VALLENTYNE WEDDINGS

Today I wanted to write about something great I found on Etsy.com….. of course, there are a million great things about Etsy, but I also just love to support and purchase from independent artists who are making things by hand. I think it goes hand in hand with the “buy local” movement and love to support these hometown design stars. It is also very similar to buying prints from your local photographer rather than taking the disk to a large online company and supporting a corporation…. but that’s a whole other story!

The beautiful pieces I want to share with you today are from The Little White Dresser and they are so cute and original! I love that the pieces are versatile and can be worn in different ways too… a headband can just as easily become an adorable belt for your wedding dress. I also really love when brides wear a veil to the wedding ceremony and a headpiece, flower, or other modern accessory to the reception. It changes up the look with minimal effort and maximum style:)

The Little White Dresser is the creation of Avishag Kopelman. She’s 26 years old, a full time textile design student and in her spare time she loves to create, sew, knit, crochet, paint, print, etc… Avishag lives in Tel Aviv and the sea is her favorite neighbor, sounds like my kind of person!

Here are a few of my faves:)

I think I am actually going to buy this one myself to wear when I shoot weddings!

**The above images are courtesy of The Little White Dresser:)**

These super cute pieces remind me so much of one of my favorite weddings….. after this New York wedding I got SO MANY emails asking about the headband this bride was wearing…. and she made it herself! Here is my photo of her that was published in Modern Bride Magazine!

If you haven’t decided yet whether or not to hire a videographer… or maybe just aren’t sure it will fit in your budget, here is an amazing opportunity that my friends at Modern 8 Films are offering! Modern 8 Films is looking for weddings to shoot for their new promotional HD video for 2010. These packages will be offered at partial cost, ranging from $1000-$2000.  The regular price value will range from $4000 -$6000 starting in 2010.  This is a great opportunity for couples that either did not budget for a wedding video or for couples that have opted out of having a wedding video.  This is a one time offer that will not be available in future years.  Limited space available.

They are looking for couples getting married between November 28th and February 28th that do not have a wedding videographer.  If you are interested then please contact them at info@modern8films.com.

Bonjour wedding friends!
I just wanted to give you a quick heads up that Delphine Press having a 25% off sale on all their letterpress wedding invitation suites right now (through 10.31.09) … so if you know of anyone looking for beautiful invites who are on a budget send them to look at these gorgeous invites. They can order online (check out the new customizer feature) or make an appointment to go into the studio.
Thanks a million!
Hope everyone has a wonderful week.

There are so many options for displaying your engagement photos at your wedding. The one I am loving most right now is to make a beautiful press printed photo book out of your favorites and let your guests sign and write messages to you as a couple. Not only do you have a book full of great photos of the two of you, but it is filled with sweet, funny, and sometimes crazy messages from your friends and family. The book I just put together for Carly and Clayton is awesome because many of the pages have cute idea starters to give people ideas on what to write. That way it gets a little deeper and more fun than just “Best Wishes” and the other standard-sweet responses you usually see! I love this book, here are some pics!

A lavender field in the late afternoon is one of the most beautiful and ideal locations I can think of! For this beautiful shoot I headed out to Keys Creek Lavender Farm in Valley Center, California. The shoot was conceived and planned by a very talented group of girls, each with their own unique business. Natasha of Classic Creations made the fresh bouquets full of peonies, roses, cobra lilies, and of course, lavender! They were so gorgeous I think she should make them a staple of her bouquet offerings! Heather Brown {619-739-3948} did this romantic and vintage hairstyle to fit perfectly with the scene, and Nikki List {619-392-6724} did the make-up that went perfectly with the style of dress and the colors of the day. The dress is designed by Melissa Sweet and was generously loaned to us by Cher of my favorite gown boutique, Chez Bride Moderne. I really love working with talented and creative groups of successful women, it is so inspiring! Here are some of my favorite images.