LAE Weddings

5 qt Viking Stand Mixer GIVEAWAY on Lovely Little Details from Page Hardware Wedding Registry

noreply@blogger.com (L+A) — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 13:58:00 +0000

Run on over to Lovely Little Details and check out the great giveaway! I know we could all use a good Viking Stand Mixer! :D....and if you are still looking to find a registry check out Page Hardware, they have a lot of really cute stuff!

Suzanne + Jon - Lovely purple wedding!

noreply@blogger.com (L+A) — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 13:13:00 +0000

Minneapolis Wedding Photographer, Brovado Weddings by Preston Palmer, sent over these Iowa Wedding Pictures! Brovado Weddings covers the entire 7 state region as a wedding photographer by flying a private airplane filled with his photo and video crew! Brovado routinely works as an Iowa Wedding Photographer and is known for their fantastic Engagement and Trash The Dress Photo Shoots!

exposed brick wall = gorgeous!

how cute is this little dress?

All photos courtesy of: Brovado Weddings

Inspiration from "The Notebook"

noreply@blogger.com (L+A) — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 14:26:00 +0000

Andrew always uses quotes or says he hopes we die together just like Noah & Allie from "The Notebook"...and I'm a huge fan of the 1940s/1950s, which makes this shoot perfect! You can tell the couple spent a lot of time making every detail perfect...Enjoy! --- Also, no photo feature today - my internet is still down at home...boo!

Photos courtesy of: Green Wedding Shoes via Blushing Bride Studio

For full session, click here

Corn-on-the-Cob Cupcakes

noreply@blogger.com (L+A) — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 17:29:00 +0000

This recipe was sent over from my friend Shannon....these cupcakes would be great for a bbq with friends or a rehearsal dinner - and wouldn't that drunken watermelon I posted awhile back be perfect with this? Enjoy!

Ingredients

Vanilla Frosting
Yellow liquid food coloring
24 Vanilla Cupcakes, baked in white paper liners
3 1/2 cups small yellow, cream, or white jelly beans, such as Jelly Belly
4 pieces yellow fruit chews, such as Laffy Taffys or Starbursts
1 tablespoon black decorating sugar
1 tablespoon white decorating sugar
8 sets of corn holders (optional)

Click here for full tutorial/recipe

Photo courtesy of: Martha Stewart

Etsy Vendor ~ 310jewelry

noreply@blogger.com (L+A) — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 15:06:00 +0000

Need the finishing touches to your wedding dress? 310jewelry is the place to go! Full of gorgeous pieces that will impress not only you, but everyone else!....Katie hand makes all the jewelry and wanted to share a little bit about what she does...Enjoy!

When did you get started: I've designed and created (or attempted to create...) jewelry for as long as I can remember... starting with the friendship safety pins when I was little... then friendship bracelets in elementary school... then when I got older, started experimenting with the shrinky dink plastic my little sister would use... I took a hiatus for awhile through high school and college, but then when doing my senior thesis on fashion design, created a line of bridal gowns, which of course, needed accessories... which spawned a rebirth of my love of creating... I think mostly, working with clothing, it's such a process... you create the design, create the pattern, do a practice garment, size it, then do the final creation.... with jewelry, it's a much more of instant gratification.... some take time, but you see the results much quicker than you do with clothing.
When I couldn't find a job in the "real world," I returned to school to get my masters in teaching. Using my hobby now to be more of a stress release after a long day. A few teachers liked the pieces I would wear to work and asked me to make them some. From there I started selling on the side. My third year of teaching, I was bumped and lost my job due to lack of seniority. I tried to make that closed door a window by using my time displaced from a job to try to sell to boutiques and opened my Etsy shop. I enjoy jewelry making so much, I would love to make it much more of a full-time job. But one day at a time. :)

What makes you different:
I really believe that your accessories help to paint who you are for that particular day. Maybe you feel simple, or you feel sparkling. Maybe it's a Audrey Hepburn LBD day with super large pearls, or you're going for more of a bohemian look. Whatever your choice, the accessories are going to finish the look.
Being that jewelry making is currently more of a hobby than a profession for me, I am much more geared towards the creation side, rather than mass producing an easy to sell item. Alot of my customers on Etsy are looking for a unique piece to wear for a special occasion, such as their weddings, and they want something especially made for them. These are my favorite customers because I understand how special this day is for them and how much the accessory is going to finish whatever look they are aiming to achieve. I think this desire to please my customer, to have my customer be so utterly excited to wear the piece, is what makes me different.

