We’ve all heard the saying, “Home Is Where Your Heart Is.” Often times the heart is associated with love. This is something that I truly believe. The heart was not only put in our bodies to beat and keep us alive, but also to love. You know the saying, “Love With All Your Heart?” Well, we do. The only way to love is with your heart. Not your head, not your gut, and certainly not your leg or arm. But the heart. All of these sayings are rolled into this one, gorgeous, gold foil art print. And it does so without repeating the age-old sayings that we know, well, by heart.

It’s difficult for me to say this, because I designed all four of the prints currently for sale in our Etsy Shop, but “Love Lives Here” is my favorite. Mainly because of what it stands for. It’s a message for all that love lives within your home. Everyone who lives there, and guests that come and go, will know it to be true, because they can not only see it, but also feel it. My other reason for loving this print is the little house and heart within it. I think, perhaps, people love it for the same reasons that I do. It’s our most popular print so far :)

Purchase this gorgeous gold foil art print in our Etsy Shop as a reminder for all who come and go through your home that love lives there, and it’s beautiful.

Have a wonderful three-day weekend, friends! We’ll see you back here on Tuesday where we’ll be announcing a lovely little giveaway that we’re really excited about! xoxo

There is nothing sweeter than a couple in love. I say that a lot, I know, but it’s true. Sometimes the sweeter thing is finding a photographer who can capture that sweetness, that love in an instant. That’s what A.J. Dunlap Photography did for Ed and Christina. A.J. and Kyle captured so many sweet instants, beautiful moments for them to keep for a lifetime. They spent the first seven months of their relationship on the phone and Skype because he was in Afghanistan. This is a love story you’re going to want to stick around to read – it’s a goodie!!

Ed and Christina’s love story is a little different than most love stories. They first met in high school and reconnected a few years later on Facebook. Ed was a Marine serving a tour in Afghanistan when he messaged Christina one day during the summer. A wonderful relationship blossomed from there. They talked on the phone and the computer for 7 months straight. On the day he finally returned home, Christina had the biggest smile on her face and about a billion butterflies in her stomach. He stepped off the bus, dropped his bags, walked over to Christina, picked her up, spun her around, and finally kissed her. Their first kiss.

He was everything she had ever wanted and couldn’t believe that the time for them to be together had finally come. Ed thought Christina was the most beautiful woman in the world and felt like he was on cloud 9 every time she smiled at him. He never knew a woman could make him feel the way that Christina does.

Their first date was at the Longbranch in Raleigh, North Carolina, where Randy Houser and the Lost Trailers had come to play some good ol’ country music. They danced, laughed, and kissed the whole night long.

Their relationship began on May 20, 2012 with a casual hello from Ed all the way in Afghanistan. They spent the first seven months of their relationship talking on the phone and Skype and these are some of their most favorite memories. It may have been hard to see or even hear each other, but it was still amazing to see each other that first time.

It didn’t take Ed long to realize he was in love with Christina. And soon after, Christina realized he was simply perfect for her and her little boy. So one pretty, sunny day in the park, with absolutely no real planning on his part, Ed led Christina on a walk through the woods to a wooden bridge where he got down on one knee. He asked her what she was doing the rest of her life and then asked if she would spend it with him. Of course her answer was yes yes yes!!! It was unexpected (especially since Christina was wearing sweats and a t-shirt) but completely perfect.

{Behind the Lens with A.J. Dunlap} We do engagement shoots for all of our couples, it’s a non-negotiable. We do this because it’s the best way for them to get to know us and see how we work. It also allows us to see how they are going to interact in front of the camera, so that when wedding day comes around, it’s all second nature. We know what will make them laugh and get the most genuine reactions. We figure out the most flattering poses, angles, movements, and then, when it’s time for the wedding, we already know how to make them look like supermodels.

Engagement sessions are so much more personal than a wedding is. It’s who they are as a couple. It’s how they show off their personalities. Don’t get me wrong, wedding pictures are super important, but no one walks around in a white gown or tux every day of their life. This is the time when they can relax and just let their natural non-formal selves shine through.

For our sessions, we recommend couples really think through where they would like to take engagement pictures. It should be a reflection of who you two are as a couple, so we try to take them to a location that means something to them both. If there’s somewhere they often go for a date, that’d be perfect, or something that’s a statement in their relationship, like where he proposed, or even their home if they’ve bought a house together. Parks are nice, but if they’re just going there because it’s pretty, we try to think of somewhere that might be pretty and also mean something to them. We know our couples don’t think like photographers, so we offer to help them brainstorm on where might be a perfect location.

