Amy's Bridal Portrait Session {and the benefits of having a bridal portrait session}

I know what you are thinking: "A bridal portrait!? How old school." It seems as though many brides think bridal portraits are a thing of the past or ultra traditional, but here are some advantages of having a portrait session before your wedding day:

*Practice makes perfect. Schedule your hair and make-up trial for the same day as the bridal portrait session. You will then get to see how your hair and make-up will look in photos on the day of the wedding and you can tweak if necessary. You will also get a sense of how your dress, veil and accessories will feel on your wedding day, so if you need to modify anything, you will have an opportunity to do so before you walk down the aisle.

*Get "the best of both worlds." Having a traditional/formal wedding? Think about taking your bridal portraits in a field or a much more casual setting so you get a variety of looks between your portrait and wedding day. Bring accessories that emphasize your personality. Cowboy boots might not be right for the day of your wedding, but if you love them, get a few pics at your bridal session.

*A bridal portrait session can save you time on the day of the wedding. With those photos out of the way, there will be more time for group bridal party and family photos which will hopefully get you to your reception faster!


And last, but not least, I think bridal portraits like Amy's look more like a magazine photo shoot than the uber posed, traditional portrait (those should be a thing of the past)! Thank you Tina Rowden for sharing these beautiful images with us and congratulations to Amy who was married last weekend.

Jen & Richard

Hi!!! So sorry for being a little MIA lately, Peeps! Spring wedding season has been in FULL SWING over here. But we are back- in a big way! We have lots of amazing real wedding posts coming up, so stay tuned! The first post could be called "how to have an adorable wedding, even in the rain." Jen and Richard (remember their fab e-session?) were married on April 24th at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church. The day started off with photos (gorgeous photos by W. Scott Chester) of the bride, groom and bridal party. I love Jen's dress, purple Kate Spade slingbacks and net veil.


I love this shot just after the ceremony ends.


The couple headed to their reception site- Dunwoody Country Club- for post wedding photos. Jen knew there was a very good chance it was going to rain, so she managed to find color coordinated polka dot umbrellas for post-ceremony bridal party photos. I adore the bridesmaids in different colors with coordinating shoes!


Jen actually attached fabric flowers to shoes she bought for the bridesmaids.


I still do not know how Jen managed to find Hunter Wellies in the exact shade of purple to coordinate with her other wedding details.


Jen and Richard had their first dance to their friend singing an awesome rendition of "You are the Best Thing" by Ray LaMontagne.


Amy Osaba did the beautiful flowers- lush peonies, parrot tulips, ranunculus + more.


I leave you with their cute ring shot. I found this little canvas bag attached to the basket that the programs were in. It said on the outside "To:" and "From:" and thought... how perfect!

Congratulations J.Crew!

We are jumping ahead on our typical Friday Fashion post to congratulate J.Crew on the opening of their first Bridal Boutique today in NYC in conjunction with Martha Stewart Weddings. Darcy Miller is hosting the event at the store which is on Madison Avenue. Exciting! We hope to see more stores pop up all over the country very soon!

Happy Memorial Day!

Loving this couple's unique spin on red (white) + blue (via OnceWed).


Photography Credit: Brooke Schwab

Real Wedding Feature: Heidi & Andy

I have known Heidi for quite some time. She is the Catering Sales Manager at 103 West, so we have worked together on many occasions for mutual client's weddings and rehearsal dinners. I was so excited to hear that Heidi was getting married last year. She and Andy are the cutest couple.

Heidi and Andy were married in Heidi's hometown in Des Moines, Iowa at the church she grew up in. Heidi looked beautiful in a Melissa Sweet gown and I adore her bouquet full of peonies, roses and ranunculus. Her girls looked great in floor-length black and white Jim Hjelm gowns- and check out the back of those dresses!


Andy and the gentleman looked dapper!


After the ceremony, the couple took photos together before proceeding to their reception at the Temple for Performing Arts.


This is one of my favorite images from their day. Absolutely gorgeous.


The reception florals and decor reinforced the black, white and hot pink color palette. My favorite reception details are the cake and the favors. The imported olive oil favors were chosen to represent where Andy and Heidi met- Italy. Such a great, personal touch!