Stowe Wedding

I had the pleasure to consult on this Destination Wedding down in the beautiful Charlotte, NC area. The bride is a very good friend of mine from way back to our childhood which made the whole event that much more special to me. She chose a beautiful botanical garden location for the ceremony and reception, and kept her palette to a soft and natural green and purple. All of the design elements were chic and classy, and they blended together to create a backdrop that was both personal and elegantly simple. I love both the bride and the groom, and thank them so much for letting me be a part of their special day.

Gainesville Wedding Expo Recap

We had such a great time at the Real Gainesville Expo this past Sunday! We always LOVE, LOVE, LOVE meeting new brides, and their energy is amazing!

We also love hanging out with our favorite vendors! Having a chance to hang out and chat is always nice!

Melissa and Amanda from Powers Photography

Erinn and Susan of Powers Photography

Celebrations Catering provided a delicious vendor lunch for all of us, and Susan Powers and I got to take a breather together.
And plus, we think that bigger is better, so making our booth taller was so FUN! We really just had a blast, can't you tell?

Formal Wedding Gown

Guidelines For Wedding Formality


By Guy Antonelli

One of the first decisions that you will need to make about your wedding is how formal you would like it to be. This one choice will help to determine everything from the venue, to the time of day, to your gown, and even the menu. But if you are like most newly engaged couples, you have never planned a grand event before, and may have no idea how to figure out how formal your wedding should be. Here are some guidelines to the different degrees of formality, as well as what each one will involve.

Many couples like the general idea of a formal wedding, but are not exactly sure what that means specifically. They figure that this one of the most special days of their lives, and therefore a bit of pomp and circumstance is in order. A formal wedding is the one that will adhere the most closely to custom and tradition. You can still be creative, but there are some basic concepts that you will want to stick with to create a beautiful formal wedding.

There are actually degrees of formality. The most formal is a white tie wedding, which is rarely seen. This type of wedding follows very strict rules of etiquette, one of which is that it should only be held in the winter months. White tie weddings are only to take place after 6pm, and the guests are supposed to wear full length gowns, with their most ornate jewelry and long gloves. If you and your families want to have a very grand wedding, white tie is an exquisite option.

Most formal weddings will be black tie. A black tie wedding is also supposed to start at 6pm or later, but most people feel like it is fine for a late afternoon ceremony followed by an evening reception. If you opt for a black tie wedding, the men will wear black tie, obviously. The bride should wear a formal wedding gown with very special custom bridal jewelry. A veil is usually worn, and sometimes gloves, although they are not required as with white tie.

For a formal wedding, you want everything to tie together with the same degree of formality. In other words, a bouquet of roses or lilies would be beautiful, but a bouquet of gerbera daisies would seem too casual. Beautifully custom made crystal or pearl bridal jewelry is perfect for a formal wedding, but a plain silver chain would be not quite enough. You get the idea.

The menu for a formal wedding should feature elegant foods that are graciously presented. If you are having a causal buffet in the church basement after your ceremony, you can get away with using foil dishes at the buffet. For a formal dinner in a hotel ballroom or country club, a detail like that would detract from the effect you are trying to achieve. It is also traditional to have a more subdued invitation for a formal ceremony, such as black engraving on heavy white or ivory paper. These days, though, you can get away with adding an accent like a bow or a touch of color to your invitations while still conveying a formal tone.

Semi-formal weddings are very, very popular with couples these days. They can take place at any time of the day, and in any season. Many semi-formal weddings are held in lovely outdoor venues. This type of wedding will allow you more freedom and creativity in terms of your colors, attire, and décor. Semi-formal weddings will usually feature the bride in a beautiful wedding gown, but it will typically have less embellishment and a shorter train than a more formal wedding. Feel free to experiment with a wider and more eclectic assortment of flowers.

The formality of your wedding will set the tone for the entire affair. You want to choose the one that will feel both most comfortable to you and the most special. Because tradition is such an important part of a wedding, when in doubt, it is always safe to go with the more formal customs.

Some Friendly Competition

We always love a little competition here at MasterPiece, especially when it's a husband and wife doing it for charity!



