Custom Cake Topper by concarta 05/13/2011
 Instagram photo I had the absolute privilege of working with Tiffany and Drew (Bride and Groom) for their wedding a couple weeks back. There were many things that made their wedding enjoyable to be a part of including their wedding party, the other vendors they selected, and the sophisticated Kentucky themed reception. One of my favorite details was the custom made cake topper by concarta. This topper, made from paper, was designed from photos the bride provided. Everything from the dress, bouquet, and beloved pet is a replica of the real thing. Check out some of the other custom toppers on concarta's website. What a keepsake these toppers provide! I think I just might have to get an extra special topper for my next birthday cake! Related vendors: Venue - Lexington Country Club Cake - Judy Myers with Delectable Edibles Add Comment Whether you are shopping for your honeymoon or just looking for some crisp and fresh updates for your spring wardrobe, there is sure to be something here you just have to have! I love shopping, no matter what the season, but there is something about shopping with warmer weather in mind is that is always extra thrilling! I visited some of my favorite web shopping stops and found the items below. While I'd take any one of them, I'd have to say my three favorites are: 1) the grey strapless dress, 2) the beige satchel bag, and 3) the ruffled one-piece bathing suit. What about you? Happy shopping!  In clockwise order: Grey strapless dress from J.Crew, Cover up from J.Crew, Bikini from J.Crew, Satchel bag from Anthropologie, Rose ruffled shirt from Ann Taylor LOFT, Grey jersey dress from Anthropologie, Shirt and skirt from J.Crew, Sandals from Lori's the Sole of Chicago, One-piece bathing suit from J.Crew, Floral bag from Ann Taylor LOFT, Shorts from Ann Taylor LOFT, Coral Dress from Anthropologie, Necklace from Anthropologie, Wedge sandals from Lori's the Sole of Chicago.  Photo by Mary Lashbrook Photography I have had the pleasure of knowing Stephanie for a year or so now. We met at vendor event and have kept in touch. She and I were making our splash with our own businesses around the same time and it has been fun to compare notes. I enjoy keeping up with her work on her blog. Check out her amazing photos! Below are the questions I posed her for this interview. Enjoy! How did you discover that photography was what you should do? I have loved photography for a very long time. I guess it began in high school when I decided to take a photography elective. You know, it would be fun, kind of a break from all the academic stuff...plus a bunch of friends were in the class. Well I actually ended up loving it and taking it for the next three years of high school until I graduated. So then it was time to decide what I wanted to do next. After a lot of debate, and encouragement from my parents, I decided to go to Ohio University and major in photojournalism. So I guess making that decision kind of was when I discovered that this is what I was going to do. Although from there it was a long journey of developing as a person and photographer to end up where I am right now! How would you describe your style? That's a tough one. It's always hard to describe style without sounding cheesy or vain or something of the like, but I will do my best! I would say first of all, my style is definitely photojournalistic. Thanks to my schooling at Ohio University, I learned about telling stories and finding moments. I guess I kind of pride myself on capturing real, candid moments-- things that happen when you aren't looking or posing. I also like to think that it is a bit vintagy while maintaining clarity. What I mean by that is that 20 years from now I hope you can look at the images and they are not "dated" but keep their beauty. As I move on and forward in this field of photography, I suspect my style and my description of it will grow and evolve. What are some of the characteristics/elements of the best weddings you have captured from behind the lense? As cheesy as it sounds, love and passion for one another. Love takes photos from okay to extraordinary. It's the extra element that I can't just add. If two people are really truly in love it shows, and it usually blossoms in front of the camera. As far as physical things...I love photographing beautiful bouquets and flowers, as well as all the other elements of the day. A lot of times, the things I find the most fun to photograph are the do-it-yourself elements of the day. I know that they took care and time to make it, so it is fun to photograph it. What is one of your favorite wedding photographs? This is really hard for me, but if I have to choose here it is. It is from Jordan and John's wedding - the photos of them with the golden light. I just can't seem to shake them. Every time I do promotion or a portfolio of some kind, I always come back to those photos. I love the color. The golden light is just beautiful --my favorite time of day. And I love the intimacy of the couple. I just love these two photos.  Jordan and John What about one of your favorite engagement photographs? I think it would have to be Heather and Sean kissing. It just speaks of romance and love in a way I'm not sure you can do in words. A kind of interesting thing is this wasn't actually an engagement shoot but more of just a love shoot (they were already married). I love that the passion and love is still displayed after the excitement of the engagement and wedding (on a side note...I would recommend getting photographed with those you love every year...you will thank yourself later).  Heather and Sean What tips do you have for couples looking to book their wedding photographer? From a photographer's stand point I would say don't skimp on this part of the wedding. Your photos are what you will look back on for years to come. Several years down the road, memories of that day might not be as crisp in your head, but if you have beautiful photos that really captured your day, you will be so thankful. Also, make sure you click with the photographer. You want to feel comfortable with your photographer, because to be honest, you will be spending a lot of time with him/her that day! So just make sure you are a good match and you feel comfortable around them. One last thing -- I would strongly recommend meeting with your photographer at least once before your big day. And if you can do an engagement shoot, that helps even more to get to know them and their style of shooting. Oh, and have fun with your photos! Here are some more examples of Stephanie's work...      Reality Board: Kentucky Horse Farm Wedding 01/24/2011