Wardrobe is huge too! A bad outfit can ruin a good photo! We recommend tighter fitting clothing versus the popular in-style flowing outfits. Unless you’re 5’11” and 110 lbs., flow-y clothing will make you look bigger. We LOVE color too! Our statement is “coordination not matchy-matchy”. Also, bring several outfits to the shoot. I’m always happy to recommend what might look best for pictures. For our couples, we typically tell them to wear shoes that they can walk into a field wearing. They can bring heels if they want, just make sure to bring a backup pair of shoes so we can go into some rougher terrain. We love to incorporate accessories and pets, or pretty much anything that’s part of their relationship.

For every engagement shoot we do, we start off with one statement, “We’re just going to have fun! We’ll coach you along the way, but if you feel like laughing, laugh. If you feel nervous or awkward, laugh. Just please don’t cry.” We say it jokingly, but it seems to help set couples at ease and let them know we’re not expecting them to be professional models. We’re here to make them look good and we do our best to make it an awesome experience. We know we’ve done that when the groom tells us at the end of the session that he had fun!

We also only shoot at sunset. It’s the best light of the day, and makes for the best pictures! We typically start about 2 hours before sunset so we can have some hang-loose chat time at the beginning and not have to rush through the session.

{Advice for Couples} Christina says, “I believe the best and most important things in a relationship are trust and communication. You have to compromise as a couple in everything you do. In a relationship, there are two people and each person should think about the other person, not just themselves. My parents have been married for almost 30 years and these two things have been the key to their happy marriage. There will be problems in every relationship, but in the end, it will just make you stronger as a couple if you have trust and communication.”

Edward says, “In my opinion, honesty, communication, and compromise are the key to a healthy and loving relationship. My advice to other couples would be to always be honest with your partner about the past, present, and the future, and to always compromise when there is a disagreement. Also, always kiss your partner good night no matter how bad the day was because you never know what could happen.

Congratulations, Ed and Christina, and thank you so much for sharing your love story with us! We wish you both so much love and laughter in the many years you’ll share together, and a beyond beautiful wedding day too! Many, many thanks to A.J. Dunlap Photography for sharing this sweet shoot with us today!! xoxo

A.J. Dunlap Photography is a Premier Partner in the Heart Love Weddings Vendor Boutique. If you would like more information on how to become a partner, please complete and submit an application under our Advertising tab.

I really do love pink, and yes, especially for weddings. There is something utterly romantic when a couple (think bride) chooses pink for their wedding. Whether it is the blush of a beautiful bride, roses, or a groom’s bow tie, blush pink is definitely our choice of color for our wedding inspiration board today!

Colors: Soft Sage, Blush, Soft Pink, Whisper Gray

We love the soft blush of the bride’s lips captured so beautifully by Elizabeth Messina under a simple veil. So innocent and pure. The whimsical wedding invitations will begin to set the tone for a romantic wedding and can you say ahhhh-mazing to this ring!? Positioned on powdered sugar doughnuts no less. Cute! What about this gorgeous chair decor? I have fallen head over heels for these chairs. Simply stunning! The shabby chic rose would make the perfect accent whether as part of the ceremony or reception decor. So delicate and pretty! And I adore a man in pink, just saying ;) Pink gingham bow tie and pink sweetheart roses for a boutonniere. Love!

Think pink! For your wedding that is. Go ahead, your groom will get over it. :)

xoxo

Row 1: Bride captured by Elizabeth Messina Photography via Utterly Engaged, Invitation by Moira Design Studio via Oh So Beautiful Paper, Ring Shot by Scarlet O’Neill Photography via Style Me Pretty

Row 2: Chair Decor via A Chair Affair Rentals, Shabby Chic Rose Dprintsplayful - Etsy, Groom’s Attire captured by Adam Barnes via Southern Weddings

We all know you have a wedding budget (you have an every-day-life budget too). But there are some things you could (read: we highly recommend you do) splurge on for your wedding day. Mainly for the getting ready part of your day. And they are…

1. Plum Pretty Sugar Robe. I adore these. They’re gorgeous and perfect for all those getting ready special touches. A wonderful gift to yourself and your maids (!!!), or a gift to you from your maids, or even a gift from your mom. My mama already knows it’s a must on my list :)
2. Perfume. We love amazing grace by philosophy. Very pretty, not overwhelming at all, and very bridal. If you don’t wear perfume, you’ll love this. And if you already have a signature scent, great! Regardless, go give this a sniff next time you’re in Sephora! You can thank me later for this bit of advice!
3. Champagne. The bubbles will make you feel giggly and should help with those smattering of butterflies in your stomach. Limit yourself to just one glass (mimosa or straight bubbly) because no one likes a tipsy bride. But a smiling one will be loved by everyone. (Photo by Pasha Belman via Southern Weddings)
4. Professional hair and makeup. Oh my goodness, I can’t express how much of a must-have splurge this is. If you splurge on nothing else, do this. It’s fun to be pampered and looking pretty on your wedding day. Trust me on this and book hair and makeup trials (if you haven’t already) today. You will love me lots for suggesting this! (Photo by Amy and Stuart Photography via Style Me Pretty)
5. A pretty, custom bridal hanger to hang your wedding dress on. Have it say bride, or I do, even your new last name will do! It’s perfect for pictures and to hang in your closet later as a sweet reminder of your special day. (Photo by Caroline Tran via Style Me Pretty – A Shop We Love – Original Bridal Hangers)