What do you love creating most: I love color. I love super sparkling crystals. I love finishing a piece and being so excited to post it to see the response. I really can't stand monotony, so it's hard for me to make something over and over again, which is probably not a very favorable trait in sales, but I think it also helps me to be continually creative as an artist and designer.

Favorite places to shop:
I love boutiques where you can find more out of the ordinary things. I'm the type of person who likes to have a dress you can't get just anywhere. I also tend to shop online, (Etsy! :)) because you are able to find more obscure items... and also because I just hate trying clothes on. :) Plus in Iowa, you just aren't allowed the luxury of having alot of unique brands available in person.
True Religion, Blue Jeans Bar, Riley boutiques in Chicago... Blue Mercury for products...
But then again, Nordstroms does tend to call me in... alot! :)

All photos courtesy of: 310jewelry

---These pictures are only a small preview, so go check out the rest of the store! You won't be sorry! :)

Vintage/Old Hollywood Shoot

noreply@blogger.com (L+A) — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 16:34:00 +0000

My internet has been down, so couldn't post anything --- sorry!

Today's shoot is a mix of vintage and old hollywood, but it isn't a wedding - It is 2 young girls (shoot styled by their mom and Amanda from APL Photography)....you don't want to miss this!

how cute is this little lace outfit?

would love this suitcase for my wedding!

Photos sent to me by: APL Photography

Weekend Photography

noreply@blogger.com (L+A) — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 02:44:00 +0000

Today's photo feature is by yours truly! These 3 cuties are my cousins and they "styled" the shoot with their own outfits...I know they were proud to wear the "Hawaiian" clothes that their dad had picked up for them on a trip -- it was just something fun to do on a Saturday afternoon...who knows maybe I'll dabble in photography now - Hope you enjoy this!

4th of July {esque} Wedding!

noreply@blogger.com (L+A) — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 00:05:00 +0000

I won't be posting this weekend, because we are headed back to my hometown to spend some time with the family :) ----- but didn't want to leave you guys high and dry - here is a fun wedding that screams 4th of July!

All photos courtesy of: Christy J Photography

Hope you all have a great 4th of July weekend!

Cute & Cheap "Bridesmaid" Dresses!

noreply@blogger.com (L+A) — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:50:00 +0000

These may not be your "typical" bridesmaid dress, but who doesn't love some originality? and these dresses are all under $100 ---- even better!

Photo courtesy of: Polyvore

Photo courtesy of: Ruche

Photo courtesy of: Forever 21

Photo courtesy of: ModCloth

Purchases, purchases, purchases {for sale}

noreply@blogger.com (L+A) — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 22:53:00 +0000

Internet shopping has a SEVERE hold on my life...just run up and talk to my complexes office...I get packages almost every single day and, yes, I said package(S) - today, I received: Andrew's tie for the wedding (so cute), another sheet (to cover the hay bales), and my gold mini dress (which is too short....ugh)- and yesterday Andrew's suit came, which by the way was much darker in person and his big manly chest wouldn't fit into the vest ---- yes this post is getting somewhere....I have consumed SO much junk (very, very pretty junk) and would like to pass some of it off to who ever would need it....

First up: Amrita Singh 18K gold plated floral bib necklace...Originally $150 & no longer in stock on the website....bought this gorgeous baby for my expensive "fancy" wedding and now since have changed my plans---and my jewelery

2nd: Vintage 60's gold lace mini M-L-XL---will have matching vintage jelly shoes to go with if you are interested (pictured below)---just received the dress today, but it is too short :(

Shoot me an email @ laeweddings@gmail.com or leave a comment if you'd be interested in any of these things....Andrew's vintage suit might show up on here soon too...and tonight I'm hoping to give you guys some inspiration for bridesmaid's dresses tonight, so check back!

Vintage goods in a CUTE vintage trailer? Sign me up!

noreply@blogger.com (L+A) — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 13:11:00 +0000

Now, some of you might be thinking that this post has nothing to do with "weddings", but why not go shopping for a cute little vintage number and wear it in your engagement pictures? Or to the rehearsal dinner? In my opinion, you can wear a good vintage outfit/accessory anywhere at anytime! Erica & Jessica are here to tell us just how you can find all things vintage in their new trailer! Here is a little story about how they got started:

LAE Wedding blogreaders - Hello and welcome to Hill Vintage! Hugs. Hugs. Today Jessica and I are going to take you on a journey of the creation and growth of our business.

