While watching a rerun of J.A.G. this morning, I just had to laugh when Admiral Chegwidden compared planning a wedding to a strategic military operation. Once, I stopped laughing I realized it was a good point.
The seating arrangement as a military operation:
Head table - operation headquarters
Table of bride's friends - allies
Aunt Edna, groom's ex-girlfriend - enemies
Seat accordingly :)
(google images)The long anticipated Apple Orchard Wedding was this past weekend. I am so sad that it is over, I had been excited for it for so long and now it's done. The weather was the scariest part, Michigan is so unpredictable! It rained in the morning but by the time the afternoon rolled around the ground was dry and it was just a little chilly.
I was able to work with some wonderful vendors that helped make the day perfect:
Photography: Summer Jean Photography
Caterer: GTG Catering
Venue: McIntosh Orchard & Winery
Floral: Designing Dreams LLC
Videography: RPS Films
Rentals: Taylor Rental
Harpist: Meg Rodgers
Guitarist: Ed McGee
There were so many fun little details that went into this wedding, I am so thankful that Amber of Amber Dawn Event Design and Therese my intern were along to help me set up. We started the morning by putting together the "place cards" which were real apples with the guests names and table number written on fabric leaves...so cute.
Each table had a different apple theme, ex. Red Delicious or Gala. The centerpieces matched the place cards for that theme. I love themes!!!
We had the vases filled with apples and then I went out into the orchard and snipped branches and we tucked apple blossoms in between the apples. It turned out gorgeous, better than I could have even imagined.
The details were everywhere from baskets of apples sitting on the bar, to oil lanterns and buckets of lilacs on the porch. It was a true farm wedding.
And of course, I was too busy to stop and take pictures of the ceremony, but I am sure that Summer of Summer Jean Photography grabbed some amazing shots. The ceremony took place back in the orchard among some of the trees. The bride came up over a hill to walk down the aisle, while the guests waited at the bottom with the groom.
McIntosh Orchards also has a winery where they make their own fruit wines and hard apple cider. The guests enjoyed these wines all night and a lot a them even purchased some to take home with them. Cocktails and appetizers were served on the large covered porch while harpist Meg Rodgers played. Then the guests came inside the winery for dinner and dessert which was apple dumplings and ice cream made right at the orchard, delicious!!!
Dancing followed dinner with music provided by Ed McGee. Ed is a guitarist, singer and songwriter and is the lead singer for Mike's favorite band. Keri hired Ed to come up for the wedding and her gift to Mike, it was very special and Mike was thrilled.
I could go on and on about all the little wonderful details that went into this wedding. I will post a link to Summer's blog when she puts up some pictures, I can't wait to see them!!!
On a day like today, when the rain just doesn't seem to want to let up, I couldn't help but think about umbrellas. I came across this fabulous site Bella Umbrella. Bella Umbrella sells and rents umbrellas for special occasions. They have a huge selection including bridal parasols, vintage, pagoda, solid colored and printed umbrellas, even umbrellas with jeweled handles.
Whether you are looking to block out rain or the sun (or even just to use as props for some really cool photos) check out these gorgeous umbrellas to make your day perfect. Your guests will appreciate it!!
I've been thinking a lot about redesigning my logo and streamlining all of my marketing material for a while. I happened to come across Jamie Brokus of Color Splash Studios on Facebook and loved her site and her portfolio. I sat down and had coffee with Jamie a couple of weeks ago and really enjoyed chatting with her. Jame is a graphic designer and a photographer. She designs everything from logos to websites, billboards to business cards. Jamie also has a passion for photography, shooting babies to weddings. Please check out Color Splash Studios if you are in the market for any fun and unique design or photography needs.
We brainstormed about some ideas for my new look and I am so excited to see what Jamie comes up with. Stay tuned!
So this morning as I was eating my cereal, I looked down and noticed the interesting outfit I had on. When you get spit up on in the middle of the night you don't really look at what clothes you pull out of the drawer. I was wearing a bright pink shirt and red printed pants but it reminded me of one of my favorite wedding magazine covers. Of course, I recently went through all my magazines and recycled a bunch and unfortunately I think the one I'm thinking of was in the stack!!! Argh!! Isn't that always the way it goes?
I received an email last week from Rich of Legacy Photo Design. Legacy is a company out of Northern Indiana that specializes in unique one of a kind wedding products. The new product that Rich was introducing to me were "movie" posters, or at least that is what they look like. These posters are created using pictures of the bride and groom and are made to look just like a movie poster that you would see if a theater. They are really unique and very fun. Please check out their website for yourself and read my interview with Rich below.
How long have you been in the photo design business?
I have been a freelance artist for over 25 years. I did my first photo collage of my son just about 10 years ago. Funny thing is when I was 19, me and two other friends started a design company. 2 of us left after a couple of years and now that company is worth millions. True Story.
What part of your job do you enjoy the most?
Hearing a client say "Do you take Visa!" No, seriously, I would have to say fulfilling that artistic desire to design. When you are an artist, you are compelled to create. When you are creating you are doing what God made you to do. A close second would be my customers reaction to their design. I have seen lots of tears and even a few big hugs!
Where do you come up with the ideas for your designs?
Since I was young I have always loved movie posters. Indiana Jones, Star Wars etc. Doing photo collages for 10 years was kind of the pre-cursor to the Movie Posters. I am always looking to improve upon my work and sometimes it means taking an idea in a completely different direction. The actual designs come about on the fly.
Does having four children help inspire your work?
Oh yeah. When your kids are in private school, you have to be inspired! As I said before my first photo design was of my son and they have been an integral part of my portfolio ever since. I just wish I could create designs based on some of the things they say...!
What are some other interests you have outside of photography and graphic design?
I coach both my boys in baseball. So that is pretty time consuming. Since design work is my job, woodworking has become a hobby of mine. I have also spent lots of time over the years teaching men who are incarcerated, it is very rewarding. And I am a facebook junkie...!
Hostess with the Mostess just posted about some adorable ideas from Martha Stewart for Easter eggs, I had to share in case you don't follow their blog...
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