Engagement Photo Session

Last year we kinda sorta decided we would likely want our engagement photos to be done in the fall.. since we are getting married in the summer it would be a different look-- and we have an awesome back drop right in our own back yard. Tons of "fields" for those "field" shots popping up on all photographers blogs....a quaint little rustic looking white shed, a bridge for us to take those "holding hands on the bridge shots"... but I was quick to tell any photographer I met "NO CHEESY SHOTS!" ..... to which every photog replied, "just like every other bride tells us"...

So since we are all in agreement... no cheese ball shots (IE staring into each others eyes while waves crash and birds chirp!) and we all want something a "little different" I thought I'd post the pictures that inspired me for the look I want... (and a few others that I just plain LOVE!)

I'll call this first group the "plain clothes" group. I love these shots and want to incorporate some in my own shoot... all credits to these photographers per their photos:



This would be perfect for our back by the River where we live!




See you can include your dog and not be too cheese central...how cute!




I like the light on these pictures, and have seen some great wedding day ones with the same lighting...


Now onto my favorites!!! These are my absolute favs and if I could convince my fiance to do this I would. I Love love love love heart them xo. Enjoy:


Super vintage!!




My all time, favorite engagement shot ever.

  So I included these next ones because it is something I would never do.. but came out amazing. They are the Notebook inspired.. maybe its because the girl looks a lot like Rachel McAdams-- but these came out great!



How great is this?

Just one more i had to add that i found tonight and l-o-v-e:



Banner Love- This week's DIY

This week's DIY is actually something I am going to throw together real soon. As soon as I get my hands on some burlap and string to do so.


I absolutely love these banners and while I think they are adorable for weddings- I also think they will look great used on our engagement shoot (see tomorrow for more engagement shoot inspiration).

You can grab these for around $20 on Etsy, but the entire thing would cost you under $5 to make-- and a little patience and a rainy/snowy winter afternoon....

Basically you need:

Burlap (tan or white (if you can find white-- I've had no success)

Felt or Fabric Scraps

Large knitting thread and knitting needle

Large Grosgrain or other type of sturdy ribbon (about 2 yards depending on the length of your banner)

Once I do it I will put in a full tutorial. But It basically goes like this:

• Cut the burlap into enough triangles or squares as your need.
• Sew on some fabric cut into a square, heart, circle, whatever
•  With the knitting thread (if you want it to have a contrasting effect pick a lighter or darker thread: I like the look of the red fabric and white stitching).
• Hand sew the fabric on.
• Cut out the letters in felt, Glue gun em' on.
• Use a fabric pen to jazz it up.
• Take the whole thing and glue it to the ribbon.

I know,that sounds easy right? Well, it is. It might not be 100% at the quality of the Etsy sellers.. .well I'll be honest its not. But I guarantee it will look cute and hold up long enough for you to use it in wedding photos, hang it on a doorway, on a fence, or on the back of your car.... and serve its purpose :)

I'll post pics once I get going!!

Wedding Savings: Ordering from Wholesalers

I promised some budget tips along the way, so here's a big one I've learned: Order Wholesale.


When I think of wholesale I think of huge packs of cereal, but think about it with 100+ guests you are a wholesale contender.


There are an abundance of stateside shops online like Save-on-Crafts, but there is also the ability to reach out and hit up our overseas friends. One big giant: MadeinChina.com. You can find everything on there from paper fans and tins to pack favors in-- to.. .wait for it... wedding dresses! If you are more daring than I am, consider ordering a wedding dress. They have the same styles as the big chains-- for a fraction of the price. In fact, many of the companies overseas are the ones producing the dresses for the big "name" wedding dress companies-- so you might be getting a dress that is from their very order!


One hint: Watch for price breaks. When ordering wholesale you're likely to get a price break at a certain quantity. So if you have 125 guests and you want to order 125 items-- price out ordering 150-- it may be cheaper since you hit the next price tier.


Happy Bargain hunting!