In my last post I shared about working with Ashley and Mike on their October horse farm wedding. In the planning process, Ashley and I explored many different design ideas before she settled in on her guiding theme. Creating an inspiration board is a way to capture ideas and visualize the wedding well before it occurs. After the wedding, it is fun to create a reality board which shows what the final product looked like. I find that reality boards are always better than the initial boards after the ideas are refined and pulled together. It also helps to see pictures of the real people involved! See Ashley and Mike's reality board below. I also included their original inspiration board. All photos in the reality board are by Matt Malicote Photography. Other vendors involved in making this wedding unique include: Jean Farris Winery (ceremony and cocktail hour venue), Selma's Catering (reception), Martine's Pastries (cake), A Blooming Miracle (florist), Applied Cosmetic Services (make-up by Ana Crane-Simpson and team).  Ashley and Mike's Reality Board  One of Ashley and Mike's Inspriation Boards Real Weddings: Ashley and Mike's Kentucky Horse Farm Wedding Featuring Matt Malicote Photography 01/18/2011
 A year ago Ashley contacted me about assisting with her October 2010 wedding. I provided partial planning and design consultation services. With the help of my associate, Candace, we provided day-of coordination as well. During our initial meeting, Ashley shared with me that she and Mike would celebrate their wedding on a family horse farm in Lexington. I remember visiting the large equine arena that would serve as the reception venue last winter with Ashley. The arena was a little dusty and very cold that February day. Ashley started painting a picture for me of how she envisioned the final transformation to look. Ashley had a clear vision throughout the process and had such an eye for developing a consistent theme. She and Mike integrated a subtle equine theme throughout the elements of their sophisticated wedding. We worked on the layout of the arena, choice of fabric to section off the space, decor accents, invitations, programs, and table numbers. Ashley and Mike were both very hands on and did an amazing job creating the perfect ambiance and atmosphere for their special day. It truly was a pleasure to work with them -- and a lot of fun too! Ashley and Mike chose Matt Malicote Photography to do their wedding photos. Matt and his colleague Kelsey did the engagement photos on the farm so they were already familiar with the property for the wedding day. It was tough choosing photos for this post. There are so many truly great shots that capture the various emotions of the day. Other vendors involved in making this wedding unique include: Jean Farris Winery (ceremony and cocktail hour venue), Selma's Catering (reception), Martine's Patries (cake), A Blooming Miracle (florist), Applied Cosmetic Services (make-up by Ana Crane-Simpson and team). In my next post, I will share their "Reality Board". While researching different design elements, I developed several inspiration boards that helped guide the planning process. I have used Matt's photos (thank you, Matt!) to showcase what the final decisions turned out to be. Reality boards turn out better than the ones that inspire them and can serve as another way to capture memories of the wedding. In the meantime, enjoy some of Matt's photos below!       In honor of the fact that Urbaniste celebrated its first year anniversary this week, I thought we'd take a look back at some of the inspiration boards created this year. The boards below are some of my favorite from the year and capture some of the trends and great finds from 2010. Which one is your favorite? Take the poll below. (Click the image to see the full size and board title)       All photo credits are available with the original post of each board. See the Inspiration Boards quick link on the sidebar to access them easily. Happy Birthday to Urbaniste! 01/07/2011
 Urbaniste is celebrating its one year anniversary over this next week. It's been a great year! The risk of stepping out on my own has been enjoyable and worthwhile. There are several things that I am grateful for as I reflect on this past year. I am so grateful to the clients I have worked with this year. Thanks to each of you that have entrusted me to help with your special day. I have learned that the hardest part of the job is when each wedding is over and I don't get to keep up with you as much as before! I have so appreciated all the positive feedback. Check out some of the references that have come in from the past year. I have also gotten to know many more wedding vendors. It has been such a pleasure to work alongside such great professionals and compare notes! Thanks to my circle of friends and family that have referred clients to me and helped get the word out. It means so much! I am also grateful for the many lessons I have learned this past year. I have thought about starting my own business for a long time and it is nice knowing that it can be done. Like anything new, it has had its ups and downs, but I am ready to head into the next year a little smarter! What is next? I am in the midst of updating my marketing materials. My dad has recently taken up graphic design in his retirement and has helped me update my marketing materials, including my logo and web banner. I am taking a graphic design course this spring to enhance my own design skills. I am also in the midst of working on an event called Wed Ed Kentucky with some wedding colleagues. I look forward to working with my 2011 weddings and the new lessons that the year will hold. Thanks for supporting Urbaniste!  Cupcakes by The Decorated Cookie, Cupcake wrapper from The Cupcake Wrapper Co., Cookies from Best Wedding Sites Inspriation Board Friday: Winter White 12/03/2010