Photography 35 is in the spirit of giving and have created a fun fall competition for anyone who is interested! They have both chosen their favorite charities and are going against each other to see who can raise the most money! Until October 24th, their normal $150 session fee will be changed to a $25 donation to either the Children's Miracle Network or the Children's Home Society.



We're throwing out our support for both Angel and Gregg, but it's up to you to decide who you want to support! Hurry up and don't miss this exciting opportunity to give back to those in need and have a beautiful family portrait taken!

And don't forget that you can track the contest on Photography 35's facebook page!

Wedding Dresses Designer

Tips To Find That Perfect Designer Wedding Dress


By Mike Selvon

One of the most highly anticipated parts of planning for a wedding is the opportunity that the bride has to go shopping for the perfect wedding dress. But, often this can become a very stressful endeavor as well. Stress often creeps in as time constraints and money issues press in and sometimes these things make it challenging for a bride to choose the designer wedding gown that she wants.

However, the good news is that there are several very useful tips that can be very helpful to you as you search for the designer wedding dress that will set the stage for your nuptials. If you keep these tips in mind as you embark on your tour of marriage dress shops and as you peruse the marriage magazines, then things will go more smoothly and hopefully fall into place easily for you.

There are numerous magazines devoted to wedding plans and preparations and these are an excellent place to start gathering ideas for the nuptials. In addition, there are many wonderful online sources that can also help you uncover the choices available in designer wedding dresses and accessories that might be needed.

After you have done some basic research on designer gowns, via the various bridal magazines and on the internet, you should have a foundation of information that you can use when you head out to visit the wedding dress shops. One of the best things about going into a local retail store that specializes in bridal gowns is that you will find a staff that is helpful and experienced in assisting brides.

Most marriage dress shops, especially the ones that will carry an inventory of designer gowns, will have a bridal consultant on hand. These professionals are specially trained and have years of knowledge that you can lean on as you endeavor to find the perfect marriage dress for you.

It is a good idea to call ahead and book an appointment with the bridal consultant so that you will have an opportunity to try on several designer dresses and have her undivided time to help you and answer your questions. This is a part of the overall process that you don't want to rush through or feel pressured into making a hasty decision due to time constraints.

In addition to helping you select your designer wedding gown, you will also be able to look at an assortment of bridesmaid dress choices at your local bridal shop. As well as having a bridal consultant to help you, you can also take along one of your bridesmaids to help you decide on the right dress and also to get their input about the dresses for the bridesmaids.

Plus Size Wedding Dress

Plus Size Wedding Dress

Choosing the best plus size for your the best wedding, you must selective plus size wedding dress for your wedding in your life because wedding is one time in your life

Pink Wedding Dress

Pink Wedding Dress

Pink Wedding Dress

Finding your favorite pink wedding dress to the best your wedding dress

Ivory Wedding Dress

The Beauty of an Ivory Wedding Dress


By Morgan Hamilton

It is a worldwide tradition that the brides should be in white on the wedding day. It is beyond doubt that many brides look gorgeous in stark-white dresses but those women who have fair skin complexion do not. These brides look pale and insignificant when they have white clothes on. Red-haired women also look improper and a bit weird in a traditional white dress. A great way of handling this problem for the two types of brides mentioned above is to wear an ivory wedding dress.

All the styles of traditional white gowns have an ivory wedding dress equivalent. The idea of adding a little colour to your dress but still wearing "white" on your wedding is appealing to many women. Gowns in this beautiful colour suit almost every skin tone and they do not make the ladies wearing them look washed out, nor pale.

Many women like to have quite many beauty-enhancing procedures before their special occasion. In case you have rich, dark hair and you have tanned skin, sticking to the traditional white bridal dress is a good idea. Women of colour could also only benefit from choosing a stark-white gown for the big day as the skin tones are rich and beautiful. If you are one of the types mentioned here, then you don't have to worry about looking washed out regardless of the stark white. The contrast can only make you look stunning.

However, there are many women who do not tan but get sun-burnt during the summer. These ladies are advised to go for an ivory wedding dress. The added colours will offset fair complexion whereas stark white would simply wash it away. Avoid washing off your alabaster skin by choosing an ivory bridal attire.

