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Fantasy Friday ~ Embracing The Inner Nerd

2013-05-24T08:00:31Z

So, I really dig it when a couple is authentic. I dig it when a couple truly embraces who they are, and willing to incorporate themselves into their engagement shoot (and their wedding) for the world to see. Enter Mandy and Will... They are getting married on Halloween, and of course, their guests are to attend the nuptials in costume (duh). So why not just completely go for it, embrace their inner 'nerd', and add a few comic books and some Superman to their engagement shoot? Seems fitting, right? Anything else would be considered, ordinary.

If you find yourself struggling with the "perfect" engagement shoot, then ask yourself, bridey, what are you passionate about? What is your fiancé passionate about? Is there any way you could combine the two? Because if you really want to move away from the mundane, super conventional engagement shoot, then do it! But, make it meaningful; make it something you'll get a kick out of when you see the photographs twenty years from now.

See, it's not all fun and games! Mandy and Will sure do clean up nicely!

But, wait... What's that I see? It's a bird. It's a plane. It's SUPERMAN!!

Phew... Superman and his gal needed to take a quick break!

Yup! I LOVE them too... Hey Mandy! Where did you get this fucking awesome shoes?!!

Real Wedding Wednesday ~ What do Stilt Walkers, Peacock Feathers & An AMAZING Cake Have in Common?

2013-05-22T08:00:22Z

I want to be friends with Natasha and Gayan... Seriously, and it's not just because they are a super handsome couple with eclectically fabulous taste, but because they are cool and stayed true to themselves and their heritage when it came to their wedding. And you know how much I dig a bride and groom who keep it real during the planning and truly enjoy their wedding day...

So, Natasha and Gayan met and live in Washington, DC, but after Gayan proposed, Natasha knew she wanted to have the wedding in her hometown in the Tampa Bay area. Because their guests were traveling from all over the world (Gayan's grandmother came all the way from Sri Lanka), they wanted to spoil them with all that the Tampa Bay has to offer... The beaches, city life, historic areas, gorgeous weather... Not to mention a wonderful place to be for a mid March wedding!

The ceremony and reception took place at the Palmetto Club, in Lithia, FL. The site encapsulated exactly what the couple wanted. An elegant ceremony featuring bits and pieces from the bride's Cuban culture, and the groom's Sri Lankan heritage. And a versatile reception space with ceilings tall enough for stilt walkers!!!

Natasha and Gayan's wedding was the perfect combination of traditional elegance with a multicultural twist that kept the day beautiful and exciting!

So cute. I love the way Gayan looks as he takes in Natasha for the first time.

Not a bad looking bunch! I am completely melting over the blue and purple orchid!

The Truth Hurts Tuesday ~ Is This Going to Matter in a Year?

2013-05-21T11:00:02Z

After a busy weekend filled with an amazingly beautiful wedding, tons of family dynamics, and plenty of booze, I wanted to share another dose of perspective with you, bridey. The only way I can reasonably get my point across is by quoting the Rolling Stones; a line I can clearly hear my father singing to me in my early days... "You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you get what you need." Now that we're all going to be singing that for the rest of the day... Brideys, this is an important lesson. I mean it, please try to remember this phrase as you are working hard making the arrangements for your weddings. Don't let something you THINK you need steal your thunder. Don't let little disappointments capture your mojo. And if you find these little things piling up, then ask yourself this, "Is this going to matter in a year?" Will I give a shit about this particular detail a year from now?

Why You Should Hire a Photographer AND a Videographer...

2013-05-19T12:00:00Z

~ This is a sponsored post ~

A wedding day is a very special day in a couple’s life, which is why it is so important to have a video recording of the event! Through photographs and/or videos: tears, toasts and tantrums (hopefully there won’t be too many!), are captured and preserved so that couples can look back on the day when they proclaimed their love and commitment to each other.

If you have a big budget and can afford to hire both a photographer and videographer, then that’s awesome! As many couples have expressed their regrets after not hiring a wedding videographer.

Once considered a ‘luxury’, wedding videography is now becoming more and more common as we embrace the digital age with ferocity. This is happening despite the added cost of hiring both a videographer and photographer; but you really can’t go without either as they both offer different value when capturing your big day.

Super Stylish Sunday ~ Whimsical Wonder Wheel

2013-05-19T08:01:45Z

I love this wedding. Seriously, how cool are the bride and groom? Hold on, let me count the ways... Let's see... They live in Brooklyn, NY, Joseph (the groom) is rockin' a rad fedora, Ashley is OWNING an incredible, feather headpiece and they're eating a fucking hot dog!! LOVE IT!!! But, the best part? Look how much fun they're having! I mean... Just look at them chomping that dog! Although if they weren't having fun, then something would be very, very wrong! Right? And would you look at that boutonniere! Or the HOT red tie? FAB U LOUS!

Because Ashley and Joseph are about to have their first anniversary, I thought I would celebrate with them by sharing their wedding in my Super Stylish section (um, because it's so fucking fantastic and stylish, duh). So, happy anniversary Ashley and Joe! Thank you for sharing your coolness with BB!

So... You know what? The ceremony was supposed to be on the Wonder Wheel (AWESOME), but they were painting it in preparation for Memorial Day, so it ended up being held on the Boardwalk instead.

Look how strikingly beautiful Ashley is? Right? It doesn't hurt that she is a superstar marathon runner!

I picture her yelling to her guests that, "C'mon on people, it's time for the ceremony!"

Fantasy Friday ~ Twelve Down, Thirty-Eight to Go!

