This Saturday is the big day for Nick and Cindy! We are so excited!

Here are a few images from their photo shoot at Sandy Downs. We had so much fun.  It helps when the couple is really good looking!

Nick and Cindy looked AMAZING all dressed up for their pre-bridals.  It makes me really excited for their big day! I hope you guys enjoy these as much as we do!

All Because of You

I awake each day with a smile

And greet it with a laugh;

The world is a treasure to me

Because of you.

Every time I think of something sad,

I replace the thought- with you!

My mind is instantly changed

And my heart is filled with gladness.

Every breath I take is meant for you,

I live this life surrounded in joy

And I bathe in the promise of your love,

My soul belongs to you.

Each time I see something beautiful

I want to take it and bring it to you;

My life has so much meaning now

All because of you.

–Kate Reneigh Woodruff

“Where the heck have you guys been?” you might ask.  Well, the last three weeks have been CRAZY!!!!  We are happy to announce that my brother is getting married…and we planned it…every little detail.  Why? Well, we will be holding a workshop right before the wedding!

If you would be interested in coming to learn more about off camera flash, how to take better detail shots, or  build your wedding portfolio, this is the perfect opportunity to do so!

The theme is “Home From War” a vintage themed wedding.  We have had some amazing vendors participate in pulling this wedding together and I can’t wait to show you all that we have in store!  Okay…here is a peek:

We only have three spots left so give me a call to reserve your spot or send me an email if you would like a more detailed packet of information.  Hope to see you there!

It has been a great weekend!  Nate and I had a great time at the Idaho Falls Bridal Fair this weekend.  We enjoyed meeting so many fabulous brides and several brave grooms!  This was also a great opportunity for us to meet some other incredible wedding vendors.

Here are some images from the bridal fair for those of you who were not able to make it!

We want to say thank you to all of our wonderful friends who helped make this happen: Michelle and Anthony, Owen, Jared and Stu for all the time they put in to help Nate build the set.  Also, a huge thanks needs to go to Shannon from My Taylor Made on Etsy, for making our photobooth idea come to life.  And Dave Hinton from The Framing Corner in Idaho Falls, for getting the finishing details inside the photobooth, finished so quickly!  This has been months in the making and we could have never gotten it all finished in time without all of your help!  THANK YOU!

Now, without further ado, here are the winners of our prizes:

3 Lucky couples won a free engagement session as well as a 16X20 enlargement from the session.

Patty Banuelos and Guitermo Raya

Danielle Howard and Cody Likes

Ashley Dwyer and Grant Cram

2 Lucky couples won a $600 gift card toward any of our bridal packages!

Sarah Jaspersen and David Wilson

Kasie Barnes and Brandon Moore

Congratulations to amazing couples who won our drawing!  We are excited to get to know all of you better.  The thirty couples that won our FREE engagement session, be sure to keep your phones close on Monday, I will be calling to inform the winners!

This next topic is a little tricky.  I know that not all of you will agree with me either.  However, I feel it very important to bring up….Wedding Jewelry.  A lot of women, myself included, went to Clair’s to buy their wedding jewelry (blush).  You might be saying, ‘why does it matter?’  Well, let me give you some alternatives and then I will explain why you shouldn’t.

Go to your grandma’s house first.  You would be surprise how well the jewelry she wore at her wedding held up.  There is just something about old costume jewelry that makes you think it could be real, not so with today’s fake jewelry!  This also helps you with your something old, or something borrowed task.

If Grandma doesn’t have anything you are in love with head to Etsy.  Here is a picture that I found on Etsy that I HAD to share.

Image source HERE.

There are some amazing not-huge designers out there that have amazing talent!  Go check them out!

Okay, now lets talk about hair jewelry.  This is often overlooked, but currently there is a huge trend toward ditching the veil. So, what should replace it? Hair jewelry! Here are some great examples from the same Etsy shop as the necklace featured above.

This next one has a whimsical feel to it that I really love.

Wedding Bells Blog

Now, I will get to the point.  I promise.  Your jewelry choices should be deliberate. Don’t wear something just because it happens to be sparkly.  For one, it may not be the right shape for your dress and if you have no other reason for wearing it other than it is sparkly, it will just detract from your dress.  Also, I wish that my jewelry would have lasted.  One of my favorite memories as a child was sneaking in to look at my mom’s jewelry box and trying on all of her fabulous costume jewelry.  They just don’t make it the same now as they used to.  I have only been married for five years and my necklace has a weird green tint to it–I don’t even wear it that much for crying out loud!

Who knows, someday your granddaughter might come to you and ask to see your wedding jewelry!  You don’t want to show her some pitiful green necklace you paid eleven dollars for at Clair’s! Just sayin’…

What do you think? Diamonds? Pearls? Antique? Brand new?  Hair jewelry or not?

Lets talk about shoes…wedding shoes. When I got married the big trend was to wear flip flops.  Yes it is practical and comfortable, but elegant and beautiful?  No.  I am glad to see this trend leaving.

Lets all think of our ideal wedding day for a moment.  Every girl wants to be the most beautiful, elegant, and (admit it) SEXY!  You heard me right, sexy.  How sexy do you feel in a pair of flip flops?  You wear them to the grocery store for heaven’s sake! If you want to feel sexy, elegant and beautiful wear something that is not everyday and common.

