from Hunter ~ I moved to Charlotte in January 2005 to take a new job. I had spent a couple summers in Charlotte while I was at Virginia Tech and my parents were living there, so I already knew I loved it and wanted to make it back someday. Anyhoo, it’s pretty well known that through the years, I’ve been in the “serious boyfriend” role waaaay more often than not, so the prospect of being single in an awesome city, full of good looking girls and actually having my own place with a little bit (a very little bit) of money in my pocket was pretty exciting. Soooo, naturally I go and fall for the first girl I take out on a couple dates! Go figure. Kristen worked on the same floor at BofA. My first (self-assigned) project at my new job was to identify all cute girls in the vicinity, so I knew who she was right away. My boss introduced us after work one day at Brixx, our after hours watering hole of choice, and I asked her to go to the Wachovia Championship a few weeks later. It would be an understatement to say that she was quite smitten with me from that point on. I pretended not to be too interested in her as best I could, and have fought it pretty hard on several occasions over the last few years, but truth be told, it turns out she’s had me hooked from day 1.

from Kristen ~ Friday the 13th, 2009. Hunter told me he couldn’t get dinner reservations for Valentine’s Day because the restaurant was booked. Believable since Hunter procrastinates to do everything. So, Friday after work we came home and got ready for an evening out. Hunter was ready before me, naturally, so he went downstairs to wait until I was ready. I came downstairs and our golden retriever puppy came running to me with a beautiful ring tied around his neck. Hunter was soon to follow, took the ring off Jake and got down on one knee. The evening continued as we met friends at a local wine bar to celebrate, and then a private dinner at the restaurant we had planned to go to originally. And lastly he swept me away to Charleston SC the next morning for a weekend of us celebrating together!

… stayed tuned for the wedding!

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Post tags: Charlotte, Cigars, E*Shoot, Ice Cream, Kristin Vining Photography, North Carolina
Post categories: engagement session, Little Black Book Blog, Wedding Photography

Although Joe and Marco are based in Houston and Miami, they do a LOT of destination work. Take a look at their blog and website and you’ll see some of the most astonishing scenarios!

This particular couple ~ Sonal and Mehul ~ wanted Chicago to be the theme and backdrop for their e*shoot because it played such a huge role in their relationship. Joe says that they focused on being sure you could actually “feel” Chicago in a lot of their shots!

These next three are simply incredible …

The vibrancy and emotion in all of the images will blow me away!

Joe also recently shared a very intimate wedding from the islands of Turks and Caicos ~ just the bride & groom, 3 guests and Joe’s team!

a bit of the story from Joe …

Xochy and Todd decided to have a small intimate wedding in Grace Bay in the Turks and Caicos Islands, a few weeks before their larger State Side wedding. With 3 guests, themselves, and our team, we had a a wonderful shoot that allowed us to get some amazing stuff all over the Island. More of a Destination Session for us than covering an event, it provided Xochy and Todd an opportunity to relax and enjoy the beautiful island.

u n b e l i e v a b l e ! ?!

I could probably go on and on and on all day about how amazing Joe’s photography is …

… but there simply aren’t enough adjectives …

J. Cogliandro Photography is based in Houston and Miami but travel extensively throughout the year. If you love their style as much as we do, definitely take a look at more of their work over on the website and blog!

Here are a few of our favorite Houston-area photo shoots! Doesn’t matter what they do … it’s all pretty spectacular!

Tara and Jordan

Lacy and Joel

Giving Back ~ Spectrum of Hope

Houston Baby Photography

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2010. | Permalink | 5 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Beach, Carribean, Chicago, E*Shoot, J. Cogliandro Photography, Turk and Caicos
Post categories: Destination, engagement session, Little Black Book Blog, Real Weddings, Wedding Photography

from Jessamyn ~ Annie and Kevin’s engagement shoot at a private residence outside of Petaluma (Sonoma County), California … The ranch where we did the shoot had so many beautiful nooks and crannies available to us, it was amazing! I feel like the moss and ancient oak trees give the shoot a very romantic, southern feel. Annie and Kevin were not only gorgeous but really fun and a little goofy, so there was a lot of emotion to work with – plus their outfits were super cute. Annie altered her vintage dress (I think it had been her grandmother’s), and Kevin had a great vintage looking suit. We kept the shoot pretty simple, using only champagne and Valentine’s treats from Viola Pastry Boutique as props, but I think that their personalities and the beautiful location really shine through.

TOO cute! Congratulations Annie & Kevin!

For more of Jessamyn’s fantastic photography, be sure to see …

Angela & Collin’s Bunny Meadow, Golden Gate Park wedding

Henry and Isby at Henry Miller Library, Big Sur

Sheryl & Nick’s beautiful October wedding at Tilden Park

And then of course ~ some of our own hugely popular Jessamyn Harris features on SMP …

Melissa & Brett’s Part 1, Part 2, LBB Blog feature (very vintage, very DIY!)

Birds In Flight ~ Inspiration to Reality Shoot: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Inspiration To Reality Shoot (SMP), More Inspiration To Reality

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2010. | Permalink | 10 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: California Weddings, E*Shoot, Engagement, Jessamyn Harris, Petaluma, Sonoma County, Viola Pastry Boutique
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog

I saw these images sent to us from J. Cogliandro Photography and that’s exactly how I felt. Aarti & Purav’s engagement shoot in Belize …

Here’s what Joe C. had to say about the {3 day, 4 flight, 4 hotel} shoot … beaches, mountains, Mayan ruins and waterfalls ~ an awesome backdrop for Aarti & Purav’s destination engagement session in December!  They will be married in April in Austin …

You’ve gotta’ love Joe’s style!