Red-haired ladies should also consider an ivory wedding dress. Generally, there are two kinds of redheads. The first kind is the classic red, the second - the auburn redhead. While the first has natural curls with orange-red locks, the second might look like a brunette in certain lighting. I am an auburn redhead, so the last statement concerns me.

Despite having auburn hair I don't burn-peel-freckle. I wasn't really worried that I may look washed out in a traditional white bridal gown. Though, I found that an ivory wedding dress suits me better. I had to try many white gowns which for some reason were not right until I finally put on an ivory wedding dress.

After I tried it on, I couldn't think of choosing a stark-white gown again. The ivory bridal attire suited the auburn highlights in my hair. Even though my dress was not really white it looked quite white as the attendants were wearing burgundy-wine gowns. In conclusion, keeping an open mind when choosing a wedding dress is always a good idea.

Wedding Dresses - How to Buy Dreamy Wedding Gowns Online

Wedding dresses are literally the icing on the cake on every bride's wedding day.

You can find perfect wedding gowns online, or simply brainstorm which style of wedding dresses to start looking for as you narrow down your search.

First you need to determine which types of wedding dresses are right for you.

Your wedding dress should tell the world exactly who you are. After all, this is YOUR day, and your wedding gown is the key way that you share yourself with your wedding guests — and, of course, your husband-to-be.

By now, you've likely given some thought as to what kind of wedding you would like to have: traditional, informal or a theme wedding, perhaps.

Here are some general guidelines:

In formal weddings, brides generally wear long white/cream-colored wedding dresses and a veil, perhaps a train and, of course, gloves.

In semi-formal weddings, brides generally wear long white/cream-colored wedding dresses, a veil and gloves if desired.

In informal weddings, brides have more flexibility. They can wear wedding gowns of any color — short or long — or even a suit.

What about theme weddings? Here you should decide first on the theme and then on the formality of the wedding you've always wanted to have. Only then is it time to shop for wedding dresses and wedding accessories to determine which ones match your theme!

As you can see, the most important aspect to consider when selecting wedding dresses is your own sense of style.

For specifics on what's appropriate to wear for each type of wedding, I recommend Emily Post's Wedding Etiquette, which devotes an entire chapter to wedding dresses and other fashion dos and don'ts, or Vera Wang on Weddings, in which Wang shares her vast fashion expertise with you as you plan your wedding. Both can be purchased from any major online bookstore and have great tips on buying wedding dresses.

How can you purchase wedding dresses online?

The Internet can be a tremendous help when you're looking for wedding gowns and have a tight wedding budget. And let's face it — most of us do have to keep the bottom line in mind when we plan the most important day of our romantic lives.

After you have given some thought to the type of wedding you want to have, I recommend that you:

• Look through bridal magazines and check out your options by flipping through the pages to see which wedding dresses are available in your area.
• Go to local bridal stores and try on wedding gowns.
• Look online to see what other wedding dresses are available to you. In case you're uncertain about buying wedding gowns from an online vendor, bear in mind that there really are online bridal shops that deliver the same level of service as regular stores.
• Compare the in-store price to the Internet dress stores to find out which is the better deal. Many online stores offer you discount wedding dresses because of their vastly reduced overhead costs!
• Narrow down your search to a handful of wedding dresses that make your final cut.

When you've gone through all these steps, you're certain to have accessed all the wedding dresses available to you -- and you will very likely save your hard-earned money if you end up finding discount wedding dresses available only from an Internet vendor.

Good luck with your search! Though it might seem daunting at first, if you follow these tips, you'll be well on your way to finding a beautiful range of perfectly elegant wedding dresses.

Bridal Wedding Dress

Indian Bridal Wedding Dress of Today


By Michael Louis

An Indian wedding is completed only with the traditional Indian bridal wedding dress that symbolizes the rich culture that the people have. Since wedding days are a special occasion that is celebrated religiously by the Indian people, it is only right that the bride should look her best in her Indian bridal wedding dress.

