Real Wedding – Steven & Sharon

Steven and Sharon

 

I got a frantic call about six weeks before the nuptials for this Real Wedding couple Steven and Sharon.  The groom called me while I was directing a wedding rehearsal saying that he needed help quickly for his beloved fiance who was at the end of her sanity and he didn’t know what he was going to do.  I met Sharon the next week.  I assured her that I could take everything off her hands and she could begin to refocus on what was important about her special day.  It was a pleasure to actually watch this lovely young woman exhale right in front of my eyes!   

Meet Mr. & Mrs. Steven Devore and Enjoy Beauty!    

   

Wedding Photography by Dimagery Photography   

Ceremony Decor by Rene’John Designs  

   

These ushers taught me a thing or two! The photographer caught them in action.

 

   

   

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

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How To Save On Your Wedding Flowers

When planning a wedding you should make it your business to do your research on the price of flowers.  If you choose flowers to be part of your wedding day, which most people getting married do, you will need flowers for yourself and your partner, your attendants, ceremony and reception sites.  This can be very costly depending on the types and volume of your flowers, and also on the style/design of flowers.  The price can range from a couple of hundred dollars to several thousand dollars.

Here are some of my recommendations on how to save on your wedding flowers!

1.   Purchase your flowers in season.  Even though many flowers can be found year around because of our global floral market, your choices will still be cheaper in season. 

 Here is a list of flowers and the seasons of their availability:

 

 

SPRING – Lilac,  Lily-of-the-valley, Peony, Queen Anne’s Lace, Scabiosa

SUMMER – Cockscomb, Cornflower, Dahlia, Daisy, Hydrangea, Lady’s Mantle, Phlox, Queen Anne’s Lace, Scabiosa, Sunflower, Tuberose, Zinnia

FALL – Camellia, Hydrangea, Lady’s Mantle, Sunflower, Tuberose

WINTER  and SPRING – Amaryllis, Anemone, Camellia, Daffodil, Grape Hyacinth, Hyacinth, Ranunculus, Tulip, Sweet Pea,  Viburnum

YEAR-ROUND – Alstroemeria, Aster, Bouvardia, Calla Lily, Carnation, Chrysanthemum, Delphinium, Freesia, Gardenia, Gerbera, Gladiolus, Gloriosa Lily, Iris, Larkspur, Lily, Lisianthus, Orchid, Rose, Stephanotis, Stock, Veronica

2.  Don’t use flowers for everything.  For example, if it’s an evening ceremony or an evening reception, use lots and lots of votives and candles of all sizes.  Candles are the least expensive way I know to add lots of ambience without the price. 

3.  Transfer your ceremony flowers to your reception venue if applicable.  As a florist I must point out that this option has to be one that is feasible with your venue locations.  Many brides today are getting married and having their receptions at the same venue which makes it convenient for everyone.  But if your ceremony venue is an hour from your reception venue, this suggestion may not work well for you or your florist!

4.  Use inexpensive flowers.  My suggestions are carnations and chrysanthemums.  They come in many colors.  And chrysanthemums come in many varietals.  Also use a lot of greenery in combination with the flowers.

5.  Use one to three color palettes.  This will allow your florist to order in bulk which cost less.  And one or two types of flowers.  Simple arrangements often make the biggest impact.

Happy Floral Designing!

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Blair Phillips Photography – Vendor Spotlight

Blair Phillips Photography

 

I want to feel like a “Rock Star”.  Well Blair of  Blair Phillips Photography will grant you your wish!   Photography on the edge with grit and style is how I would describe this photographer’s style.  Each picture is a work of art that delivers so much emotion.  When viewing his work, you look at the faces of his clients and wonder what their thinking as Blair seems to bring out parts of their psyche that they are not even aware of.   I am a huge fan of this photographer and I know that you will love his work as well !

Meet Blair Phillips and Enjoy Beauty!

 

 

RJD:   Blair do you have a background in fashion photography?  Your pictures are sleek, modern and sophisticated like a New York City fashion shoot.

BPP:  I do not have a formal background/training in any particular style of photography.  I am self- taught and I seem to have a natural talent.  However, my photography style has been described as eclectic elegance.  I feel that there are too many photographers photographing the same things.  Blair Phillips Photography  likes to be different!   Our company has been recognized as an international award-winning photography studio.  I am also a national speaker/educator to other photographers.  And we have been featured on a nationally syndicated Lifetime wedding television show.  We are very excited!  

RJD:   How long have you been photographing brides? 

BPP:  We have been in the business for 4 years now and photograph between 40-60 weddings per year and 200+ studio sessions per year.  It’s a lot but we love it!

 

 

RJD:   What would you say is your work ethic?

BPP:  Work hard and play hard!  Giving brides something different and edgy.  Our new studio is a couture studio and we like to give a posh, high-end, unforgettable experience to each client.

 

 

 

 

 

 

RJD:   Tell us about your favorite wedding experience?

BPP:  Well, we had a bridal couple that planned something pretty spectacular!  The groom was raised by his stepfather, but still had his biological last name from his father.  The bridal couple had their last name legally changed to the stepfather’s last name on their marriage certificate.  So, at the altar after the preacher announced them as bride and groom, he said “I now present to you, Mr. and Mrs.  and the new last name (of the step father).   None of the parents had any idea.  They were blown away…still gives me chill bumps!

RJD:  Wow, that’s amazing!  What a beautiful story!!

 

 

RJD:  Where do you see Blair Phillips Photography  in 5 years?

BPP:  HUGE!!  I expect us to still be in the area, but traveling to major cities as our destination wedding division expands. We hopefully will still be educating other photographers on a national circuit (as I am doing now).   And still giving our bridal couples the experience of a lifetime!

Duomo di San Martino Building in Lucca, Tuscany

Tuscany, Italy is definitely known as one of the most romantic destinations on earth!  I have studied it from afar for quite some time.  One day I hope to see its beautiful sunflowers and fields of red poppy. Perhaps sample the wine from the rolling hill vineyards.  This is a land that appears to be frozen in time with its historical Tuscan homes and cobblestone streets.  Where the air is sweet and filled with the sound of music and the smells of authentic Italian cooking.  Is this the place for your destination wedding?

Check out Tuscany and Enjoy Beauty!

Narrow Stone Walkway Between Buildings

Sunflowers in Tuscany

Field of Poppy Flowers

 

Pizzeria in Tuscany

  

Rolling Hills of Tuscany

 

The Ponte Vecchio, Florence, Tuscany

  

Married In Italy

 

For more information on Tuscany, please visit Mad About Italy and Discover Tuscany.