Around here, we love letterpress! Almost as much as we love Bella Figura, an eco-friendly artisan letterpress shop out of Central New York. And we couldn’t be happier to help them launch their new 2012 collection today! It’s AMAZING! 83 new invitation designs, a slew of new colors including neons and metallics, custom calligraphy styles, letterpress pocketfolds and so much more! Take a look!

{Metallics} have arrived and all signs point to them being huge in 2012! Bella Figura now offers foil stamping and foil edging in 12 brilliant foil colors. Add traditional colors like gold, silver or copper to the edge of any card for sophisticated flair. Or, be daring, and add brilliant shades of fuchsia, indigo, forest and teal!

{Custom Calligraphy} became quite popular this year and because they don’t see that changing any time soon, Bella Figura has added 6 new calligraphy styles! This brings their grand total of hand calligraphy styles to 22! Impressive.

{Envelope Liners} Patterned envelope liners are now 2 and 3 color, and easier than ever to custom create! You choose a pattern and colors, and Bella Figura will create a (100% PCW, FSC-certified) custom liner for you! New FSC-metallic envelope liners and new eco colored envelopes are also available.

{Letterpress Pocketfolds} Add a monogram, wedding date, or stylish pattern to any exclusive eco pocketfolds.

{Neons} 3 neon letterpress inks (hot pink, lime-aid and day-glo) have been added to the collection!  I just love these colors .. and their names! Lime-aid = yum!

{Free Personal Shopper Service} So many colors. So many designs. How ever will you decide? After a brief, but detailed survey, Bella Figura’s invitation experts will help couples navigate all of their design options, making sure their invitation choice captures the spirit of their wedding. Are they amazing, or what?

{Everything is Customizable} One of the things I love about Bella Figura is that everything about their designs can be changed. We’re talking ink, text, font, artwork, monogram, everything. Not many can claim that every design printed is unique, but Bella Figura can.

{Environmentally Green Printing} Bella Figura is a wind-powered, carbon neutral print shop. They print sustainably on luxuriously thick 100% cotton paper made from reclaimed fibers (it’s tree-free and made exclusively for them by a 500-year old European paper mill!). We. love. them.

And if that’s not enough…

{Free Letterpress or Foil Favor Cards} if a couple’s wedding favor is a donation to a non-profit. Place card sized, Bella Figura will match your design and highest quantity – for instance, if you order 200 invitations, they’ll offer 200 free favor cards in the colors and design of your choosing. Holy amazingness!

We’ve been drooling over all these new colors and designs since we first laid eyes on them! We’re dying to know what you think! Do you love letterpress too? How about those neons? The metallics? Let us know and be sure to leave Bella Figura a ton of love below!

xoxo

*Images courtesy of Bella Figura

I was browsing the internet as I often do and came across the super fantastic site of Two Chics Photography and what do my wondering eyes behold .. a Wishing Tree. A Wishing Tree, you say? Yes, exactly. A Christmas winter wedding with a truly unique twist on the guestbook. A gift that will keep on giving year after year. Chad and Lucy had a bowl of ornaments available for their guests to sign with good wishes and then hang on the tree. What a totally awesome, beautiful way to celebrate your anniversary at Christmastime each year. When I saw this, I couldn’t wait to share with you all. Isn’t this just the most awesome idea and weren’t their guests creative in their designs?

Aren’t they just the cutest couple?

Happiest of Holidays and congratulations to Chad and Lucy! Thank you so much Shauna and Jessica of Two Chics Photography for sharing this awesome idea!

xoxo

“Being someone’s first love may be great, but to be their last is beyond perfect.” – Unknown

Today, I share the last love story of 2011. And it couldn’t be more perfect. Because not only does it celebrate a last love, but also a first. Today’s couple are each others’ first and last loves. And yesterday’s love quote of the day fits them perfectly. None of this happened intentionally, by the way. It was all just a beautiful and perfect coincidence. One that I am more than willing to dive headfirst into. Join me in the telling of our last love story of the year and the beautiful images of Light Love Laughter Photography.

Kristen and Ryan met at the YMCA back in 2001 when they were just eleven years old. They wound up “going out” (whatever that means at that age). Ryan remembers being too shy to even hold her hand or hug her. Nevertheless, she was his “girlfriend”. (You all remember those days, don’t you? Just a little.)

They broke up when the summer was over and didn’t see each other again until the following summer .. where they began “dating” again. This time though, they became quite close and spent a lot of time together. When they broke up at the end of the summer this time, they remained close friends.

Several school years and summers passed before Kristen and Ryan were back together for good. It was during their junior year of high school that Ryan couldn’t wait any longer and told Kristen of his true feelings for her. It was their true and perfect beginning.

After finals their junior year of college, Ryan planned to take them to Stone Mountain. The same place they’d had their senior prom, and a place they’d visited many times since then. He couldn’t think of a better place to propose than one that was special to them. He researched spots and found an area by the water he thought would be perfect. It turned out to be a little creepier than he’d expected, but it did the job. The proposal was as perfect as he had hoped .. and she did say yes!

{Behind the Lens with Light Love Laughter Photography} I absolutely love learning the details about my couples and their love stories, where they grew up and how they met and fell in love. Ryan and Kristen shared their stories with me before the session and I felt like I’d known them for years! They’d never had professional pictures taken and were a little nervous and worried about “doing a good job”. It didn’t take long for them to totally relax and just enjoy spending the beautiful afternoon together.

