Savvy Chic Weddings

Saying Goodbye

2010-06-27T12:03:00.001-04:00

Dear loyal readers (if there are any of you left) and friends,

It is with a somewhat heavy heart that I write this post. As you can see it's been some time since the blog was updated. To be honest, my heart hasn't been in writing the blog. I told myself I would think about if I wanted to continue while I was on vacation. It's now been a month since I went on vacation, and I haven't had the desire to write a post.

My heart isn't in it anymore. Originally, I started this blog to get to know people in the wedding industry and to keep up with the news and trends in the industry, as a way of me possibly embarking on a career as we wedding and events planner. While I have made many friends, I didn't find many open doors to the career path I was hoping for.

As time has gone on, I realized that while I love weddings, I might not be cut out to be a wedding planner. In addition, there are so many wonderful wedding blogs out there, it has been hard for me to compete and at this time, I don't want to even try.

To those wonderful vendors and friends that I was honored to meet and feature here, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your time and talent. I hope to still stay in touch with you and follow your doings.

To those who took the time to read the blog, who followed me on Twitter and Facebook, and who encouraged me in the past ten months, I thank you for believing in what I was doing.

The site will remain open until September when the domain name expires. I hope that the stories here will lead to some good contacts for the vendors I have featured.

Thanks for visiting and many happy wishes to you all!

Vendor Spotlight - Minnesota Dessert Table Designer Shauna Younge

2010-05-14T06:00:00.001-04:00

There is a new trend in the wedding industry that I've seen many couples partake in - designer dessert tables! If you follow any of the major wedding websites out there or pick up a wedding magazine, I'm sure you've seen these gorgeous tables filled to the rim with gorgeous confections such as multi-colored macaroons, custom designed truffles, and some of the most adorable cupcakes you've ever laid eyes on, amongst other things.

While these tables might look simple enough to design, it actually takes a keen sense of style and a great deal of knowledge about what materials are available to you to make the dessert table of your dreams come true and that is where today's vendor comes in. Today we are pleased to welcome, Shauna Younge, of Shauna Younge Dessert Tables to Savvy Chic Weddings.

SCW: How did you get started designing dessert tables?

Shauna: I designed my first table for a shower my friend hosted. After seeing the guests' surprised reactions, I realized how accustomed we've become to buffets with lots of food and little style.

SCW: What sort of products and materials do you use on your tables?

Shauna: There really aren't any limits to the resources I'll tap to find the perfect element for a table. I designed a table for Nonpareil Magazine's upcoming June issue, and I wanted to find unexpected ways to interpret a woodsy vibe. I chose candies and desserts that brought a faux-bois element to the design, and I looked for alternatives to traditional branches.

SCW: What do couples getting married, having an engagement party, or shower need to know about your work?

Shauna: All the rules are out the window. I don't have a pre-defined menu, a typical layout, or standard cake stands. Instead, I tailor each design, from the linens up, to be an edible representation of the couple and their unique relationship.

SCW: Does anyone in the wedding industry inspire you?

Shauna: I really like Michelle Rago's style and Preston Bailey's floral artistry. He creates such beautiful floral animals. I also look to interior design and fashion trends for inspiration. Some of the most unexpected color and pattern combinations I've encountered were on a dress or a throw pillow that caught my attention.

SCW: What has been your favorite creation so far, and what was the theme or inspiration behind it?

Shauna: I always enjoy the creative process, so it's hard to single out one design. But, I've probably gotten the most inquiries about a lilac, plum, and grey table I designed in January. (See inspiration board below) Two macaroon towers made a stunning backdrop for custom cookies and gourmet marshmallows. The cake was inspired by the bride's grey Monique Lhuillier gown and the groom's suit. The gown's shimmery bodice is echoed in rock candy, cupcake toppers, and white chocolate gems. The most challenging aspect was finding beautiful grey desserts. I finally sourced some hand-painted grey truffles that were a perfect fit for the couple and their event.

SCW: Is there anything else you'd like to share with our readers?

Shauna: I encourage brides interested in designing a dessert buffet to analyze each element they include on the table. Keep your event's theme, color palette, and important details in mind to create a cohesive display.

Many thanks goes out to Shauna Younge for sharing her insight on Designer Dessert Tables and some photographs of her gorgeous creations. For more on Shauna's services please stop by shaunayounge.com and check out Shauna Younge's blog for find for insight into Shauna's designs, her inspiration, and tons of eye candy!

Happy Planning!

Weekly Wedding News And Around The Wedding Blogs

2010-05-10T06:00:00.000-04:00

It's Monday which means I have all the wedding news and best wedding blog posts for you to enjoy. Grab a cup of coffee or tea and take a look!

Celebs Seth Green and Clare Grant Get Married - Source MTV
Wish Upon A Wedding Grants Lupus Patient Dream Wedding - Source SF Gate
Swoon To Debut Affordable Wedding Gowns - Source LA Times
Destination Wedding Tips - Source MSNBC
Celebrity Trend - Renewing Wedding Vows - Source Access Hollywood

The Bride's Cafe showcases Susannah & Justin's Wedding with DIY Touches
Style Me Pretty presents A Blue & Yellow Santa Barbara Wedding
Wedding Wire gives A Down Home Wedding in Turquoise and Yellow
Wedding Paper Divas share A Poolside Wedding

Enjoy and Happy Planning!

Vendor Spotlight - MN Wedding Photographers Staja Studios

2010-05-06T06:00:00.009-04:00

Friday's here! One of the things I love to do most on Fridays is daydream and get lost in my favorite wedding blogs. Today, I find myself getting lost in my own blog.

As some of you know, I am really into Twitter. It is a great way to make new friends and contacts and keep up with the wedding industry. A few months ago I started following Minneapolis Wedding Photographers Staja Studios . As I always do when I start following someone new on Twitter, I took some time to view their website and blog. To say I was Amazed would be an understatement! Their photography is truly breathtaking - classic, elegant, emotional, and heartfelt. In short, they are all of the things I love in a wedding photographer.

Jason and I have been able to converse a bit through e-mail and by phone and I am honored to share some more information about Staja Studios, their philosophy and thoughts on photography, and of course, some beautiful photographs I am sure you'll all get lost in!

SCW: How long have you been shooting weddings? About how many weddings do you shoot per year?

Staja Studios: Stacey shot her first wedding in 2002 as a favor to my sister. At the time she was working in the commercial photography world and weddings were the last thing on her mind. Low and behold, she actually enjoyed herself. After doing another wedding for a friend in 2003, the plan for Staja Studios was officially put into place. 2004 was really the first summer that we started getting the word out. Until the fall of 2008, we kept a low profile and did not take on too many events as Stacey really wanted to stay home with our kids while they were infants. At this point, we are both full time in the business and currently shoot 25-30 weddings per year.

