For the lady behind the lens.

Lisa Warninger is my clothing's favorite photographer. When we worked together on a shoot back in the spring, Lisa admired my Oysters & Pearls dress (it admired her right back). I told her, "I'll make you one!" Many months later that cavalier (but sincere!) promise has come to fruition. Lisa let me choose the color, but I had the hardest time fastening on the moody, muted, old-rose-shot-with-chocolate color I was thinking. I told her I wanted it to have a spooky, last-night-at-the-carnival 1909 feel. I dyed and redyed the dress once, twice, three times. Then finally, I finished it. Finally. I'm just wearing it temporarily--I hope to get that girl in front of the camera for some real glamour shots.

Renewing Wedding Vows

Your first wedding might have been perfect, but then again it may have not gone just the way you would have liked. Perhaps you didn't have enough money to have the splendid wedding you always dreamed you'd have. Or maybe it was the ideal wedding that everyone dreams of having. No matter what your wedding was like the first time around, there is nothing more romantic than reaffirming your love for one another by renewing your wedding vows.

It may be that you are celebrating a milestone anniversary, or it could be you have rediscovered all the things about each other that once made you fall in love. Whatever the reason, renewing your wedding vows can bring new life to your marriage and keep you appreciating the joy and happiness in the years that have come before as well as the ones to follow.

When you renew your wedding vows, you will have a chance to celebrate your love with the children you have created from your joyous union. They can be a part of the special day where you and your beloved review your past and look forward to an even brighter future.

For those who are celebrating a 25th wedding anniversary or longer, you may even have the delight of sharing this occasion with your grandchildren. You can even have the little ones participate by being a ring bearer or flower girl. Imagine your pride and joy at seeing your beautiful family gathered together to join you as you renew your wedding vows.

You can make it as elaborate or as simple as you please. You can renew your vows in a tropical paradise, or you can exchange your promises right in your own home or backyard. You can make it a large gathering or a more intimate get-together. However you choose to celebrate your union will not be a day you won't soon forget nor will your guests. Whatever venue you choose to renew your vows will be a place of love and romance.

Love is great the first time around, but think of how much deeper your love for each other has grown in the years you have shared. All of the sorrows and triumphs that making a life together brings only intensifies the respect and love you have for one another. Don't hesitate to make plans to renew your vows. It may be the most romantic day you and your true love share.

Wedding Floral Arrangements

All the seasons in a year whether it is spring, summer, autumn and winter, flowers and marriage go hand in hand. Flowers are great for any occasion especially for a wedding it plays a great role. Wedding day is one of the biggest days in your life. Whether the wedding is planned for a small and simple gathering or an elegant and extravagant show, flowers are a must in every wedding.

Recommendations from friends, relatives and associates are usually a good place to start with. Additional information can be found in the yellow pages. There are many sites which offer beautiful wedding ideas to add a special touch to this moment in your life.

Price, quality and service are the three main factors which should be kept in mind when selecting a florist. Also, refer to the recent client reference or letters of recommendations. If a summer wedding, ensure they have refrigerated delivery vehicles. These are the tiny details but it is very important to know and then enter into a contract for the florist.

For a Christian marriage, these floral arrangements are needed for the wedding bouquets, wedding altar arrangements, church, wedding table and so on and so forth. For a bride who wants it all white, the scented white lilies are gracefully arranged in a holder and accented with white lilacs and it becomes a beautiful white wedding bouquet. For the altar, if they want, full white beautiful floral arrangements can be made with white gladioli, or white Fuji mums, or white carnations. A beautiful white basket filled with Bridal white roses can be given to the flower girls. If the people are interested in colorful theme or pastel themes they can go for colorful roses, croton leaves with cut oranges and lemons and limes in a classical transparent flower pot for wedding floral arrangements.

South Asian weddings are full of rituals. Fresh flowers like roses, marigold and gerberas enhance the overall appearance of the traditional and ethnic look. For fall weddings go for the rich, bright and earthly colors like red, burgundy, amber, yellow and rust.

For summer weddings, go for light and pastel shades like pink, sky blue and for winter weddings go for the evergreen effect, white and sparkling silver. The entrance could be made grand with floral arrangements either with fresh flowers or with petals of other flowers and a floor flower carpet can be made.

Wedding floral arrangements carry a great significance in a marriage of any religion. A wedding without flowers is incomplete. Flowers depict various virtues and also give you that heavenly feel. So, order your wedding floral arrangements after the theme and shades have been selected.

An etsy story.

You may know that I sell some of my handmade bridal designs on etsy--mostly little shrugs and accessories, because they're easy to transport and fit--but also a selection of dress designs. Late this spring I was contacted by a bride named Mary--she lives in Ireland but was getting married at a friend's house in Italy in August. Could I make a full-length version of my ghost dress and ship it to her in Italy? I could.

I packaged the dress carefully and took it to my friendly neighborhood postman, who advised me that the Italian post is "the worst" (i.e. slow, unreliable, prone to losing precious parcels). He saw the panicked look on my face and said, "Just tell the bride to run down to the local ufficio postale with a nice bottle of wine...I'm sure everything will be fine." I laughed nervously--I've been to Italy, and I knew he wasn't joking.

