A photo begging for a great caption

This is the bride, groom, pastor and makeup artist; in the ladies room.

Boy did I get a giggle when I walked into this!

What would your caption be?

Karis + Matt = Engaged!

They say you can find love in the most unusual places, and for these two, it was at the gym! Karis, a shy sales rep for a local gym, didn't know how to approach the cute guy she secretly had nicknamed “Paul Bunyan",but after A LOT of coaxing from coworkers, she decided to talk to Matt, who as it turned out was even shyer! But what she didn't know was that those same coworkers had convinced Matt that she went around calling him sugar britches!! So a couple weeks later when Matt finally asked her about his new nickname, embarrassment didn't even begin to cover it! After few laughs and text messages, Matt finally asked her on a date, and Karis, who had been "hiding her heart," needed the encouragements from the man she admired most, her daddy (and a few Jim Beams and Cokes) to get over the nerves. After a first date that ended with Matt playing a few poker games, having a few drinks, a lot of laughs with Karis' father, and a date on the lake, Matt admitted he, who never thought he would get married, knew that Karis was the one! So their fairy tale begins! Our Sesion with this beautiful couple began on the street Karis grew up, a place that she still holds close to her heart... After a quick wardrobe change we went for a stroll on the sidewalks of beautiful downtown Anderson! Karis brought along a few items to help personalize the shoot! LOVE We stopped in at The Fox Pub for a small break and just so happened to catch an intimate moment all in black and white :) She looks so angelic, and OMG those eyes.... GORGEOUS!! The ring!! Perfect way to end a perfect shoot, perfect light! Just so beautiful! :)

What to serve at cocktail hour

There are no shortage of great foods and drinks that you can serve at your wedding cocktail hour (Some venues refer to this hour as the reception).  Here are a few that I found on Pinterest.  I have many more pinned - go have a look!

Open faced Egg Roll from The Passionate Cook Blog

Raspberry Ginger Bellini Photo by Noel Barnhurst

Martha Stewart Wedddings, the color issue, Ipad version!

Today I received my print copy of Martha Stewart weddings.  Its the color issue, which is my favorite.  Even better... its out on a digital version for your ipad! I know, get out of town, right?

Guess what?  You get a copy on me.  Well, technically its from the fab ladies over at the MSW offices, but you read it here.

To get your digital issue, click here and give the code: GFfPG7 (note the upper and lower case letters!). This code will be good through April 10th. Happy reading!
Be sure to have a look at the amazing bouquet on page 366.  I really kind of just want to have it forever and ever amen.

Behind the scenes at our weddings

Have you checked out our instagram feed?  Now that its online, you can see all our weddings behind the scenes, before and after. All from my perspective and bigger than on your iphone/smartphone.  You'll get a healthy dose of my crazy family and friends too (I love them all so much).  Here is a little peek I posted to instagram from this weekends weddings at Southern Waters in Ft Myers and LaPlaya in Naples, Florida:

 I honestly just want to never again use a banquet table for ceremony welcome again after this.

 Three cakes?  Sure, why not!

Sue at Signature Floral never ceases to amaze me.  The flowers for the ceremony and reception and all the little tables were so lovely.  I feel like she can read my mind sometimes.  Particularly when my mind is thinking of 8 different things wrapped into one.  Not too many people can do that!

No, you do not need to have your ballroom wedding looking stuffy. Kevin at Botanicals on the Gulf made the most wonderful centerpieces for these tables!  I loved that he was able to bring just the right amount of "soft" to the Navy and white striped linens we picked.

These images above and below are the real deal; What actually happens before the wedding ceremony.  Above breakdown:
1. Photographer Sam distracting baby FG#1 
2. Ashley Brockinton shooting bride and FOB as MOG approaches
3. MOH pulling splinter from FG#2 
4. MOB trying to rally FG#2-3-4 and probably wondering where FG#5 is
5. One of the best Nannys I have ever met, trying to bribe FG#3 with a tic tac that Photographer Sam brought.

Many more on the instagram feed so go check it out! Oh, and Clint Wiley from Wiley Entertainment also posted a video from the dance floor at the LaPlaya wedding:

 

Key:
FOB- Father of the bride
MOG- Mother of the groom
MOB- Mother of the bride
MOH- Maid/Matron of Honor
FG- Flower Girl

Martha Stewart Weddings sent all kinds of good news!

I always get happy when I get an email from the Martha Stewart Weddings offices.  The one that came this week was chock full of good news:
First, they're having a wedding party in Chicago!  We have lots of destination wedding clients in and around the Chicago area, so this is great for all of you.

"Expert Panel with Darcy Miller, Editorial Director, Martha Stewart Weddings 

Over 40 Vendors and a Destination & Honeymoon Lounge at the beautiful Radisson Blu, Chicago
Delicious treats, bubby beverages and great gift bags!"

Even greater- they have given me FIVE PAIRS of tickets to give away.  Want them? Leave a comment with your wedding date and we'll put you in the drawing for this Tuesday.
Next, the newest issue hits newsstands tomorrow. RUN, don't walk!  Just kidding, or not.
Finally, the BIG one.  At the Wedding Party, they are giving away a luxury honeymoon.  An outrageously wonderful 12 day honeymoon to India and the Maldives.  Its worth it to go just for the chance to win this!

1950s Engagement Photos for Jessica and Keith

A few months ago our clients Jessica & Keith had a fantastically fun and over the top engagement photo shoot.  During our very busy day, we covered everything from the 1920s to the 1960's while we took over the streets of historic downtown Ft Myers.  These photos inspired by the 1950s are my favorite of them all.

 Because really, does it get any more classic than Tiffanys?

And did you know that Tiffanys now has an engagement ring app?

 

 Jessica officially becomes a "G" later this spring with an Art-Deco wedding!

 You can see more of their photos, including the Mad Men and Great Gatsby looks on Photographer Tonya Malays new website.

The creative team:

Photography: Tonya Malay Photography

Wardrobe: Wende' Gilmore, owner of the authentic vintage boutique Vamped Up Vintage

Location: Historic Downtown Fort Myers

Hair: Lindsay Johnson

Makeup: Hope Henderson with Hope Artistry