And here, we have part two! If you’re just tuning in, and before you ask what the heck I’m talking about, check out part one of this oh-so-colorful, ridiculously fun engagement session from Two Chics Photography that we shared on the blog yesterday! If you’re tuning back in and thought you had a craving for cotton candy and corn dogs already, it will be times two today! But with candy apples too, and an itching to get your butts to the local state fair and have your honey win you a big, fat prize, or two! As for me? I’ll be raiding Kailey’s closet again, because I LOVE HER SHOES!

{Behind the Lens with Shauna and Jess} Ahh… Matt and Kailey. We just adore these two lovebirds! From the moment we met them – there was an instant connection. Some clients just “happen” that way. From their impeccable style to their fun-loving, free spirits, this couple would be any photographer’s dream!

Kailey and Matt decided to theme their session with a “vintage carnival” feel and instantly we were squealing like little girls. Anyone who knows us, knows that we love a very rustic meets pretty, vintage meets modern feel to everything we do. When we have a client who is on that same wavelength, it makes for a perfect fit. To fit with their vintage carnival vibe, we decided to shoot their engagement photos at the Georgia National Fair in Perry, Georgia. We were excited about the opportunity to shoot there but a little nervous that the crowds would overtake the session. But Kailey arranged for us to arrive before the crowds early on a Sunday morning. Sunshine was abundant, the smell of funnel cakes took over our senses and love was in the air! These two have chemistry that cannot be created so there wasn’t much need for our guidance or suggestions in posing. We just let their personalities shine and the evident love between these two came alive. We just kept shooting for hours and were honestly a little sad when the mid-day sun crept in and overpowered our lenses! Needless to say, we are thrilled to shoot their wedding in just a few short months – we’re counting down the days.

Wasn’t that fun? I just love this engagement session, from top to bottom, part one and part two, so much. It’s completely refreshing to see a love so vibrant and true, not posed, but in its natural form. I love the love between these two. It jumps right off the page, straight into my heart, making me positively giddy. Can’t you tell? And Shauna and Jess of Two Chics Photography captured it beautifully! Thank you both for sending this gem of a session our way! I’ll dream of vintage carnivals tonight, I’m sure! ;) xoxo

Are you all ready for something oh-so-colorful, totally fun and completely adorable? No, really, are you? Because this engagement session from Two Chics Photography is going to knock your socks off, blow your dress up, leave you with a craving for cotton candy and corn dogs, and all that good stuff ;) I’ve never before seen an engagement session so full of life and love. I love these two. I want to be their best friend. And I want to raid Kailey’s closet. Wait until you see her shoes, and her dress and the way it twirls. By the way, this engagement session has a part two…

Matt and Kailey met when their mothers decided they should(!!!)! Matt needed stitches out one summer, so his mom sent him to Kailey’s mom who is a nurse. Kailey “just so happened” to be home that day and the two were introduced. But Kailey wasn’t really interested at first. Matt was persistent though and eventually won her over. That fall, he took her on dates, carved pumpkins with her, and eventually invited her over to watch the epitome of romantic movies: Home Alone. It was then that they shared their first kiss… and never actually finished watching the movie. (Ooh-la-la ;))

Kailey knew they would be getting engaged around Christmas of 2010, but she didn’t know the details of how or exactly when. They had plans to go to their favorite restaurant and to the Atlanta Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker. She thought he might propose that night, but Matt was far too relaxed in her opinion. In fact, they were almost late because Matt took an extra long nap that day. Then came the genius ploy that lured Kailey away from any suspicions of a proposal happening that night. He forgot the tickets!!! They made it in time, but barely. After the show, Matt walked Kailey across the street and pointed to the theatre’s marquee that read, “Kailey, Will You Marry Me?” She burst into tears and said yes! (How could you not after all that? :))

Oh, Kailey and Matt, I love you two! You rock my world. Thank you for sharing your story with us all. And congratulations on becoming husband and wife! So much love and luck to you too!

Don’t forget! This was just part 1. Part 2 of this adorable session will be live on the blog TOMORROW. Be there, or you know, be square! ;) xoxo

A picture is worth a thousand words . . .

One Photographer. One Snapshot. One Quote.

One-thousand words and emotions.

“How sweet it is to be loved by you.” – James Taylor

Photo by Amanda Scott Photography via Southern Weddings

Color – we all have our favorites, don’t we? Blue, purple, red and yellow are a few of mine. Incorporating some of your favorite colors as you plan your wedding will help you set the mood as well as style of your special day.

For us in New England, when we receive a fall wedding invitation, immediately all thoughts turn to visions of the rich, vibrant colors of gold, red and orange. Along with these colors, we also get those warm, fuzzy feelings of sitting by a cozy fire with a hot chocolate and homemade apple pies. Those feelings are exactly what your guests will experience with the vibrancy and warmth of fall colors, especially in the Northeast.

Pumpkin Pie Chic Wedding Inspiration Board

Katelyn James Photography via Heart Love Weddings

Soft, dreamy romance is what your guests will experience with our next color palette. Not only are these colors romantic, but with the right accents and textures you can also create a vintage or even rustic style. Soft muted pinks and grays remind me of nostalgic days gone by, and that feel good feeling of family and sweet old, fashioned love stories.

Rustic Romance Wedding Inspiration Board

Dreamlove Wedding Photography via Heart Love Weddings

Bold colors like red, white and blue can often convey a patriotic, strong spirit and fun feel like this baseball themed wedding. These colors would also be perfect for backyard as well as warm summertime weddings. Your guests will definitely be ready for a rocking good time!