2013-05-17T08:00:00Z

Meet Renee and Robin. Renee and Robin met at church, have been together for six years, have three kids, and are getting married in Kauai (where these images were taken) in August! Pretty fucking awesome, right? Totally!

But, you're probably wondering why this extraordinary engagement shoot falls under Fantasy Friday. I mean, yes these are amazing photographs. And yes, they ARE in Hawaii, but that's not why this post is here today. It's here today because as of this past Tuesday, Minnesota became the 12th state to legalize same-sex marriage. And my fantasy? Well, my fantasy is that the rest of the states, the slow pokes, will do the same... and fast!

So, please enjoy and savor these beautiful photographs of two people who love each other... Two people who love their kids, and of two people who deserve the same rights that I have by default... all because I sleep next to a man.

C'mon, they're in Hawaii... How could we not show you some of the local fabulousness?

I love how Renee is looking at Robin being a goof!

SO in love!

Real Wedding Wednesday ~ Donuts and Doggies

2013-05-15T08:00:54Z

I mean... How could I not open with this picture? Right? And honestly, please don't judge me, brideys, but I am a cat person, not a dog person, however I totally melted over this one. So cute, right??! And looks like he even got a little hair cut for the wedding too. Shut up!

Anyway, I should probably tell you about the bride and groom! So the handsome guy in the tux is a Navy jet pilot. First of all, how fucking cool is that? What's even cooler? Apparently, they met in high school and he chased her for years before she finally gave in. And now... I'm sharing their stunning wedding with you. Just WAIT until you see their "cake" or "cakes" rather. I seriously fell over... and then I wanted to dive through the screen and dig in.

This is such a great photograph! I love how cas the girls are. Right? Just putting their hands in their pockets while chillin' with the bride, also with her hands in her pockets. Normally, I'm not a huge fan of pockets in wedding dresses because you brideys, try to hide things in them, but this time? I'm LOVIN' them!

Fire pit! How fantastic is that? Also makes for a lovely photo opportunity!

I really love her bouquet. And, not for nothing, she looks utterly happy and stunning too!

The Truth Hurts Tuesday ~ Effective Negotiation or Ineffective Mediation?

2013-05-14T08:00:50Z

Today I'm struggling with an email I received from a bride who I KNEW I shouldn't have taken on, but I did because I just haven't learned my lesson! Actually, I can honestly say that I took it for the money. She's got a lot of it, and not only is that enticing for me personally, but oftentimes it makes for a super fun planning experience too. Well... USUALLY it does.

Anyway, recently, we visited several venues and received several proposals with the hopes of solidifying a space quickly so that we could move on to the fun stuff; decor! However, enclosed in her email was a wish list of sorts based on the spaces we saw. And it was shocking. Actually, it was undeniably, borderline horrifying. Because this wasn't just any wish list. This was a genie in a fucking bottle wish list. This was an "I'm smoking the fuck out of this crack pipe" list. As a matter of fact, it was more like an "I want everything for free, and I'm totally entitled to it because, I know you want my business, so fuck off" kind of wish list.

Seriously, I stood at my computer completely shocked. Because although I knew this bridey was going to be a bit of a challenge (code for what we industry peeps call a total pain in the ass), cheap wasn't really what I had expected. I mean, it's one thing to negotiate, but it's a whole other ball game to expect that you are exempt from paying for shit because you're getting married.

So, bridey, based on this ridiculous email, I thought I'd share with you a few secrets about negotiation:

Super Stylish Sunday ~ Dreams Really Do Come True...

2013-05-12T08:00:15Z

Look at this picture. I mean, REALLY look. Would you believe me if I told you that this is a rainbow themed, styled shoot at Morningside Manor in Arvada, Colorado? The reason I'm asking is because doesn't this couple look like a real soon-to-be or married couple? Seriously... I just can't believe that they are part of the shoot! Perhaps they are together in real life, or maybe after the shoot they got down and dirty... rainbow style. But, no matter what, the chemistry of the "models" mixed with the awesomeness of this styled shoot almost leaves me at a loss for words! ALMOST.

Okay, moving past the obvious sexual tension, I really applaud all of the hard work that went into this photo session. Brideys, if you scroll down, you will see some profoundly creative tablescapes, a fabulously cool cake and a pretty dramatic altar. If you're looking for a creative theme with tons of DIY elements, then check this shit out!

I have to admit, I'm not usually a fan of the bow on the chair thing, but because of the multicolor effect, I really love it!

I am obsessed with the alternating napkins and beverages! What a good idea! I mean... just throw a little vodka in the glass, and it may even be perfect!

YUM. YUM. YUM. And you know what the best part is? It's a cake that can easily be made by a friend or relative, that will look cool and cost you nothing.

Fantasy Friday ~ Great Gatsby Inspired Styled Shoot

2013-05-10T08:00:07Z

I am freaking out over this shoot. Like completely freaking the fuck out! Seriously, these photographs are absolutely stunning. The amazingly bright green tables, the perfect red rose, the gold... All mixed with this cool ass couple? Rockin'... I mean... Can you imagine if there was sound to go with this shoot? I can hear it, can you?

Brideys, if you are looking for a themed, beautiful and amazingly colorful wedding, then scroll down and breath in these GORGEOUS photographs. Please notice the attention to detail, the perfectly coordinated pallet and the kick ass cake (of course)!

I always love seeing the gold flatware, but honestly, I'm totally distracted by how magnetic this couple is! It's just not fair to be that perfect, right? I mean, c'mon! Not too mention that fantastically exquisite headpiece she's wearing so magnificently.

Look at this table! It's dazzling! Isn't that menu lovely?

I just died and went to heaven. Totally breathtaking.