My Anniversary, Random Facts, And A Sneak Peek

Yesterday was my 2 year blog anniversary, and it's crazy to look back and see how far I've come and how much I've grown since then.  What was merely a spark is now a wildfire, and I'm loving every minute of it.  When I quit my day job this past March, I never thought that Fall of the same year would be as busy and crazy as it has been.  Taking that leap was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

But looking back at my blog I realize I don't talk much about myself.  Well, because I hate talking about myself.  I find other's lives much more interesting than mine!  So here are a few random facts about me on my bloggiversary:

• I put ice in my milk because I like it super cold.  My husband finds this both strange and disgusting.
• I spend about 7 minutes brushing my teeth.  I'm pretty sure I have some mild form of OCD.  Chris thinks I'm ruining my gums, but I boast that my dentist always says I have beautiful teeth and always gives me a clean bill of health.  
• I like going to the dentist.
• After I brush my teeth I get a runny nose.  The upside is that when I use a tissue, it smells faintly of Chris' cologne since the box sits on his sink, and it makes me happy.  
• Bright sun makes me sneeze.
• I fidget.  A lot.  My mother used to tell me I was shaking my luck away.  But I assure you I feel like one of the luckiest girls in the world to have an amazing husband and a job I absolutely love!

Okay, enough about me, and onto someone else.  :)  Here's a sneak peek of Erin and Daniel's engagement session from earlier this week.  I can't wait to blog the rest!

Happy Friday!!

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Heritage Hunt Golf and Country Club Wedding: Ruth + Al

He loves to cook and he loves the water.  She's not a good cook and she doesn't like the water.  And they met through an online dating site that neither were completely serious about using.  Al's 3-month free subscription was almost over when he saw Ruth's photo and thought she was cute.  Ruth saw Al's "wink" but wasn't sure if she wanted to wink back.  With her hand on the mouse she debated her decision, but that decision was made for her by a co-worker who came up from behind and pushed Ruth's finger down on the mouse button, because she thought Al was cute.  

After a few messages back and forth, they had their first date at Starbucks.  Outside.  In the middle of a hot and humid Virginia summer.  At the only table without an umbrella.  Every time Ruth glanced away, Al took the opportunity to wipe the sweat from his brow, hoping she wouldn't notice.  But she noticed everything.  And her initial impression was that he was cheap and sweaty.  Coffee at noon and he didn't even ask if she was hungry!

She left their first date thinking they had a great conversation but still felt a discord.  Thankfully, her cousin convinced her to to go on another date with Al.  Their second date was at a restaurant.  Indoors.  With air conditioning.  And the conversation was full, and their appetites were satiated.  

He loves to cook and she loves to clean.  They both love to go camping, travel, watch movies and play Wii and Xbox.  Together, they have found their harmony in each other's lives.  

I started with Ruth and the girls as they got ready at her and Al's beautiful new home...

While I was with Ruth, Noah was capturing the guys as they hung out at Marsh Mansion.

I say it every time...I love first looks.  Ruth and Al were both nervous as they waited to see each other.  Leading up to their wedding day, they had even talked about who might cry.  Ruth was certain it would be Al.  But Ruth's eyes welled up with tears of joy as she watched her husband-to-be take in the sight of her.

Ruth, you are so beautiful...

This oak tree?  Uh-mazing!  I was so excited when they told me they rented golf carts so we could head out onto the course for sunset photos!

There are times when I get emotional during weddings - the vows when the bride and groom become teary-eyed; loving speeches during receptions... - but the emotion is usually a sweet happiness marked with a smile.  This is the first time I actually cried.  Ruth lost her father a few years ago to cancer, and her brother walked her down the aisle and stood in during the traditional father/daughter dance at the reception.  And as the song played and tears spilled from her eyes, I could see how much Ruth missed her dad, and how she wished he could have been there to watch his little girl get married.

Ruth and Al, I'm so happy that you have found each other, that you have pledged to take care of each other, and that you make each other laugh and smile.  Thank you for the honor and joy of allowing me to capture your wedding day, and for the happiness that comes from calling you friends!

2nd Photographer: Noah Hayes
On-site coordinator: Susan Naugle
Venue:  Heritage Hunt Golf and Country Club / Marsh Manor
Hair/Makeup: Kate Ricasa
Flowers: Brad Toombs with Vintage Florals
DJ: Anthony Puentes of Kingdom Muzik Pin It

New York Bridal Market Part II: The Martha Stewart Weddings Event

When Liv invited me to the Martha Stewart Weddings party I just couldn't turn it down.  She told me about last year's event and it sounded like so much fun!  When we first walked in we had our picture taken with Darcy Miller, Editorial Director for Martha Stewart Weddings.  Darcy is totally cute and completely sweet!  We then made our way around the room, enjoying all the fun stations set up on the peripherals and catching some of the fun bite-sized passed hors d'oeuvres, which included sushi, tacos, burgers and many other foods.  Details weren't overlooked as some of the passed trays also included mini drinks, including a rum and coke served in the tiniest coca cola bottle.  

I was also starstruck seeing some of the industry's most talented designers, and to be standing just feet from Reem Acra, Amsale, Claire Pettibone and Monique Lhullier.  Not to mention passing by Randy Fenoli of Say Yes to the Dress several times.  

The color theme was citrus and pink, and I loved this lucite installation hanging above the ice bar.  

Cupcakes by Cake Power...

A spread of meats, cheeses and crackers...

Floral boutonnieres by Matthew Robbins Design...

Liv with the lovely ladies of Hitched Georgetown!

And we took a behind the scenes tour of Martha Stewart's HQ offices.  Here is post production hard at work...

One of many inspiration boards...

Studio space...

Amy DeGiulio, owner of Sugar Flower Cake Shop, was giving a pulled sugar flower demonstration...

And lastly, here are the lovely ladies I had the pleasure of spending time with during Market and at the party: (front row) Aruna Seth and Nia Louise of Aruna Seth; (back row) Kimberly Allen and Jennifer Charles of Something Fabulous, Kate Saur and Liv Hart of Enchanted Atelier, Maud Lescroart of Sophie Hallette, Melissa Bolin of Kitty Andrews Millinery, and yours truly - one lucky gal!!

Thank you, ladies, for making the night so special, and thank you Liv, for having me along!  Loves!

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New York Bridal Market Part 1: Enchanted Atelier & Aruna Seth

I recently returned from New York Bridal Market, where I was invited by Liv of Enchanted Atelier to spend some time at her suite and also attend the Martha Stewart Weddings event.  I've had the honor of shooting Liv's last 3 look books and it was wonderful to see one of the culminating events of her hard work.  Bridal Market is where Buyers and Press come to see her following season's collection for the first time.  She had so many fabulous pieces to showcase and I loved seeing them all on display.  I also had fun trying a few on...it's so hard to resist!

Jennifer Charles of Something Fabulous did a wonderful job designing and installing Liv's suite.

I absolutely adored Maud, whose family owns famed French lace house Sophie Hallette.  They provided Liv with the lace for a new line in her collection.

Liv shared a suite with Aruna Seth, a UK-based designer who creates beautiful Italian handcrafted luxury designer shoes.  Her incredible heels have been worn many celebrities.  I loved getting to finally meet Aruna after using her shoes in our look book shoot for the past two seasons.  

(Here's Aruna on the left, and Nia on the right.)

Her famous bridal butterfly heels...

I loved getting to experience Bridal Market.  And tomorrow I'll be blogging Part 2 - the Martha Stewart Weddings Event, including a behind the scenes look at Martha Stewart's headquarters! Pin It