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Crestwood Inn Wedding : Lanier+Scott
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T he house was filled with such beautiful decor it gave the impression it was made from the forest in which it resided. The floor, the ceiling, the chandelier were made of various woods, like the trees that once were took pride in their final form. Lanier's mom glided across the living room with trays of food, or jewelry, or a bouquet of flowers, ensuring her daughter was well taken care of. Because, well, the house was a place of respite and would continue to be on the wedding day.
Their vacation home in Blowing Rock, North Carolina was a special place, but for two memories in particular. A few years ago, Lanier valiantly battled cancer and after being treated by amazing doctors at UNC (Go Tarheels!), she recuperated in her family's cabin. Surrounded by trees and the sounds of birds singing, Lanier promised God to live a beautiful life if she was granted time. Not only was Lanier granted time, God brought someone special into her life. Once Scott and Lanier met, their lives flipped upside down. Together they inspired their friends and family to shine brightly and give generously, but it wasn't until Scott spent the weekend with her family in their vacation home that he realized Lanier was destined to become his wife. The trees and the forest on their wedding day reached their arms toward heaven and swayed in delight as two beautiful souls promised each other eternity. Lanier and Scott, I have no words. To adequately sum up everything you are, the beauty of your day, and the fun of your wedding would be impossible, but what I hope is that these photos document your unadulterated love. Thank you for making us feel like part of the family (your dad invited us for holiday dinners, so don't be surprised if we show up again soon!) and surrounding us in your amazing care. The world is so much better with you two in it. Much Love and Appreciation... j* |
| Lanier donned a stunning Ines Di Santo gown. She made personal customizations to it with her seamstress for a unique look and I think it was perfectly suited for her! And just look at this stunner of a ring... |
| Lanier and I tried conspiring to have her dog a part of the wedding, but her father wasn't having any of it...at least she was around for prep photos! |
| The day started at Lanier's family's vacation home in Blowing Rock, North Carolina and just one weekend in that glorious state and now I swear I have roots there. I'm trying to be Southern without appearing like I'm trying too hard, y'all. And, boom, I failed. |
| Lanier and her father have such a special relationship...it made me teary-eyed at some points. The ring she is wearing on her right hand was given to her by her father years ago as a promise to wait for the perfect man to become her husband...as a wedding surprise for Scott, she removed one of the diamonds and set it on the inside of his wedding ring. She stayed true to her promise to her father. |
| The wedding and reception was held at Crestwood Inn and Resort in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. The wedding was supposed to outdoors, but it was pouring rain just hours before the ceremony...lo and behold, when the ceremony started, the sun peeked and made for an amazing background.
Just look how happy Lanier's dad is... |
| As they walked down the aisle, a choir sang and the sun burst from the clouds...like heaven itself was celebrating too! |
| Lanier and Scott carved out time for wedding photos and a moment to relax together and now I'm convinced every backdrop for North Carolina wedding photos is just perfect. Amen. |
| Oh, Lanier, just GO ON with your gorgeous self! |
| The details and the flow of the wedding day wouldn't have been possible without Ivy Robinson and her effortless coordination and design. She was the hardest working woman at the event and handled everything with such class...loved working with her! |
| The wedding was filled from top to bottom with so many flowers...it was like walking through the most stunning garden. Ever. Many thanks to John Lupton + Andrew Thomas for the stunning florals. |
| The First Dance... |
| I don't even know where to begin to describe this wedding reception...suffice to say, it was so darn amazing I wanted to be a guest!!! The food, the music, the guests...everything was elegant, soul-filling, and perfect. |
| There aren't enough adjectives I could use to describe my love for The Party Crashers Band. They were flown in from Salt Lake City, Utah for this wedding and they were beyond. Beeeeyond. So much fun!! I couldn't help but shake along with them and they made the night extra amazing! |
| A perfect way to end a perfect day... |
| To see more of Lanier and Scott's Crestwood Inn's wedding photos, feel free to CLICK HERE for a slideshow, so or simply view it here:
Wedding Venue: Crestwood Inn and Resort, Blowing Rock, North Carolina Design + Planning: Ivy Robinson Floral: John Lupton and Andrew Thomas Cake: The Art of Cake Band: The Party Crashers Makeup + Hair: Jami Svay Videography: Elysium Productions Wedding Photography: Jasmine Star |
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Kate Spade Inspired Wedding
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W e met at a coffee shop filled with college students and managed to secure a table in the corner. We'd been introduced many times before, but it was the first time Lindye and I were meeting just to hang out. To talk, to breathe. Better yet, to dream. She's an interior and event designer (her home decor is so creative if feels like a interior design photo shoot is just begging to happen), but we left business at the door and chatted the afternoon away.
It was then Lindye became a friend, not just an industry peer. Since then, our friendship has grown, so when she put together a Kate Spade inspired wedding photo shoot, I was honored to shoot it. An amazing team was assembled and everyone's collective ideas were brought to life. |
| Many thanks to those who worked tirelessly to bring their ideas to life...
