From Studio Foto…

A little while ago we met Ash and Kaitlin in Boston for their Love Shoot. Krystal and I were super excited because we knew that we were going to shoot in the Wang Theatre. What we didn’t know was what Ash and Kaitlin had up their sleeves.  Just as we arrived we heard from Kaitlin that they decided to theme their shoot after their favorite TV show MAD MEN. Many of you know that we don’t really watch TV, so I quickly googled MAD MEN. Who wouldn’t want to shoot a theme based around that show! And the surprises didn’t stop there. When we were introduced to the theatre manager, we were told we could use the entire theater- yes, indeed- the stage, the dressing rooms- all of it! We were pumped needless to say!

Ash and Kaitlin rocked this photo shoot. It’s provocative, sexy, and really, really fun. The Wang is an awesome theatre and could not have been more perfect for this couple’s engagement session. What a place to let yourself really fall into character!?!

These two were fantastic. They totally worked their outfits (love her hot shoes, by the way!) and the Mad Men-esque attitude for this shoot…the results could not have been better. Click here to see even more of the fabulous e-session on Studio Foto’s blog. Thanks to Paul and Krystal for sharing this kiler e-session with us and congratulations to Ash an Kaitlin on their engagement!

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Post tags: Boston, Engagement Shoots, Mad Men, Studio Foto, Vintage E-Session, Wang Theatre
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog

Emily & Joe were married this summer at The Mansion At Bald Hill in Connecticut …

Emily’s daughter, Summer was the flower girl and ring bearer. (See what I mean about the sweetest of moments?)

For all the details and all the pretty … head on over to StudioFoto’s Blog to see Emily & Joe’s beautiful summer wedding in Connecticut!

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Post tags: Bald Head Inn, Casablanca, Connecticut, Studio Foto
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Traditional Elegance, Wedding Photography

It’s pretty obvious that lots of love went into planning the wedding details of Christine & Zack’s big day.  It’s also equally obvious that the overall picture they wanted to achieve was a huge success!

from Christine … When planning our wedding we were both on the same page about one thing. We wanted to get married on the beach! Our toes in the sand and ocean waves rolling. This was our goal when looking at venues because anyone who knows me well, knows that I am beachy….and it just so happens that I found a guy that loves the beach as much as I do. Just as important to us was creating a wedding ambiance that was not too formal.  We wanted a gathering of our closest friends and family to feel the relaxed atmosphere of the beach that brings us there to enjoy summer after summer.

First on our list was getting married in Rhode Island. We vacation there a lot together and love to have our friends and family come visit us while there. After many searches and phone calls to different places, to the delight of everyone we finally found our little beach spot for the ceremony as well as a great reception location! After a year of careful and crafty planning ~ with the help of many ~ the day finally arrived. It turned out to be a beautiful and dramatic setting for our celebration. The waves were bigger than we had ever seen on a Rhode Island beach due to the grey skies and windy weather that blew in ten minutes before the ceremony began. The water was a stunning turquoise blue that mimicked Caribbean waters. This amazing backdrop created really great photos and memories!

The day we got married was everything that we could have hoped for. Our relaxed beach wedding was just as we had imagined. Looking back we agreed that we wouldn’t change a thing – even the little things that didn’t turn out as planned were no big deal. It was our friends and family that helped us to make our vision happen- from the first day of planning to 10 o’clock the morning after the wedding.

We were working on a small budget and did our best to create a day that was unique to us. We were so happy that we worked so hard to get married on the beach, and our determination really set the tone for our lives together. Our wedding day was a time for our guests to celebrate this moment with us in a setting that spoke to us as a couple and combined all of the things that we truly love and enjoy.

All of the special little details that Christine incorporated into her wedding are simply lovely!

LOVE the bridesmaid’s necklaces!

And then, the celebration began!

Jose Costa Steel Drums REALLY livened up the night!! Amazing photography!!!

And BECAUSE they were guests at the wedding, Krystal and Paul stepped out in front of the camera for a change …

photos (above) courtesy of Lauren and Tracy Cooksey

Congratulations Christine and Zack! Your beach-side wedding with all of your friends and family around you, was simply delightful! Sheer joy!