Today, you will be able to find a selection of Indian bridal wedding dress over the Internet. Many websites are already catering to the need of the brides to look their best. The collection of the Indian bridal wedding dress that they have is meant to make the bride shine on this special day.

Indian bridal wedding dresses have been through many different changes and development over the years. Nowadays, there are more shops that can cater to the choice and color of the cloth that will be used to make the Indian bridal wedding dress. The competition among textile companies is making the prices more and more affordable.

Many designers are combining the look of the modern world to the traditional Indian wedding dress designs. Do not be surprised if you see one or two designs that appear very Indian but reflect some western influence. These Indian bridal wedding dresses are now rampant. It can be noted that the blend only emphasizes the beauty and the elegance that the wedding dress projects.

Planning on your Indian bridal wedding dress should take as much time as any other preparation needed for the event. You definitely want to look your very best during this occasion. To ensure that, you need to have the perfect Indian wedding dress.

One of the aspects that you should consider in your Indian bridal wedding dress is the design. You can opt to go with the traditional ones or the ones that are already a combination of other modern influences. The choice is entirely up to you. You just have to make sure that the theme and color that your dress will have will match the ones that is used for the wedding.

Remember that this is your day. And the Indian bridal wedding dress that you should choose will make sure that you will be brought into the spotlight. It needs to make you look as radiant and as good as the feeling that you have on that day.

If you are not sure about the design that your Indian bridal wedding dress will have, you can always seek expert advice. Look for a designer and let him or her tell you what color will complement you best.

You can also ask for suggestions of wedding dress design based from what it you like is. You can even look up catalogs and magazines during your search. You might come upon a design that you like. From that, your designer can add some additional unique and distinct color and design to achieve that original look.

Keep in mind that not all Indian bridal wedding dress will be perfect for you. This is why you need to make sure that your chosen one will suit your perfectly. Take the time to try on different colors and styles before choosing the one that will suit you best.

Your wedding day is meant for you. That is why you need to shine and look your very best in your Indian bridal wedding dress.

Cheap Wedding Dress

Cheap Plus Size Wedding Dress Guide


By Suzanne Daykin

Before you start looking for your cheap plus size wedding dress there is an important factor to know, the sizing on wedding dresses is normally smaller than your usual dress size, so instead of relying on the sizes you need to rely on your measurements instead.

The next strange but true factor when wedding dress shopping is that most bridal stores will not hold a great deal of plus size stock, some will not hold any. Instead they will show you the styles that you could have and pin a size 10 wedding dress on to you! This must be the maddest thing ever, you do not buy an important dress without trying it on first, you need to know if it looks good on you and if you feel fantastic wearing it.

Every bride wants to feel like a princess on their wedding day and there are some amazing plus size wedding dresses available in very good wedding stores and online, here is how to find them.

First you will need accurate measurements and with that information call your local bridal stores to see if they have your size in stock. You want to be able to try on the dresses not guess whether they are the dress for you.

Second, try on lots of dresses to find the dress of your dreams, but do not buy it the first time you see the dress, walk away from the shop with the details of the dress with you. Make sure you know if the dress has been altered.

Third, use the internet to find the exact same dress but at a cheaper price. Either buy it online or use this price to negotiate a better price at your local bridal store.

Fourth, realize that you will probably have to spend money on having your dress altered, most people do. If you choose a corset style wedding dress these are more forgiving as you can tie them tighter or looser if needed. Find a local seamstress that will be able to make any alterations you need and compare these prices to those that the shop are offering, use the best and cheapest! If the shop messes up they will have toreplace the dress, make sure the seamstress is insured as well.

Fifth, your wedding dress should make you feel amazing, beautiful and confident, anything less and it is not the dress for you. Look to show off your assets and do not feel you need to go with a boring dress that covers everything up. Keep looking until you find the one.

Casual Beach Wedding Dress

Casual Beach Wedding Dress Ideas


By Deborah T. Ernst

Beach weddings are casual in their nature, so beach wedding dresses should be casual too. It will not very comfortable for the bride to have a ten foot train on her dress. The challenge is to choose a great dress for your body shape, but taking into account that the wedding will be celebrated on the beach.

