Lately it seems everybody is talking about the Hunger Games! And if you’re a fan of the books and can’t wait for the movie this week, we have a treat for you today from Laurel isle Photography! The sister photography duo of Lauren and Lindsay got together to create this sometimes edgy, sometimes sweet shoot based on their love of the books and the love story surrounding Peeta and Katniss. I myself am waiting with great anticipation to read the books on vacation, but after this shoot I am even more intrigued by the story. And of course, I can’t wait to learn how the love of two people will blossom and grow through great adversity and challenges. Take a look at Lauren and Lindsay’s work and prepare to be inspired!

{From Laurel isle Photography} The Hunger Games is a truly captivating love story about two young people thrown into a partnership. Since Peeta & Katniss are in the games together, there is both a fierce independence they need to maintain for their very survival, but they cannot deny the truth of the bond that begins to form that is much deeper than the games itself. We felt these two characteristics are not unlike most modern couples. In our session with Bethany and Jon, we sought to capture their strength and independence as well as sharing their vulnerability and ultimately their love. We chose contemporary clothing (as the story takes place in the future) but accented with a natural color scheme and textures. The bird necklace and matching bracelet are reminiscent of the pendent that Katniss wears during the games. Bethany’s hair and make up was inspired by Katniss’ character, simple and braided. We called upon the library of one of our favorite online resources for free printables,Wedding Chicks. Their printable provided just the right color scheme and simplicity we were looking for. Our florist created a bouquet and simple centerpiece that looked as if it were fresh picked from the very wilderness our fictional couple finds themselves.

There are so many details that I just adore of this shoot! Thank you so much to Lauren and Lindsay of Laurel isle Photography for sharing their talents and visions with us today.

Are you ready to check out the Hunger Games on Friday? Should I wait to see the movie until after I’ve read the books? Decisions, decisions….

xoxo

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Photographer: Laurel isle Photography

Floral Designer: Occasions in Bloom - Invitation Designer: Wedding Chicks

Makeup Artist: Dollface Makeup - Jewelry: A Real Gem

Yesterday, we were lusting for summer, today, I’m dreaming of a sparkly winter snow thanks to this winter wedding inspiration shoot from Lydia Photography! I love the crisp color scheme of white on white with pretty layers of lace, a sheen of pearls and a scrumptious display of sweets (cake pops, yum!). The delicate baby’s breath bouquet is so simple, yet elegant and I absolutely adore it! And I’m really loving the strapless dress with a winter scarf look – super fashionable and chic! Plus, anything with sparkly snow gets an A+ in my book! :) Thank you, Lydia, for sharing these fabulous winter wedding ideas with us today!

{From Lydia Photography} Winter weddings can be just as creative as summer weddings! I wanted to show brides that choosing just one color and using various shades and textures can be a simple way to create a theme for their wedding. White just seemed to be the perfect color for this winter shoot! Simple glass, a little sparkly snow, and layers of lace and pearls provided the backdrop and texture for the sweets tables. Cake pops decorated in the white on white theme were placed in glasses of rock salt around the tables and a cute jar of mini marshmallows added an unexpected delightful touch. The sparkly invitation suite and signs personalized everything and thank you tags attached to handblown glass ornaments made for pretty take home gifts. The space was decorated with birch branches wired to an old window screen and tissue paper pompoms – easy DIY projects that give the space a party feel! When she wasn’t carrying a simple bouquet of baby’s breath, the bride kept her fingers warm with a faux fur muff decorated with a simple flower swag. Vintage pearl jewelry matches her vintage pearl engagement ring.

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Photography: Lydia Photography – Event Styling: Storybook Wedding Design & Management

Florals: Art in Bloom - Invitations: Designs on Paper by Phyllis

Hair: Stephanie Murray – Makeup: Jessica Palmer

Vintage Decor: {storehouse} rentals

When you combine the inspiring talent of the amazing Courtney Dellafiora with a ruggedly handsome groom, a drop dead gorgeous bride and loads of vintage details reminiscent of the sweetest of love stories, the result is ridiculously pretty. Add in a dessert table sweet enough to make your mouth water, a cream colored bouquet full of delightful textures and a lace wedding dress to swoon over… the ridiculously pretty effect just doubled. You know you can’t wait to see more!

{From Courtney} I like to call myself a swirly girl. Because I love all things NOT straight. I love anything vintage, wrought iron and swirly. My favorite store is Hobby Lobby because it is a swirly factory. My mind also thinks in swirls and not straight lines. I am a dreamer in every way and have been that way ever since I was a little girl. I can remember imagining beautiful love stories in my head and playing out the entire scenario step by step fantasizing about every little detail. Little did I know, God made my mind to work like that for a reason. I feel so blessed every day that I am a swirly girl and that because of not seeing life in straight lines, I can capture the swirly emotions between two people and portray it in a photograph. I love that God made me swirly. : )

So because of my love for anything vintage, I decided one day that I wanted to style a vintage shoot and came up with a vision for what I was looking for. At the time I had no idea how it was all going to come together but I knew what I saw in my head and I was determined to make it happen. I started off by asking Valerie of Southern Fete, aka event planner extraordinaire, to help me not only come up with some great ideas but to also help me style the entire shoot. I told her my vision, color schemes and ideas and she truly helped me make them come to life.

Katie and David (who played Allie and Steven for the day) came into my life recently and were a complete Godsend. As soon as I got to know them a little, I knew immediately they were the perfect couple to model for my shoot. These two are truly one of the most beautiful couples I have been able to work with… and not just because they are pretty on the outside… but more so because of their inner beauty. They are both genuinely kind and loving and I just know a match made in Heaven. They are getting married in a couple of years so when I asked them to practice playing husband and wife for my shoot, they were more than excited!

I could not be more happy with the way my dream turned out in these photos. They are truly a piece of my heart displayed in print.

What I love most about this shoot is that it’s realistic. I really feel that a bride could not only visualize this for her day but also make it a reality. It has many vintage elements but it’s also very elegant and romantic. Thank you so much Courtney for sharing this shoot, your talent and your heart with us today! It was like a pretty, pretty package perfect for the middle of vintage month and we love it… and you!

xoxo

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Photography, Inspiration + Styling: Courtney Dellafiora Photography

Styling, Bouquet + Paper Goods: Valerie of Southern Fete

Wedding Cake + Other Sweet Treats: Heather of Social Bites of Ruston

Hair + Makeup: Courtney Davis of Kiki’s Consulting

Wedding Dress: Enzoani, style Diana

Wedding Dress Shop: Bustle in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hairpiece: LoBoheme

Models: Katie + David

Do I have a treat for you today! It’s navy and pink, makes you want to jet off to Paris, and vintage all over! Plus, loads of luscious florals, sweet vintage teacups, pretty pretty parasols and a beyond gorgeous wedding gown! This eye candy is brought to us by the styling talents of the lovely ladies of Viva L’Event and photographed by the amazing Hilton Pittman Photography! Grab a cup of coffee and come sigh with me!

{From Viva L’Event} We designed this inspired-shoot in perfect Parisian fashion!  With a delectable palette awash in pinks and navy blue, this wedding is pure girly goodness.  The bride wears a whimsical frock courtesy of TreBella Salon and carries a bouquet provided by TreBella Flowers.  French accents peppered around parlay the romantic décor…miniature Eiffel towers, ruffly crepe paper medallions, gorgeous vintage umbrellas and furniture provided by Suzanna’s Antiques.  The lovely three layer invitation suite is from Paperwhites Press.  The bride and groom exchange sweet “I do’s” in an intimate fire-side ceremony, followed by a post-wedding brunch.  At this French-infused féte, imagine “La Vie en Rose” playing in the background while guests nosh on canapés, fresh-baked baguettes and brie.  The sweetest part of the day are the berry cupcakes topped with pale pink frosting from Viva L’Event.  The Oaks at Salem provide the perfect setting for this inspired shoot with the beautiful old oak trees lending their branches for hanging antique chandeliers.  So many different DIY’s throughout including the amazing ring book.  The beautiful photos captured by Hilton Pittman Photography.

Are you ready to jet off to Paris with me yet?

Happy Friday!

xoxo

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Viva L’Event is a member of our Vendor Boutique. For more information on how to join our growing family, click here.

Vintage Rentals: Suzanna’s Antiques & Viva L’Event

Hair: Blo Salon Team

Makeup: Kristi Martinson

Flowers: TreBella Flowers

Bride’s & Bridesmaid Dresses: TreBella Salon

Stationary: Paperwhites Press

Venue:  The Oaks at Salem

Photography:  Hilton Pittman Photography

Wedding Dress:  Tre Bella Bridal Salon

I can’t believe how quickly Friday came around this week! Time sure does fly when you’re having fun! And we’ve been having tons of it here on the blog! A fabulously girly inspiration shoot kicked it all off for us followed by an awe-inspiring pair of Louboutins. An elegant, but swanky inspired affair hit the blog midweek, and then inspiration du jour parts one and two from yours truly. And now, here we are – Friday! I saved the best for last, you know… ;)

As sad as I am to see this Week of Wedding Inspiration come to an end, I’m so excited to share this final inspiration shoot (and my personal favorite of the three) with you today! Styled once again by the very talented and inspiring Katrina McCullum of Made of Honor Weddings, and photographed by the always amazing and oh-so-talented Gwendolyn Tundermann Photography!

I look at this shoot – the colors, the crystals, the bling – and can’t help but think of Hollywood! I see celebrities and champagne, a luxurious red carpet, and sparkles everywhere. Just look at those napkin holders and stunner of a cake to catch my drift! And that rosette overlay? Pure brilliance! It’s a very contemporary look that is nothing short of glamorous. It exudes such an air of romance it’s practically swoon-worthy. Perfect for the romantically-inclined bride who appreciates sparkle and, of course, elegance.

{From Katrina} This shoot was the last we did and my baby… the first I put thought into and designed. I wanted it to exude elegance, romance, and all things bling. I fell in love with the slate gray rosette overlay and built my vision around that.

This was the first shoot I’d ever put together. I picked a great team and had a lot of fun. This will not be my last.

I know I’m very happy to hear that! You did such a wonderful job, Katrina! All three shoots are so detailed and well-thought out, and I know you put your heart and soul into each one. I am so deliriously happy to have been the one to feature them! Thank you so, so much for all of your help in getting these features ready to go! :)

{From Gwen} On the wedding day, we usually only get a very small window to shoot the reception details before guests start to trickle in. The tables at the reception are always so close together, so you’re usually limited by how you can shoot. At an inspiration shoot, we have more space to try for a variety of angles. We also like to use it as an opportunity to try new angles and lighting techniques as well. We like shoots because there really isn’t a time constraint – we get to spend as much time as we need deciding how we want to capture the design. A lot of the shots are similar to what we would get at a wedding, but we try to capture a wider variety of the details.

I definitely prefer weddings to shoots though. We build great relationships with our couples, so capturing their wedding is so fulfilling. There’s always so much happening and we’re fueled by that excitement. But inspiration shoots are super fun because we get to spend more time chatting with the vendors and allow our creativity to just flow.

Gwen, thank you so much for sharing these shoots with me and all of us! You did such an amazing job capturing the uniqueness of each one – your work is truly brilliant! And thank you too for sharing your behind the lens insight as well. It’s always a pleasure to have your talent grace our blog!

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So, does this swanky, Hollywood affair have you floating on Cloud 9 or what?

I hope you’ve enjoyed this Week of Wedding Inspiration as much as I have! Be sure to share just how much you’ve enjoyed the work of Katrina and Gwen in the comments below before you float away for the weekend! :)

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One last, big shout out to all the vendors who made these shoots happen:

Style & Design: Made of Honor Weddings & Events

Photography: Gwendolyn Tundermann Photography

Venue: Hidden Hills Country Club

Floral Design: S & A Weddings & Events

Linens: Royalty Events

Napkin Rings: Remarkable Rhinestones (as seen on My Fair Wedding with David Tutera)

Chiavari Chairs: Flaire Celebrations

Cake Design: Metro Custom Cakes

Model: Leah Malnar

Makeup: Lindsey Wirht

Hair: Kasey Blake

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Happy Friday!

xoxo

In lieu of no inspiration board yesterday (we had a fabulous Green, White & Black Inspiration Shoot instead), I have three inspiration boards for you today! One for each of the inspiration shoots featured here this week from Made of Honor Weddings and Gwendolyn Tundermann Photography!

Each board takes the design style and idea of each shoot and runs wild with a few other added details i.e. bridesmaid dresses, shoes, beverages, paper products, groom’s style, and more! Pretty cool, huh? You even get the added bonus of getting a sneak peek of Friday’s shoot, which won’t (obviously) be live until tomorrow! ;)

Up first: Pink & White Girly Glam

The bride’s bouquet and centerpiece really stole the show for me in this shoot! I LOVED the pale and bright pink roses alongside the fresh green hydrangea. So pretty! And probably smelled heavenly too! I played off of that color combination and created a fresh, vibrant, but still girly inspiration! How hot is the color of that bridesmaids dress? And the Louboutins? How about those key lime cheesecake squares? Le sigh.

Sources

Row 1: Bride, Invitation, Bridesmaids Dress

Row 2: Clutch, Louboutins, Flower Girl Dress, White Flowers

Row 3: Key Lime Swirl Cheesecake, Pink Drinks

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Up next: Green, Black & White, Feathers + Lace

As I mentioned yesterday, I’m head over heels for this color combination! It’s so lush, yet elegant at the same time! I loved the idea of a black lace bridesmaids dress and snazzy shoes to go with! And how about an elegantly scripted invitation to set the scene beforehand? I love the added little touch of burlap in the favors for some extra texture. Oh, and mini Oreo cheesecakes are always a plus! Yum!

Sources

Row 1: Bride, Boutonniere, Shoes

Row 2: Bridesmaids Dress, Table Number, Drinks, Mini Oreo Cheesecake

Row 3: Invitation, Favors

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And, finally: Red & Gray Hollywood Glam

I’ve saved the best for last! And my favorite too! :) What could be classier than a fabulous red, gray, and black affair? So classy, it’s simply glamorous. Makes me think of the red carpet, Hollywood, and pretty, sparkling diamonds. I love the sheen of the invite, and the sharpness of the escort cards. The style of the bridesmaids dress is to die for! And the red velvet cheesecake is pure decadence alongside a plateful of chocolate dipped strawberries! Delish!

Sources

Row 1: Bride, Chocolate Covered Strawberries, Invitation

Row 2: Shoes, Cocktail, Rose, Red Velvet Cheesecake

Row 3: Escort Cards, Bridesmaids Dress

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If that doesn’t get you excited to see the last inspiration shoot of the week, I don’t know what will! Come back tomorrow to see the rest of the look! And, while you’re at it, stop by the comment section and weigh in on which wedding you’d choose for your big day, or which you’d be most excited to attend!

Happy Thursday!

xoxo