Would you treat yourself on wedding day? In what other ways could you splurge? How did you splurge on your special day? Share all your ideas with us in the comments below!! xoxo

Seeing this wedding in my inbox made my heart sing. You see, it incorporates the love, wedding, and work of two of my very special vendors: Melania Marta Photography and PNZ Designs. Melania did a beautiful job capturing Nicole and Peter’s rustic handmade wedding day. Nicole, who looked amazing in a simple wedding dress (actually a white bridesmaid dress) decorated with lace from her mother’s veil and sewn on by her mother-in-law, made all of her wedding decor. It was doing so that inspired her to start her very own business of handmade rustic wedding decor. Her Etsy Shop is full of many of the same pieces incorporated into her wedding day and so many more. Nicole and Peter’s son was the life of the party and Melania provided this sweet family with many, many wonderful photographic memories of a day eight years in the making! It’s my honor and pleasure to share this wedding and love story with all of you today!!

Peter grew up in Pennsylvania and Nicole grew up almost 100 miles away in New Jersey. She was asked to be a bridesmaid in her friend’s wedding in 2004. The bridesmaids had their dress fitting the same day the groomsmen had their tux fitting. The whole wedding party met at a local pub for dinner and drinks after the fitting. And that was the first time Nicole saw Peter. They had a lot of fun that night and spent nearly the whole time chatting and getting to know one another.

The next weekend, Nicole drove to Pennsylvania for their first date – lunch, practice on the shooting range, and a movie. Their first kiss was on the shooting range :) and Nicole’s favorite date was the first weekend Peter took her to his family cabin in Northwestern, PA. There’s no TV, no phone, no Internet – just gorgeous scenery, fresh air, and a chance to relax and spend time together.

They started dating in July of 2004. Every weekend, one of them would drive almost 100 miles to see one another. On a crazy (and everyone told them it was crazy) whim in September of 2004, they decided the drive was too long, and so Nicole moved to Pennsylvania. In February of 2006, Peter was 23 and she was 22, and they decided to do another crazy thing and buy their first home. In October of 2008, they welcomed their son, Zachery, into the world. In July of 2010, Peter proposed (and in June 2012, they were married).

The morning of their 6 year anniversary, Nicole was in the kitchen making her morning coffee. Their son was 21 months at the time, and he came walking into the kitchen with a little gift bag saying, “Mama! Mama!” He handed her the bag and she opened it to find a little box. But before she was able to open up, Peter came in and asked her to marry him. She loved that he included their little one (and we do too)!!

Their story isn’t “typical,” but they knew pretty early on that they were in love. Despite everyone telling them they were nuts and it was “too soon,” they knew they could make it work. They knew they were young, they knew they were moving along kind of fast. But, most importantly, they knew they loved one another. And love can make you do some crazy things – but love can also make those crazy things work!

{From the Bride} We knew that we wanted a very small wedding. Our guest list included 32 people, including the photographer. We invited only our closest family and a few of our dearest friends. I have known one of my closest friends since we were 7. We talk on the phone and through email all the time, but we hadn’t seen one another in 10 years. She drove from Virginia to be there for me and that was one of the most special memories of my wedding. Introducing her to Peter and Zachery, and her reconnecting with my family was an unbelievable wedding gift.

We did see one another before the wedding. We did a first look. I was led to Peter by our son. Our first dance song was Then by Brad Paisley. My favorite part of the whole day was the trolley. It allowed me to spend some quality time with family and friends on the way to and from the wedding. Another favorite memory is my dress. My dress was a simple dress. It was actually just a bridesmaid dress in white. I pulled lace off my mother’s veil, and Pete’s mother (a professional seamstress) added my mom’s lace and did some hand-beading on my dress. It was nice to have a piece of both of our mothers on my dress :)

While planning, you try to plan the “perfect” wedding. You hope for perfect weather, perfect hair, perfect flowers. Then the day comes and you realize none of that matters. If at the end of the night, you are married to your best friend, then your day was absolutely perfect no matter what.

{Advice for Couples} Peter and I dated for 6 years before we were engaged and just shy of 8 years before we were married. In that time, we bought a home and had a son together. Some people told us we were doing things “backwards.” We knew we were doing things our way :) It is our love story, and we are writing it for us and our family. My best advice is listen to your heart, follow your own path.

Congratulations, Peter and Nicole! Thank you so much for sharing your wedding and love story with us!! We wish you both so much love and laughter in the many years you’ll share together! Many, many thanks to Melania Marta Photography for sharing their very special day with us today! xoxo