We hit it off right away and as we walked through the park and they shared more details of their stories, how they fell in love and what they cherish most about one another, the more emotions I was able to capture in their pictures. We ended the session on top of a parking garage with a remarkable sunset and a beautiful view of the skyline.

Even though they met and dated when they were just eleven years old… they’re still crazy about each other and giddy with love and excitement about being married. Ryan adores her and she loves him immensely. There’s proof in every single one of their pictures.

That it is. They make a beautiful couple and it’s obvious how very much in love they are. What’s more? They’re getting married in the same place he proposed! So sweet. Congratulations, Kristen and Ryan on your engagement! We wish you so much love and luck on your special day and all the days that come after that! Thank you for sharing your love story today! And a very special thank you to Tessa for sharing with us her talent once again!

Yes, it is the most wonderful time of the year ~ Christmas is knocking at our door, a new year is just around the corner and it’s engagement season! It seems that every time you turn around someone has a new, something sparkly on their finger. It’s also a time of year to express our gratitude and joy for the people that help to make Heart Love Weddings a very special place for couples to plan their big day. So let the fa-la-la-la-la-ing begin!

First up, we’re going to start in our own backyard – New England! Check out Ruth Eileen Photography. Looking for a fresh perspective then Ruth is your gal. Check out this cute engagement session that I spotted on Ruth’s blog. It’s so darn fun and creative!

Moving a little south but not much further, we have Something Borrowed NY. Brittany offers awesome sparkly accessories at affordable, rentable prices that are sure to make every woman feel special on her wedding day. One of my favorite pieces is this Isabella Cuff. The sparkle and soft ribbon would compliment any style a bride would choose whether vintage, modern or even rustic glam! Have you picked out a favorite yet?

Not only is the weather warm down south, but so are the people! You couldn’t meet a nicer bunch than some of the wedding pros that we have here at Heart Love Weddings. Take a look at what some southern hospitality has to offer.

The gals at Viva L’Event have been very busy and are excited to have just celebrated their first year in business! They can’t wait for what the future holds including a wedding of one of their own, Jamie! Here’s a sneak peek of something we’re excited to share with you next month!

Christi Falls Photographyis another southern gal that is as sweet as the south’s famous sweet tea. Don’t you just love this photo of a bride with hay bales and snow? Just gorgeous! Christi’s sure got the Christmas spirit this year! She’s offering some fun giveaways on her blog right now! Go quickly, before time runs out!

Next we have the dynamic duo of Zoomworks Photography. We recently featured a Moulin Rouge inspired photo shoot filled with creativity and gorgeous colors. And to think it all started out as a dream! You will just love what Marisu and Shannah’s years of experience have to offer to make your day unique and spectacular.

There couldn’t be a sweeter couple of photographers than Brent and Anna of Live View Studios. We recently did an awesome giveaway with them and we can’t wait to feature the engagement session and wedding of our winning couple, Caitlen and Tommy. Brent and Anna bring a lot of creative ideas to the table when capturing a couple’s love story. Check out some of them in this awesome fall wedding inspiration shoot.

Thinking of a destination wedding in let’s say .. Disney World? Then take a look at what Studio 516 Photography has to offer! Natasja is fun, sweet and can’t wait to capture what makes you special as a couple, even if it might involve funny ears with veils. :)

We are excited to be bringing you this wonderful selection of wedding professionals that we feel will love bringing your love story to life. Please take a closer look at their inspiration boards in our Vendor Boutique. They all can’t wait to work with you!

Interested in learning more about how to become a member of our Vendor Boutique? Do you know someone that you would like to recommend to us? Check out more information here, plus there’s still time to take advantage of our December to Remember Ad Special!

Cheers to all who help to make your day uniquely yours!

xoxo

I’m dreaming of a White Christmas .. Wedding!  So of course, we had to create an enchanting Christmas wedding inspiration board to bring to life what we are dreaming of. There is something extra special about getting married at Christmastime. From the sounds of church bells ringing, the sweet smells of cookies baking and fragrant fir trees to the sparkles, glitter and shiny ornaments too. The inspiration is endless for this time of year.

Let’s start with a fun fashion alternative for the bride. Toss out the traditional all white dress and add a plaid shirt. I know, I never would have thought of that one either, but boy, now that I have seen it, I am in love! And of course, the ever popular ring shot nestled in a snow-covered fir tree branch just makes my heart go pitter-patter. Deep red roses, a touch of green and sparkly ornaments make this DIY centerpiece super easy and stunning to look at. And remember how I mentioned the sweet smells of Christmas? Of course cake comes to mind, as well as cookies, truffles, candy canes and more. Lastly, there truly is one word that can express all that we feel at Christmas – Joy! What a fun way to display that feeling with a banner from Lisa Leonard.

How about you, do you think a Christmas wedding is in your future?

Happy Holidays!

xoxo

Row 1: Bride with Plaid Shirt via Ciara Richardson Photography | Sparkly Ring via Benj Haisch Photography |Red Shoes via Project Wedding

Row 2: Christmas Centerpiece via Stone Gable |Cranberry Cake by Simply Bloom Photography via Style Me Pretty | Joy Banner by Lisa Leonard Designs

Colors: Christmas Red, Silver Bells, Blue Spruce, White As Snow