Michelle and Derek were married at Queen's Harbour yacht and country club Jacksonville Florida!

So, I'm a little late in posting this.  These two were married Thanksgiving weekend, but I was so slammed...it was hard to post everything.  So here they are...better late than never I say! =)
Michelle is one of my sweetest brides.  All of the staff at QH even commented on what a joy it was to work with her.  It was such a moving day filled with lots of tears of joy and of course lots of love.

For the last dance, the dj cleared the room for them to have a dance all to themself. It was such a magical moment.

If you're debating big sparklers for your exit...DON'T DO IT! LOL 

Alchohol and sparklers never mix well.

Also, a special thanks goes out to my friends at

InMotionVideoProductions.com

They are so fun to work with.  If you're looking for a videographer, definitely check them out.

Hey girls, what did you give for your bridesmaids gift?

I have a few girls asking for ideas of bridesmaids gifts?  What did you do or what are you planning to do? Add on to my facebook and leave a comment!

Beaches ELEVEN22 Band Recording - Jacksonville Beach Florida

The official recording of the ELEVEN22 Band CD is Jan 21 at 7:22...and Sat at 7:22.  Come on out to be apart of it.  Here's a few snaps of one of the many practices for the recording.

How about a guest book album of your engagement session?

Out with the old, in with the new...

These photo guest books are so fun. Your guests get to see your engagement photos (which they love! I hear their feedback at every wedding!) AND they get to leave you little notes. It's a great, little book to leave on your coffee table even long after the wedding is over.

Ultimate Bridal Fantasy Show was a HUGE HIT!!!

Yesterday could not have been more fun and exciting.  Hopefully by now, you've slightly recovered from the bridal buzz and overwhelming nature of a a bridal show.  Thanks to everyone that stopped in our booth.  We loved meeting all of you and had such a great time!  I have a ton of pics on my facebook.  Add me!

xoxoxo

Don't do bootcamp! One of my friends is way cooler...and better at getting you into shape!

Okay so my friend, Angela, is a trainer and taking on a couple new clients.  Several of my brides have used her, and they've all been very happy with their results.  She's so much fun.  You can train with her individually or get a group of your friends together.  Either way, expect to be pushed...but see results!
Her info:
-Bachelor degree in Exercise Science from The College of New Jersey
-CSCS(certified strength and conditioning specialist through the NSCA( national strength and conditioning Association)
-USATF Level I Certified
-Bootcamp Personal Training Leader
-7-time all-american and 2-time national champ in track in field
-currently training for the US olympic trials
609-408-0690
tecco.a@gmail.com
Here's a pic of her I snapped when we were out one day.  She picked up Jax's Running Mag, and there she was on the cover!   Can't get better than that...

More Bridal Show preps

Thanks to my friend, Jamie...we are ahead of the game and things are looking all set for tomorrow night's setup time.

Check out the vases she put together.  Love them!

New Album is in!

I love playing around with colors and stepping outside of the box. This company has the smallest cut down the center which I love. Panaramas are amazing in these styles of albums but only when the seam is small enough to not break up the pages.

Valentine's Day Photoshoot Special

I'm still recovering from being SLAMMED from the Christmas Holiday Shoot promo we did...so I'm only taking a few of these V-Day shoots.  I added in a little note about active military folks.  This is a super special thing to send to a hunsband overseas.  Let me be clear about these shoots, they are done very professonally and classy.  I'm a huge advocate of the boudoir sessions, and I think every woman should do one...for herself and husband/future husband.  Every man will admit that this is one of the best gifts they could ever get from their lady!

My friends are engaged!

This is such an exciting post for me.  I obviously see a TON of couples and get to be apart of so many love stories...which I LOVE!  But over this holiday season, two very special people to me got engaged.  I met Angela and Jerry through my church last year.  When we all first met, they were just best friends.  They are both runners and met through UNF running activities.  After a couple months of knowing them, my big mouth said, "Did you guys EVER date or have you just always been best friends?"  She grinned and looked at Jerry, and they told us that day that they had decided to officially date the night before.  Angela went back home to Jersey for the holidays, and to her surprise Jerry flew out to meet her the day before New Year's Eve.  Her entire family was together the next night for New Year's Eve dinner in one of their local favorite restaurants.  Angela's dad asked Jerry to give thanks for their meal.  As Jerry prayed...giving thanks for family,special times, etc., he also thanked God for bringing Angela into his life, and he also asked God for help and encouragement for what he was about to do (obviously by this point she was very confused!)...and he got down on his knee.  He asked, and she said "Yes!".  Awe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

They actually picked out their reception location (which as you know is a HUGE decision!), and they chose the White Room in St. Aug.  They are getting married in our church - Beach United Methodist Church in Jax Beach.  I keep trying to tell them about a fab photographer... =)  I'll keep you posted as their wedding plans unfold.

