RIBBON SAVE THE DATES

FILE CARD GUEST BOOK

CUSTOM FIT WEDDING MENUS

SIGNATURE PLATES

PLAYING CARD PLACECARDS

*GUESTBOOK OR WISHING WELL CARDS*

BUTTON SEATING CARDS

ROSE COVERED AISLE

POM POM CAR DECORATION

SUNSCREEN FOR OUTDOOR WEDDINGS

WEDDING EVENT FLAGS

JUST MARRIED WEDDING BANNER

WEDDING FAVOR CENTERPIECES

FABRIC FLOWER PLACECARDS

PROGRAM POUCHES

*PHOTO TABLE NUMBERS*

WEDDING FAVOR GARLAND

*ENVELOPE GUEST BOOK*

WINE BOTTLE TABLE NUMBERS

Click on the photos to go directly to the Martha Stewart page with all of the info & directions on how to make these projects yourself.  *Starred* ideas mean they are something we offer, so contact us if you are interested : )  Some of these ideas are just so inspiring!  I want to do a full blown wedding next year for our “second wedding/vow renewal/15 year anniversary” just to incorporate them!  I still haven’t gotten very far with actually thinking about May 21, 2011… but I will start soon.  2011 is going to be a year of big changes for us, so May 21st has been the furthest thing from my mind lately.  BUT, I do have an idea on how I’m going to do some things!  We really want to work with indie artists/designers/vendors only — obviously, because that is what we are, and we prefer to have the day be very funky, personal & unique.  We want to really showcase the people we work with–more than just the day of the event, but here on the blog, as well.  If you are a vendor, designer, artist, creator, etc. (for something wedding related in any way) and would like to be a part of our 2nd big day, get in touch!  I would love to hear the types of things you offer… remember we are looking for totally outside the box, vintage, unique, fresh + simple (martha-like) …you get the idea!  Plus, we have three kiddos who will be 9, 6 and 3 & our bulldog, Olive–all of which will be a huge part of the  day : )   It will obviously be a spring event, and we are thinking outdoors or a mix of both indoor and outdoor.  We look forward to hearing from all of you!!  Even if you aren’t a vendor/artist–send is your unique ideas via comment or blog form.  We would be thrilled to get them!  Anyone know of any great wedding photographers and videographers?

Back to editing for me.  Caio!

Katie Daisy also has an Etsy shop where you can purchase some of her lovely prints & patterns.  She is also in the process of creating her own fabric line called “Going to Montana”.  I can’t wait to buy some for miss Ella’s room!  You can see some samples on her Flickr page.

Have a sunny day, everyone! : )

The left side of my face is currently swollen up in two different ways.  My jaw looks like I have a golf ball in it, and my check up to my eyebrow looks like a bee stung me and I had an allergic reaction.  All from 2 root canals–well, mainly one that ended up having a problem.  A problem, they say, that will go away in a year.  Did you hear that?  A YEAR!  So… let’s solve the initial problem by creating an even bigger, more painful one.  Seriously, if someone has a spare pair of dentures, I would pay you for them.  Free session, maybe?!

Okay, okay… enough complaining.  I’m sorry, I’ve been doing a lot of that lately.  I’ve realized severe, agonizing tooth, mouth and jaw pain for  about a year can really change your personality and your overall outlook on life.  It’s a terrible thing, and I’m always trying to remember than I’m not really this pissed off at the world… it’s just the pain talking.

Now, on to some info about ae photography.

The Boudoir Event was wonderful.  I had so much fun and only had severe tooth pain during one session (sorry Kaitlyn).  Every girl was so easy to work with, and it was such a joy to work with so many old clients again.  The thing that I enjoyed the most was seeing a room full of old clients, spanning from the past two years or so… all getting to know each other.  It was strange and exciting!  Each girl had a different style from the last, and they were all so unique!  It was like a dream event.  I have decided to do one every year.  The next one will be either in December or January and will stilled be geared toward a Valentine’s Day gift for you guy.  I created 4 albums for 4 different girls–all for their guys…. and they all were so neat.  Everything has been such a rush, that I had no time to photograph the albums for you to see :/  If any girls who received an album would like to send some of their own photos in to share with us, that would be excellent!  Thanks again to all the girls who came.  I hope you had a good time getting pretty, playing dress up and acting like models for the day!

