My Bridal Portraits

I apologize in advance if you think I am going to let you see what my dress looks like three weeks before the wedding. :)

It was a total blessing to stumble upon our photographer, Billie Roche . She's relatively new to the business, but she's talented. It took some serious talent to make an overworked medical student and a tired computer programmer look like this in engagement photos!

We had blast taking bridal portraits, and they were everything I ever wanted - edgy, fun, sophisticated, even silly.

But they weren't "portraity". (If that is a real concept/word.)

I recently learned that displaying a bridal portrait at the wedding reception is actually only traditionally done in a few southern states like Florida, Texas and Georgia. A sorority sister from Detroit was like "why did you take pre-pictures two months before your wedding?". Apparently they are a regional thing.

But now that I've got my edgy, fun, sophisticated (regional) pictures, what in the world do I display at the reception?

I could crop one of the more scenic ones to make it "portraity"...



...or do something silly/sexy/edgy....

What would you do? "Portraity"? Silly? Sexy? Edgy?

Sweet, Isn't It?

Isn't it sweet?
Congratulations and blessings to Chuck and Whitney!

photos by Mary Catherine Penn

I'm all about updos....

but THIS makes me want to wear my hair down.

photos from nancyaidee

I've Got the Shutterbug

Engagement pictures are tomorrow!

He says he will die inside if I show him another outfit choice.

I guess that's what I get for living far away from most of my bridesmaids. I miss you ladies. :(

Wish us a warm cloudy day!

I Couldn't Help But Share

I've been pouring over all things wedding, and on the rare occasion it happens, it makes me smile to see a Black love on the big day. Kate Headley photographed Sonya and Janssen's gorgeous wedding and Elizabeth Ann Designs and The Bride's Cafe both posted about it. The photo on my blog is just a sneak peek. (Check out those orange shoes!)

Click here and here to see something simply gorgeous.

Lights, Camera, Action!!!

Houston, we have a photographer!
Now, what to wear in the engagement photos?

My vision (yes, I know I'm being dramatic) is "date night in the city".
Here are some options.

I like this one, but it sort of looks like she just came from the (fashionable) office.




This color is juicy!

I'd wear this one with a bright colored cardigan and fun shoes for color.

What do you think? Please feel free to send recommendations!

photos from victoria's secret

Bridal Portraits

Of course every girl wants the perfect dress, but how awesome would it be to have fun in the "perfect dress"?

These photos by Justine Ungaro at theunbride.com look like the type I'd like to take for my bridal portraits. I really don't want any of that "holding the bouquet and staring off into the distance with a soft focus" nonsense. I wonder if we'll have enough in the budget to make it happen. ::.Sigh.::

Save The Date!!!

I discovered another bride-to-be who will be married on our date! Lucky for me, because she has great taste.

Look what she found...


I am totally in love with these save the date cards by Melissa Jill. I've already asked my most fashionable friends to help me find the perfect outfit (even though we probably won't take pictures until the spring).

Hopefully, I can design something supercute like these!!!

Pose For the Camera Now...Click! Click!

Photography. Everyone says it's one of the most important items for your wedding day.

For me, important translates as "you know if you make a bad choice, your wedding pictures will be terrible". Ahhh!

Ok, here goes.

Choice A ...

• Great for the Budget


• Seems to have an Amazing Eye


• Has Only Done FOUR Weddings

Choice B ...

• Extremely Experienced


• "Clicked" Immediately With the Photographer Who We Would Work With


• We Require Some Serious Budget Shuffling

Choice C....

• Right on the Money


• An "OK" Style, Nothing too Impressive


• Not Exactly Sure Who Would Be Filming

Let the deliberations begin!