Readers she is young. Hill Vintage was started last September and has grown out of a love that, as co-owners Jessica and Erica share for vintage EVERYTHING. We love fashion and the ability that vintage provides for us to be creative in all aspects of our lives. When we first started Hill Vintage, we were vendors at the East Village Bazaar and each week became better organized, more efficient, and discovered how much fun we were having. When the bazaar ended at the end of October we knew we couldn’t stop and started looking into our next adventure which led us to the on-line marketplace, Etsy. Throughout the winter we sold Hill Vintage wares on-line. In mid-February we were approached by Ephemera a local stationary store to hold weekly trunk sales in their back room. And believe it or the sales were a hit!

Once the clouds parted and the snow cleared we were ready to hit the ground running but we had no idea where we were headed. The two of us had been mulling over the idea of a storefront but were not convinced that it was the right time for a permanent location. And just like that onto the radar strolled the idea of a vintage trailer for pop-up sales. After scouring newspapers, ebay, and craigslist we found her…HEIDI, the newest addition to our Hill Vintage family. We could not have wished for anything more amazing in all our dreams. After the addition of a dressing room and some elbow grease she was ready to meet our friends and local shoppers of the 515. To find out where and when you can meet her and us like Hill Vintage on Facebook.

Even with the addition of Heidi we are still active on Etsy as well as indoor fairs and markets. For the remainder of the summer we will be popping up around town, at Market Day and come fall you can see us at the East Village Bazaar.

Truly the credit of our success goes way beyond the two of us. It is because of the generosity and support that we have received from local business owners, shoppers, family, and our friends that we were able to take that next step and purchase Heidi. We are eager to see what the future holds for Hill Vintage and the Des Moines area!

xoxo, erica and jessica

Photos courtesy of: Hill Vintage

----Can't wait to check out this trailer!

Woodland Creatures Wedding

noreply@blogger.com (L+A) — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 03:40:00 +0000

This wedding has a special place in my heart, because I call Andrew --- Squirrel or Squirrely --- have for 3 years now and have religiously bought him a squirrel of some sort for each occasion that involves a gift...even bought the squirrels shown in these pictures for my own wedding & the boutonnieres will be you guessed it squirrel pins...hope you guys love all the small little details that really made this wedding special and unique!

Please click here for full wedding

I totally want to get our rings engraved now!

isn't this amazing? it's made out of pop bottles

bought 15 of the squirrels to the left :)

All photos courtesy of: Green Wedding Shoes

Etsy vendor feature! {Hand stamped Jewelry}

noreply@blogger.com (L+A) — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 20:20:00 +0000

I love Etsy....everyone should love Etsy....the sellers are only able to sell vintage or handmade items and it's awesome! So, being an Iowan, I decided to contact a few Iowa Etsy sellers and allow them to showcase their work - Carla from Cobweb Corner is our very first feature! Here is a little about her business:

When did you get started: I started designing jewelry in 2003 when I was getting ready to leave my full-time job and start my own business. Since 2003 I have worked full-time out of my home running Cobweb Corner.

What makes you different: I work hard to make wearable and affordable jewelry. While this may sound obvious, it isn't always. I could get a lot more creative with my designs, which leads to more time in design. This would mean I would have to charge substantially more for many pieces. I strive to have the majority of my items priced under $40 with a few more unique designs higher. In addition I often go for simplicity. I want people to reach for Cobweb Corner jewelry day after day after day - not just once or twice for special occasions. At the same time my pieces are often conversation starters. I've had a number of customers tell me that strangers have asked them about my jewelry when they wear it. This makes me VERY happy.

What do you love creating most: Honestly what I get the most enjoyment out of is making pieces for myself at the last minute. There have been many times over the years where I've had a party or event to go to. I may not decide what I'm going to wear until that day and I'm often down at my beading table right before the party designing a necklace, earrings and possibly a bracelet that will match my outfit perfectly. I often put more thought into these pieces as I know the occasion they are for and know what colors I need. Some of my most creative and unique designs have happened very quickly and at the last minute. This is a lot of fun. Then I can go to the party and if someone comments on my jewelry I can say "I just made this a few hours ago" Priceless!