This next one … I seriously think it needs to hang on the wall in my home! It makes me feel such peace.  It makes me feel the sure and absolute promise of tomorrow. Who doesn’t need to be reminded of that on a daily basis!

Some Serious Beauty. Joe, your work IS awesome!

* * *

Aarti & Purav’s destination engagement session can be seen on Joe’s blog {here}. But if you want the full effect … one of those take your-breath-away-minutes in the middle of the day … click here for the slideshow of the full shoot (be sure you have the sound ON). There are some truly amazing images that you have to see!

* * *

Congratulations Purav & Aarti! We can’t wait to see your wedding!!

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Post tags: Belize, E*Shoot, Engagement Shoot, J. Cogliandro Photography, Mayan ruins, Tropical Inspired
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Wedding Photography

from Melanie ~

Anne and Frank flew in from Nevada for this shoot at Keeneland Race Course and the weather was horrible…we chatted on the phone about our options and given that this was our one chance to make images for their save-the-dates, we were determined to make it work.  It was raining as hard as it ever had and then 45 minutes into the shoot, it dried up for a little bit so we could walk around outside the stands.  Yay!!

I was so inspired by their thoughtfulness towards one another. Engagement shoots are so helpful on my end.  I have a chance to see how a couple interacts, study their faces to determine what looks best, calm nerves about what it will be like to be photographed (because the wedding day isn’t so different – just different clothes and less time!) … engagement sessions often make the wedding day smooth as silk!

THEY’RE SO CUTE! Thanks for thinking of us Mackenzie! Beautiful work, Melanie!

Congratulations, Anne & Frank! Best of luck with your wedding planning!!  ~The Style Me Pretty Team

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 5 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: E*Shoot, Keeneland, Kentucky, Melanie Mauer, One Fine Day Wedding Consultation, Vintage
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Vintage Chic

Kristina & Brad are getting married next October, but wanted to get going on their Save-The-Dates. Oh my goodness … how fun are these shots?!

Filmed at a friend’s ranch between Austin and Houston … it was a perfect spot!

LOVE ‘EM!  Thanks to Stella & Brian for sharing. Congrats and happy planning to Kristina & Brad!

* * *

ps…for another AMAZING bridal portrait shoot…take a look at Amy’s portrait session at Green Pastures on the Alesi’s blog. Unbelievably beautiful (Vera)!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 5 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: E*Shoot, Stella Alesi Photography, Texas Weddings
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Wedding Photography

from Ryan …”In celebration of that wonderful Hallmark Holiday known as Valentine’s Day, we are doing something VERY exciting! We are giving an Engagement Session away for free to one lucky couple who meets the following criteria…

1. You are engaged to be married

2. You like to smile and laugh

3. You make a cute couple

4. You don’t mind spending an hour or two in the cold

5. You’re both pretty available the second week of February (hopefully the 11th or 13th) to film near Detroit

6. You’re tired of the recession already

Now that … is a great deal! But it’s short notice … so if you qualify, link over to Epic Motion and leave Ryan a comment. He’s going to need a picture of both of you, some brief stats about you and (… the SMP drill …) why you think you should win the E*Session!

Here’s a quick example of Epic Motion’s fabulous film work! Kate and Mike’s amazing wedding at the Pine Knob Mansion in Clarkston Michigan. For the full Highlight Reel  {click here}.

To see  samples from other events and weddings Epic Motion, visit their website and blog.

Epic Motion worked together with another of our great Little Black Book members,  Jessica Johnston Photography on Kate & Mike’s wedding. We’ll be featuring the beautiful photos a little later today so be sure and check back!

To get in on Epic Motion’s Anti-Recession-E*Session, be sure to send Ryan a note now!

PS to SMP readers: We’ll announce the winner and post the Valentine’s E*Shoot as soon as it’s available!

Since this original post, we’ve added lots more photos of Kate and Mike’s amazing wedding {here} and {here}.

We also wanted you to hear what Kate had to say about her experience with Epic Motion …

“At the beginning of the wedding planning process, I was certain that I didn’t want a videographer. I assumed that having one wasn’t necessary, but now I’m extremely glad that I changed my mind (with the help of my mom). I would have MAJORLY regretted my decision had we not had one. As all the married ladies know, the day goes by faster than you can ever imagine and there is so much that you don’t get to see. Now we’ll be able to relive the day whenever we want by simply popping in the DVD. I absolutely LOVE Ryan. He is one of the best in the business and his work speaks for itself. I was referred to Ryan by our photographer and he is the first and only videographer that we met with. At our initial meeting, he showed us a few demos and both my mom and I were nearly in tears. It was at that moment that I knew we had to have him shoot our wedding. He is an absolute blast to be around and was extremely unobtrusive on our wedding day. I’m so excited that we were able to work with Ryan and the rest of the crew at Epic Motion – they are all around great guys!

February 16 Update: The Highlight Reel from Kate and Mike’s Wedding is now on Epic Motion’s blog. It’s fantastic!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 10 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Detroit, E*Shoot, Epic Motion, Giveaway, Jessica Johnston Photography, Michigan, Pine Knob Mansion
Post categories: Casual Elegance, Color Palettes, Contests, Little Black Book Blog, The Blog, Wedding Cinematography