SCW: How would you describe your shooting style and your philosophy when it comes to shooting weddings?

Staja Studios: We like to describe ourselves as the Ralph Lauren of wedding photography. We call our our style "Modern Elegance". We define that as a style that is geared towards a fashionable yet very tasteful bride. Our goal is for our images to stand the test of time and to be as in-style many years from now as they are today. We want our clients' children and grandchildren to love the images just as much as they do. We love classic black & white, and our colors to have a vibrancy to them, while not looking fake. Our philosophy is to try and take a very editorial approach towards weddings. Through this, we try to blend our love of fashion, documentary, and fine-art influences into our images. When the day is over, we want to be able to tell a story and make you feel like you were there, while still including some amazing imagery of the couple.

SCW: What do you feel are the advantages of having a husband and wife team working together on a wedding?

Staja Studios: We think there are lots of advantages working as a husband and wife team. Number one, we trust one another. In our case, our name is Staja Studios, STAcey and JAson. It's our name on the door, not someone else's. That means we both have a very vested interest in the business. Secondly, we know one another's style, interests, strengths, etc. In our case, Stacey is the one who does more interacting with the clients on the day of the wedding and before. Her background in a family business meant dealing with people and families on a regular basis. She prefers shooting with a wider lens and telling a mini story within a single shot. My previous business experience had me dealing with other companies, colleagues, etc. I am often the one who is meeting with other wedding professionals, and dealing with the networking side of our business. This extends to shooting. I am often using a bigger lens and filling my frame with those fabulous expressions that every wedding provides. I think that is possibly why I love the look of many black and whites. In addition, we know each other inside and out and can anticipate what the others next move will be. We have the ability to tell the other person something that you might not have in the typical "primary shooter" "associate shooter" roles. If I see a shot while Stacey is shooting, I can tell her without worrying about it being "out of line", and vice-versa. Not to mention, we can crack a joke at the others expense in an effort to loosen up the group, make it personal and part of the experience.

We also feel it's very beneficial to have both a male and female perspective on the wedding day. Stacey usually hangs out with the girls before the ceremony and I'm with the guys. We have already gone through a wedding and now are parents. This has brought a completely new viewpoint to our weddings. We find ourselves more attuned to what the father of the bride is feeling for instance, than what we might have had before being parents. One of my absolute favorite shots from this year is of one our bride's dad walking her down the aisle because I now have a good idea of what he must be thinking.

SCW: If you could give some advice to brides and grooms about selecting the photographer for their weddings, what would it be?

Staja Studios: When selecting a photographer, our number one piece of advice is "don't settle"! You need to be excited to work with the person you choose. Don't treat your wedding images as a commodity. Besides the love for your spouse, this is one of the very few things you have left to remember the day! More specifically, when trying to select who you want to photograph and capture your day, there are a few things you need to really think about.

#1) Do their images "speak to you" and stir an emotion?

#2) Personality! Is this person(s), someone you would like at your wedding, or maybe more importantly NOT like at your wedding. If you can't actually meet with a perspective photographer, try to schedule a phone conversation, follow their blog or befriend them on Facebook. Try to assess what they will be like at your wedding. You don't want someone who is going to make you nervous, annoy you, etc. A negative relationship between you and your photographer will most certainly show up in your expression in those very important wedding pictures.

#3) Set yourself up for success. Do some research and figure out what you want and what you can afford. Don't go falling in love with someone who you know is well out of your budget. With that said, leave yourself some wiggle room. It is better to love the photographer you hire and get a smaller photo collection than going with someone who you aren't as excited about, but getting all kinds of goodies. Your excitement and anticipation is just as important as the person taking the images. The happier you are, the better the images will be. Find out all your options. Many photographers can set up a registry of sorts so your guests can contribute towards your album in lieu of a gift. Also consider using some of your wedding gift money to buy your album after the event. It'll be woth it if you are happy with who you are going to be working with!

Sounds like great advice to me!

You've already seen some images from Jesse & Bobby's Wedding that Staja Studios was kind enough to share with us, but let's take a closer look at this classically romantic wedding. From the castle-like feel of The Mill City Museum to the bride's modern yet timeless Melissa Sweet for Priscilla of Boston gown, to the elegant floral arrangements by Luna Vinca, this wedding screams sophistication, class, and timeless beauty.

From Staja Studios:

Bobby was the epitome of a groom who did his best to make their wedding as memorable as possible. From helping plan and organize things, to little surprises, he definitely got things kicked off on the right foot. What Jesse didn't know was that the biggest surprise was still in store. Bobby arranged for one of their favorite local bands, Romantica, to start playing when they entered their reception, which led right into their first dance. We can honestly say that Jesse was so surprised, excited, and genuinely happy at that moment, that it will stay with us for a long time.

Stunning, right? One look at these photographs and it's easy to see that Stacey and Jason really connect with their couples and this relationship allows them to capture once in a lifetime moments that will forever be cherished.

My sincerest thanks to Staja Studios for sharing their time and talent with our readers. If you are interested in finding out about Jason and Stacey's services, visit their website, and be sure to spend some time over at the Staja Studios blog to see some recent weddings and also get a glimpse into their everyday lives.

Happy Daydreaming and Planning, to all!

Monday News and Blog Round-Up

2010-05-03T06:00:00.012-04:00

Ahhh, another week done which means another week of wedding news and beautiful blog posts to sort through.

First things first, we have a winner in our contest to win a 1 year subscription to the wedding magazine of your choice. This was a Facebook "like" and a blog comment contest, so if you left a comment or "like" us on Facebook you were entered. Our winner is Mindy Marinelli who likes us on Facebook. Congratulations, Mindy! We'll be having more contests in the future, so stay tuned.

Now on to this week's wedding news and blog posts:

Olympic Gold Medalist Kerri Strug gets Married - Source: People.com
Wedding Etiquette Answers - Souce: Pittsburgh Post-Gazzette
Brides and Blogs - Source: The Province
Wedding E-mail Etiquette - Source: GeekSugar

Abby showcases A Beautiful Rustic Oregon Winter Wedding over at Style Me Pretty

Silvia scoured the blogosphere to provide Tuscan Wedding Inspiration over at Beau-Coup

Amber shares A Gorgeous South Carolina Wedding in honor of her upcoming trip to SC over at Tried and True

Carly highlights A Brightly Themed Wedding With A Touch of Disney at The Disney Wedding Blog

I'm a sucker for beautiful churches and Janie shares A Lovely San Francisco Wedding with a gorgeous church in the background over at The Bride's Cafe

I get hungry just looking at the pictures of Mary Frances and Andy's South Carolina Wedding over at Southern Weddings . Mini cupcakes and sliders...yum!!