Favorite places to shop: For my business I shop mostly online. The vast majority of my jewelry supplies are purchased from Vintaj. I also enjoy shopping the supply stores at Etsy. I'm constantly on the lookout for unique pieces and beads.

Photos courtesy of: Cobweb Corner

----Hand stamped jewelry is huge right now in weddings and this is so affordable! Run over to her shop and check it out!

DIY {food} projects for your wedding

noreply@blogger.com (L+A) — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 03:23:00 +0000

DIY = Do-It-Yourself, so lets get inspired!

Cocoa mix favors ---click here for full tutorial--- this gives me the "just went to Grandma's house warm and cozy feeling" and it's something your guests will actually use!


Photo courtesy of: DIY Network

Pie in a jar---click here for full tutorial---first of all YUM, this project reminds me of fall and you could use it as the dessert or a take home favor

Photos courtesy of: Green Wedding Shoes

Chocolate & Caramel covered apples...ok maybe I'm hungry?---click here for full tutorial---I picture different colored apples fully dipped (or even half dipped) in a variety of chocolates and toppings all lined up on a big wooden table....how cute would that be? Maybe even use them for the seating, you could attach a leaf tag (pictured below on lemonade) with the name & table #

Photo courtesy of: Style Me Pretty

Mint Lemonade---click here for full tutorial---the most important part are the cute bottles (sauce bottles) and striped straws, but the lemonade is probably delicious too!

Photo courtesy of: Martha Stewart Weddings

Drunken watermelon---click here for full tutorial---so, I hate watermelon, but this makes me want to start liking it! Not sure about using it at my wedding but a picnic or rehearsal dinner BBQ would be cute!

Photos courtesy of: Evite

Hope you enjoyed this and didn't get too hungry!

BHLDN

noreply@blogger.com (L+A) — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 16:37:00 +0000

BHLDN is newer favorite of mine - their online store is loaded with gowns, dresses, shoes, jewelry, lingerie, and accessories in a wide range of prices from affordable to very expensive, here are a few gowns/dresses to spark your interest......

Fondant Tea Dress

Blushing Crinoline Sheath

Burnished Organza Gown

Tulle Era Dress

Limoncello Lace Dress

Gin Fizz Shift

Spun Sugar Shift

Origami Pleated Dress

For Esmé Dress

All photos courtesy of: BHLDN

Some of these shorter dresses would be really cute for a backyard wedding or a reception dress!

Georgia Farm Wedding - Emily + Ryan

noreply@blogger.com (L+A) — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 13:20:00 +0000

Who doesn't love a good ole' farm wedding? There are sooo many options out there to completely "deck" out a farm (will make a separate post for details later this week)...if you are thinking ew it probably smells like a pig's behind (this makes me chuckle) you're wrong....farms are usually full of animals, but not always the smelly ones and acreages, usually, don't even have animals at all just tons of gorgeous land and old farm buildings...take where I am getting married for example - My aunt and uncle's farm has nothing but cows....who doesn't love a good black and white spotted back drop for their wedding photos? sign a girl up!....but on a serious note you're never going to find in town what you can in the country - even if you just drive out and take a few photos in the fields or down a lane lined with trees...you won't be disappointed!

---- Found this wedding and not only is it on a farm, but it's so well put together and the bride is beautiful!

love the simplicity of the tree and chairs

Photos courtesy of: Simply Bloom Photography, LLC

My recent wedding purchases

noreply@blogger.com (L+A) — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 17:03:00 +0000

Today I'd like to showcase my most recent wedding purchases...shopping rules: - 1st rule is: it has to be reasonably cheap - 2nd rule: it should be vintage/old - 3rd rule: it has to be cute...obviously! haha - Now this won't be everyone's go to list, but it works for me and I've been finding some INCREDIBLE deals! Coming from someone who originally had a $20,000 wedding planned and cancelled the whole thing, it feels great attempting to make this a $5,000 wedding! If you learn anything from this blog, it's be about the budget! Even if you don't HAVE to stick to one why spend more money than you have too?....here I go getting chatty again...off to the pictures! tell me what you think!

