Giveaway: Online Poster Printing

We are thrilled to offer one of our readers a free 16x20 gallery wrapped canvas print courtesy of one of our sponsors, Online Poster Printing. Maybe you could use this as the perfect gift for Dad. Or maybe you have yet to hang a special photo from your engagement session or wedding day (guilty as charged). I know that the space above my bed has been begging me to hang something there for over a year now. 

And Online Poster Printing offers both poster printing and canvas printing in beautiful quality for all your printing needs!

So, to enter, all you have to do is comment on this post describing the photo you would have printed and why. The contest is open to United States and Canada residents only and will end Wednesday, June 3, 2009 at 11:59 PM EST.

So tell me now -- what would you have printed?

An Exceptional Engagement

I do not think most brides, or people really, are as in tune to what will look good on the camera as Adrienne of For the Love of Weddings is. Equipped with this knowledge and a gorgeous smile, you simply must check out some of the absolutely amazing engagement shots recently taken of her and her fiance. 

Those shoes are absolutely killer.

For the rest of her sneak peek and her adorable wedding plans, be sure to check out her blog.

Around the Studio: May Edition

Several people have been asking how things are going with this new little business venture of ours and, I must say, things are going very well and we are loving every minute of it. In fact, we have been busy little bees around here. Here is a glance at what has been going on in the studio this week.

Making t-shirts.

One of a few huge envelope orders.

Light silver on glimmery dark gray envelopes. So beautiful!

Writing placecards to adorn these adorable favors!

And last but most certainly not least, we have been finishing up our promotional packets. (Sorry guys, no sneak preview there -- you have to get one to see it.) So if you think that you can and want to help promote our business please let us know.

Oh, we've also been working on some swag materials (which we are very excited about!) for the lovely Julianne Smith, who is having a launch party this evening. But, we will share more on that later.

Until then...

This is Not to Scare You

This is to make you think... all those little things that might go or have gone wrong on your wedding day. Well, they probably will not even come close to amounting to this.

I wish this video had a follow-up. And I hope, more than anything, that this bride got out of the water, smiled, and proceeded on with her ceremony. Because the fact is, you are still marrying your best friend. Even with a wet head of hair and a sopping dress, his love for you won't change.

Blog of the Week: Bespoke - A White Box Blog

This week's blog of the week is Bespoke: A White Box Blog. 

Authors Monica Gill (Twitter Handle: @thewhitebox) and Meghan (Twitter Handle: @meghan_p), the Recessionista Bride, both have fabulous writing styles. Not only are they direct and straight forward, but they are funny and easy-going. Reading their posts feels almost like you are speaking to them. 

And, my favorite part? Their posts are, excuse the cliche here, out of the box. They are not just any wedding blog. Monica's series "Style Saturdays" is brilliant -- teaching brides and wedding professionals about presentation, style, and appearance. Her videos are both adorable and informative. And, if you thought reading her posts made you feel like you were talking to her, her videos make you feel like you know her. 

My favorite posts lately were: "Style Saturday: Makeup in a hurry" and "7 accessories you need to fake fabulousness" but I am also a big fan of their wedding-related posts like "How to take a man's arm" and "How much does a nice, elegant wedding cost?" -- but really, I don't think you will be disappointed in any of their posts. One of my all-time favorite blogs for sure.

What are your favorite blogs?

Sock It To Me

So, the sock trend is nothing terribly new in the wedding industry. 

Argyle. Colored. Striped. You name it. But, if you ask me, it isn't over played yet. And, while picking them is fun, I think the hardest part is picking how you want your groom and groomsmen to show them off.

Here are some options for you.

Bride and Groom Shoe Shot.

Works best if her shoes coordinate with or compliment his socks.

{Sources: 1, 2, 3}

The Line Up.

You have options here: standing, sitting, gathered together, in a line. 

{Sources: 1, 2, 3}

The Solo Shot.

I wouldn't have guessed that I would like this as much as I do.

Maybe it's that his socks coordinate with his pants and shoes so well?

{Source.}

And this one's just for fun. How hilarious are these?

{Source.}

I don't know about you, but I'm afraid that if it were me I might have to have a shot of each. Also, for the record, I am totally in love with this sock post from Green Wedding Shoes. So many fabulous sock photos for even more inspiration.

So what about you? Are your groomsmen wearing matching socks or something similarly fun?

Bowling Bride

Let me just say, working on Kaycee and Ley's wedding was a blast. With their family owning Skate Station FunWorks here in Gainesville, Florida, they wanted to head over there beforehand to hang out and get some killer photos. 

And, seriously, how much fun are these? I have said it before, but bowling in a wedding dress!? Love it. So original.

All photos courtesy of Gina Leigh Photography.

For more photos and details of the fun, head on over to the MasterPiece Weddings Blog today and check it out.

Free Honeymoon Reminder

Just a reminder that today is the last day to enter the Dream Honeymoon Giveaway from Sandals and Fancy Fortune Cookies. You have until 11:59 EST to enter, which you can do by clicking here.

Why wouldn't you take advantage of such a great offer? You never know... you just might be the lucky winner. And wouldn't that help your wedding budget?

Frame the [Date]

Frame the [Date] is a fabulous way of celebrating life's important dates. Because, let's face it, everyone has important dates. Why not hang these special moments on your wall?

I am loving this simple black frame version.

Or you can add a photo, which is also lovely.

But my favorite? I'm smitten over this baby version.

With Frame the [Date] b.a.b.y. you can choose from a variety of bright colors and mattings.

Found through and gorgeous photos via Kara Pennington.

So what do you think? These would be a perfect baby or anniversary present, no?

Straptini

What is a straptini, you might ask? The latest craze in a bizarre attempt to fix a problem. 

The problem? Bra straps that show. The solution? Making them cute, or, at least sparkly.

So, what do you think? Is the straptini the wave of the future or is this an even worse solution to a bad problem? Have you used them? Did you love them?

On the Cover

Have you always dreamed of being on the cover of a magazine? Or do you have a friend that has? Well, thanks to Destination Weddings & Honeymoons now you can fulfill that dream. Their Cover Model Maker lets you upload your photo, choose your headlines, and arrange them however you desire to make the magazine cover you have always dreamed of.

Which, for the record, I am quite certain this could make a killer Save-the-Date. 

Without further ado, here is your truly on the cover of Destination Weddings:

Found via Globetrotting Bride.

So what about you? What does yours look like?

Schooled

I have said it before: I cannot resist an engagement shoot with a new and different theme. Yes, the outdoors are pretty... but why not do something fun and new. Something that meshes with your personality or life, perhaps?

So, it's no surprise again that I am totally loving these.

Photos by Millie Holloman Photography found via Lucky Me.

So what about you, did you do your engagement photos (or wedding photos, for that matter) anywhere new and different?

For the Brazen Bridesmaid

It is no secret that I like a little humor on a Friday morning. So it won't surprise you that I fell in love with these. 

For the right bride or bridesmaid with the right sense of humor, how fantastically funny would these cards be?! Admittedly, they aren't for everyone, but they certainly are pretty hilarious.

Inside reads: HELLO TO BECOMING THE MRS.

Inside reads: BE ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS AND WALK DOWN THE AISLE WITH ME

Cards from Naughty Betty found via It's a Jaime Thing via Wishpot

So what about you? Did you have a non-traditional way of asking your maids?