I couldn't decide between the two beautiful weddings Ami put up over at Elizabeth Anne Designs so I invite you to check out Lesley & Adam's Classically Romantic Wedding and Kelly & Josh's Palm Beach Wedding.

Last but not least, get your tissues and out and go over and read about The Lovely and Practical Wedding of Nancy and Sean . Nancy is a breast cancer patient who planned her wedding in two weeks on a shoestring budget. Meg over at A Practical Wedding showcased this wedding on her wonderful blog.

If you have any wedding news you think we should share or blogs we should be checking out, leave a comment, send an e-mail or visit the Facebook page.

Happy Planning,

The Eco-Chic Registry

2010-04-28T06:00:00.004-04:00

I want to first start by apologizing for no post last Wednesday. I wanted to write about buying recycled gowns, but I feel I need to do more research on this and talk to some experts before I go forward with that. Look for a detailed post on this subject in the near future.

Today, I want to talk about items you can add to your wedding registry that are organic or eco-friendly. Yes, there are specific places you can go online to create a completely eco-friendly registry, but I am sure most people won't do that, or won't use one of these sites exclusively. Instead, I want to focus on products you can find at some of the bigger stores out there and show you what they have to offer in the way of environmentally conscious options. Even if your entire registry isn't made up with these types of things, you may still want to add a few things to your registry. I think you'll be surprised at what is available and how truly chic and beautiful it can be.

Let's start at Macy's. Macy's is a very popular choice for couples because they have great programs attached to their registry program such as the opportunity to earn rewards when people buy certain brands from your registry and a discount off of any remaining items on your registry after your wedding day. While Macy's does not have an enormous selection of organic and eco-friendly products they do have some of the basics such as Organic Ralph Lauren Towels. Organic Kitchen Accessories, and Calvin KleinOrganic Bedding. One unique way you can help the earth is to take advantage of Macy's Go Green registry option which allows you to opt that gifts be sent without wrapping paper or a signature gift box.

Crate and Barrel is another popular choice for wedding registrants. They have a very extensive list of organic items from Organic Dinnerware, Serving Pieces, Cookbooks, Utensils, Bedding, and even Furniture!

One of their most popular items is their GreenPan cookware collection, These pans, made with ceramic based non-stick coating emit 50% less greenhouse gases during production and contain no toxic substances. Not only are these pans eco-friendly, their also incredibly affordable!

Crate and Barrel offers a completion discount to purchase any items you do not receive as gifts. This is one store that you could truly have a 100 percent eco-friendly registry if you so desired

Lastly, let's hop over to my favorite place to register for gifts, Bed, Bath, and Beyond. Why do I love BB&B so much? They have an AMAZING selection, they offer free gift wrapping, and oh yes..you have to love the 20% off coupons they are always sending out. (Tip: Most people don't know this, but BB&B accepts their own expired coupons so don't throw those bad boys into the recycling bin!)

BB&B has Organic Comforters and Pillows, as well as one of my personal favorites, the Pure Beech Jersey Knit Sheets. Imagine going to sleep surrounded by your favorite t-shirt every night. That's how amazingly soft these sheets are They are made of a beech/cotton blend so you can feel good about the fact that they are made with 100% natural fibers.

Are any of you considering organic or eco-friendly items for your registry? We'd love to hear about it! Leave us a comment or visit our Facebook page, Like Us, and start a conversation. If you join our Facebook page or leave a comment by May 1, you'll be automatically entered to win a 1 Year Subscription to the wedding magazine of your choice.

Happy Planning!

Monday Wedding Headlines & Blog Round-Up

2010-04-26T06:00:00.007-04:00

It was another slow week in wedding news, but there are plenty of blog posts for you to check out. Without further ado, here is the best from last week:

How Much Should You Spend On A Wedding Gift? - Source Forbes.com

Vera Wang and David's Bridal Teaming Up - Source New York Magazine

How To Buy A Wedding Gown Online - Source Geek Sugar

How To Incorporate Purple Into A Summer Wedding - Source Elizabeth Anne Designs

A Cape Cod Wedding - Source Wedding Wire

Bridesmaids' Style with Watters and Watters - Source The Bride's Cafe

Inside the Pages of Southern Weddings - Source Southern Weddings Magazine

How To Choose A Green Wedding Venue for Your Disney Wedding - Source The Disney Wedding Blog

A Georgia Peach Inspired Wedding - Source Wedding Paper Divas

An Organic Wedding - Source Mindy Weiss

I hope you find some inspiration and advice in these stories and posts. Happy Planning!

Fall 2010 Wedding Fashion Round-Up

2010-04-23T09:45:00.000-04:00

As some of you who follow the wedding industry may know, last week was Bridal Fashion Week in NYC where all the big hitters in wedding fashion showcased their Fall 2010 designs. I always love Bridal Fashion Week because I can't get enough wedding and bridesmaids dresses in my life! Here are just a few of my favorites from some of the great Savvy and Chic designers:

Alfred Angelo

Photo Credit: Alfred Angelo

Watters & Watters

Photo Credit: Martha Stewart Weddings

Mori Lee

Photo Credit: The Knot

Maggie Sottero

Photo Credit: The Knot

Awww...bliss! I can't wait to see the full Fall 2010 collections revealed!

What do you think of the Fall 2010 gowns? Do you have your eye on any one in particular? Leave a comment and let us know, or join our Facebook fan page and be entered to win a 1 year subscription to the wedding magazine of your choice.

Have a great weekend and happy planning!

Monday Wedding Headlines & Blog Round-Up

2010-04-19T09:49:00.001-04:00

Photo Credit: Daily Mail

Today is Patriot's Day in the great state of Massachusetts so I have the day off of work (hurray!) On this day, the Boston Marathon is also run.

There wasn't much in the way of Wedding News but here are a few headlines for you. I also have a list of great blog posts from last week for you to check out:

Details on Emily Blunt & John Krasinski's May Wedding - Source E! Online
Lady GaGa Surprises Aussie Couple at Wedding - Source The Mirror
Glee Star Jane Lynch's Engagement Ring Details - Source Celebrity Bride Guide

This Week's Best Blog Posts:

Celebrity Wedding Planner Mindy Weiss Takes You Inside Her Latest Creation - Source mindyweiss.com
Part I and Part II of Southern Weddings Wedding of the Week - Source Southern Weddings Magazine
Style Me Pretty Showcases a Nautical Themed Wedding in Connecticut - Source Style Me Pretty
Wedding Wire presents a Vibrant Southern Wedding - Source Wedding Wire
Wedding Paper Divas starts a new series The Bride's Diary - Source Wedding Paper Divas
A romantic and elegant wedding is highlighted on Elizabeth Anne Designs - Source Elizabeth Anne Designs

What do you think of this weeks news and blog posts round-up? We'd love to hear your thoughts! Remember, just by commenting or becoming a fan on Facebook you will automatically be entered to win a 1 Year Subscription to your favorite wedding magazine.

