Okay, call me cliché but I really do love the fall. It’s sweater season (in theory… in reality it’s been 80 all week, but go with me here) the apples are at their best, the leaves are turning and the holidays are about to begin.
Fall is a time for savoring rich flavors, rich experiences, and gorgeous rich colors like the ones above.
And speaking of bucking tradition… today I have, hands down, one of the prettiest elopements I’ve ever seen.
No. Contest.
Here’s the whole story, courtesy of Kelsey and Josh’s fantastic photographer, Alea…
What a great story. I posted on my Facebook page that if anyone wanted to elope, I had a great idea for shooting it. Little did I know that my dear friends Josh and Kelsey were on the cusp of eloping themselves, and they allowed me to be a part of the process.
Their wedding was so fun and unlike any wedding I had ever been to because it was so “fly by the seat of your pants.” There were no concrete plans (in a great way!), and it was just so intimate. Their vows just blew me away with how special and personal they were to each of them. There were so many inside jokes and things that were meaningful to them — I loved how they didn’t stick with tradition.
They like to make furniture, so Josh made the altar they stood at and the table they ate at. They also handmade plates for their guests for the dinner they would have by the fire. It was southwest-themed, so the couple, who live in Texas, traveled to Phoenix for the affair, near where Josh’s dad, the officiant, lived.
It was really a treat to be able to be there with them. I wish every wedding could be so intimate and focused on love and the couple.
What do you think? Would you consider an elopement? Especially if it was as pretty as this?!
Mark and I actually considered it very seriously, but ultimately decided that we wanted to celebrate with more of our family and friends.
Photographer: Alea Lovely Fine Art Photographer / Location: Lake Pleasant Campground / Hair Stylist: Carla Calderon / Floral Designer: Victorian Gardens / Dress Designer: Ann Taylor / Makeup Artist: Makeup By Jen B.
When it comes to my closet, I have some real hoarder tendencies.
No matter how many times I sort and toss, there are always a few (dozen) things I know I’ll never wear, but I will also never throw away.
I can’t.
Some are sentimental, some are just plain cool (somehow, someday, I swear I’ll find a use for them) and some, well okay some just don’t have any explanation at all. But they’re there… and they’re never going away.
One day I’ll be tragically smothered under a crushing pile of vintage slips and cowboy boots…
“She couldn’t stop,” they’ll say, “We always knew it would get out of hand.”
Anyway… I was pretty sure this dress was destined to remain in the second category forever… hanging there, staring at me… daring me to figure it out.
But this past weekend I finally had the eureka moment I was looking for.
The key is really the belt… because without it, I think this vintage Jams dress (that if I’m going to be really honest, I think I’ve had since I was 12) is one very small step away from a muumuu.
Once I found the right belt, the rest seemed to flow pretty naturally, and really, after figuring it all out… I’m a little lost as to why I’ve found it so tough to style in the past!
I’m kind of inspired to tackle the rest!
Because of course, wearing them all is much more realistic than throwing them away… even the boots that are two sizes too small.
Don’t judge.
Dress: vintage / Jacket: EmersonMade, similar / Belt: similar / Shoes: similar / Necklace: similar
This super fun German couple worked hard to make sure their day was a perfect representation of themselves, and nobody else… even shunning the idea of a traditional wedding cake in favor of mincemeat pie!
I couldn’t possibly say it better than the bride, so I’ll let her tell you all about their beautiful DIY day…
Get married? No way! Should it still happen some day, then by no means in a white wedding dress. That was my staunch and constant conviction. But then finally came my dream prince, and the dream wedding followed.
In our relationship things are a bit different. The proposal was not made in the traditional way by my boyfriend, but by myself. For the two of us it was clear from the outset that we were going to have a big wedding party – with all our good friends and the entire family. We started planning our wedding two years in advance by opening a “wedding account.” Initially that was all.
We did not want to have our party in a city venue but somewhere in the countryside and so we quickly opted for the cozy Café del Sol, which is situated near the Rhine in an idyllic nature reserve. The owner’s last name was “Sunshine,” and so of course we decided in favor of his place.