For LOTS more images and all the vendor info from their wedding, take a look at Studio Foto’s blog!

* * *

Krystal & Paul … see you at Audrey’s 1st birthday party!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 37 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Beach Wedding, Jose Costa Steel Drums, Lauren Cooksey, Rhode Island, Studio Foto, Weekapaug Beach, Westerly
Post categories: Budget Beautiful, Do-It-Yourself Inspired, Little Black Book Blog, Real Weddings, Wedding Photography

This shoot was done on the groom’s family property (nice, right?) in Connecticut where the wedding will be held. Paul and Krystal were invited to spend the day and photograph the couple having fun. Not a bad gig! The property is actually open to the public and houses one of the best restaurants in the area called The Golden Lamb. Pretty awesome!

If you can’t already tell, I heart Studio Foto in a big way. Ever since they photographed my beautiful baby girl, I’ve been hooked on their unique style and approach. Plus, they are super cool, which always makes the experience more fun. Check out their blog for more e-sessions and beautiful weddings!

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Post tags: Connecticut, e-session, Engagement Shoot, Studio Foto, The Golden Lamb
Post categories: Wedding Photography

And although the railroad shots are completely and totally awesome, this next set is ridiculous. LOVE them.

Incredible, right? I am so impressed with couples that bring a sense of whimsy and style to their engagement shots. When else in your life do you get to be your own stylist, model and art director…and with the person that you love most in the world. It’s a really fun opportunity to let your inner fabulousness out for the world to see. Plus, you’ll get some pretty great artwork for your walls!

Thank you Studio Foto…we are forever impressed by you guys!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 33 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: e-session, Studio Foto
Post categories: Wedding Photography

from Tammy …

When dear friends of ours offered to host a garden wedding for us in their newly redesigned gardens at their home in Norwalk, CT we were so excited. Gilles and I were married in July at the Mairie in Paris at a small ceremony. With many of our friends and family absent from our ceremony in Paris, we were so happy that our friends offered to host our US reception with close friends and family. We decided to hold our reception on my parent’s 50th wedding anniversary. It was a perfect day.

Our reception was planned in four months mostly from Paris.  SMP was a great help for inspiration, resources and ideas that really helped me plan the reception …such as the color palette: french blue and white with antique red accents, casual elegance look and feel, stylish details and floral arrangements. The inspiration boards were especially helpful.  Details of the wedding were very important to me. I included small touches of French flair to honor my husband’s heritage.

Tammy’s chignon is so classic and so perfectly paired with the lace gown!

The buffet menu was incredible. Our caterer really understood our vision to combine American and European cuisine. The charcuterie table was a great success. Details included: a menu board, kir royals, french wine, french bisquits with chocolate from Paris at each place setting, matchbooks given to us by my best friend was such a lovely surprise, an appetizer of home made pate from Gilles’s grandmother, lanterns with ribbon tails with blue lights, stamped cocktail napkins with a stamp from etsy, french-english flashcards placed at the cocktail hour for conversation bought on etsy, french blue ribbons tied on napkins, handmade guest book, elegant clean floral arrangements for tables to compliment the gardens, handmade ring pillow in french blue toile.

The best part of the day was being with all of the family and friends we love. We had symbols of our loved ones everywhere all throughout the day. Chris and Joe offered their beautiful home, our friend, Michael married us in the garden, my best friend Deb assisted me with every aspect of the wedding a few days before the ceremony (hanging all lanterns to wrapping napkins) and was my coordinator the day of the wedding (I am blessed to have her in my life).

What a charming, intimate celebration!

Advice to other brides. It is possible to plan a perfect wedding day in a short amount of time. Come up with a budget and figure out what is really important to you. Ask friends for referrals for catering companies, music and rental companies. Be upfront with your vendors about timing and budget. When they know what they are working with, it makes for a more pleasant experience.

To our hosts Chris and Joe, thank you very much for hosting our wedding and for all your help and effort in making the day just perfect. We are so lucky to have friends like you in our lives.

Perfect!!  A backyard garden wedding full of charm, elegance, and wonderful food & drink. You can tell that this was a very heart-warming day…filled with family and friends, love, laughter and a touch of attitude!

On a slightly different note … congratulations to Krystal and Paul, masterminds of Studio Foto … on their own engagement!! To see more of their fabulous fotography, and read a great marriage proposal story, check out their blog and website.

krystal’s engagement ring shot

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 27 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: August Wedding, Backyard Wedding, Color Palette Blue, Connecticut, DIY Inspired, Lace Wedding Dress, Luminaries, Studio Foto, Wedding Menu
Post categories: Casual Elegance, Do-It-Yourself Inspired, Little Black Book Blog

Seems like today might be a good day for us to post some lovely real brides and their lovely real wedding gowns!

To fuel the fire within … from Style Me Pretty’s Little Black Book members’  features (past, present and future) ~

photography by meghan sepe (row one) and allyson magda (row two)

photography by james christianson (row one), holland photo arts (row two/left and row three), sedona bride (row two/right)

Many of you soon-to-be-brides have an idea of what you don’t want, but honestly, until you get out there and start trying on a variety of styles, don’t etch it in stone. Try one or two gowns that you think you won’t like … just because … who know, you might be pleasantly surprised.

More photos from our Little Black Book photographers from this past year …

from christopher record photography ~

from kate triano photography ~

from kate benson photography ~

So that was the good news.  Here’s the bad news …

We’re not quite sure of the designers on all of the gowns … if you’d like more info, let us know and we’ll try to find out for you!

We’d also love to know … did you get engaged over the holidays? When ( and where?) is your wedding going to be???

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 29 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Allyson Magda, Christopher Record, Kate Benson, Kate Triano, Sedona Bride, Studio Foto, Wedding Dresses, Wedding Gowns
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Wedding Dresses, Wedding Fashion, Wedding Style

Maybe it’s because I love gorgeous rings … or maybe it’s because of the unbelievable creativity of wedding photographers. I just think ring-shots are so artistic.

So … when we posted yesterday’s LBB Blog with the cute-cute little man RING bearers … it just seemed natural to follow-up with our first Little Black Book Ring-Shot Gallery.

Wait, though. There’s more to the story. About two weeks ago, I saw a post on Carla Ten Eyk’s blog that made me realize I wasn’t alone. There’s an entire website devoted to amazing photographs of wedding rings. And Carla has twenty-one (*21!) featured on it. Take a look at just a few of hers …

Carla rocks the ring shots! And you should hear what her brides (& fellow-photo buffs) say about her {inspiring, generous, awesome, genuine, creative, passionate, encouraging, amazingly talented … just a few of their words}. Carla’s studio is based in Hartford CT, but she’ll travel anywhere! We can’t recommend her highly enough.

Now, back to the ring-shots. The site is ROCKTOGRAPHERS … and I seriously spent a couple of hours mesmerized by the beauty in these images. I found more of Style Me Pretty’s Little Black Book members featured and started ’snipping’ photos left & right. I was on a roll! Once again, I turned back to the LBB photography blogs, and voila’ … a virtual smorgasbord of fabulous ring-shots …

Ring-shots (above) by Little Black Book photographers StudioFoto, Hollye Schumacher, Daria Bishop, Mark Garber, and another by Hollye.

Ring-shots (above) by Jeremy Hess, Justin Marantz, Orchard Cove, StudioFoto and Daria Bishop.

Ring-shots by StudioFoto, Walters and Walters, StudioFoto, and two more from Daria Bishop. I LOVE Daria’s Ring/Ant-Shot!!

This last shot from Hollye Schumacher has a great story behind it. We’ll save that for another feature!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2008. | Permalink | 10 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Carla Ten Eyck Photography, Connecticut, Daria Bishop Photography, Hartford, Hollye Schumacher Photography, Jeremy Hess Photography, Justin Marantz Photography, Mark Garber Photography, Orchard Cove Photography, Photography Blogs, Rocktography, Studio Foto, Walters and Walters, Wedding Rings
Post categories: Jewelry, Little Black Book Blog, Wedding Photography