The box went off. Weeks passed--no word. Then a nervous email from Mary, asking if I might know when the dress would arrive? I replied with some advice about charming the officials, per my postman's suggestion. Then silence. The wedding day came and went. I felt a deep, quiet anxiety as I went about my day, finishing projects for other brides. More days passed. Still nothing.

Then, like a ray of sunlight, came this email from Mary! I'll let her take it from here:

Sorry I have not been in contact any earlier, it was a mad rush around the wedding. We had such problems with the Italian customs...I got the dress ONE HOUR before the ceremony last Wednesday! I had already given up on it when some of our friends who came over for the wedding managed to pester enough people in various embassies to get the Italians to release it. They finally released it from customs the night before the wedding and my brother drove the three hours to Milano to pick it up from the airport.....But it was all worth it... the dress is absolutely beautiful!!! Could not have had a nicer wedding dress..I loved it. When it finally arrived I put it one and it fitted perfect...there was nothing I would have changed even if I would have had the time. Thank you so much for all the extra work in making it longer and making it fit. Have not got any official photos back but have attached one a friend of ours made.
Thanks again,
Best wishes
Mary xx

How big was my sigh of relief? I could have floated away on it.
Thanks, Mary! I'm so glad this story has a happy ending.

Just you and me, kid.

My favorite wedding photos are the ones where the couple looks wholly, totally in the moment--not too smiley or pose-y, just present...all a-thrill and jittery to be doing such a momentous thing together, holding tight to each other's hands. Jenny forwarded me these pictures of her wedding, and they're that kind of photos.
So very sweet. I love what she did with her hair, by the way (and her dress, of course--flower-embellished cream silk shantung sweetheart sheath from The English Dept. with lace-trimmed tulle halter straps).

Having A Wedding In The Bahamas

Are you thinking about doing something different for your wedding? Almost everyone has the though cross their mind when planning a wedding. Why not have it in a resort country where you can kill 2 birds with one stone. Have a wedding at the same place of your honeymoon?

Bahamas style wedding and below we have given you info on how things work and what applies:

There are many type of wedding styles you can enjoy in the Bahamas, however, the best ahs to be "The Beach Style" Wedding

A beach style wedding includes bathing suits, bikinis, towels, water, sand, pina coladas and all those good things that go into the regular beach getaway only applied to your Bahamas style wedding brought to you by Babylon Productions Wedding Centre. Go ahead and encourage your friends and family to do what it is you want to do. If they are supportive, they will go along with you wishes and bath in the sun and sand while taking in a beautiful occasion, what could be better than this?

Of course there are some legal requirements when getting married in the Bahamas. Firstly, you will need to register for a marriage license you have been in the country for a period of 24 hours. That will run you back about $100 USD and it is good for 90 days, just in case something were needed for you. And this is very important, both the bride and groom are required to go to get the marriage licence recognized nationally by the government of the Bahamas.

There are some required documents from both parties: you both require a driver's license, you both will need to show your passports, in case this is a second marriage, you will then need to show a divorce decree, unfortunately if you are widowed and re-marrying, then you will need to display a death certificate of your deceased spouse. Finally, you need to show your plane ticket, upon proof of arrival and if you are under the age of 18, make sure you get parental consent; no one under the age of 18 will be allowed to get married in the Bahamas.

If you are planning on getting married in the Bahamas, get ready to indulge in the fine cuisine of this great resort country. Bahamian cuisine includes curried goat, rock lobster, fried plantains, conch fritters and grouper fingers. When it comes to the wedding cake however, get ready to get punched with a West-Indian rum cake.

Bridal Work Shop - Grooming for Brides

Calling all brides to be! Let us create your ideal bridal image in just a day!
Door gifts & complimentary body assessment for each participant!

Gown fitting opportunities, overcome skin challenges, sooth stressful skin, tips & quick make up fixes, bridal nutrition and diet plan, body treatment, walk down the aisle practical session, handmade jewellery, bridal etiquette, wedding cakes, cake tasting …

Venue: Aster Spring Centre, 4th Floor, Suria KLCCKuala Lumpur
Date: Saturday, 24 October 2009
Time: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm

Programme
* Selecting the right gown design that flatters your body shape is very important as it affects your appearance and image. The right cut will enhance your figure, features and hides the flaws.

* Gown fitting opportunities.

* Bridal Etiquette, do’s & don’ts

* Learn how to create the ideal bridal image that suits your personality and portray the bride you aspire to be.

* Bridal diet plan & nutrition to shape up & treatments for problem areas

* Walking down the aisle with confidence and poise, the proper way to sit and descend stairs.

* Step by step practical skin care session, tips & quick fixes for stressful skin.

* Make up demo, bringing out your best features.

* Learn about the different types of wedding cakes for your theme, the advantages of wedding planning and how customised handmade bridal accessories can enhance your image.

Concept
The workshop is limited to 20 participants per session to provide individual attention. The concept is casual, fun and interactive with activities, practical learning, role plays, skin care and make-up demo and theory.

Registration Fee
* RM 150 per pax
* The fee is inclusive of Refreshments & 1 Healthy Lunch

For more information or reserve a seat, please contact Samantha at 017-2239951 or Daphne at 012-6530742 or email to us : mybridalgown@gmail.com