Wedding Ideas & Tips, Wedding Blog

10 Jan

Wedding photography giveaway by Atlas & Elia

categories Giveaway + Contest, Sponsored Post

Did you guys swoon over this rustic fall wedding a few weeks ago like we did? That Washington backdrop was just incredible, but even more beautiful was the way their day was captured by Atlas & Elias. Such a true reflection of their life’s work! And now they’re putting their love of travel + their love of photographing weddings into an amazing giveaway for one community driven couple. Read below for all the deets!

The giveaway:
I’m so inspired when I hear where my couple’s devote their time! I am doubly-intrigued when they’re involved in some way in building a community! I realized that I just love working with couple’s who put a priority on investing in community. And I want to work with more people JUST LIKE THAT! This lead me to come up with a giveaway that I am crazy-excited about!

I am giving away 1 wedding in 2014 or 2015 anywhere in the world, to couple’s who are currently working on a project that invests in community. AND, I want to document that project through photography with them! The project could be about creating a sustainable, volunteer-run garden that feeds those in need, like one of my couple’s in California, or it could be working to make drinking-water safe for people in Kenya, like another of my couples!

How it works: You, or a friend/family member must nominate yourself to be chosen. If you are a couple (or one half of a couple), or know of someone who is: a) getting married in 2014/2015 (anywhere in the world) b) Has a project they are coordinating, or involved in that helps foster community (anywhere in the world), submit a nominating letter, including a photo of the couple.

You have until January 18, 2014 to enter, and I will review all submissions and pick one winner! Click here to enter!

1 comment

10 Jan

Nautical wedding inspiration and surprise proposal story

categories Engagements, Wedding Ideas

Last year felt like it was the year for surprise proposals. Funny enough, most of them happened during styled shoots. Which is kind of the perfect set up when you think about it. She’s just had her hair & makeup done, is dressed like she’s ready to walk down the aisle, and you’re both surrounded by gorgeous florals, pretty decor, and cake! Nice work, Zac. And nice work, Supposey Florals for such a sweet concept, and Melissa Wilson Photography for capturing such a heartfelt moment. Such a perfect way to end the week!

Any suspicions he was going to propose on the day of the styled session?: Before the session, yes. I thought it would be a cute and fun way for him to propose, and I even mentioned it to a few friends. I still had a tiny bit of hope the day of the styled session. I took off my watch, bracelet, and ring, just in case I needed the bare finger for a new ring at the beginning of the shoot. I assumed that if he was going to do it, it would have been in the beginning of the session so that I could wear my ring throughout the shoot. After the first 10 minutes of the session, still with no engagement ring, I forgot all about it and went on with the session. I was COMPLETELY caught off-guard a few hours into the shoot when I turned around and he was on one knee.

Describe how you felt the moment you saw him down on one knee: Confused. I thought, “This is a wedding themed photo shoot. Why is the groom re-proposing to the bride? Aren’t we supposed to be past that part? Whoa, that’s a huge ring!” Then I realized that Zac was actually proposing to me. I didn’t hear a thing he said, except at the very end he said, “Will you marry me?” I completely forgot where we were, or that there were ten people standing around documenting our every move. All I was thinking was “FINALLY!!! I FINALLY get to marry him! Hallelujah!!” I was ecstatic and surprised and confused and amazed and so extremely happy, all at the same time. I couldn’t stop smiling and wanted that post-proposal embrace to last for hours.

What are your wedding plans so far?: Of course, my productivity has dropped to nearly zero since he proposed on September 11th. If it were up to me, we would get married tomorrow and the biggest, most fabulous wedding in history would be planned perfectly in 24 hours. Unfortunately since that’s not the case, we have decided to enjoy a long engagement for a few years so that I can focus on my first year of law school next fall. Once we get past my first year of school, we’ll start planning for a year or two from that point. However, I would love to keep the “Float Away with Us” theme and the same wedding team throughout our journey from proposal to marriage. The styled session was absolutely beautiful and perfect, and I can’t think of any better team of talented artists I want to be with us from “She said yes” to “I do”.”

We’re so excited for Miranda + Zac, and love the idea of them using the concept from the shoot throughout their wedding. Too cute!

Photographer: Melissa Wilson Photography / Florals + Concept Design: Supposey Florals / Makeup Artist: Kristen Lee Saxon, Stay the Clinical Spa / Hair Stylist: MaddMaxx Hair / Videographer: chrisdscott films / Design Assist: Sara Gillianne Weddings + Events / Cake + Macaroons: Emerald Coast Custom Cakes / Artistic Script + Misc Props: YOUnique Statements / Scalloped Gold Glitter Garland: Steph Loves Ben / Balloon + Tassel: The Flair Exchange / Bride + Groom: Miranda Coley + Zac Taylor

3 comments

10 Jan

Romantic Georgia wedding: Cindy + Adelin

categories Real Weddings

Gah, Cindy’s dress is the type of dress we really wish we could have seen up close and personal. The powdered blush silk, cream taffeta silk, ecru lace… it’s the stuff of wedding dress dreams! And Cindy had a hand in the process of making it, alongside her mother-in-law. What a great bonding experience to have with your MIL, right? Well, the result was nothing short of breathtaking and worth all the hours they put in. You’re in for a treat with the rest of their vintage inspired wedding, captured by Arina Borodina.

How pretty is that BHLDN sakura halo?

The color of the dress was crucial for me. We used a powdered blush silk for the lining and a cream taffeta silk for the dress. The lace was ecru, a darker ivory, giving the dress a very vintage look. I wanted it to be modest, yet beautiful. We designed a lovely bateau neckline that was continuous with the sweet cap sleeves and the open v-line back. We re-designed the lace with the contours of the curves. This took hours but it was well worth it making the dress appear to be made out of one piece of lace. I also wanted a long train and we made sure to make it as long as possible. The entire process was very special as I saw my dream come true with each step.

Cindy’s grandma and aunt hand crocheted over 300 doilies to tie over their honey jar favors.

Arina Borodina, we absolutely love how beautifully you captured these two and all of their wedding details!

Congratulations Cindy + Adelin!

For more inspiration check out Wedding Ideas section + Pinterest boards.

Photography: Arina Borodina / Floral design for ceremony: Hacman Floral / Floral design for reception: Amy Osaba / Ceremony venue: Lawrenceville Romanian SDA Church / Reception venue: Summerour Studio / Cakes + cupcakes: Anne Kathleen Cakes / Macarons: Mozart’s Bakery / Catering: Endive Fine Catering / Rentals: Settee-Event Décor Rentals / Cinematography: Dragos Photography and Videography / Hair + Makeup: Ann Tecu / Wedding dress: designed by Bride and handmade by mother-in-law / Bride’s shoes: Coco Chanel / Headband: BHLDN / Bridesmaids dresses: BHLDN / Groomsmen suits: J.Crew, H&M / Grooms suit: Ben Sherman / Grooms tie: Billy Reid / Grooms shoes: To Boot New York / Flower girls dress: Baby Gap