What Andrew will wear: 1970s Grey Wool 3 Piece Suit + an extra red vest- $87 (shipping included) - He won't wear the jacket just a button down, vest, tie, and pants...cute!

photo courtesy of: pastperfectvintage via Etsy

Tie: 1970s GANT brand tie - $15 (shipping included) -

might get him a reception tie that matches my gold dress too!

photo courtesy of: beckyplantstrees via Etsy

What I will wear for the ceremony: 1960s tan, above-the-knee, all over lace dress - $67 (shipping included) - still searching for shoes!

photo courtesy of: lovebirdsvintageshop via Etsy

What I will wear for the reception: 1960s gold lace mini dress...how cute is this dress? and the price? $41 (shipping included)

photo courtesy of: dirtybettyvintage via Etsy

Shoes for gold lace dress: vintage jelly shoes by Johansen - $45 (shipping included) - bit of a splurge, but they match perfectly!

photo courtesy of: Threads30Thirty via Etsy

Hopefully, tomorrow, I will have a new "professional" blog template & a gorgeous farm wedding for the feature!

Gone Fishin' - Nikki + Andrew

noreply@blogger.com (L+A) — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 14:07:00 +0000

Not sure if it's the Iowan in me or the fact that I really do love to fish, but couldn't resist posting this shoot! It seems the more casual and couple oriented the shoot is the more fun they are having...it's not always about being styled!

All photos courtesy of: Caroline Tran

Still figuring out what else to post today about my own wedding/ideas --- might show you guys the 60's dresses I just purchased from Etsy for the wedding! :)

Adorable shoot by Katy Hall!

noreply@blogger.com (L+A) — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 18:22:00 +0000

Today's feature photography session is soooo cute! Not only can you tell that the bride and groom are head over heels for each other, but the pictures are full of vintage inspired details....including bunting, which we all know by now I'm completely obsessed with! Katy of Katy Hall Photography sent over a little about her company (and herself)....definitely check out her favorites places to shop!

When did I get started: I started in the summer of 2010. (I know, that's almost yesterday, isn't it?!) I have always LOVED and appreciated photography, but never had the time to learn having four little girls under five! After my youngest reached her first birthday, I bought a camera and I would never see life through the same eyes again. I loved learning, taking classes, practicing on family after family. I launched www.minneapolisphotographer.com in November and have loved blogging about my current sessions. When I was asked to do a wedding just a few months in, I thought it would be fun. I didn't anticipate having to turn people away. I am booked with weddings this summer (and love it).

What makes you different: I love to find out what a couple loves and tailor the shoot around what is passionate for them. I style the shoot (which means my husband would really like his garage back, but my props aren't leaving anytime soon... sorry, sweets!). I have a creative list I am working to fulfill... although I keep adding to it- it may take some time!

What do you love most: Engagements and weddings. I love capturing LoVe! The happiest day of their life, all the details that are unique! Weddings are adorable right now!

Favorite shoot ever: (besides my own little girls!) Being at a birth and watching the emotion between the couple. Priceless.

Favorite places to shop: Etsy!, Hunt and Gather (cute store in Minneapolis), Anthropologie, Ruche, & ACME Party Company.

love the headpiece and accent color on the dress!

All photos courtesy of: Katy Hall Photography

This is my kind of wedding! Hope you guys enjoyed it!

DIY S'mores

noreply@blogger.com (L+A) — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 17:21:00 +0000

Found this idea awhile back and always thought it was so cute, but my original wedding plan wasn't to be married on my Aunt's farm, so having s'mores wasn't really an option - but it is an option now and I just can't resist using the idea!....this honestly could be the part at my "reception" I am most excited about - I plan to set up a s'mores bar, have a bonfire, and let everyone know on the invite that they should bring their own lawn chair...it's going to be very casual and laid back....ahhh can't wait!

The Marshmallow Stick Company has the wooden "child-friendly" sticks that I'll be using at a great price! and now that I saw this writing on a stick (below) I'd love to personalize them with a little saying or L+A

For full tutorial/instructions please click here

such a nice "detail"

Top photo(s) courtesy of: Project Wedding

Bottom photo courtesy of: HGTV

A mix of wedding & engagement photos for this feature!

noreply@blogger.com (L+A) — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 15:11:00 +0000

Today I'm happy to feature Simpson Studios Photography - Erin's company is newer, and she didn't think there would be a lot to say.....but her story turned out great!