Happy Planning!

Wedding Prep

2010-04-16T06:00:00.003-04:00

Before I was even engaged, I was fascinated with wedding magazines. I still remember this one image of a little ring bearer running on a beach at a wedding in one of those cute little shorts outfits with the crisp khaki shorts. That image is something I still think about...classy, sophisticated and oh so preppy! Even though I don't consider my style to be "preppy" per se, I love the crisp, clean Ralph Lauren of it all so when I saw Alfred Angelo's new Purely Alfred Angelo line, and this dress in particular...

I was inspired to come up with an inspiration board that's truly Preptastic! Zach Morris would be in Prep Heaven!

Photo Credits:
Invitations: Alannah Rose Centerpiece: Melanie Bloomer's Florals Boutonniere: The Knot
Flower Girl Dress: Pegeen
Cake: The Casual Gourmet Groomsmen: Erin Chris Photography Walkway: Michelle Rago Ltd

So what do you think? Are you planning a Preppy Chic wedding of your own? We'd love to hear your thoughts! Remember if you post a comment or join our fan page on Facebook, you'll be entered for a chance to win a 1 year subscription to the wedding magazine of your choice.

Until next week, Happy Planning!

Wedding 101 - Eco Chic Fashion

2010-04-14T06:00:00.005-04:00

As we continue to honor Earth Day, our subject for today's Wedding 101 segment focuses on eco friendly fashion. While it is admittedly difficult to find the variety of bridal, and bridesmaids options that traditional fashion offers, it's becoming increasingly easier to find designers that are eco-conscious. Today we will look at some of the options out there for your wedding day attire.

Photo courtesy of Isadoraclothing

As I mentioned in last Friday's post, Etsy is a great resource for all your wedding needs. Etsy seller Isadoraclothing makes an affordable, chic, and downright fun eco-friendly gown made of bamboo jersey. This dress can be worn a ton of different ways so you can have two different looks, one for your ceremony and one for your reception if you choose.

Photo courtesy of Natural Bridals

Morgan Boszilkov is an Atlanta based designer who uses sustainable fabrics to make sophisticated wedding gowns. All of the gowns are made in the US and the company follows socially responsible practices to make the gowns. Some of the gowns are even designed to be convertible, to once again, allow you to have a different look for your ceremony and reception if you so desire. 5% of all profits are donated environmental causes.

Photo courtesy of Olivia Luca

On the Olivia Luca website, you can design your own dream gown, bridesmaids dresses, or flower girl dresses. This fun and interactive site offers you a choice of bodice and skirt and many eco friendly and ethical fabric choices including Fair-Trade Silk Shantug, Fair Trade Silk Organza, Organic Cotton, Organic Linen, and Hemp/Silk Charmeuse. (They also offer numerous traditional fabrics)

Photo Courtesy of Adele Wechsler

Couture designer Adele Wechsler has a large Eco Couture Collection. Not only are all the gowns in the collection made of Certified Organic Hemp/Silk blends, Wechsler also employs socially conscious techniques in making the gowns such as using Fair Trade labor.

Photo Courtesy of Jessica Iverson

Jessica Iverson's Eco Couture collection has a vast selection of gowns, around $1100. All gowns can be made with a hempsilk blend and some can be made out of natural silk shantung, natural silk satin, and natural silk chiffon. Fair Labor practices are used to make the gowns and a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the gowns goes towards planting trees in deforested areas through Trees For The Future.

Photo Courtesy of Alfred Angelo

Alfred Angelo is jumping on the eco-chic bandwagon in the way of bridesmaids gowns. Their fall collection includes a line called Purely Alfred Angelo. Let me just say, the dresses are adorable! I know all brides tell their girls they can wear the dress again after the wedding, but these truly can be worn again. The gowns are made with eco-friendly fabrics such as silk dupioni or silk crinkle chiffon, and cotton sateen or cotton voile. I am a huge Alfred Angelo fan because their gowns are affordable and come in a vast range of sizes, all the way up to 30W.

Have you considered or chosen an eco-friendly designer for your bridal gown or bridesmaids? Leave a comment and let us know about it. Remember, if you comment on the blog or become a fan of Savvy Chic Weddings on Facebook, you'll be entered to win a 1 Year Subscription to the wedding magazine of your choice.

Happy Planning!

Monday Wedding Headlines and Blog Round-Up

2010-04-12T06:00:00.001-04:00

Welcome to another addition of Monday Headlines...all the news that's fit to print in the world of weddings.

In addition to some actual "news" I am also going to link some of my favorite posts from my favorite wedding blogs from the last week. I hope you'll visit the blogs, there are a lot of great ones out there.

And don't forget, you can win a 1 year subscription to your favorite wedding magazine just by leaving a comment on the blog or by becoming a fan on Facebook!

Now without further delay, this week's Wedding Headlines and Blog Round-Up

Wedding Number 9 for Liz Taylor? Source Calgary Herald

New Wedding Reality Show by Tori Spelling in the Works Source One Wed

How A Cruise Wedding May Save You Money Source New York Times

It's Bridal Fashion Week in New York City and the Fall 2010 Lines are being revealed, for great, in-depth coverage check out The Knot Bride's and Project Wedding

Carly at The Disney Wedding Blog featured the gorgeous wedding of Kaitlyn and Ryan which was photographed by Jess Cumbie Photography

Jen at Green Wedding Shoes introduces us to some beautiful and chic bridesmaids dresses by new designer Joanna August

Leila at Inspired by This showcases Weddings Inspired by Audrey Hepburn

Southern Weddings gives us a peek at the Real Wedding of Patricia & Jason Part I Part II

And lastly, The Bride's Cafe serves up some Spring Wedding Inspiration

Happy Planning!

Vendor Spotlight - Meet Peter Clayman of NH Images

2009-11-16T06:57:00.004-05:00

Photo Credit: Kevin Jacobus

I have another great vendor spotlight piece to brighten your Monday! I first discovered Peter Clayman's work at the Fenway Bridal Festival back in September and was instantly mesmerized by his gorgeous photography. Peter is very dedicated to his work, but is also very approachable, which are important factors to look for when choosing a photographer. Being a former Savvy Chic bride, I also have to say that I was stunned at just how reasonable his prices are for such high quality work. If you are in the New England area, you should definitely consider hiring Peter for your wedding photography.
I had a chance to interview Peter and he was also kind enough to share some shots from a real wedding. Enjoy!