… We started collecting old vases: big, small, medium-sized, simple, trashy, broken or still intact. It did not matter. We only wanted them to have charm and fit the occasion. At best they were meant to give our guests a feeling of having a history of their own. We also collected all sorts of empty bottles: wine bottles, champagne bottles, ketchup bottles. We decorated them with bright ribbons, roses and laces. Additionally we filled marmalade jars with brightly colored lemonade tablets.
… Despite rainy weather it became the most beautiful day in our lives.
… Though my husband and I are quite sweet, we did not want a sweet wedding cake. Knowing our meat-loving friends, we wanted to delight them with something more solid: a minced meat pie with onions. Many of our guests told us afterwards that the pie was THE highlight of the evening.
I think our wedding was a real success.
Photographer: Britta Schunck / Venue: Café del Sol / Bride’s Hair and Makeup: Engel & Helden / Groom’s Hair: Oliver Undorf / Dessert: Café del Sol / Flowers: DIY / DJ: Rainer Lucas / Veil and Headpieces: DIY / Rings: Trauringschmiede Düsseldorf / Jewelry: Heirloom / Schuhe Braut: Siemes / B.A. Star / Groom’s Suit: Peek & Cloppenburg / Groom’s Shoes: Lloyd / Stationery: DIY by the Groom (Matteng.de) / Button Machine: Ever Green
Okay, I’m guilty. I meant to narrow these down to just one post… but it’s just too hard.
I’m not going to say that I love myself in every shot… because really, no matter how gorgeous the pictures, a gal can always find a flaw. But still… the light…
Steve doesn’t have to go far to remind me exactly why we chose him to photograph our wedding… it’s in every little detail of his work. The simple location where we took these shots just shines.
I can’t get enough.
And in case you feel the same, I promise won’t make you wait long… in fact part 2 will be up later today! So be sure to check back.
Photographer: Steve Steinhardt
Fruit Cones / Couple / Yarn Jars / Beer Vases / Strawberry Shortcake Pops / Blueberry, Strawberry, & Jicama Salsa
I know the holiday is little inconvenient this year, since it falls on a Wednesday, but are you planning a party for the 4th of July?
If I were, I would be all over those beer bottle vases and yarn jars. I feel like they’re just the right mix of pretty and fun… and could be thrown together even at the last minute for very little dough.
… did you notice how I’m talking you into throwing a party?
Stephanie, an art teacher, and her fiancé Alosha really wanted their engagement shots to represent who they are as a couple, and what better idea for this creative pair than to stage a painting party?
Photographer: iDropPHOTO
This awesome inspiration shoot combines the rustic elegance of the Ranch Austin with the perfect modern touch, including chevron, stripes, and plenty of Texas love.
And in case you’re wondering, Ranch Austin can host up to 300 people… definitely worth a look if you’re planning a wedding in the area.
Photographer: Katherine O’Brien Photography / Caterer: Royal Fig Catering / Event Designer: Liv by Design / Floral Designer: Flora Fetish LLC / Invitation Designer: The Creative Parasol / Cake Designer: Michelle’s Patisserie / DJ: Greenbelt DJ Productions / Equipment Rentals: Premiere Party Central / Event Venue: Ranch Austin
I can barely look away from these beautiful shots. The lighting, the colors… and that puppy? He (Hurley is his name) has my heart.
Ariel and Vanessa are getting married in Puerto Rico later this year, and their super talented photographer, Kimberly Chau, will be going along. If these shots are any indication, I’m sure it will be amazing!
Photographer: Kimberly Chau Photography / Location: Hermann Park
Let me just say… I am crazy for this shoot.
The beautiful organic details, the simplicity of that amazing location, those beautiful photographs… there are so many things to love.
Thank you to Jillian Michelle Photography for brightening my day by sending this over!
Photographer: Jillian Michelle Photography / Event Venue: Grey Gables Farm
A Thousand Threads 