Simpson Studios Photography was really born as much out of necessity

than anything. In 2008 I was working as an in-house product photographer for a BMX company in Des Moines when my husband and I found out we were expecting a baby boy. I really wanted to be able to stay home with our son, and the 40-hours I currently worked would definitely not accommodate that. My husband was in his last year of graduate school at that time so being a stay-at-home mom wasn’t a viable option.

With some encouragement from a local wedding photographer who had befriended me, I started booking weddings. I booked nine weddings our first year and, after the first reception had ended, I realized that my previous experience with senior and family photography had in no way prepared me for the world of weddings. I learned immediately that weddings move quickly with many beautifully spontaneous moments, and re-shoots are never an option.

As bookings increased, I realized that a second shooter was a must, to ensure that all angles of the wedding day were covered. A part-time photographer and full-time mother to a little girl, Rachel Swensen is always there to catch the must-have moments that I wouldn’t be able to get on my own. Being wives and mothers I think has given us both new insight into what makes a great wedding photo. We're thinking about the images that people will treasure years from now, not just today.

We’ve come a long way since starting out three years ago and since then, we’ve learned to pin boutonnieres on restless groomsmen, comfort weeping bridesmaids and wrestle chocolate bars away from flower girls in white tulle dresses. From near catastrophes, to Kodak moments, there isn’t very much we haven’t seen and, honestly, we would have it no other way.

----Really love the last paragraph! Thanks so much Erin!....now on to some photos....Enjoy!

who doesn't love a good diner malt?

had to put this up for my black and white obsession!

love how her veil is floating!

love this barn!

All photos courtesy of: Simpson Studios Photography

Ivory tea length wedding dress = I'm in love!

noreply@blogger.com (L+A) — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 17:47:00 +0000

Someone please run over to Etsy and buy this! I'm crazy in love with ivory, tea length, and lace - which makes this dress perfect! I'd buy it this instant if my bust (or any other part of me haha) was a size 7/8....I'm sure you can all figure out that I will be wearing a vintage tea length (or shorter) wedding dress, if that means losing 800 lbs. because vintage runs SO small I'll do it! Ahhhh I can just see a girl standing in a field with some gorgeous sunset lighting frolicking around in this dress, can't you? Animalheadvintage is the seller and at $400 it's a steal!

All photos courtesy of: Animalheadvintage via Etsy

Another thing I love about vintage dresses (especially the 50's) are that you wouldn't have to wear any jewelry and u'd still look "complete"!

Angel + Drew Engagement Shoot!

noreply@blogger.com (L+A) — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 15:39:00 +0000

Today I'm happy to feature Amanda McLeod Photography - She calls this shoot "Puppy Love"...how cute! But first I'd like to share a little bit about her business.....

My business kind of evolved out of a hobby. I really enjoyed photography and spent a lot of time practicing on my very photogenic little sister. Eventually friends and family started asking me to take their pictures. Not too long after that I was asked to photograph a few weddings - something I hadn't really ever considered doing. The first wedding I did was terrifying and I didn't know if I was cut out for that kind of job. But after the second wedding I was hooked. It's hard to believe that this weekend I will be shooting my twenty eighth wedding! (And I still get nervous before each one!!) I love being part of such an exciting and joyous day. And I especially love getting to know each couple and then getting to watch their families grow! I seriously have the best job in the world.

The bride-to-be, also, wanted to write a story about her wedding plans to share with everyone...all you vintage/diy lovers out there are really going to appreciate what she has planned so far! Check that out and then dive right into the engagement photos!

My fiancé is a laidback country boy and I am a crafty nature girl. We want our Iowa wedding to be an honest reflection of our passions, tastes, and relationship. We are including a lot of do-it-yourself details like calligraphy, soy candles, mason jar centerpieces, and burlap runners at our wedding. For our flowers, we are using Iowa wildflowers and grasses mixed in with a variety of flowers from our grandmothers’ gardens. While mapping out our budget, we prioritized photography and food. We are both in school to become teachers and our budget is limited ($4,000). Thankfully our wonderful parents are helping us pay for many of the expenses that come with planning a wedding.