Which are the best places to find a great casual beach wedding dress? Bridal shops or magazines are the first natural choice. Shops have specific departments for casual dresses, and something similar happens with magazines, there will certainly be some pages or an entirely number dedicated to casual wedding dresses.

There is something interesting about beach wedding dresses, it does not need to be a wedding dress. If you have a traditional wedding on a church , the tradition says that you should wear a traditional dress, and probably you have never dreamed to wear something different. But on the beach you have the possibility to wear any dress that fits with the theme of the wedding. If you are on a tight budget, this can be great news as this type of dress is more affordable than the traditional ones.

It is also important to think about the shoes you will be wearing. You should consider using shoes suitable to be used in sand, which will be different from the ones you would use on an indoor wedding. There is another option, many couples decide to go completely barefoot, not wearing any shoes.

Finally, it is not recommended the use of veil as part of your beach wedding dress. It depends on the location of your beach wedding, but wind can be very strong at the beach and you will feel uncomfortable. You can adorn your head with flowers instead, it will make you look great and you will not have to think about weather.

Persian Wedding Ceremony Traditions

Like most weddings in Toronto, a Persian marriage has two stages that most often happen in a single day. Occasionally there is a period in between them. The first stage is known as 'Aghd', the legal process where the marriage contracts are signed by the bride, the groom and also their guardians. 'Jashn-e Aroosi', is the second stage. It means the wedding reception where the actual feasting and celebrations begin which, traditionally, lasted for three to seven days; unlike Toronto weddings today. There is a room, specially decorated with flowers and 'Sofreh-ye Aghd', a beautiful spread elaborately placed on the floor. The spread faces east, traditionally, where the sun rises. This is so because when the bride and groom sit in front of the 'Sofreh-ye Aghd', they should be facing the 'Light'.

Unlike Toronto ceremonies, tradition demands that 'Aghd' be held at the residence of the parents of the bride. The arrival of the guests, or witnesses, commences the tradition. Close family members of the couple present at the ceremony make the guests comfortable. After the guests take their seats, the groom walks up to the front of the 'Sofreh-ye Aghd', and sits on the right side, which is considered the side of respect according to Zoroastrian culture. He is later joined by the bride who sits on the left.

The 'Sofreh-ye Aghd', the backdrop used on the floor, is passed from mother to daughter or to son occasionally. It is made of luxurious fabric, such as satin, silk and cashmere. On it, the following items are placed: A mirror, 'Aayeneh-ye Bakht', signifying fate and two 'Candelabras' (candles), placed on either side of the mirror. The mirror and candles are considered to be two very important items in the Persian society. They symbolize light and fire. Just like most weddings in Toronto, a bride walks in with her veil on but removes it later in that the first thing the groom sees in the mirror is the reflection of his bride. Also present on the 'Sofreh-ye Aghd', is a tray of spices and herbs which are seven and multi-colored. They are to ward of evil spirits, guard against evil and witchcraft. The seven elements in different colors are: poppy seeds, angelica, nigella seeds, frankincense, salt, black tea and wild rice, each with its own purpose.

Unlike Toronto weddings, flat bread, which is specially baked and decorated, can also be found symbolizing happiness and prosperity for the couple thereafter. Decorated eggs in a basket and also decorated almonds, hazelnuts in the shell and walnuts, also in a basket, are present. A number of other various items are placed on the backdrop including a copy of the couples' Holy Book and an assortment of sweets.

As the couple sits together, two guests, females, hold a cloth which is thin and place it on top of their heads and pour hard sugar crystals in it signifying in their relationship, sweetness. The bride and groom are then asked separately if they have accepted one another for future companionship where the bride is asked three times and remains silent for two before answering. Then gifts are given to the couple to bless their future.

WPP Photo of the Week!

Today is the first day of fall, and my FAVORITE time of year, so of course I have to post a fabulous fall wedding photo as this week's Photo of the Week. This picture was taken by Hillary Harvey and was at a wedding on the Great Sacandaga Lake on Columbus Day weekend of 2008. The bride had seen a picture of a stunning arch and the Best Man recreated it out of wood in the local area. How gorgeous is that?? The couple kept their guest list small and was under 50 people, and for their bridal party they went with linen pants for the guys and various rich fall colors on satin fabric for the girls. The weather couldn't have been any nicer and we were able to stay outside for photos in the wonderful late fall warmth. I just love this picture because I think it captures the season, the mood, and the couple's simplistic elegance all at once.