SCW: How long have you been photographing weddings and how did you get started?

Peter: We have been photographing weddings for over 11 years. I got started by doing some family weddings before becoming an apprentice to a great wedding photographer....then I went on my own.

SCW: What is your philosophy when it comes to weddings?

Peter: I want to take the best possible pictures and let the bride and groom enjoy their day!

SCW: If you could give advice to couples looking for a photographer for their weddings, what would you tell them?

Peter: To hire us of course :) Other than that, I would suggest they pick a photographer based on 2 key items. First you need to love the photos (not just like them) and second is that you need to really enjoy the personality of the photographer as well. Other than your friends and family you will be around this person more often than not.

Peter sent over these photos from a wedding he shot. I am a sucker for all things classically romantic and these shots fit the bill. This wedding was truly sunny, simple and beautiful!

Photo Credit: All Photos Courtesy of Peter Clayman at NH Images

We'd like to extend our thanks to Peter for allowing us to interview him and feature some of his work on the blog. To see more of his work check out Peter's website and blog.

Online Treasure Hunting

2010-04-09T06:00:00.004-04:00

Have you all been introduced to Etsy? If you're in the process of planning a wedding, (or even if you're not!) I highly recommend checking them out. Etsy is basically a community of artists that hand make various goods from invitations, to clothing to favors...Etsy has it all and you probably won't have to spend a ton of money to buy something beautiful. You can search various categories for the item of your choice, or you might even be able to commission something to your liking from one of the various sellers.

Let's take a peek at some of the gorgeous wedding related items I found by searching Etsy on any given day...

This first item is from an artist named josephinebijoux. She presents a beautiful Swarovski pearl bracelet with a beautiful filgree flower center. This little beauty is a steal at only $33!

And wouldn't that bracelet look beautiful with your own, custom made eco-friendly bridal gown? Threadhead Creations makes some beautiful gowns, made of organic cotton and unbleached silk chiffon. At only $800 this particular gown is a great deal for the eco-conscious bride.

Looking for cute bridesmaids gifts? I found these adorable, custom made wristlets made by ChamberryCherry for only $26 each! She can also make tote bags if you prefer!

Maybe you're having a wedding in a rustic barn on a warm summer night and want to carry that feeling to the outside decor as well. I found this handmade wooden directional stake for only $36 by TrueConnection.

One very popular item which even made it's way onto the pages of Martha Stewart Weddings is the ring bearer bowl designed by palomasnest. This is a nice alternative to the traditional ring bearer pillow as it can actually be used after the wedding to hold your jewelery, if you so choose.

I thought of my very good friend (and bride to-be) Katie when I found these...the ultimate groom's gift...iPhone Cufflinks! These adorable cufflinks by blinkphoto are the perfect gift for your groom, or tech savvy groomsmen and they're only $30!

Last but not least there are the paper products..from save the date cards, to shower invites, to wedding suites, to thank you cards..there are numerous options to be found on Etsy. One of my favorite designers goes by the name lvandy27. I love the rich colors she uses in her designs...from preppy to chic, they are lovely!

Have you ordered anything off of Etsy or will you consider using Etsy for your wedding needs? We'd love to hear your thoughts and recommendations.

Remember, if you leave a comment or become a fan on Facebook, you'll be automatically entered to win a year's subscription to your favorite wedding magazine.

I hope you all find the treasure you seek! Happy Planning!

Note: I have no affiliation or business relationship with Etsy or any of the sellers featured in this post...I just happen to like their goods.

Wedding 101 - Eco-Chic Invitations

2010-04-07T06:00:00.008-04:00

In honor of Earth Day, all of our Wedding 101 features this month will provide a small way in which your wedding can be a little more Earth friendly. Today we'll talk about invitations and paper products - one of the easiest ways in which you can make a small difference for the environment.

I am not an expert when it comes to having an Earth friendly or Eco-Chic weddings, but I do know a little bit about it. For my own wedding, it was important to me to do a little something to help the Earth so I chose a hand-pressed paper made with rose petals for our wedding invitations. The invitations were unique and memorable (I even had a groomsman comment on how beautiful the invitation was!) and fit our theme.

There are an overwhelming number of factors to consider when looking at a printer for your invitation suite and other wedding paper needs. Some things to consider:

Is the business environmentally certified?
Does the company use renewable resources such as wind or solar power, to operate?
Do they follow environmentally friendly practices, such as buying renewable energy credits to offset CO2 emissions that they can not eliminate.
Do they offer natural ink options such as soy or vegetable?
Do they offer environmentally friendly paper options such as 100% Post Consumer Waste (recycled) paper, or tree free options such as hemp, cotton, or kenaf?

All of these questions should be considered when choosing an environmentally friendly invitation.

In my research, I found a number of great resources for Green Wedding invitations. While I do not have any sort of relationship with these businesses, I was impressed with their stated missions and practices and I would consider them myself for my invitation and printed paper needs.

Earthly Affair Earthly Affair has a high standard of practices including offering invitations that are made with post consumer-waster or cotton paper. The printing is done via flat printing and other environmentally friendly options. They recylce and compost leftover scraps and even offset CO2 emissions through carbonfund.org

Night Owl Paper Goods Night Owl Paper Goods offers invitations, note cards and other paper products printed on sustainably harvested wood

Of The Earth Offers handmade, tree-free and post consumer waste papers free from chemicals and uses every effort to reduce the use of water and other resources in its printing.

Green Field Paper Company Offers a unique variety of paper possibilities including Grow-A-Note seed embedded paper which can be planted in the ground to produce a flower plant.

Invitesite A vast selection of eco-friendly invitations can be found on this website. They offer numerous Post Consumer Waste options, as well as paper free options such as lotka (rice) botanical leafs, and husk

Tasha Rae Designs I love supporting the little guy (or gal in this case) and was really impressed with Tasha's designs. Tasha offers custom designs while following eco-friendly practices such donating scraps to her daughter's school or reusing for future projects, reusing shipping and packing supplies, recycling ink cartridges, and planting a tree for every eco-friendly order through www.americanforests.org

Twisted Limb Paperworks This is a production art studio that is truly environmentally conscious. Their paper is 100% recycled, consisting of old colored office paper and grocery bags, with the inclusion of seeds, flowers, and grass and made with recycled water from the office's dehumidifier and air conditioner whenever possible. The company offsets CO2 emissions from commuting, travel, and office operations by investing in renewable energy through Native Energy and they donate to environmental conservation efforts and community groups each year.