It was important for us to have good food at the reception. Our guests have been asked to bring a dessert for a potluck desert table. Many friends and family members are looking forward to sharing their best cookies, pies, and cakes! For the main course, we are having A Guy and a Grill from Muscatine, IA cater our reception with the Iowa food we both grew up on: pork, cornmac, and green beans. The ceremony will be held outside and our reception will be held at a beautiful lodge overlooking a lake. There are many musicians in the family, so there will be instruments playing and voices singing throughout the celebration.

We were very happy with the engagement photos and cannot wait to see the images Amanda Mcleod captures on our special day in August!

----Kudos to brides with a budget! I have a budget set out, as well, and for me the fun is finding all the good deals! It will really help you have a hand in all your planning and make the day even more special!....ok, ok I'll stop talking now....PHOTO TIME! :)

I love the brightness in all the photos!

so nature-y...love it!

All photos courtesy of: Amanda McLeod Photography

*****had some suggestions to make my photos larger (1st large pictures in this shoot) & have a less "busy" background image- so until I find a new background it will be this pink one...if anyone has backgrounds that aren't hideous help a girl out!

Brooch Bouquets!

noreply@blogger.com (L+A) — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 13:14:00 +0000

Before we get into today's feature photo session I want to talk about brooch bouquets....I am a huge jewelry collector....have been collecting since high school - my grandma gave me most of her collection, but I also was able to find a couple HUGE bags full of a jewelry at a garage sale - I sorted that bag like it was my job (even color coordinated it) haha - I never really had any use for my 2 huge buckets full of earring, necklaces, and brooches....but then I got engaged...HELLO brooch bouquets! Finally figured out what to do with all my "junk" and for someone like me that doesn't really care much for flowers this is an awesome way to DIY! I'll post a tutorial I really like and some random pictures I have come across...if you want someone really talented to make your bouquet for you it might cost you a pretty penny, but I would check out Etsy....actually if you need anything "crafty" just go there :)...can't wait to start mine and show you guys the end result!

For step-by-step instructions please check out Fancy Pants Weddings (just click the link it will take you right to it)

4 photos above courtesy of: Fancy Pants Weddings

Last 2 photos courtesy of: Noaki via Etsy

I would really check out Noaki's work...you can even send in your own collection of jewelry for a custom order or she can use her own collection - gotta love that!

Let the photography feature session begin! Elissa + Matt

noreply@blogger.com (L+A) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 17:53:00 +0000

I'm working to get a bunch of amazing Iowa/traveling wedding photographers featured on my blog (and hopefully some other vendors) and I have been given some photographs to show you all from ZTS Photo shot in Storm Lake, IA- but before we get to that...patience people! - I asked Sarah from ZTS to give me a little background information on their business and here is what she had to say:

As for us? Oh my. Ha! Tanner and I (Sarah) started dating in January of 2009 and shooting weddings together in the Summer of 2009. It just sort of exploded from there! Before spring of 2009 Tanner had never really even touched an SLR camera. We filed quickly there after to become a partnership and our business has really just taken off from there. We mostly shoot weddings, engagements, commercial photography and seniors here in Iowa.

This is our third wedding season and have a few lined up already for 2012 as well. I (Sarah) went to Buena Vista University and received a BA in Business Marketing and minors in graphic design, photography and media studies. I currently work full time at a technology consulting and software development company here in Des Moines.

Tanner is still attending Buena Vista and will graduate this next spring with a BA in Biology and plans on attending graduate school to become a Physicians Assistant starting next summer! :)

We love what we do and have done with ZTS PHOTO in the last few years. We are always learning and growing and pushing ourselves to get better at everything we do in our business. We pride ourserlves and our busniess on being different than the norm in Iowa. Mixing natural light and artificial light for our portraits and providing stellar customer service to our clients.

Weddings for us are just fun! Sure they are a lot of work but we are both social people and love meeting and being a part of the couples days. We enjoy not only having them as our clients but getting to know them as people and ended up as friends in the end!

How cute are they? Speaking of cute people onto the featured couple! Elissa and Matt went to Buena Vista University with the photographers and will be married on October 8th of this year---can't wait to see those photos!

All photos courtesy of: ZTS PHOTO

gorgeous ring shot!

isn't she just the cutest thing? You can see the excitement in her face

I can't even handle how cute these hay pictures are!

Love!

I have another photo shoot from ZTS PHOTO so check back! Also, a very cute patriotic wedding...perfect for 4th of July!