AMANDA + DAVID | HERRINGTON MANOR WEDDING

 

Amanda and David's wedding was a wonderful experience, the joy between this couple spread contagiously to everyone that came to witness the two tie the knot. Today is part two of my double header wedding weekend second shooting with Natalie Franke Photography.

The weekend was filled with love and laughter, old and new friends brought back together in celebration of the lovebirds. From the meaningful seating arrangement to the natural bond that exists between Amanda and her sisters, to David perfecting the art of getting a parent out of bed at the crack of dawn to wait in line so he could buy him the latest and greatest toy.  How'd he do it? Flick the light switch on and off until, like most parents, dad caved in.

The sunrise that greeted us on the driving home was nothing short of spectacular!  If there ever was a wedding or a road trip I'd love to have a do-over, this was it. Take a look.

The veil almost stole the show

Creative Team:

Hair & Makeup | The Lake Salon |  The Lake Salon

Florist |  Green Acres Flower Basket | Green Acres Flower Basket

Day of Event Coordinator: Railey Mountain Vacations

DJ/Band  |  Bill Izer | Bill Izer

Caterer  |  Harvest Moon Market | Harvest Moon Market

Bridal Gown   |  Monique Lhuillier | Monique Lhuillier

Bridesmaids’ Dresses  |  Jenny Yoo Collection | Jenny Yoo

Invitations  | Wedding Paper Divas | Wedding Paper Divas

LAURA + MATT | ANTRIM 1844 | MARYLAND WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

Two days, approximately 450 miles, singing out loud to the radio and double yellow lines = road trip.  ..... double header wedding weekend second shooting with the super talented Natalie Franke Photography is a photographers dream, especially when you already love the super sweet, down to earth, girl next door woman behind the camera.

A double header wedding weekend, second shooting with the talented Natalie Franke Photography is a photographers dream, mine at least, especially when you already love the super sweet, down to earth, girl next door woman behind the camera.

The two brides we photographed over the two days was nothing short of hanging with families. First up, the historical Antrim 1844 for this beautiful couple's wedding.  When the parents of the bride are worried whether you've eaten, you know you're in the right place. I had more fun than work, I'll let the images tell the story.

Enjoy.

Creative Team

Hair & Makeup | Blush Makeup Artistry | Blush Makeup and Hair Artistry

Florist |  My Flower Box | My Flower Box Events

DJ/Band  |  EventPro DJ, Brian Starkloff | Go Event Pro

Ceremony Music  |  Tammy Sutton at Antares Musicians |Antares Musicians

Caterer  |  Antrim 1844 | www.antrim 1844

Bridal Gown   |  Lilla's Bridal | Lillas Bridal Boutique

Bridesmaids' Dresses  |  JCrew | jcrew

Groom and Groomsmen Wardrobe |  Jos. A. Bank | JOS Bank Formal

Invitations  |  Minted | Minted

Cake |  Baltimore Cakery | Baltimore Cakery

STUDIO INSPIRATION TO BRIDAL PORTRAIT | HOUSTON WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

 

Ask any bride about her wedding dress and she has a story to tell.

Each and every bridal gown every worn down the aisle has a unique story that could conceivably turn into a best seller. From a little girl's dream of her fairytale wedding to the reality of the dress search.  Oh! the search for that perfect wedding dress. And in that search, it is easy to overlook custom made dresses when it really does not have to be. Ask your bridal dream team and chances are we know someone that knows someone that knows a custom designer, you know what I mean? All you need to do is ask. Since you asked nicely, I just happen to know of such a designer, Natalie Harris, the beauty, brains and purple colored hair behind @damselwhitelabel, you can find her here and here to see her "extraordinary gowns to your dream gown"

On your wedding day, we create your unique bridal portrait in your "perfect" gown to tell the story of you! These are images that you get to enjoy today, the foundation of stories you'll share with your children and grand-children, but most importantly, these are the images that speak to future generations when we are no longer here to speak. The images that show how you lived, loved and glowed on your wedding day.

These are the images you show, for the millionth time, to everyone you meet on how absolutely fabulous you looked on your wedding day. So, let's review your wedding day timeline and I will make sure you're equipped with the evidence for your future storytelling (side career).

Congratulations bride to be.

Creative Dream Team

Bridal Gown | @damselwhitelabel Floral Design | @flowervibestx Crown | @bark_and_beam Concept Design | @kellykennedyevents Hair & Makeup | @styledbykelseyv Model | @authentically_B Filming | @thefilmstill

HONEYMOON BEFORE THE WEDDING | RONNIE BLISS PHOTOGRAPHY

Undoubtedly, the engagement season of a bride's life is perhaps one of the best seasons when hopes are soaring and everything comes up roses. If you take the time to sow a handful of seeds during your engagement/planning season and you'll be reaping a bountiful harvest when you need it the most. Here are a few simple tips:

1. Craft a love letter from the heart. This letter is from you to YOU, an anchor when your blue sky shows a patch of gray. You don't need to write it in one sitting but don't wait till the week of the wedding when the butterflies in your body are in full swing or your thoughts will be all jumbled together. Get a ‘strictly love letter’ journal if you love to write and you'll thank yourself later. To be clear, this is a safe haven letter and you're not compelled to give it to him but imagine the look on his face if he were to get a 'peek' into your thoughts. Your call!
   1. Pour out your heart on paper, no not on a gadget (nice try!), but put a pen to paper.
   2. How do you feel about him, and how does he make you feel. What made you say yes.
   3. Your wish for your future together. Your prayer for the man he is today (as in before 'I do') and the man you wish he will become.