Concept + Design: Lindye Galloway Coordination: Lindsay Longacre of LVL Events Floral Design: Krista Jon Venue: Chuck Jones Gallery Makeup + Hair: Design Visage Cake: Sweet and Saucy Shop Linen: La Tavola Furniture: Signature Party Rentals Wedding Dress: Blush Bridal Couture Groom's Attire: Friar Tux Models: Ben and Nicoletta Daskalakis Photography: Jasmine Star The best news is that this wedding shoot is featured on Style Me Pretty today! |
| Taking inspiration from Kate Spade's prints, patterns, and bright colors, Lindye created a wedding full of life and whimsy...so fun! She described the shoot as wanting a modern feel, "so the location for the shoot is in an art gallery that is the perfect blank canvas to build upon. First is the ceremony! A colorful striped runner rests between the sea of ghost chairs, leading up to the aisle and (drum roll for a unique twist) continues several feet up the wall for a dramatic effect. |
| A huge and special thanks to Nicoletta Daskalakis for modeling...she's actually a makeup artist here in Southern California, so she's lucky to know how to work being behind and in FRONT of the lens! |
| Krista Jon is one of my faves! Not only is she a floral mastermind, she indulges me with permission to style flowers as I'm shooting. I joke I was a florist in another life and she gave me a wink, which clearly meant she agreed! :) |
| LOVE them. |
| Lindye describes the reception details...Each place setting features a unique custom placemat that was made out of plexiglass, highlighting the menu with the guest's name and darling silverware graphics. Each plate is wrapped in a napkin and secured with a ring to create a bow. Also donning a bow is the beautiful cake with polka dots and a cascading circle backdrop. |
| Love Love Love bright colors and bold pops of attitude in this wedding reception design...so much fun! |
| Pink champagne to toast a great day? Yes, please! |
| To see more photos from this Kate Spade wedding inspiration, feel free to cruise on over to Style Me Pretty today! |
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Featured : Utterly Engaged Magazine, Issue 25
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A few weeks ago, I had the honor of working with Utterly Engaged Magazine for its featured shoot. I adore the editors, Henny and Lucia, especially their generous spirits and kind hearts. They envisioned a themed wedding shoot inspired by tweed and leather and assembled a creative team I couldn't be happier to work with.
UE Issue 25 is now live and our feature can be seen starting at page 94. |
| Many thanks to the following team for making the wedding ideas come to life...
Designer + Styling: Jesi Haack Floral Design + Styling: Oak and the Owl Hair + Makeup: 10.11 Makeup Rentals + Props: Found Vintage Rentals Invitations + Paper Goods: Vintage Invites Signage: Joyful Joyful Designs Models: Cazzy Zahurshy, Patricia Iluore, Garrett Lopez + Danny Williams Wedding Photography: Jasmine Star |
| Happy Tuesday! |
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Featured : Huffington Magazine
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I was incredibly honored when Erin Migdol of Huffington Post Weddings reached out regarding an article she was writing. She wanted to interview me regarding one of my favorite wedding photos (captured at Mikaela and Shane's Vancouver Canada wedding) and the story behind it. The story was featured on Huffington Post Weddings, but the even better news was that it was picked up for a feature in Huffington Magazine.
The stories I get to document as a wedding photographer give me the utmost fulfillment and satisfaction. I'm sure I can speak for the other wedding photographers who were featured along with myself when I say we're indebted to our clients' love, trust, and support to follow our passion. |
| Happy Monday! |
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Getting Published : Destination I Do Magazine
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A few years ago, I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Jennifer Stein, editor of Destination I Do Magazine. Erma and Max's Santa Monica wedding was featured in DID's glossy pages and while I was honored, the best part of the process was making a friend. Jennifer and I have remained close through the years and she's a trusted confidant.