Tips for the Bridal Shows.

Okay so here are my tips that I've gathered through the years:

#1. Try very hard not to be overwhelmed: 
I know it's like taking a wedding drug that throws you all out of whack and it's hard to even comprehend what's going on. (if this is your first one, you'll know what I'm talking about once you experience it)  But just try to soak it all in and have fun. It's all about you and your wedding so just have FUN.

#2. Make a girl day out of it:
Get your closest girls, mom , and even grandmother. It makes for a nice time of just being with the girls, and it helps to get them stoked about your wedding too.  Oh, and wear comfy shoes...it's hours of standing and walking.

#3. If you really want your guy to go, let him hang by the bar first. This is so not a guy event, and he'll need a little something to dull the pain.

#4. Eat as much wedding cake as possible. Even if you already know what bakery you are using for the wedding, eat the cake. It's all amazing, and it's only one day's worth of extra sugar and calories.  PS- Go find Chef Paul...Signature cakes by Paul.  You will get to taste a little slice of heaven.

#5. Make labels with your name, address, phone number, email, and wedding date on them. That way, you can sign up for all the giveaways without having to sit and write it all down a million times.  I know it's a little odd to give out that personal info, but there is SO much given away that day so you don't want to miss out.

#6. Bring a notebook, pen and camera. You will meet a TON of vendors. Write down the vendor names you are interested in and just a couple words to jog your memory about them. Trust me, when the day is over and it's you sitting alone with your bag full of cards, brochures, and goodies...it will be a blur and seem like a dream.  Some brides even go as far to snap a pic of their favorite vendors so they will remember who is who.  We don't think it's crazy...I personally love getting my pic with potential cleints. 

And those are my tips for bridal shows. Hope you have a great time at the show!!
And I hope to see you there!

Albums and Ideas

One of the most popular album types right now is the coffee table book with the metalic paper.  There is no imagining these things without seeing in person.  The paper is very thick and shiny.  It definitely brings out the photos and sets the album a step above the norm.  This particular album company gives a ton of options for the cover.  The one pictured is metalic, but of course you can do your classic leather.

-----

Want a small album for your purse or gifts for parents?  These 4x5 albums are SO adorable!!!  I always offer these to my clients as a more affordable way to have parent's albums.  But they are also cute to have for yourself too!

----

And then of course you can't forget your thank you card.  This is such a personal way to say thank you to your wedding guests for attending your special day.  Options for these cards are endless.  You can do a postcard and just write on the back.  Pictured is a folded card with a blank inside.  Save the dates can also be done this way...or you can go with the traditional magnet.

Carrie and Adam Wedding - Casa Marina Jax Beach 01-01-10

What better way to start off the new year but with a wedding! Carrie and Adam were married at Casa Marina on New Years Day, and it was SO COLD and wet from raining all morning. I was stoked when she said she was braving the weather to get those beach pictures she had been planning for! Congrats to you two!!!

Love these shots of details.  So fun to just play around with.

Her beautiful dress.

This is totally in the moment and couldn't be more beautiful.

These girls were frozen by this point.  I felt so bad.  But they were great sports.

And the boys were...well normal boys just cutting up and having a great time.  Love it!

One of the most moving ceremonies I've seen.

The Casa Marina is one of my fav places to shoot in Jax.  SO many great places for photos and amazing staff.

And one last one of the beautiful couple.

I love the colors in this photo...and there was a full moon back there.


Many more to come on my facebook so add on in:
Click it!

A pic from the other side

Occasionally someone sends a pic that is taken of me on a wedding day. This came from one of my fav brides. I had them lock arms and hover over me so I could shoot up at them. FUN day and CRAZY girls!!!     =)

My veiw...

After I posted this, a family member from a different wedding sent me some pictures.  It's so weird seeing msyelf in pics...taking pics! =)

My view...

Sharlene and Eric's engagement session

This is just one of my favs from today.  I'll post more asap. =)

We were FROZEN by the end of this session today.  Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr