July 11th, 2011

Interview and Giveaway | Joy Filled Weddings

For this weeks interview and giveaway we came across Joy Filled Weddings on Etsy. Joy filled Weddings specializes in soaps and I must say we absolutely love the variety of colors, scents, and personalized touches that they come in. They are truly beautiful as you will see for yourself! We had to reach out to Adriana and Alan, the co-founders of Joy Filled weddings to learn more about their company and products. They have also generously offered to give one lucky winner a $30.00 credit towards a purchase of soap favors! In order to be entered into the contest simply comment on the post below. The winner will be announced on July 22nd. To learn more about Joy Filled Weddings visit their Etsy shop. They would also like to mention that they are MelMar Soap Hut® and offer Wedding favors as Joy Filled Weddings. Thanks again Adriana and Alan and good luck to all! {BH}


PTW: How did you start Joy Filled Weddings?

A & A: Well the start was a change of heart in 2003 when I left my corporate job working as a Project Manager at Oracle Corp. in Redwood Shores CA.
Once in Madera CA I quickly started looking into different business opportunities and found myself loving weddings.  I founded Joy Filled Weddings as a Wedding Officiant and started to solemnize marriages for a living.  I loved every minute of it.  In August of 2008 I meet my partner Alan Melendez and we quickly formed a soap company by the name of MelMar Soap Hut® purveyor of all-natural handmade artisan soap products.  We found ourselves loving to do weddings on the weekends and handcrafting our olive oil based soap during the week.  We quickly began to offer our soaps as wedding soap favors and the brides just loved them!  Every wedding bride I joined in marriage also wanted the cute fragrant personalized wedding favors.  Etsy was the next step so we opened up JoyFilledWedding offering handmade all-natural Wedding Favor utilizing Etsy as our Venue since this is truly a handmade favor from start to finish. So we like to think of Joy Filled Wedding as the Bride of MelMar Soap Hut.

PTW: What intrigues you about the wedding industry?

A & A: That no two weddings are the same, each one has unique elements and style.  All the flourishes and embellishments added to each wedding is a truly magical work of art I never tire of them.


PTW: What are some recent wedding related trends you’ve seen?

A & A:Hot Pink and Black Damask are in 2011!  That is the rage!

PTW: What type of products do you offer that would be considered specifically for weddings, meaning… Style, product type, etc.?

A & A: What makes my products specifically designed for weddings is the custom personalized labels that we add to the lovely finished handmade soap favors. A real keepsake favor that treats the guest to a lovely shower or bath while richly moisturizing their skin with healthy all-natural soap.

PTW: What is the most popular item in your shop? What can you not keep in stock because it’s just that popular?!

A & A: Hot Pink soap scented in Pomegranate Mint or Wild Raspberry as in-stock, it does not last on the shelf more than a week, it is that popular!  Also, Black Damask labeled favors they are also a hot item in my shop.

PTW: What is your typical business? We would assume that you deal with a lot of brides?

A & A: The typical business is Wedding Favors and Bridal Shower favors which are all tied into weddings.  Since we opened on Etsy as JoyFilledWeddings we are slowly growing, the wedding business is very competitive so we offer small custom orders that is personalized to each bride.

PTW: What is your turnaround time for different size orders?

A & A: (Our policy is 7 days made to order).
If an order of 100 favors is requested we have the ability to make it in the 7 day time-frame we promise.

PTW: Do you have the ability to ship nationwide?

A & A: Yes we do!  We are slowly on international shipping, it’s more expensive and overseas shipping cost are not cost effective for a lot of brides.

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Labels: PTW Giveaways

July 8th, 2011

Detail Shots From a Nautical Wedding

Recently we sent out a request looking for photos featuring nautical weddings, and we couldn’t have been happier to receive a submission from photographer Allison Richter with Studio 28 Photo. These photos are truly amazing and the wedding looked absolutely beautiful! One thing that we couldn’t help but to notice was how beautiful all of the detail shots were, and so we really wanted to discuss this further with Allison. We asked her how the bride and groom should work with their photographer in order to ensure that all of those little details are captured! She gave us some great advice that every couple could use when working with their photographer! {BH}

When we shoot a wedding we like to approach it in layers, the emotional layer, the big moments layer, the fun, the candids and the details.  All of these layers help to tell a cohesive story of the wedding day.  When we first learn where the bride and groom are getting married we try and visit the location.  If we are unable to go and see it we will scour the internet for images and get an idea for the feeling of the place and some aspects we want to highlight.

Here are a few things we always do to try and capture the day in it’s fullest.

1. Work with the bride.  We ask for any fun details or aspects of their day they are really excited about.  For a bride she has been planning this day for about a year and we want to make sure that all those little details that she has spent hours on are captured.  We try and focus on the details that she created as well as the details of her location.  We then create a printed list of all the details we discussed so that during the course of the day we can refer to it and see if we overlooked anything.

2. Work with the planner if there is one.  We always call and introduce ourselves to the planner a week or so ahead just to touch base and hear about the details, and the flow of the day.  We always ask them to please feel free to point out any details or specifics they think are important.

3. Keep your eyes open.  Often at a venue there are a lot of visual elements that are easy to overlook, a wagon wheel at a rustic golf course, an anchor at a yacht club, a majestic staircase or beautiful greenery and plants.   Constantly look around for visual interest and if you see it shoot it at the time you might not know how or if it will fit in your story of the day but often it will enhance the story.  Think of the venue as a layer in itself and really try to convey what the mood and feel of the space is.

4. Keep it cohesive.  If an accent color in the wedding is a vibrant pink then we try and find elements around to bring that out.  A guest with pink nails will hold the program, a pink flower would be a good detail shot, and a pink ribbon would serve as the ring shot.  Find key elements and help accent them.

5. Try something new.  We like to stick to the idea, do 80% what we know and 20% something new.   This allows us to keep pushing our creativity and think outside the box for every couple we shoot.  We don’t want to do the same old recycled poses and shots so we try and make sure that for every occasion we are pushing innovation and creativity and truly capturing the day in a way that is special and fresh!

The team that put this wedding together:

Location and Catering: Newport Harbor Yacht Club (Private)
Florals: Dana Anderson
Cake: Flour and Flower Designs- Davlyn
Linens: La Tavola Linens
Tent:Signature Party Rentals
Chairs, cocktail tables, linens, and dinner plates: Classic Party Rentals

Thanks again Allison for the submission and the advice :)

*previously posted on 3/24/2011

Posted by PTW Media at 9:00 am 0 Comments
Labels: my Kate Parker Wedding

July 7th, 2011

A Popular Wedding Hair Trend for 2011

Deciding how to wear your hair on the day of your wedding is a big decision. There are so many styles to choose from, it can sometimes become overwhelming. So we reached out to New England hair stylist Lena Hartford of Hair That Moves to talk to us about some of the most popular wedding hair trends for 2011! {BH}

Inspiration!  Where to find and who follows it?
Good question! You know there are so many different ways to be inspired for fashion trends. I oftentimes see runway fashion that is so far out of touch of what a “normal” bride would ask me for, however, this season on the bridal runway there was a few styles that caught my eye. This wonderful, sleek , modern yet still  classic looking chignon or bun has been shown so much this season, I decided to embrace it and make it my own. I am always trying to take styles seen in Hollywood or the runway and make it wearable for the every day bride. I found that Nicole Richie, voted wedding of the year by people magazine, wore her hair in this style. It seems almost ballerina like to me. Looking back further, Hillary Duff wore her hair in a similar style, yet a little less perfect and classic and  a little more voluminous. People in the media, such as Kim Kardashian are wearing this style out to the club! You can make it your own.

This style is ideal for people that have medium to long hair and if you are needing some more length, you can achieve that look by using extensions. I worked on this great photo shoot for The River Mill, a new venue in Dover, New Hampshire with  makeup by Joanne McDonough from Joya Beauty, gowns from Madeline’s Daughter and Mark Davidson Photography. The model, Liz  was wearing a beautiful yet non traditional short gown and I wanted to show off the style and overall feel of edginess. Liz has great long hair and I was able to secure her hair at the top of her head to create her style. Of course you could specialize this to make it your own. It is a great, classic yet high fashion look!

*Previously posted on 3/30/2011

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Labels: Inspirations

July 6th, 2011

Getting Married in Chicago

Chicago is such a fun hip city, it’s no wonder many couples decide to get married there. However, narrowing it down and deciding exactly where in the city you want to get hitched can be a much more difficult decision. There are so many great options from gorgeous traditional hotels to historic buildings and museums, the decision can quickly become overwhelming. We reached out to Chicago wedding planner, Ali Phillips of Engaging Events by Ali, to talk to us about the city and some of the perks about getting married at a variety of different venues. {BH}

“My Kind of Town, Chicago is…” as Frank Sinatra said, Chicago really is my kind of town.  And there is no better city to celebrate your wedding with your family and friends than Chicago, the windy city!

You will find so many great reception locations to choose from in Chicago. They range from classic and traditional hotels, like The Drake or The Knickerbocker;  luxury properties, like Four Seasons and Trump Towers, and modern locations like the Museum of Contemporary Art or Adler Planetarium. Always wanted to get married in a classic Chicago museum? There are many of them here, such as The Field Museum and Chicago History Museum. Want to be in a cool lofty space? Chicago has many cool loft locations to chose from that provide a blank canvas for any couple’s tastes and style.

