be put in a wedding, the dresses are my ultimate favs!
A woman in a vintage (or vintage-esque) dress is most definitely the more classical bride. Of course you could add a modern flare, but it clearly isn’t modern. I love how they’re not just flat white but there are those champagne dresses, barely pink, and almost tan.
– Cheri Pearl Photography www.cheripearl.com
– Cheri Pearl Photography www.cheripearlphoto.com
www.misslin.co.uk
When going vintage, remember to watch out for a couple things.
1. If you’re going to buy a tried and true vintage dress, make sure that the material is still in tact. If it’s old, the fabric could be wearing away and that is NOT a good thing.
2. Remember that sizes aren’t always the same. So please try to actually GO IN instead of looking for steals online. You may fall in love with a dress only to find out that you can’t even wear it.
There are so many different outlets in finding a vintage dress or even a remake. You can go to thrift shops, online, a vintage specific store, gown shops that offer vintage remakes, or even within your own family and friends. Here are a few sources for the online savvy bride:
1. www.stephaniejamescouture.com/
I’ve perused through these websites and some have GORGEOUS dresses at extremely reasonable prices.
www.dressesol.com
www.dressesol.com
www.dressesol.com
www.dressesol.com
Remember, there are so many current designers out there that are incorporating vintage aspects into their designs and are using people like Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, and adiofjuaodifj as inspiration.
Here are some amazing dresses from my wonderful friend Vera and others. *Swoon*
- Vera Wang
- Vera Wang
- Vera Wang
- Vera Wang
- Fabio Gritti
- Fabio Gritti
- Fabio Gritti
- Helen English
- Amalia Carrara
And don’t forget to jazz up that outfit with some accessories!!
Mixing some vintage flare with a modern twist never fails. Starting from hairpins, to necklaces, to bracelets, to earrings, to veils, mix and match and get stunning! Bust out with the feathers! Get pearly!
Use the golds, browns, blacks, and whatever other colors make you feel vintage-y!
Here are a few places that you can beautify your ensemble:
2. http://www.royalaccessory.com/
4. www.potteryplaceantiques.com
– Bel Canto @ etsy.com
- Oh Faro @ www.etsy.com
– Pottery Place Antiques www.potteryplaceantiques.com
– Vintage Jewelry www.vintagejewelry.org.uk
Themes are awesome tools of event inspiration – when executed properly. When I think of Vintage Opulence I think of gorgeous fabrics like lace and velvet, classic stationary and unique finds to make the day distinct!
A few tips for an authentic vintage affair:
- Try using tea-stained, ornate or handmade letterpress stationary for your invites, programs, menus and place cards (don’t be afraid to mix and match these).
- For your gown choose a classic sheath shape in a lush lace or silk fabric.
- Design a cocktail lounge reminiscent of the old cigar bar using fabulous vintage rentals!
Photos:
Lace overly gown from Alvina Valenta Spring 2011 collection
Grey velvet button-tufted sofa from Found Rentals in Fullerton, CA
Distressed Columns (great for flanking your alter or reception entrance) Found Rentals in Fullerton, CA
Metal Wire Basket (great for holding guest favors or sweet treats on your dessert table) Found Rentals in Fullerton, CA
Lace detailed stationary – Bring Something to the Party in Los Angeles, CA
Letterpress sample – Bring Something to the Party in Los Angeles, CA
You only have one chance to capture your wedding day, so when choosing the right photographer, its important to make sure that you have done your homework. These photos will tell the story of your wedding for years to come, so when making that first step, don’t let your wallet be your guide.
Photographers are pricey, and when it comes to price, it’s true for this vendor, you get what you pay for. These are the photos that will last you a lifetime – don’t cut corners when finding the perfect one!
It’s important to do a few things when researching your vendors.
#1 – Meet them. Just as important as it is to click with your wedding planner, the same goes for your photographer. Understanding your vendor’s style, skill set, and level of professionalism will help you to make the right decision in choosing a photographer that will deliver. You want someone who will make the experience comfortable, fun and stress free.
Let the work speak for itself, photos can often show how versatile and open your photographer may be.
– Photo by www.thebrotherswright.com
Looking through one of the weddings done by the photographers at The Brothers Wright, you can immediately see how versatile they are. Their array of photos show you how many different styles of photography they can offer, from artistic to black and white, and even traditional. These photos also show how photographers can be open to any type of wedding, even when they’re artistic, whimsical and charming.
#2 – Review vendor portfolio. Take the time to have a conversation on your photographer’s portfolio. Listen to their perspectives and gain some insight into a how they approach weddings and find inspiration in what they’ve done. Every photographer is unique and has their own style – and though different styles of wedding photography may be universal (photo journalistic approach, artistic, and traditional) each vendor will have their own twist.
How well does your vendor take advantage of your wedding venue?