Are there other eco-friendly invitation resources brides and grooms should consider? Did you use one of the businesses listed above? Leave a comment to let us know and you'll be entered in our contest to win a one year subscription to the wedding magazine of your choice. (Or come join our fan page on Facebook!)

Happy (Earth Friendly) Planning!

Wedding News

2010-04-05T06:00:00.004-04:00

Today we're going to start off our Wedding News series with some headlines as well as an opportunity for you to to win a great prize!

Wedding Headlines:

Katy Perry picks Monique L'Huillier to design two piece wedding gown - Source One Wed

Exclusive Pics of Real Housewives Bethenny Frankel and Jason Hoppy's Wedding - Source OK!

Six Ways To Keep Wedding Costs Down - Source USA Weekend

Wines That Go Great With Weding Cake - Source The Dallas Morning News

Real Life Tales of Wedding Night Mishaps - Source Bride's

Now here's how you can win a great prize! I am happy to announce the first ever Savvy Chic Weddings giveaway! The prize is a one year subscription to the wedding magazine of your choice! Some of my personal favorites are Bride's, Martha Stewart Weddings, Get Married, and Bridal Guide, but if you have another magazine you like and you are the lucky winner let me know and we'll work something out to get you a subscription.

This contest is open to everyone, including those outside of the US, however, if I am unable to find a magazine subscription for you under $35 American Dollars, I reserve the right to provide an alternate prize.

To be entered all you have to do is post a comment on Savvy Chic Weddings between now and April 30 or become a fan of Savvy Chic Weddings on Facebook. If you're already a fan, you're already entered.

Good luck to all! I'm excited to see who our winner is and what magazine they'll choose!

And We're Back...

2010-04-02T16:10:00.001-04:00

If any of you are still out there, you're probably wondering where we've been. The truth is, I lost my passion for the blog. I was finding it hard to find real weddings to feature and new, exciting vendors to showcase. I wasn't happy with how disorganized my posts were. I just lost my mojo.

After taking some time, I am now ready to dive back in and relaunch the blog, starting on Monday April 5. Posts will be coming out on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. While I hope to have more great real weddings and vendor spotlights, I am also hoping to add a few new features. I'll be making the Wedding 101 posts a regular series. In addition, I plan to report on wedding trends and news stories on a weekly basis.

I hope you'll all consider coming back to Savvy Chic Weddings starting next week and giving me a chance to inform and inspire you all.

PS - As a way of enticing you to return..I'll be announcing the first ever Savvy Chic Weddings Giveaway! Come back Monday for details!

Vendor Spot Light: Meet Shang Chen

2010-02-08T07:23:00.001-05:00

Happy Mondays, Savvy Chic Readers!

I apologize for not getting this out on Friday but I was a bit under the weather. I think this feature is more than worth the wait though.

In December, we featured a fun and whimsical engagement session by the lovely and talented, Boston Wedding Photographer Shang Chen. Today, we're going to talk to her about her experience, philosophy, and insight on wedding photography. She also gives some great advise on how to find the perfect photographer for your wedding. Enjoy!

SCW: How long have you been in the photography business?

Shang: I'm starting my 3rd year. My first year I did mostly lifestyle, engagement sessions, and student group events at college. In my second year, I began photographing weddings as well due to an overwhelmingly positive response! For the foreseeable future, I intend to focus on weddings, engagements, as well as a special line of fashion-focused lifestyle sessions that I have just launched.

SCW: What is your philosophy or approach to wedding photography? How would you describe your style?

Shang: I see myself as being a genuine storyteller who aims to combine a photojournalistic background (I was trained in photojournalism as the editor-in-chief of my high school yearbook) with fine art portraiture to really show the personalities of the couple getting married as well as the friends and family who are there to celebrate with them. My brand is all about color, energy, and personality.

SCW: If you could offer one piece of advice to couples out there, what would you tell them?

Shang: Communication is so important! If there's one thing that I see many couples learn to do during their engagement, in dealing with situations with vendors or even family, it is that communication is key. My intentions are always to serve the couple and make them happy, but I need to understand what they like and what they need, so do not be afraid to communicate what is on your mind!

SCW: Do you have a dream photo shoot? Is there a celebrity wedding you wish you could have shot or is there a dream location you'd like to shoot a wedding at?

Shang: I think that what I am doing now is already living the dream! I'm really excited for the next coming years as I am opening up my photography to locations nationwide, with a focus on the Boston and Chicago metro areas as I will be splitting my time between those two cities. I actually don't have a particular focus on glamour, high-end, luxury, or celebrity weddings. Instead, I think the best weddings that I have worked at are the ones where everyone is not afraid to be themselves, be genuine. I love it when people allow that kind of intimacy of a connection at the soul level, when they can speak words with their eyes and smiles, that's when I do my best work.

Our deepest gratitude goes out to Shang for allowing us to feature her today. We love how down to earth she is and how she is living her dream through her photography business.

For more on Shang, be sure to check out her website and blog for more information and more beautiful photographs.

Until next time, Happy Planning!

Wedding 101: Legally Bond

2010-02-03T06:00:00.003-05:00

Okay, first I have to apologize for my lame attempt at a clever title. I'll try to do better next time I promise!

Today's Wedding 101 feature is going to focus on all of the legalities of getting married. It's actually a little more complicated than one would think.

Please note, this general information for the requirements necessary to marry in the United States. We love our foreign readers, but are not well versed on the requirements specific to other countries. As always, you will want to contact the proper authorities to obtain the correct information that is relevant to you.
First of all, the two parties marrying must be of age in the state they are marrying. You will want to check on this age, if you are on the young side. You will also want to check out what documentation is required for proof of age. In all states, you will be required to provide documentation. Your word is not enough.

When you go to get your marriage license, both parties will be asked to recite a pledge which basically states you understand what it is to be married. If it is later determined that a person was coerced into marriage or did not understand what it means to be married, the marriage may be invalidated.

In some states a health certificate or blood tests may be required for various reasons. Again, be sure to check on how long the health certificate or results of the blood test are valid for as your may have to present these within a certain time frame in order to get your marriage license.

If this is not your first marriage a Divorce Decree or Decree of Dissolution of Marriage will need to be presented when getting the marriage license. If the former spouse is deceased, a death certificate will need to be presented.

Provided all those obstacles are cleared, you will be presented with your very own, shiny marriage license. This authorizes you to get married. Each state has different rules for how long the marriage license is good for, so be sure to check the guidelines. You don't want to get your marriage license too soon before your wedding or the marriage will be invalid.

Beyond the state's rules, a religious ceremony will often have its own requirements. If you are marrying in a house of worship, it is important to find out these requirements as soon as possible.