Many brides are booking destination photographers (largely in part to sharing images on the web, and brides understanding the value of investing in a photographer they trust), so Jennifer has kindly joined me today to share what she looks for when featuring a destination wedding in her magazine. |
| How To Get Your Destination Wedding Featured in a Magazine : A Q+A with Jennifer Stein
What makes publishing a destination wedding magazine different than a traditional wedding magazine? A destination couple has different needs than a traditional couple, so the content is a bit of a departure (hee hee, pun intended) from what you'd see in a mass market bridal title. Sure, there are still flowers, a minister and that whole ball of wax, but couples need to know other specifics such as how do they travel with a group of people or how do they make sure it's legal? Some destinations (especially domestically speaking) are much more straight-forward, but if a couple is considering a wedding in Bali, Belize or another exotic locale, they will need a magazine like ours to help them navigate (these puns are coming way too easy for me!) their way through the process. Our magazine covers these specifics. We write our publication with the following question always in the back of our minds, "if I were getting married in (fill in the blank), then what would I need to know to pull it off?" Everything from finding specific fashion which fits with different destinations and welcome bags to group travel tips and destination wedding etiquette can be found in our magazine and on our website. When choosing a destination wedding for publication, what are you looking for? First and foremost, we are seeking real weddings which have a "sense of place." We love to be able to glance at a series of images and immediately establish the couple was married in Italy, Greece or the Caribbean, for example. We look at each wedding and think, "would these images inspire *me *to get married there, or select that bouquet, color-scheme, vendor etc.?" Our entire goal as a magazine is to inspire and assist couples getting married away and one way we do this effectively is by using gorgeous images to tell the story. We consider weddings from all over the world, not just tropical destinations. We've featured weddings in Wyoming, China, New Zealand, Georgia and Thailand to name a few. So no destination is out of the question. It also doesn't have to be a million dollar wedding. So long as the couple has a great sense of style, the wedding happened away from home and hasn't been published before - send it our way. We rely heavily on photographers and are forever grateful for the amazing submissions we are sent. Great photographers and photography help us make our magazine and industry better. What details/factors make a destination wedding stand out from the rest? Couples who really put their personalities into the details can separate their wedding from the pack. When we look at the images we're going to consider for print - we consider *all* of it. How does the ceremony read? Is the alter plain, or do they have one built of drift wood with orchids and sea glass cascading down it? Is the reception overflowing with interesting tablescapes, unique lighting and a strong personality? Are there photos of the couple snuggling in a hammock or on a ski-lift sharing an intimate moment? If all aspects of the wedding are strong, we will put it at the top of the list. However, if the couple has a few weaker areas, we may pass on the wedding or choose the stronger images to run in another type of story aside from a real-life wedding profile. What advice do you have for destination brides planning their wedding? This is like opening Pandora's Box! I have so many pieces of advice, but I'll hit the big ones. - Consider where your guests are traveling from before you select your destination. For example, if you are wanting to go to Hawaii, but 50% of your guest list is traveling from NYC, perhaps the Caribbean would be a better choice. - Hire a wedding planner who knows the area you've selected well. That person will be able to scout things out for you and will know what vendors can be trusted. - Before you hire that aforementioned planner, make sure you get good references on their services and do a little snooping on Google. - Know the legalities in the area you're interested in before you officially select it. There are laws in certain countries that could prohibit you from having a legal marriage. Know what those are ahead of time. - Never, ever, ever ship your dress. Physically keep it with you at all times. There are four things you cannot get married without - your minister, your groom, the rings and your dress! - Get insurance on your engagement and wedding rings immediately. It's astonishing how many people lose their rings in the ocean while on their honeymoon! Your homeowners insurance doesn't always cover the entire amount, so getting a rider may be necessary. - Don't try to please everyone, but beware of becoming "Bridezilla." It's true, it is your day but it's also your spouse's day. Your loved ones are also traveling miles to be with you - so be courteous of their needs, not demanding their time and attention. At the same time, realize you will not please everyone. Find a happy medium between "door mat" and "bridezilla," let things roll of your back and you'll be good to go! What advice do you have for wedding photographers shooting a destination wedding? Take a step back from time-to-time to get a shot. For example, the details are great, but if you can get an image of the entire scene so we can really see the overall look, that can prove helpful. There are times when we have so many close-up details, it's like a bad case of tunnel vision. By taking a step back, it gives us a broader view. Plus, I would think the couple would love a shot like that too! Another piece of advice: Take a step UP. When we are looking at tablescapes for example, we see a lot of images taken straight on which doesn't always give a great perspective of the overall look of the reception table. By simply grabbing a chair and positioning yourself above the table, you can get a nicer angle and we can really see what's going on. Lastly, if you're a photographer who shoots with a digital camera, don't send black and white images to magazines. We can take color and turn it to black and white no problem, but we can't go the other way. What makes a wedding a "destination wedding"? For example, if a bride lives in Los Angeles and marries in San Diego, is that a destination? What is the general rule of thumb? Our rule of thumb is it needs to be approximately 120 miles or 2 hours away from where the couple lives and a majority of the guests need to travel to attend. So if a couple who lives in LA is doing a wedding in Santa Barbara - that would be considered a destination wedding. What images do you wish appeared in submissions but hardly ever appear? Photos of dogs at weddings. We're all dog-lovers around here, so we go nuts when we see an event where the couple included their dog - or any animal for that matter. We recently published a Vegas wedding and there was a bunny and pot-belly pig in the couple's portraits. We get so many gorgeous images, it's hard to say what we want more of, but I can tell you what we could see less of: - trash the dress (heads up people, the average person does not look good wet) - getting ready photos (we seldom select these since they're almost always in a hotel room or bathroom, so not very "destination" looking) - photos of granny doing the Macarena during the reception. It may be a fun, funny photo to the couple, but we're not going to use it. - overly posed photos of the couple What's the best piece of advice you can offer when submitting a wedding for publication? Know the submission guidelines for the publication your submitting to and be honest if it's been featured elsewhere or is scheduled to run elsewhere. We have an exclusivity policy. It's not because we want to be difficult or feel entitled to being the only ones to show the images, but we spend a lot of time, energy and money to feature only 14 weddings a year in print. If a wedding is all over the blog world, that means it's all over Pinterest. If it's all over Pinterest then it's not unique content for us or for the people who read the magazine. We want to make sure that everyone who buys the magazine is getting something exclusive to them. It can hurt your relationship with editors if you're not upfront about where the images will run or if you've submitted them to several outlets. The down side is that editors *will *find out (it's just a matter of when) and then the trust is ruined thus hurting the chances of being published again. |
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