Chicago boasts a gorgeous lakefront and skyline for a fun backdrop of pictures. Chicago’s Millennium Park and Lakefront beaches are perfect for pictures with your wedding party and new spouse. Want something a little more urban? Kinzie Street Bridge and LaSalle Street offer a very urban feel for pictures.

Your guests will love coming to Chicago and getting out to enjoy the city. In the summer there is always a great food or music festival happening along the lake or up in the quiet tree lined Chicago neighborhoods. They can explore the architecture by foot or take a Chicago Architectural Boat Cruise for a view of the city and a tour, with a guide who knows all about the architects and buildings in Chicago. In the colder winter months your guests can enjoy shopping on Oak Street and Michigan’s Magnificent Mile. Or they may want to pursue the Art Institute of Chicago’s amazing gallery of art or one of the other museums Chicago has to choose from.

Chicago is known as one of the culinary capitals of the world. And our amazing and award winning chefs and cake bakers will be certain your guests will have a wonderful meal on your wedding day. And, what would a Chicago wedding be without weaving in Chicago-style hot dogs, Chicago pizza and Garrets popcorn into your wedding menu?

Chicago is sure “my kind of town” and I love planning quintessential Chicago weddings here for my brides and grooms who embrace the city they love in their venues, décor details and food.

*Previously posted on 4/13/2011

Posted by PTW Media at 9:00 am 0 Comments
Labels: Advice

July 5th, 2011

Engagement Session Homework | Audra Bayette

It’s typical for couples to become quite anxious for the wedding day; putting much effort and time to make the day as close to perfect as possible.  Though, be sure to focus some time on preparations, enjoying the experience leading up to your day including your engagement session.  Thinking about skipping it?  DON’T!  It’s the perfect way to get to know your photographer and for some of us, feel comfortable in front of the camera.  Maine wedding photographer, Audra Bayette, shares some great tips and advice to get you all ready and comfortable for your engagement session.

Getting Ready for your Engagement Session Your engagement session is the first time “official” pictures are taken of you on the way to the altar.  It’s not The Big Day but putting some planning in to your engagement session will result in gorgeous images that are a true reflection of you as a couple.

When I work with couples my goal is to record your personal history – before you are married but after you have said YES!  You are an engaged couple for a short amount of time and your images should reflect that time and who you are.   So what are some things to consider when you are planning your engagement session?  I am glad you asked!

Location, Location, Location! Select a spot that is important to you as a couple.  Maybe you met at the library or you go to a local coffee shop every Sunday or you had your first kiss on top of the ferris wheel at the fair!  These are all great spots for an engagement sessions.  Selecting a location that means something to you as a couple gives your images more personality.  Shots of you and your sweetie outside your favorite ice cream shop not only provides a great background but will tug at the heartstrings each time you look at them.

But I Have Nothing To Wear! Engagement sessions are great for showing off your personal style.  Your wedding day attire is decided but your engagement session is a blank canvas!  Selecting clothing that you love and reflects who you are brings another level of personality to your images.  This is the time to bust out the clothing that makes you feel awesome and rock your wardrobe!   Plan on an outfit change during your session will give you a wider variety of looks and result in more images to choose from.  Planning on using your images for Save-the-Dates?  Wear your wedding colors – it’s a great way to work the color palette into the Save the Dates.

Makeup On The Set Please! Be the best version of yourself!  Paying a little more attention to your hair and makeup on the day of your engagement session will pay off, eyes and lips that pop helps create images that jump out to you and say WOW look at me! During the engagement session there is lots of cuddling and getting close so giving your hair a little umph that withstand the hugs and cuddles from your finance is a good idea.  Some clients schedule their makeup trial the day of their engagement session -great idea!

Bring a Prop Your dog, your bikes, your favorite books – all great props to bring along!   If you and your honey have a hobby or something you LOVE to do together schedule the session for a time you can be photographed pursuing your passion!  Don’t let the snow in Maine stop you – a snowshoeing engagement session is personal and fun!

Photographer Chat Schedule some time to chat with your photographer about your plans.  Not only can they help you brainstorm some great ideas but they can also give you a list of do’s and don’ts to make your images rock!

Have Fun! This is the most important advice I could give.  Engagement images are about you as a couple so have fun, be silly and most importantly be you!

*previously posted on 12/23/2010

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Posted by PTW Media at 9:00 am 0 Comments
Labels: Advice, Wedding Budgets Up To 25k

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