I'm totally stealing this idea from a coordinator friend, so thanks, Danielle!
I grabbed a few snapshots of Sarah and Steve's wedding day in Eagles Mere via my iPhone and the Instragram app. I'll have to go into more depth about all the amazing details of the day, but that needs to wait for another day.
This Sunday marks Tory and Dale's first wedding anniversary, so I felt it appropriate to do a post remembering what a gorgeous day they had last June! Not having known the bride for that long, and never having met the groom until 30 minutes before the ceremony, I was struck the whole day by how perfect for each other and how insanely in love these two were. As they read their own vows to each other, I had to stop myself from some watery eyes, and when they took to the dance floor to have their first dance, it was impossible to see just how much they lit up in each others' arms.
Selecting a local winery to serve as both the ceremony and reception venue, the bride came up with complementing details to create a romantic, semi-rustic, and intimate event. Like I tell all my brides, "Prioritize what really matters ... the rest will find its way." And Tory and Dale did just that.
The following is just a sample of my favorite images from their day courtesy of Cardens Photography. Happy anniversary, Tory and Dale! Thank you for allowing Pure Luxe to be a part of your gorgeous day!
Photobooth rentals are a wedding trend that's been quickly increasing in popularity over the past few years. And why not? It's a fun activity for guests in which to interact with each other, and it leaves everyone with lifelong souvenirs of your wedding. Couples are using photobooth printouts to fill up their guestbook and may also give them as favors to their guests. A total win-win! It's by far one of my favorite reception additions and seems to have a good amount of staying power.
While there are companies who deal specifically in photobooth rentals (like the kind you'd see at amusement parks or the mall), rest assured there exists more affordable alternatives!
THE LAPTOP WEBCAM BOOTH
Since the average cost of a photobooth rental comes in around $800, it's no wonder frugal brides and grooms are tapping into their resources to set up their own. Using instructions similar to these, a homemade set-up requires a computer, webcam, photobooth software, printer, photo paper, and a table. This method may require a slightly tech-savvy individual to establish initial setup and who also wouldn't mind keeping an eye on it throughout the event.
THE NOT-QUITE-A-BOOTH BOOTH
In tandem with the laptop set-up, a booth may not be a booth after all. Patterned fabric backdrops can be set up outside using funky, vintage, or solid textiles hung with something as common as a clothesline. Here's another guide on how to set up this look.
Walls and frames take the DIY photobooth even further creatively. The wall setup may require the help of someone decently handy with woodworking. You can do a single cutout or several cutouts to allow for big groups.
Frames by themselves may be the easiest completely DIY option yet. Hollow out some vintage mirrors or stock up on frames from your local arts store and tie them to a sturdy tree branch. Obviously this concept works best in outside spaces.
PHOTOGRAPHER-MADE BOOTH
Your wedding photographer may offer an additional photobooth service to their packages, which will save you the added time, equipment, and setup of your own DIY. Brent and Sarah Yaggi of Yaggi Photography create custom photobooth setups, providing the backdrop and props, and present the couple with the photobooth images on CD and a slideshow of the best shots. Check out the video below to see an example of such a slideshow.
Regardless of what kind of setup you have for your photobooth, don't forget the props! Try the classic moustache on a stick, an assortment of hats, or some feather boas. You might want to include little chalkboards or white boards for guests to write messages. And, of course don't forget to...
Last May I had the utmost pleasure of coordinating Lindsay & Austin's wedding. But that wasn't the first time I met the bride and groom. Many moons ago, the three of us worked together in the restaurant industry (which is where they met), so I got to watch their relationship begin, blossom, and then culminate as they exchanged wedding vows. Every wedding I coordinate is special, but this one was especially rewarding for me considering how long I've known Lindsay & Austin.
The bride and groom, planning the whole event from where they live in North Carolina, picked fabulous locations – Honors Hall at Lycoming College (Lindsay is an alumna) and 33 East – as well as a handful of amazing vendors. At the same time they were in the final stages of wedding preparations, they were also closing and moving into their first house. But you'd never know it with how relaxed and easygoing they were!
The day (and couple!) was gorgeous from beginning to end. Here are a few of their pictures courtesy of Carla Fisher.
Last Monday (Valentine's Day, naturally!) Anthropologie/Urban Outfitters launched its wedding line BHLDN. Featuring homespun fabrics, whimsical patterns and silhouettes, and unique embellishments, these gowns vary in price from $1K to $4K. The online collection has everything from heirloom quality wedding gowns to bridesmaid and party dresses, vintage-inspired jewelry, feathered headpieces and lingerie. We especially love the dresses (perfect for the rehearsal or as bridesmaids dresses) and the oh so pretty shoes.
Have you checked out the BHLDN line? What's your favorite piece?
Have you checked out Pure Luxe consultant Amy Brink's guest blog post over at Shannon Confair Photography's site? It's perfect reading for anyone who isn't quite sure what exactly a Day Of Coordinator is or what we at Pure Luxe do. Check it out here. And once you're done reading that, click around Shannon's site to view her lovely images!
A few weeks ago Pantone announced that Honeysuckle, the deep reddish-pink hue, will be the color of the year for 2011. For any brides out there who are stuck on a color palette, or are just looking for a fun, bold way of incorporating a pop of color, get started with some inspiration from our roundup of our favorite honeysuckle wedding elements below.
{Williamsport, PA} – {January 25, 2011} - WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, is thrilled to announce Pure Luxe Bridal Consultants has been selected to receive the prestigious annual WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 for Wedding Planners!
Recognition for the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 is determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 750,000 WeddingWire newlyweds. Our past clients are among those that shared their experiences on WeddingWire, the largest wedding review site in the nation.
Pure Luxe Bridal Consultants stands among the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire community, representing quality and service excellence within the wedding industry. Awards were given to the top wedding professionals across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, and were based on the overall professional achievements throughout the past year.
“WeddingWire is honored to celebrate the success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire community,” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “With the annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ program, WeddingWire has the unique opportunity to recognize the best wedding professionals across the US and Canada. We applaud Pure Luxe Bridal Consultants for their professionalism and dedication to enhancing the wedding planning experience last year.”
We would like to thank our past clients for nominating us to receive the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011.
For more information on the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011, please visit www.WeddingWire.com.
Aside from starting the Pure Luxe Blog, we also encountered another 'first" recently -- exhibiting at our first major wedding expo. Last Sunday, Pure Luxe Bridal Consultants teamed up with Shannon Confair Photography at The Scottish Rite in downtown Williamsport to have the opportunity to explain more about our businesses and meet brides, grooms, and 80 other fellow wedding professionals.
Amy of PLBC (left) and Shannon Confair (right)
Both Shannon and I had a wonderful time chatting with everyone who stopped by our booth. Thanks again for coming out!
And just a reminder -- for any bride I spoke with, there are still three weeks left to take advantage of our expo discount! Email amypureluxe at gmail dot com for more info.
While we at Pure Luxe have been established as a business for nearly two years now, we're delighted (and a bit nervous) to introduce you to the official Pure Luxe Blog! Through this blog we hope to discuss PLBC's current happenings, industry issues, wedding tips, and of course -- to feature our fabulous clients' weddings.
For anyone not familiar with Pure Luxe, please check out our website and follow us on Facebook or Twitter.
Thanks for checking out the blog, and please feel free to join in on the conversation by leaving comments or contacting us directly.
