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!

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

MONDAYS: inspirational post. We are always on the hunt for things that inspire us.  After starring at a screen night and day, always clicking the same buttons, moving the same bars, watermarking, resizing, uploading,  yadda yadda–we can get in a fog easily.  As soon as we see something lovely, something brilliant, we are motivated to keep going and to do better.  Might as well share our inspirational finds with you, right?  Keep in mind that it is not always photography that gets us pumped… art and colors and stunning blogs… there are many things.  We hope you will enjoy them as much as we do!

TUESDAYS: tip post. We have website and blog messages quite often asking us for tips on how we do things around here.  These many not come every Tuesday, but we will try our best!  We will mix it up and give you some pro tips along with some tips for just catching some great snapshots of your everyday life.  We are not ones to act like we are full of knowledge… and I’m pretty sure you will never find us doing mentor sessions and hosting workshops (but who knows, maybe my thoughts on that will change in the future)… but everyone likes quick little tips and ideas to make any camera give them some neat shots.

WEDNESDAYS:  ae wedding post. So we aren’t the best when it comes to posting weddings, and I know I’ve explained my reasons for this before.  It’s 2010, however, and I am going to, as Tim Gunn would say,  make it work.  So maybe I won’t be able to do “full wedding” posts every time as I prefer to do, but I will just have to deal with it.  I know couples are dying to get a glimpse of their day just as soon as they possibly can, so that is something that is going to happen.  It may only be a couples shots, but it will be done.  So prepare to get sick of wedding fast, because we have stuff to post all the way back from May 2009.  It should be fun!

THURSDAYS:  thoughtful post. This day will be dedicated to random posts, whether they be personal or info about ae photography, they will give you a little insight into our lives, what we are up to, or what’s new with the business.

FRIDAYS:  fabulous wedding post. Of course I had to squeeze in a posting day for weddings.  I do so love them.  I love looking at wedding blogs, funky + unique wedding ideas… and basically just stylish weddings in general.  I know many of our followers are planning weddings, so I figured these posts might give them some great inspiration.   I will feature great Etsy designers, helpful wedding articles I may stumble across, ideas we’ve seen at weddings that have totally stood out, neato gowns (because I love to look at those!), and pretty palette ideas… and whatever else I think of.  Sound good?  Hope so.

SATURDAYS:  who knows. Obviously Saturdays are our busiest days, so blog posts can be quite tricky.  We barely get time to eat and sleep.  You can expect twitter updates with wedding details, though–and those are always interesting, right?  If we are not completely busy, we will try to post a little somethin’ somethin’ on here.  I guess it will be called a “wild card day”.

SUNDAYS:  session post. Engagements, seniors, trash the dress, maternity, family + many more… all of those things are possible.  We have plenty backed up to share, so this day won’t go post-less for awhile.  Unless I take a nap or something.  Sounds amazing right about now.

Gosh, I love my job!  Thanks for having us, Hot Pink Brides!  It’s great to be showcased on such a lovely blog!

Liz is extremely artistic, so we knew their wedding would be great–and they did not let us down : )

A few preparation shots–everything was so relaxed and comfortable.

And then the small, intimate ceremony took place.  Liz had a super 8 video made of the day.  They played it at the reception, and it was amazing.  I definitely have put that on my to-do list for the “2nd wedding” in 2011.  You can view it here.  Here is the guy responsible for such great work:

Some lovely details:

Aren’t these cloth napkins great?  What a neat favor idea.

They served brunch after the ceremony, which we had the pleasure of eating.  It tasted as wonderful as it looked!  YUM!

Their cake was quite adorable, and I love this ring shot Eric took:

This little lady kept right on eating that hot dog during the portrait session.  I loved the fact that they just let her eat it–totally our kind of couple!  Everyone is lined up for a “formal” shot, which we took, but I just had to walk up and get a picture of her.  I love it!  The other little girl, which I’m pretty sure is “hot dog girl’s” sister, held this sign up when Eric went over to take her picture.  How adorable? : )

So Pete and Liz set aside a large chunk of time for their Private Time photos.  It definitely pays off.  Not only do you get many more shots of the two of you, (which is really what it’s all about, correct?) but you just get a better variety and overall end result.  When there’s more time, there is less stress.  You are able to relax, have fun, be yourselves… and it shows in the pictures!  So many times couples decide to cut out Private Time to save time.  We can’t stress enough how important it is to not only keep it a part of your day, but really focus on it.  Really, in the end, do you think you will frame the formal portraits at the alter with this aunt and that uncle or the 10 cousins?  Will they be a part of the album?  Coming from us, people hardly ever purchase those… they almost always go for the special candid moments we captured.  We are not against family portraits in any way–we know they can be a special part of the day.  Just don’t forget that it is your day, and pictures of the two of you are the most important.

On with the show:

Thank you, Pete and Liz, for letting us be a part of both of your big days–as well as your engagement session!  We had a great time during all three occasions : )  We hope you love the photos.  Posting to your new gallery will start on 15th!