2. Set realistic expectations. No, he does not walk on water and neither do you. (you think you do, don't you? I think I so too :-))
   1. Nope! he truly does not always understand how fast the wheels in your head grinds. I'm not making excuses, I'm preparing you for a life of honeymoon together. Don't allow little things ruin your wonderful relationship.
   2. Make room for personal space like you hanging with your girls or him his boys as long as they understand you're committed to each other.
   3. Don't sweat the small stuff. So his sock doesn't land perfectly in the hamper or he presses the toothpaste from the center. Buy separate toothpaste if necessary, the point is these are what I call "ankle-biters", they keep you from focusing on what important: You + Him = US. Focus on your US!

3. Dream about your future together. “dream about the world you’re gonna live in, one fine day … let imagination take you” Oakridge Boys. (The who? Google it already)
   1. EVERYTHING your eyes can see started in someone's imagination. It ALWAYS started with a dream, so dream BIG.
   2. List your personal goals and goals as a couple. Divide your goals 1, 5, 10, 15 years goal. You don't have to stop there, it's your life story.
   3. Document how you would like him to support yu and ask the same of him. How does he like to be supported? When you know what's important to your partner, you become each other's best advocate and nothing comes between you.

It's been said many times before, anything written is measurable. So plan for a great life together but most importantly, plan to flourish so you can regale your children and grandchildren with stories that can be passed down to generations.

I hope you find these tips useful. If so please pass it along, share with friends and families.

Until next week ... hugs and kisses

Ronnie

3 TIPS FOR YOUR BRIDAL PORTRAIT | RONNIE BLISS PHOTOGRAPHY

 

Your wedding day bridal portraits cannot be left to chance, it requires advanced planning.

Ask any bride and she'll tell you someone tampered with the clock on her wedding day. While we all get the same 24 hours in a day, time just seems to zoom by on your wedding day from the time you wake up till the last dance. But I assure you, and deep down you know it is the same 24 hours. So how do you enjoy your very special day to the fullest? And still manage to get those special images that you will share with your grandchildren? Glad you asked. We're going to make this simple by focusing on the pre-ceremony part of your day and why.

Before we go further, can we just agree that next to the groom, images from your spectacular day rank high on the list and should not be left to chance? Those images are the only memories that will outlast that perfect dress you searched high and low to find, so it stands to reason that we need to involve your photographer early on in the timeline planning. To ensure those images are created, follow these simple 3 steps and you'll go from nice to oh-my-gosh!

1. Your planner.
   1. An experienced planner will develop a timeline and allocate time for your bridal portrait, but just in case bridal portrait is not a line item on the list, we're going to include it.
   2. This process should start as early as possible and your planner will tell you it is not etched in stone until possibly the week of your wedding.
2. Hair and makeup.
   1. Ask your hair makeup artist how long it will take to transform you to the queen that you are. Adjust the timeline to reflect the appropriate makeup time.
   2. Be sure you have a dedicated makeup artist just for yourself and another for the girls. Most creatives have partners and will gladly work as a team. At approximately 45 minutes per makeup, imagine how long it will take to transform your 5 bff's.
3. Photography.
   1. Your photographer would love, love, love you if you could allow 45 minutes for portraits but we're realistic, we know it doesn't always work that way.
   2. Work with your photographer to determine the ideal time for your bridal portraits depending on your wedding style.
   3. Armed with that info, connect your photographer to the planner. Most of us will take the initiative to contact the planner since we're both on your dream team, but just in case the two are not communicating, introduce one to the other and they'll work out the fine details and share the result with you. After all, it's your wedding.

You simply cannot go wrong with pre-wedding portraits whether that's with a first look (my recommendation) or a bride only vs groom only session (depending on your culture and beliefs). This increases the chance of getting spectacular portraits while your makeup is still fresh and the butterflies are still at bay.

Bonus tip:

1. Allow time for additional bride and groom only portrait during the cocktail hour. You are now Mr. & Mrs., you'll want to commemorate that with your very first official photo. Can you just 'picture' the stories you will be able tell your grandchildren about the day you got married to grandpa? If you have an evening ceremony, the light should be awesome by the cocktail hour and that's even better.

This is just a template for the first part of the day, as in, before the ceremony. I have decided to leave the timeline for the remainder of the day from the ceremony through last dance out of this template since each wedding typically follows the couple's tradition and should be customized. Here's why. While a typical western ceremony may take one hour from beginning to the end, the 'thanksgiving' section of a typical African ceremony alone is close to 30 minutes of praise worship singing and dancing allowing the proud parents to give a prelude of what the reception dancing will look like.

If you need help with coming up with a workable timeline, I'd love to help. If you like what you're read please consider sharing it.

xoxo Ronnie