I also really REALLY want to thank my two greatest friends, Rachel Streit and Jessica Sena.  Rachel is an amazing stylist who did such a great job on every girl.  I was so impressed.  Because of her amazing job during such a hectic event, she will continue to be the stylist I use for any type of event or mini session. If you are getting a mini session done and would like a stylist present for hair, makeup and help with clothing–contact me, and we will make sure Rachel is there.  Jessica played hostess and helped all the girls with clothes, kept things in order and answered questions.  She was a lifesaver.  I didn’t realize how much I would need a “hostess”…. goodness, if she was there, I don’t know what I would have done!  It was a very, very busy day!  A huge photo post come!  Of course we have to wait until after Valentine’s Day!  ; )

I spoke about the Etsy designers that provided clothes for the girls to use if they chose to, but I never got a chance to post a list of the great shops so you guys could take a look.   I really appreciate each and every one of these designers and the fact that they were willing to trust me with their work. After receiving the pieces, I was able to see first hand all the hard work and amazing talent that came from each of them.  You won’t be disappointed if you purchase anything from the shops listed below!  You have my word!

FEATHERS and FRILLS

LOVES MARIESSA

DOGHEAD & FLINTOCK

EMPRESS JADE

PRICILLA DAWN

PLUM PRETTY SUGAR

GAIA CONCEPTIONS

BROKEN GHOST COUTURE

DISTRACTED BLACK RABBIT

PISH POSHES

L.A. NATIVE

MS. WOOD’S KIMONO BOUTIQUE

DECIDUOUS SOUL

LOVE AT FIRST BLUSH

THREAD RARE

CHAIN REACTIONS

CIARA OBSCURA

TWIN SYNDROME

A few photo blog posts are scheduled for this week, and then we will be getting back into the 2010 weekly blog post schedule I laid out awhile back.  I’ve just been way too busy to even think about doing all those posts!  I look forward to getting back into it, though

Here are some lovely tunes that have been giving me creative vibes and helping me get my work done.  Hope you enjoy ; )

And, finally,  here is are some lyrics to a song that literally makes me choke up.  I can’t find a normal cd version to share with you on youtube, but it’s by Hanson, and it’s wonderful… and pretty much sums up my feelings lately.  I’m not going to into detail, but you should really check out the song.  It’s amazing.  This version is the best I could find online…

Somebody let me down
Somebody show me love
I wouldn’t care much either way

I’d rather the sticks and stones
Than dragging the ball and chain
Of what if the world won’t take me

Even if the hole should crack
Even if the blood flows red
Nothing could be worse than numb
So please, use me up

I just want anyone
To use me up
‘Cause no one ever does
Use me up

I’ve carried it all too long
The fear of the pain it brings
Feeling the panic building up

I’d rather the broken heart
Than live in the emptiness
Of what if the world won’t save me

Even if the bow should break
Even if the blood runs cold
Nothing could be worse than numb
Please, use me up

I just want anyone
To use me up
‘Cause no one ever does
Use me up
Use me up

Treat me some way cruel
You could throw me away
As long as I feel it
Show me something real
You can’t deceive me
I am yours to use

By the way, if you haven’t see 500 days of summer… go rent it.  Perfect movie with a great soundtrack.

Goodnight, folks.

On a different note, the Bridal Expo went great.  It was fun to be surrounded by people who all work in the wedding industry.  It’s great to have a connection with everyone in the room.  We had a lot of couples stop by and talk with us. If you are one of those couples–Hi again, and thanks so much for stopping by our booth ; )  We really enjoyed meeting so many people.