You should also be aware of who has the authority to marry you in your state. Aside from members of a religious clergy, a mayor, city clerk, county clerk, a justice or judge in most courts, and often anyone who is given temporary authority by a judge or court clerk may preside over a wedding.

In some states, witnesses may be required to validate a marriage.

If you are marrying in another country, you will need to check the requirements for the country you are marrying in as well as what requirements are needed to make your marriage legal in your country of residence.

If you are marrying a citizen of another country, there are a slew of different requirements and no doubt, a load of paperwork to be done. You will need to contact the Department of Citizenship and Immigration Services or an embassy or consulate for the required documentation and procedures.

That's a lot to think about, but it's important to find out the requirements early on in the wedding planning process as it can affect your timeline.

I'll be back with some more Wedding 101 next week. Be sure to come by Friday for another great Vendor Spotlight and as always, feel free to leave a comment or send an e-mail with your thoughts or suggestions.

Happy Planning!

Wedding 101: We're engaged...now what?

2010-01-25T06:00:00.004-05:00

Photo from www.kissingbooth.com

The months between the winter holidays and Valentine's Day are considered prime engagement season. If you're newly engaged (Congratulations!) you probably have a lot of questions about where to go from here. I hope to give you all some valuable information about what to do and what not to do as you start the next phase of your relationship as a betrothed couple.

Who do you tell first?

If one or both members of the couple have children, the children should be told first. The next in line to inform should be your parents. In both cases, it is best to inform these people in person if possible. If an in person announcement is not possible, a phone call should be made. You should never tell your children or parents about your engagement via an e-mail or text message.

Should there be an engagement party?

This is entirely up to you and your families. Traditionally, the brides family throws the engagement party. If the parents of the couple live in different cities, states or countries, each family may throw their own party. It is also not unheard of for the bride and groom to throw their own engagement party. The party can be as formal or informal as you are comfortable with and you may have any amount of people you wish at the party, but please keep in mind that anyone who will not be invited to the wedding should not be at the engagement party.

Should we put an engagement announcement in the paper?

You may put an announcement in the paper, or your parents may put one in. Most couples today tend to hold off on putting an engagement announcement in the paper until they have selected a photographer for their wedding. Most photographers offer engagement photography sessions as part of your wedding package, or will offer a seperate engagement session to you if you so desire. An engagement photo session is a great way to "feel out" your photographer, get to know them, and see their workmanship first hand.

Engagement Cloud Nine - Danger Ahead!

You're all excited and giddy about your upcoming wedding and that means, you're probably lost in a dream land and may not be thinking clearly about what lies ahead. You'll have friends and family asking you to be in your wedding. You'll have co-workers assume they'll be invited to your wedding. Your cousin's nephew who is a DJ will want to work your wedding. Whatever you do, DO NOT PROMISE ANYONE ANYTHING in the first few days of your engagement. You may have every intention of asking your good friend Jane to be a bridesmaid, but as the voice of experience, please let me tell you that there is no rush to make these decisions. If you rush into it, you may very well regret it. Take some time to just enjoy your engagement.
As you begin to really plan out your wedding and come up with a vision for your day, you'll soon discover what family, friends, and vendors can make that vision a reality.

We've told our friends, family, and the world about our engagement, now what?

The real work now begins! It's time to start thinking about when you would like to get married, how much the wedding is going to cost (and who's going to contribute towards it) and where is the wedding going to be held. Tune in Wednesday and I'll give you some food for thought on how to proceed through the beginning stages of the wedding planning process.

Wedding 101: Planning For Success

2010-01-27T06:00:00.002-05:00

“He who fails to plan, plans to fail” - Anonymous

Hopefully you've taken some time to enjoy your engagement and are now ready to start making definite plans for the big day. This may be the most overwhelming part of the planning process, but it's also the most important. It is therefore, necessary to take the time to think about everything thoroughly, and make sure that all the major players in the wedding are on the same page.

The first thing to think about, in my opinion, is budget and style. In many cases, budget may dictate style, at least somewhat. Before I was engaged, I had dreams of a lavish wedding in Downtown Boston at a swanky hotel. Due to finances, this was not a possibility. I would still describe my wedding as my dream wedding, but of course it was revised to fit my smaller budget.

Some of you may have parents who will volunteer to pay for your wedding, or at least contribute to it. Hopefully they are upfront with you about their intentions. If not, I think it is best to go to them and ask candidly if they are willing and able to contribute towards the wedding, especially if you have any inclination that they intend to do so. It's best for everyone to be honest about the amount people are contributing as to avoid confusion and hurt feelings later.

After you know what everyone is willing and able to contribute to the wedding, you can start to think about the style of wedding you want. Do you want a romantic wedding in a rustic barn with lots of candlelight? Have you always dreamed of having your ceremony in a botanical garden or in the church you attended as a child? Are you thinking about a chic loft with a club like feel to hold your reception? Maybe you want to run off to Hawaii and get married on the beach with just a handful of close family and friends in attendance. Make sure that you and your soon to be spouse talk about your visions for the day. If parents are contributing to the day, I would definitely take their feelings into consideration, but always remember this is about the two people getting married and therefore, you should make the day about the two of you and the commitment you are making to each other.

It is also important to think about your guest list. I would suggest making a list of people you think you'll be inviting. Make sure you talk openly about the guest list with your fiance and both sets of parents. If you don't want your dad's college roommate whom you've never met before at your wedding, this is the time to speak up and make compromises if need be. As is the case with the budget, it's best to have open, honest communication about your guest list with your fiance and both sides of your immediate family.

Now with the style, budget, and guest list in mind it's time to start thinking about when you want to get married. I honestly think it takes at least a year to really put your plans in action. That's not to say it's not possible to pull it off in a shorter amount of time. (and in some cases, you may have a need to have a shortened engagement) The important thing to consider is what you and your fiance are comfortable with. You want to make sure you feel comfortable and confident in your ability to put all the pieces in place.

Once you get these key points of contention into place, I believe you will be ready to plan a successful wedding.

I'll be taking a short break from the wedding planning advice to bring you another great vendor feature on Friday, but be sure to tune in next week where I'll provide a breakdown of a typical wedding budget and all of the components which can typically make up a wedding day.

I wish you all successful planning!

Wedding 101: Money Matters

2010-02-01T17:53:00.001-05:00

When I started to plan my wedding and I finally discovered what things cost, I was in major sticker shock. I knew a wedding would be expensive, but I had no clue what the individual components cost. I didn't even know what all the components were! I figured there was a bride and groom, flowers, a ceremony and reception site, and some music. There can be way more to it than that, or it can be just as simple as that. In the end, it's all up to you, but to get you started here is a list of typical wedding expenses.