Our Favorite Guest Books

Photo by Out of the Ordinary Photography

Guests books are a staple at every wedding, as the bride and groom like to have a keepsake record of all of the guests who attended their wedding. Guests books always used to be, well, "guest books", but many couples are choosing to put their own spin on the concept and create a unique memento that is personal and more useful to them in the years after their big day. Check out some of the guest books we've been seeing lately.

Photo by Niki Rossi Photography

At this wedding our bride and groom chose to have guests write well wishes on small pieces of paper and they had clear glass jars on the table next to the papers to collect all of the tiny messages. The paper was in shades of greens and pinks which matched the colors of the wedding. We've seen this at a few of our weddings, with a few variations on the same basic idea. Some couples take the jars home as-is and display them on their mantle or around their home. Other couples take the papers out and fill the pages of a scrapbook album that showcases other wedding keepsakes, as well. Either way it is a nice way to get personal messages from your guests that you can look back on for years to come.

Photo by Out of the Ordinary Photography

There is nothing wrong with tradition! A classic guest book is still an acceptable way to collect all of the names of the guests at your wedding. There are lots of beautiful books out there, like this one that had a beautiful silver cover and matching pen. Other couples of ours have decorated the cover of their guest book in the same color fabric and ribbon that they used in other areas in order to tie all of the accessories together. Whichever way you do it, just make sure you have a nice pen available and a back up, just in case.

Photo by Tracey Buyce Photography

This is a very popular idea and I'm sure you've all seen this at weddings! The signature frame is wonderful because you can truly display your guests' names and messages in your home after your wedding. There is no way of missing this when it's up on your wall! You can put any picture of the two of you in the frame, but if you've had the pleasure of doing an engagement photo shoot with your photographer then definitely use an image from then. Remember to take the glass out of the frame and have a permanent marker or pen that won't bleed through or fade. Also, keep the mat in the frame so you don't accidentally get guests to write outside of the border.

Photo by Michael Grace-Martin Photography

Here is another signature frame, with a picture from the couple's engagement session inside. If you have an easel it is a nice way to display the frame on your place card or gift table.

Photo by Tracey Buyce Photography

This is another great idea and one of our favorites - a Polaroid guest book! Yes, we know that Polaroids are phasing out and it's difficult to find cameras and film, but if you can get your hands on some then this is a super and your guests will love it! Put out a camera, a photo album, and a few pens and let them go. Guests can take pictures of themselves and sign the book near their image. What you get is a photo album full of the names and faces of all of the guests who attended your reception.

Photo by Jill Kaiser Photography

For this wedding the couple had purchased two books made specifically for Polaroid pictures. The Polaroids slid into the pages and guests had the whole page to themselves to write whatever message they wanted. During the reception my assistant went around and took pictures of every guest to make sure that they all made it into the book. After that we put the camera out for guests to do what they wanted with it. They definitely got some fun pictures!

Photo by Heather Bohm-Tallman Photography

Another really fun spin is to have a photo album of you with pictures that document the stages of your relationship. This couple had first starting dating in high school, so their pages showed pictures starting way back then. They had photos of their life out in Colorado (where they now live) and lots of fun family pics of the two of them with their dog. If you decide to go this route just make sure your pages have plenty of empty space for guests to write their messages. There are lot of websites that you can create your own photo books so go online and play around.

Photo by Shannon DeCelle Photography

And lastly, who says you even need to do a book at all? Why not have a guest plate?? This couple chose to use one of the signature plates from one of the local craft stores. The colors for their wedding was purple and silver, so they used purple markers for guests to write all around the ceramic plate. Then when they got home they were able to display the plate as artwork and a precious memory from their special day.

As you can see there are lots of options for guest books, and you can go wild and choose whichever option best fits your style, personalities, and needs. There are no rules - have fun with your wedding.