- Photo by www.stylemepretty.com
The photographers at Orange Girl Photographs were able to capture the beauty of this couple’s romantic destination wedding and their light hearted playful ambiance with these amazing photos.
#3 – Make a plan. If you have an idea of what you want, make a plan with your vendor. This is a great way to make sure that you’re getting what you want. Along with some of the photos you’ve already had listed in your head – photos of your dress, wedding bands, bride getting dressed, exchange of vows, the list goes on and on…, take some inspiration from the photos that you’ve seen in your vendor’s portfolio. After sharing your wedding details and timeline with your photographer, trust your vendor to know that they can articulate a photo timeline for your special day.
Especially when having a destination wedding, timing is extremely important especially if you’re relying heavily on clear blue skies and sunshine.
- Photo by www.inspiredbythis.com
- Photo by www.inspiredbythis.com
- Photo by www.inspiredbythis.com
This wedding, highlighted on Inspired by This highlights how well their photographer was able to use their destination wedding in Yosemite as the perfect photo backdrop and capture a few memorable moments.
#4 – Put it in Writing. Make sure that when you’re choosing a vendor, you know exactly what you’re paying for. A great vendor will be straightforward and upfront about cost and deliverables. Make sure that you have all deadlines, requests, and deliverables written down in your contract so there is no room for error. Whether you want 3 photographers at your wedding, a CD of all your images, a packaged wedding album, and perfectly edited photos – make sure you have all deadlines written down. Talking through with your vendor on realistic timelines on how long it will take them to edit, format and print your photos will make the process of waiting for them the day after your wedding – that much easier.
Find a vendor who can have fun and work in your DIY projects & props.
- Photo by www.christinefarah.com
The photographers at Christine Farah were able to work with their couple to utilize their props to create a beautiful photo of their wedding party.
You’ve only just begun to do your homework, so when meeting with your photographers, just keep these simple rules. After the first 2-3 photographers you’ll meet, you’ll begin to realize what you’re looking for.
Pay attention to how well they can capture special moments:
See how the photographers at Weddings by Two were able to capture start to finish
- Photo by www.weddingsbytwo.com
- Photo by www.weddingsbytwo.com
- Photo by www.weddingsbytwo.com
Remember, a picture is worth more than a thousand words!
When planning a wedding, budgeting is clearly the most difficult thing to do. Where to put money for what and how much is stressful and…wait…just plain stressful. You want everything to be amazing, but funds are limited and you really need to pick what’s worth what.
For me, my wedding day pictures are one major thing that I do NOT want to skimp out on. Why? Because these photos last a lifetime, and you want to be able to really remember that special day and enjoy what you’re remembering. You want every special moment captured, and you want it to look good in the process. You wont remember what your salmon tasted like 10, 20, 30 years from now but you can sure remember how beautiful it looked. The memories are priceless.
For me, I love, Love, LOVE the artistic approach. It is the modern take on all things from the bride and groom, to food, to the flowers. Photographers use a variety of angles, effects, lens work, etc. to put an “artistic” feel to your special day. Here are a few that had my head spinning:
Photos by : www.esianweddingphotography.com
Photos by: www.f8studio.com
Photos by www.floatawaystudio.com
Photos by - www.qweddings.com
But remember! Don’t go overboard. You obviously want the traditional and photojournalistic pictures in your album too. A nice mix of a little bit of everything is a-ma-zing!!
Spotlight on: Stacey Sutherland Weddings
Choosing the team for your special day is paramount. From your planner to your officiant and right down to your photographer each person is integral to building a lasting, beautiful memory.
Those memories should be captured by someone with a keen eyes, the POV that photography is indeed an art form and, hopefully, a love of capturing the details specific to amazing weddings.
One such photographer is Stacey Sutherland. Her extensive editorial background makes her a perfect choice for what, I feel is the best style choice for weddings: photojournalistic.
Stacey’s distinct style was developed through the knowledge learned the while working as a photo assistant for Martha Stewart, Living and Weddings, Rachel Ashwell’s Shabby Chic and others. having developed such a keen eye and distinct photographic style led to her being awarded shooting jobs for both magazines and advertising. And hence “the Fine Art Wedding Photographer with an editorial approach” was born!
This tidbit from Stacey’s bio embodies what the photojournalistic style is all about:
“Weddings should be documented in a timeless manner that tells the story of your day, capturing all the heart felt details, emotion, merriment, love and all of the cherished moments in between.”
Take a peek at some of Stacey’s AMAZING photos that you’re sure to love:
Darren and Lisa’s special day at Bel Air Bay Club
Van and Georgia’s beautiful Agoura Hills nuptials
Surprise Giveaway: Stacey has just launched her 1st Annual Wedding Package Giveaway; to enter (and hopefully score a fabulous photographer) all you have to do is tell Stacey about YOU! How easy is that? For more details, click here.
For more of Stacey’s wedding work visit www.staceysutherlandweddings.com
Which wedding details do you think add to your day’s story?
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