Unfortunately, we were very much rushing around the day of the expo and completely forgot our camera.  That’s a big bummer.  I planned to do a blog post with photos from the entire show, but that won’t be happening!  There was this absolutely stunning dress displayed by Bella Bridal Shop from St. Charles.  I told Eric, if I were getting married, I would definitely be over there buying it!  It had coordinating bridesmaids dresses, and they were lovely, as well.  I looked online for a photo to share with you… but had no luck : /  I also have to say, Eric and I both tried a cupcake from Sweet Dream Desserts, and OH MY GOSH!  GET YOUR CAKES DONE THERE!  Although, if you do, Eric and I might just go hide in corner and eat cake all night instead of photographing the reception.  We’ve had couples who have used Sweet Dream before, but we hardly ever eat cake at weddings, so we’ve never actually tried it.  We heard it was the best cake in 3 states or something like that.  I definitely believe it!!  Yum!  Now every time I pass the shop and see the cupcake sign out front, I’m going to have to make a stop : )  I always appreciated the cuteness of the painted cupcake on the sign, but now I can appreciate the goodness of the actual treat!

Today we did a photo shoot for Krista at the Cypress House.  It was a lot of fun taking shots of lovely things, and of course, stunning bouquets.  It was something we haven’t done too much of, but would love to start doing on a regular basis.  If anyone has a shop or items they need photographed, give us a call!  I will be posting shots from the Cypress House shoot soon.  I’m working on Krista’s website at the moment, so once it is finished, I will post a link for you all to take a look : )  I wanted to make note that she supplied us with two lovely bouquets for our booth at the wedding expo!  They really dressed up our space.  Thanks Krista!

COLORED CRINOLINE

This is something I have seen here and there on other photographers’ and/or wedding blogs, but have never had the chance of working with myself.  I WANT THE CHANCE.  There are so many cool ways to make photos pop when this neat idea is put to work.  Brides: do this!  Use your main wedding color or your wedding accent color.  It could be so fun, and it’s definitely unique!

copyright becky novacek photography

Here is a “Colored Crinoline how-to” that was just recently posted on Hot Pink Brides.

Of course, Offbeat Bride has a variety of posts that show photos of this!

Here is Offbeat Bride’s article on how to do this.  It’s a little more in depth– with pictures of each step.

It doesn’t have to be a short dress.  I have seen plenty of standard length, more traditional dresses, with just this wonderful pop of color underneath.  I am seriously dying to shoot a wedding where the bride does this!  Who’s going to be my bride?!  You have tips & inspiration, so doing it should be a cinch.

Just picture the pink one above on a sweet cake like this:

Name + Esty Shop:
Abigail Halpin :: http://missavocado.etsy.com

Where are you located?
Southern Maine, near the ocean

How long have you been making the toppers?
I started making the toppers in 2008, following a few months of trial and error prototyping.

When did you open your Etsy shop?
I opened my Etsy Shop Summer of 2005. I was still in school at the time and had just taken up crocheting, so was looking for a venue to peddle my wares. As time went on though, I switched the focus of my shop to art.

Where did you get the idea to make the toppers the way you do?
I’d read an article about a wedding that used a vintage paper wedding cake topper to decorate cupcakes with and was really inspired. I went hunting down vintage toppers online and decided to try designing my own version. I was intrigued by the idea that it was relatively flat and would be easy to store after the wedding.

How many colors/styles do you offer?
Each year I’ve designed a different style. In 2008 I’d designed one that had a 1930’s feel, this past year I featured toppers that were more in keeping with the bright colors of the ’50’s and did offer color customization for brides with this option. For 2010, I’ve just started sketching ideas.

How much time does it takes to make each topper:
Initially I draw the topper, scan and then digitally color. Once printed, I create the crepe paper background, add glitter, a veil and other embellishments, then cut out each bride and groom. Not including the illustration time, I’d estimate each topper takes about an hour to assemble, plus drying and pressing time.

Advice on planning a unique wedding:
Be true to yourself! I helped my sister with her wedding a few years back and everything from the boutonnieres to the dress was made by a family member. It was a lot of work (and definitely not for everyone), but the wedding fit my sister and brother-in-law to a “t.”

And here is a lovely cake idea for the fushia topper:

And for the green:

That last cake is stunning.  Wow.  I love it.

As a little “goodie” to our readers, Abigail is offering free shipping for one cake topper to the first person who orders and mentions our blog post!  So head to her Etsy Shop and order one!  I hope I see some of these lovelies at our 2010 weddings!  Thanks, Abigail, for sharing your sweet toppers and advice with us : )

All cake photos copyright theknot.com

panera hot chocolate   :  )    yum…..