Take Me Out to a Baseball Themed Wedding Inspiration Board

Amorology Weddings via Style Me Pretty

And here’s a great color combination that would work for both spring and summer weddings as well as rustic, modern and even contemporary styles. Yellow and blue are definitely an all-time favorite duo of mine. It reminds me of cheery, sunny days filled with love and laughter. Sure to bring big smiles to the faces of all your guests.

Blueberry Lemon Backyard Wedding Inspiration Board

Shannon Kelley Photography via Heart Love Weddings

Cool blues and greens can give a sense of peacefulness and calm. Vibrant reds, oranges and yellows are warm and sassy. Soft pastels like pink and lavender bring forth feelings of romance and love. What colors will you choose that will allow your guests to experience and capture your love on your wedding day?

xoxo

Do I have the prettiest purple beach wedding from Weber Photography by Wes + Liz to share with you today! No, really, it’s preeettyyy! It’s a wedding on a beach (which is fabulous all on it’s own) with vibrant, modern purple hues, and the cutest “foot-related” details you ever did see. You’ll see what I mean in a moment… There’s also a sand ceremony, which I love. But my absolute favorite detail are the table numbers. Handcrafted by the kids in Tracy’s class, each has a written description for what marriage is. Wait until you see them! :)

Mike and Tracy went to high school together, and while they knew of each other, they didn’t really spend any time together until the latter part of their senior year. They had a lot of the same friends by then and somehow always found themselves together when the group would go out. But Tracy, who knew they were both leaving for college soon, was hesitant about dating Mike, though he asked her several times. Finally, one night at a Toby Keith concert, Tracy told Mike she thought they should officially give their relationship a shot.

And so they did. For the next four years of college, Tracy and Mike dated long distance. Sometimes very long distance. Tracy spent some time in Dublin, Ireland and Mike spent a good five months in Hawaii. They were both lucky enough to have opportunities to see each other during those times, which in turn led to their love of traveling together.

For the the better part of their lives, nine years to be exact, Mike and Tracy dated. Tracy loves that they spent so much time really getting to know each other before tying the knot. They were able to get through a lot of life-changing events because they had the support of each other. And Tracy says that no one can make her laugh or put a smile on her face like Mike can.

Mike finally popped the question after eight years of dating on August 28, 2010. Tracy had just come home from a long training run and wanted to hop in the shower before the Chicago Triathlon started (they’d made plans to watch it together). Tracy (not knowing what was ahead of her that day) took her time in the shower, much to the anxiety ridden dismay of Mike who was impatiently waiting for her downstairs.

Soon after she joined him, he handed her a silver box. Inside was the Road ID bracelet (worn when working out in case of an emergency) she’d been wanting to get for quite some time. When Tracy opened the ID bracelet to read the emergency contact information, she stopped. Next to Mike’s name was the word husband. She looked at him and questioned, “Husband?!” Getting down on one knee, Mike replied, “Well, that’s if you’ll marry me?” Needless to say, Tracy said yes!

{From the Bride} Our wedding was a destination wedding in St. Pete Beach, Florida. We had over 100 of our closest family and friends travel (mostly from Chicago where we’re from) to be with us on our wedding day, which was incredible! We were able to spend a few days with the people closest to us on what felt like one big, fun vacation! It was truly an honor to have them all there.

We were slightly hesitant to see how planning a destination wedding would pan out. But it turned out to be everything we dreamed of and more. The beach setting was just what we had in mind! The day was beautiful (not too humid for a June day in Florida) and we loved having the ceremony just before sunset. 

One of the best parts of the day was our ‘first look’. It was an opportunity for Mike and I to see each other before all of the events started to take place. We loved having those few minutes alone together before the ceremony. It was reassuring for both of us that we made the right choice and we were both so excited to make things official.

The reception seemed to fly by. At the end, it felt like we only danced to three songs. We were just having so much fun with everyone that it just flew by. It was an absolutely perfect day!

{Advice for Couples} Tracy says to always remember the person you fell in love with and appreciate the differences between the two of you. Mike says to always respect her and kiss her good night.

I told you this wedding was pretty! :) And how unbelievably adorable were those table numbers?! About as adorable as our ever-popular love according to kids post from a few months back. There are actually more table numbers than what you see above, but I didn’t want to overload the post with them. You’ll be able to see them and so much more when our NEW inspiration studio goes live very soon!

Congratulations, Mike and Tracy, and thank you for sharing your love story today! May all your days together be filled with so much love and laughter! And don’t forget the advice on those table numbers! ;) A very special thank you also to Wes and Liz Weber for sharing this very special day and their talent with us today! xoxoxo

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Photography: Weber Photography by Wes + Liz

Event Coordinator: Cherish Coddington for Grand Plaza Hotel

Venue & Catering: Grand Plaza Hotel – Cake: Cakes by Carolynn

Wedding Dress: La Joli Mode – Shoes: Katie and Kelly

Hair & Makeup: Michele Renee Hair and Makeup

Bridesmaids Dresses: David’s Bridal – Florals: Rose Garden Florist

Men’s Attire: Pants from Nordstrom, Shirts from Tommy Bahama

DJ: Expert Productions – Invitations: Vista Print – Other Stationery: handmade

Favors: Donations made to Livestrong and Colon Cancer Alliance