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

I cannot believe that January has come to an end, and brought with it, the end of vintage month. Such a bittersweet moment. Because I’m so excited to share this vintage day after session from Tessa Marie Photography (formerly Light Love Laughter Photography) today as our last vintage feature of the month! The proposal story is seriously adorable, you’re going to love it! :)

Lydia and Josh were introduced by mutual friends at church who truly believed they would be a perfect match. Following their initial first meeting, Josh made every effort to see Lydia at church, before finally asking for her number. Over the next few weeks, the two spent hours talking on the phone and getting to know each other. But when Josh asked Lydia out on a date one night after church, Lydia hesitated. She’d come to see him as a really good new guy friend with no romantic feelings attached. Fortunately for her (and him), Josh had made it his mission to win her heart and eventually wore her down.

Long story short, Josh very quickly did exactly what he’d set out to do. He not only won her heart, but completely swept her off her feet in doing so. He showered her with love notes, gifts, surprises and chivalry. Lydia began to trust him more than she’d ever trusted anyone. He became her best friend. She had never felt so adored and beautiful before in her life. His love for her spilled out from the way he looked at her to everything he did and said. (Annnd I’m swooning, aren’t you?)

Eight months later, Lydia’s best friend came into town to spend the day with her for some much-needed girl time. They had coffee and manicures together and lots of girl talk! All of which was a setup by her handsome hubby-to-be! You see he remembered Lydia saying once that she wanted her nails to look nice when she got engaged. (Ha! I can so totally relate!) So he made sure he scheduled a manicure for her the day of. (How sweet! Boys, you should be taking notes!)

Around five that afternoon, Lydia’s friend decided she wanted to go on a drive around Atlanta. Though she thought it was a little odd, Lydia went along anyway. When her friend pulled the car over next to the park where she and Josh had had their second date though, she knew something was up. Her friend handed her a letter from Josh and pointed to a sign surrounded by candles at the entrance to the park.

The love note instructed Lydia to follow the candles and pick up the puzzle pieces for a special message from him. There were four stations throughout the park, each with a giant puzzle piece with a note on the back of them. When she gathered the pieces together, they formed the words “I have one question for you. You know where to find me.” She knew immediately where he was waiting for her and raced off to the park bench where they’d shared their first kiss. There he was, waiting, on bended knee. She didn’t even hesitate this time to say yes!

{Behind the Lens with Tessa Marie} Josh and Lydia came to me initially to do their wedding. I was booked on the day they set and so I wasn’t able to document their story. Lydia and I stayed in touch and as I was planning to do a styled shoot with Mao of Four Inch Vintage Fold and Rentals, I knew just the couple I wanted to “model” for me. We’d already discussed doing a bridal session for Lydia – and so, without her knowledge, I went ahead and worked with Mao to style the shoot. I had Josh and Lydia arrive not just to a beautiful location at Vinewood Weddings and Events, but to this super cute little styled shoot we’d put together. They were shocked and absolutely thrilled and, I must say, they pretty much, without a doubt, rocked it! :)

I’ll say they did! What a sweet couple and an even sweeter love story! Thank you so much Lydia (you looked GORGEOUS by the way) and Josh for sharing it with us today! So much love and luck as you continue on your married way! :) And a very special thank you to Tessa Marie for sharing their shoot and love with all of us today!

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Photography: Tessa Marie Photography

Venue: Vinewood Weddings and Events

Styling: Four Inch Fold – Vintage Rentals

Florals: Boukates

Vintage month would not be complete without a trip to a good ol’ fashion country fair with a couple who looks as if they stepped straight out of the 1950s! Brent and Anna of Live View Studios really outdid themselves on the styling of this shoot. The choices in fashion only added to the whimsical vintage feel that brought us right back to a time when men wore suspenders and ladies wore petticoats and pearls! We absolutely adore this shoot and know you will too!

Tori and Trent (the gorgeous model and her handsome man), while not yet engaged, are the cutest couple in real life! Their love story begins in high school, when Tori was a tomboy, and Trent was being chased by all the girls. And yet, despite their differences, the two seemed to share an unspoken bond, always locking eyes from across the room. Tori never really knew the meaning behind any of his looks, she just knew they made her feel giddy and excited.

One day, Tori received a “mysterious” text from Trent. The two began seeing each other more and more. And then, one night in December, under a blanket of stars, Trent kissed Tori and asked her to be his girl. They’ve been inseparable ever since.

{Behind the Lens with Anna} We’ve always wanted to photograph a couple at the fair. It’s where old-fashioned nostalgia meets the timelessness of love, both young and old, and an all-American farewell to summertime. The NC State Fair is an excellent location, with beautiful gardens for lovers to stroll through, colorful rides and concessions, to areas that are a step back in time, complete with log buildings, tobacco sheaves, and blue grass music.

Our vision for this shoot was to give it a bit of a retro twist, but in ways that are doable for any couple who loves vintage a la “The Notebook” style. And of course, with a location like the fair, there’s a bit of whimsy and fun added in too! A frilly petticoat, pearls and retro-styled hair and makeup make the gorgeous Tori look like she stepped out of the 50s, and Trent looks dapper in suspenders and a bow tie (one of our favorite looks for guys).

Tori and Trent make the cutest couple. The young love between them warmed our hearts and made us remember falling in love ourselves.

I couldn’t agree more. Looking at these two, reminds me of all the wonderful feelings of falling in love. And makes me desperate to curl up and watch my copy of “The Notebook” for the one billionth time :) Thank you so much, Brent and Anna, for sharing this wonderful shoot and your incredible talent for vintage styling with us today! We are so happy we were able to share your talent at both the beginning and end of vintage month!

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Live View Studios is a member of our Vendor Boutique. For more information on how to join our growing family, click here.

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Makeup: S.Davis Makeup Artistry, LLC

Venue: North Carolina State Fair

Vintage is a word..a style..a theme with many, many layers. One of those layers is sexy, soft, feminine and oh-so-very-glamorous. Made up of lace and silk, garter straps and pantyhose. Of strands of pearls, red lipstick and pin curls. It’s boudoir. And today, we have the very essence of all that is vintage boudoir. Captured and styled by the amazing Katherine Henry with accompanying sparkles and accessories from Happily Ever BorroWED!

I have been waiting and waiting and waiting to share this shoot since the early days of its inception. When we began scheduling features for vintage month, we really wanted to include boudoir. Something really soft, feminine and flirty, with a flare for vintage. I immediately reached out to Katherine to see if she had any shoots that fit that description. At the time, Katherine was itching to do a shoot and our description was just the inspiration she needed. Off she went into styling mode, and even had the brilliant idea to include some sparkly accessories from Happily Ever BorroWED (full list at end of post). Brittany was more than happy to provide the pieces Katherine needed (and we’re so glad she did – they’re fabulous!). And Katherine (already an amazing boudoir photographer in my book – she’s one of my absolute favorites!) went above and beyond to ensure every detail of this shoot was perfect. She even shot some of it in film! Be still my heart, I loved it even more (if that’s even possible) when I heard that!

It reminds me of a sexy that’s effortless like Marilyn Monroe. Of a sexy that’s innocent like that of a Pan Am stewardess. Of a sexy that’s so close yet so far like that of a pinup girl. And Beth, the model, most definitely looks like a 1940s pinup girl. She exudes beauty and confidence. She is the very essence of this quote by Marilyn Monroe: “I’m very definitely a woman and I enjoy it.”

{From Katherine} When Karin and Alexandra approached me and asked if I had any vintage inspired boudoir to share, I knew this was an opportunity to create something really special. I wanted the shoot to be authentic and started my search for vintage fashion. With the help of my friend, I found a great seller on Etsy that had amazing items. This is where the purple and floral items came from. The slip dress was something I had in my closet that I had been waiting to shoot with for years now!

I knew I would need amazing hair and makeup to really pull the looks together so I reached out to Kirsten and she brought on Lynda for the hair. It was so fun to change up the makeup and hair with each outfit. We wanted to put together soft, feminine and beautiful looks. Completing the looks are accessories from Happily Ever BorroWED. We had so much fun playing with the jewels while we were shooting.

When getting ready to shoot the session I thought it would be fun to play around with some older film cameras as well as digital. The film has such a wonderful quality to it and fit with the theme perfectly!

Thank you Katherine for styling and capturing this shoot for us! You simply outdid yourself. Ladies, if you’re looking for the perfect person to capture your boudoir, look no more! Katherine is most definitely your girl! She just launched a new website for you to see even more here. And if you hurry, you can still take part in the boudoir special Katherine is offering specially to Heart Love Weddings readers! It ends January 31st, so don’t delay, email Katherine to reserve your session today!

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Photography, Styling & Coordination: Katherine Henry Boudoir

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Accessories: Happily Ever BorroWED

Helene Combs

London Flower

Sophie Headpiece

Black Velvet Belt

Isabella Cuff

Lady Catherine Earrings

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Something Borrowed NY is a member of our Vendor Boutique. For more information on to how to join our growing family, click here.

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Hair: Formal Hair Design by Lynda Williams

Makeup: Joli Visage Makeup Artistry

Venue: Boston Park Plaza

Lingerie: Etsy

Model: Beth

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