We've had pretty, fluffy snow this week. It's been the good kind that doesn't stick, but easily gets you in a wintery, holiday mood. I was inspired to build a board around the color winter white. This choice of color works well for a monochromatic design theme. To me it suggests a quiet and rich elegance. Accenting it occasionally with soft pinks and beiges warms it up just a bit. I love how the photos of the table and shoes just glow. Even if it were cold outside, it sure would feel warm and cozy at this wedding on the inside.  Clutch by Angee W. as featured on Etsy, Invitation photo from Style Me Pretty , Shrug by Trendy Knitting as featured on Etsy, Bracelet by Sabtis Designs as featured on Etsy, Tablescape photo from Style Me Pretty, Shoes photo by Aaron Delesie, Cake photo by Daniel Usenko, Bridesmaid dress by After Six, Dress photo by Cathy and David Photographers, Flowers photo from Style Me Pretty, Invitation by Bella Signature Designs. Real Weddings: Laura and Keith's Frankfort, KY Wedding Featuring Jessica Moore Photography 11/03/2010
Laura first contacted me last January to talk about providing final details and day-of coordination services for her October wedding. She and Keith were married a few weeks ago. What a pleasure it was working with them! I've learned that the hardest part of the job is when the wedding is over and we don't need to be in as much contact with each other. I will miss them! The photos featured below are from their photographer, Jessica Moore of Jessica Moore Photography. It was a perfect fall day. Jessica made the most of this by doing all the pre-wedding photography at Liberty Hall, a historic landmark in downtown Frankfort. I really enjoyed working with Jessica. She did a great job of managing the schedule of photos and was laid back and so easy to work with. The pictures look great -- you can see more on her Facebook page. I am so looking forward to seeing more! The flowers were by The Milam House. Laura chose a hot pink and orange color scheme which looked fabulous with the bridesmaid's black dresses. The flowers were gorgeous! Sara Drury provided hair and make-up for the bride and bridal party. Of course all the ladies were beautiful to begin with, but you can tell when a professional is involved in creating the wedding day look. Stunning is all I can say! The reception was at the Frankfort Country Club. The staff was very professional and it was a pleasure working with them. It is such a lovely venue! Other vendors/participants included: Hope Lutheran Church (ceremony site), Johnnie Johnson (DJ extraordinaire!), Donna Ernst (cake) and Cardinal and Straw (save the dates, invitations, and programs). Congratulations to Laura and Keith!!        Real Weddings: Christine and Garrett's Virginia Farm Wedding Featuring Meredith Montague Photography 10/21/2010
I had the privilege to work with Christine on the design elements of her wedding, which took place in August on a family farm in Virginia. Some of the projects Christine and I worked on together are below, but I first want to share about her fabulous photographer, Meredith Montague. Christine lives in Kentucky, so planing a wedding remotely can have its challenges. Christine found Meredith through old friends of her parents who run the photo lab where Meredith prints much of her work. Meredith is based in Charlottesville, Virginia and has been photographing weddings on a full time basis for four years. She finds unique things about each wedding to capture. Meredith especially enjoyed Christine and Garrett's wedding location. Because it was on the private location of a family farm, it was unique and more intimate. Meredith did a great job of capturing the personalized details from their wedding--as evidenced by her photographs below.  I love this picture of Christine before the wedding.  Mr. and Mrs. McAlister!  I had to include this picture--I LOVE the back of Christine's dress! Christine and I had a great time developing some of the design elements for her wedding. We brainstormed over lunch meetings and shopped at places like Hobby Lobby and Michaels to get ideas and pull things together. A while back, I featured her beautiful letterpress invitations which utilized a personalized logo. Christine was looking for ways to integrated the logo in other elements of her wedding. We worked on using the logo on tags for the favors, which were packets of seeds. We found a paper punch to create the edging for the tags and Christine ordered a stamp of her logo to go on the front of the tags.   We worked on her tablescape and layout for the reception. While the wedding was in Virginia, Christine wanted to integrate some Kentucky traditions. She used bourbon bottles on each table. We worked on using burlap as a table runner and fabric and flowers that integrated her wedding colors. We also worked on how to set up the tables for the reception so that it was an intimate atmosphere. The horseshoe layout of the tables not only worked well for the guests but looked great.    You can tell from Meredith's photos that Christine and Garrett truly enjoyed their special day. Congratulations to Christine and Garrett. Thanks for letting me be a part of your planning process!  | ArchivesMay 2011 CategoriesAll |
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