Enters designer shoes.

Who doesn’t love a good wedge? The wedge is actually pretty comfortable as far as heels go.  Also, look at that peep toe action up front.  Super cute!

‘Cerise’ Shoes by Aruna Seth

I really like the elegance of this next one.  The pretty bling on the toe really adds that ‘wedding’ feel.

Badgley Mischka Odell White Wedding Shoes

I have to say that these last ones are probably my favorite.  I am pretty sure that super tall heel would make me feel like a Victoria Secret Model on the Catwalk.  I also love the texture on the toe.  Too cute and VERY sexy!

Badgley Mischka Randall

This last shoe is a great option if you are afraid of being too tall on your wedding day.  I am pretty sure I would feel sexy with that satin ribbon wrapped up my leg.  They can be found here for a very reasonable 40 dollars.

Touch Ups Beth Ballet Slipper with Ribbon Ties

I am not saying you have to have designer shoes on your wedding day.  Far from it.  But you should feel sexy, stylish, elegant, beautiful, etc.  It is your wedding day after all!  You will have a lifetime to wear flip flops to the grocery store and around the house!  Trust me!

I would love to hear your opinion on the matter.  How do you feel about shoes for your wedding day?

I have been peeking around some of the Fall Fashions for wedding gowns.  I have to say I have a pretty big list of gowns I would love to see on some of our brides.  I thought I would share a few a lot of my favorites.  (Disclaimer: We did not take any of the image found below. The links to the source images can be found within this post.)

I thought I would start with a little Maggie Sottero.  My wedding gown was a Maggie Sottero so I thought I would find a lot that I liked.  However, I only found three that I really LOVED.

This first one I love for the detail and textures.  I would look amazing with diamond or pearls, (IMHO) and I actually really love the big feather thing in her hair!

Constance – Maggie Sottero

This next one is SO flattering to her figure. Yes she is a stick thin model, however, Maggie Sottero is know for her amazing abilities in making the wearer of the dress look much smaller! Serious. I also love the shrug.  I have a feeling they are going to be HUGE this year, even more so than last.  Also, the full skirt that makes me crave frosting is amazing and fun.

Annalise – Maggie Sottero

I love the satin look of this third dress.  It is just so feminine.  Again, an adorable shrug to keep it modest.  When I was picking out my own wedding dress I did not want a huge skirt that would weight 500lbs.  I had always envisioned my husband being able to carry me and pick me up in my dress.  As strong as Nate is, I don’t think he would have been up for it. This elegant mermaid skirt is a great happy medium for any of you fence-sitters out there.

Dakota – Maggie Sottero

This little cutie is by a local dress designer Gowns by Pamela.  I love the whimsical twist on this shrug.  I didn’t see enough of the full gown in the picture to know if I am in love with the shrug with this dress, but it works.  I love the huge flower in her hair and the diamond necklace that they paired with it.

Ani Shrug; Gowns by Pamela

I decided to take a look at some vintage gowns next, because as some of you may know, I have a weakness for vintage dresses.  This one is from Natalia Misslin.  I liked it because it reminded me a lot of this dress that Sami wore in Vegas.

Natalia Misslin – Vintage Glamour

I love how ultra modest this next one is.  I can actually picture my grandmother wearing this one, which is probably why I love it so much.  The collar is just fantastic!  It is a 1950′s Woolfe Brothers Cream Lace Dress and was found on Posh Girl Vintage.

1950′s Woolfe Brothers

The rest of these dresses are from a designer I had never looked at before but I am sure I will be visiting again and again, Pronovias.  The first one, (enough with the shrug love, I know) is just gorgeous! I love the lace overlay and the beautiful knotted detail in the waist, and of course…the shrug. The hair rosette is pretty fantastic as well.

Fedra-Fashion Collection; Pronovias

I LOVE the neckline, collar, lace textures and the overall explosion of awesome that is in this dress. It has a vintage feel to it that is elegant and sophisticated. One of my top three for sure.

Fayette-Fashion Collection; Pronovias

This next one is all about the skirt for me.  I just want to sit on the floor with it on and gather it all around me.  I reminds me a little of the famous Marlyn Monroe dress that she wore over the steam grate. You know?

Ainsa-Dreams Collection; Pronovias

Iman, is also in my top three.  It has the Vintage look that I love.  Satin AND lace…are you kidding me!  BEAUTIFUL! That neckline combined with the 3/4 sleeves are to die for.

Iman-Costura Collection; Pronovias

If you have read this far, you know that I love texture in my dresses. I also love a taste of vintage. The bead-work combined with the feathers in Arista, make it my top pick for Wedding Gowns I Want to Photograph! It is just one of those gowns you expect to see hanging in a fashion museum someday! It is spectacular!

Arista-Costura Collection; Pronovias

Today is the big day for Chelsea and Sean, so I guess it is safe to post some of her bridal shots.  NO PEEKING SEAN!  Chelsea has THE most amazing blue eyes!  I hope you enjoy these Chels.  I am sure that there are more than a few that Sean will LOVE !