Ceremony
   Site Rental Fee or Donation
     Officiant Fee
     Musicians

Reception
     Site Rental Fee
     Food and Beverage
     Waitstaff
     Parking
     Bartender and bar set up
     Wedding Cake
     Favors

Flowers
     Ceremony
     Reception
     Bridal bouquet
     Bridal Attendants arrangements
     Corsages
     Boutonnieres

Paper
     Invitations and Enclosures (RSVPs, Directions, etc)
     Save The Dates
     Programs
     Menus
     Table Numbers/Names
   Calligraphy
     Postage
     Seating chart or Escort cards

Attire
    Bridal gown
    Groom's tuxedo
    Bride's undergarments
Bride's veil and headpiece
    Beauty Costs (manicure, pedicure, hair, makeup)

Photography and Videography
     Engagement Photos
     Wedding photos, CDs, and albums
     Wedding video

Jewelery
    Bride's ring
    Groom's ring
    Bridal jewelery

Legalities
     Marriage License
    Health/physical/blood test fees

Music For Reception
     Band or DJ

Transportation
   Limo or other transportaion for the bride and groom to ceremony and reception
    Transportation for guests and bridal party
    Parking
    Traffic detail

Wedding Consultant

Gifts
    Attendants gifts
    Parents gifts
    Gift to bride or groom from bride or groom

Honeymoon
Travel and accomodation expenses

Miscellaneous
    Telephone and transportation costs related to planning
    Wardrobe costs for wedding related events
    Tips
    Taxes

So that list may look a little scary, but remember, a lot of the fees and costs will likely be bundled together. It is best to really look at what you have to spend and then try and work out what expenses you feel are absolutely essential, budget for those items, and leave a little for any incidentals. Remember, none of this is absolutely essential for every couple, only you can decide what you want and need to make your wedding everything you want it to be.

On Wednesday, we'll discuss the legalities of getting married and what may be required to make your marriage official in the eyes of the state and or church.

Vendor Spotlight: Meet Daniel Nystedt of Nystedt Photography

2010-01-29T06:00:00.001-05:00

Savvy Chic Weddings is once again proud to introduce you to a wonderful photographer in the New England area. I found Daniel Nysted's website through the recommendation of the ladies over on the boston.com wedding forums. I was amazed at how fun, creative, unique and romantic his wedding photography is. I hope you enjoy getting to know a little more about Daniel and his photography and seeing some of his stunning photographs for yourselves!

SCW: How long have you been shooting weddings?

Daniel Nystedt: I started shooting weddings for close friends and family about 10 years ago, but I've officially been a paid wedding photographer since 2004. I'm now entering my 7th season.

SCW: How would you describe your shooting style and your philosophy when it comes to shooting weddings?

Daniel Nystedt: I am often asked by potential clients what my style and philosophy is, and they generally expect my answer to fall into one of two categories: traditional (or classic) and photojournalistic. Depending on who you ask, you will get varying definitions of each type. In a nutshell, traditional refers to a formal style where the photographer takes an active role in the day, organizing groups of people for posed portraits, while a photojournalistic photographer is completely passive and simply photographs the day as it unfolds. The majority of my photos are done in a photojournalistic style (I like the challenge of creating beautiful images in a largely uncontrolled event), but I also enjoy making creative and memorable portraits, which according to some definitions, would exclude me from calling myself a true photojournalist. I don't mind. The current belief is that artistic photographers are photojournalists, and portrait photography is boring and left to older, possibly less creative people. I don't buy into this belief and prefer not to place myself in one school or another. My goal is to create unique and stunning photos, either candid or posed and let others decide where on the spectrum I belong.

SCW: If you could give some advice to brides and grooms about selecting the photographer for their weddings, what would it be?

Daniel Nystedt: The most important bit of advice I can give to couples is to find a photographer with a similar personality and style. You'll be spending most of the day with the photographer nearby, so make sure you actually like the person before inviting him or her to be a part of your big day. On a more practical level, I tell couples to avoid choosing a photographer based on the style of their example albums. Wedding books come in all sorts of materials and designs, and it's easy to get caught up in the "packaging." Focus instead on the quality of the photos. The coolest album in the world can't make up for bad pictures.

SCW: I noticed that in addition to weddings, you also shoot for commercial use, nature and travel photographs, and portraits. What was your favorite place to shoot that was non-wedding related and why?

Daniel Nystedt: Apart from weddings, I've had the opportunity to photograph a in a wide variety of settings, but I'd have to say that the most interesting place I've shot was underground in the catacombs of Rome. I was hired to photograph a group's journey through the ancient caverns and passageways deep under the modern streets. That was an interesting assignment!

Great advice and insight, right? We won't keep you hanging. Here's some of Daniel's amazing photography:

That last photo might be one of my favorite wedding photos ever! Amazing!

Thanks again to Daniel for allowing us to interview him and features some of his gorgeous photographs. Please be sure to check out nystedtphotography.com for more examples of Daniel's work as well as contact information.

Have a great weekend and happy planning!

Under The Boardwalk - Sarah & David's Walt Disney World Wedding Part 2

2010-01-15T05:22:00.003-05:00

All photographs courtesy of Misty Miotto

Wow! We were overwhelmed with feedback about Sarah & David's Walt Disney World Wedding and Misty Miotto's stunningly gorgeous photos. I'm so glad you all enjoyed Wednesday's pictorial and have such kind words about Misty. A picture really does say a thousand words.

With that, once again I wish to let Misty Miotto's photographs tell the story of Sarah & David's Walt Disney World wedding..

I don't think there are words to describe how beautiful this wedding was, or what a spectacular job Misty Miotto did in capturing it. My undying gratitude goes out to Misty, Sarah, and David for allowing us to share this special day with all of our readers.

For more of Misty's work please check out her website and blog.

Until next time, may all your fairytales haves happy endings.

The Look For Less - The Cold Shoulder

2010-01-19T06:19:00.000-05:00

I'm not one to follow celebrity gossip, but I'm also quite aware that celebrities do influence fashion. Beyond the runway, the choices made available to brides and bridesmaids are often representative of what's being worn on the red carpets of the world. One trend that's really come back strong is the one shouldered gown. If you have great arms and shoulders, this is one great look and best of all, you don't have to break the bank to get this look. Here are some of my favorite one shouldered gowns, available at a reasonable price:

Alfred Angelo Style 7054

After Six Style 6587

Eden Style 7284

Jasmine Style L3001

Jasmine F321

Mori Lee Style 2517

Maggie Sottero Style AD3396

Watters & Watters Style Charm

If the one shoulder look is for you, I hope you find the gown befitting your white carpet!