What LDE Friends Are Up To : Mi Amore Foto

During my nightly Facebook check, I was ecstatic to see that Mi Amore Foto was featured on Style Me Pretty for stunningly capturing this wedding at Grove Isle Resort + Spa.

Grove Isle holds a special place in my heart as it was one of the first "Florida" venues I visited after I moved from the city. Located on a private island, it's a very intimate resort that truly possesses the ability to whisk you away to a secluded retreat that features old south Florida style! I vividly remember being totally blown away by this property and felt incredibly happy to have relocated to such a beautiful place. On top of this, there is an awesome view of the Miami skyline AND the property has a life-sized chess board with 3-foot chess pieces. Brides, remember this for a fun e-shoot location!

In any event, Shannon, the pictures are breathtaking. Congratulations on joining the SMP family! You truly have a gift for capturing all the fine details that make a wedding unique and giving people the ability to feel what it was like to be a part of this most special day. Can't wait to work together on James Wieland + Jennifer Jennifer Dalla Riva's big day!!!

Kristina + Rob

Not too long ago, I received an inquiry from a bride in NYC - yay NYC! - looking for help to plan her spring of 2011 destination wedding here in Florida. Even thought we only spoke via phone and email, we clicked right away.

As I started putting together options for their big day, the bride shared with me that her big sister is a photographer and she would be doing their engagement shoot. Furthermore, the concept behind the e-shoot was going to be cake baking. LOVE IT! Here are a few of the shots from their shoot courtesy of the bride's big sis, and very talented photog, Emily Renee.

You had to know it would end this way!

Do they have chemistry or what! Can't wait for their beautiful wedding this spring at the Colony!!!

Adorable-ness

If you are interested in having Emily Renee Photography capture your wedding, be sure to email her: emilyrearick@gmail.com.

Event Inspiration: Rotundas

London bound? Or, just in need of some inspiration? Well, Ian Johnson, Tiger Lily Weddings and One Great George Street to the rescue!

One Great George Street is an award-winning central London conference and wedding venue, offering first class facilities and standards of service. The magnificent four-domed Edwardian building is perfect for conferences, meetings, gala dinners, drinks receptions and wedding ceremonies and receptions, which can be seen in Ian Johnson's images. He captures Tiger Lily Weddings clever use of the rotunda as a means to hang place cards. LOVE IT and WANT TO USE IT!

The Great Debate : The First Look

Kristen Weaver captures the first look

If you know me or work with me, it's no secret that I love my job, my company and my profession. Here is one of a million reasons why, I get to debate issues like the first look. For those readers who don't know what this is, no worries because I am about to tell you. The first look is when the bride and groom see each other prior to the ceremony, versus at the ceremony, the moment the bride walks down the aisle. Here is the big debate, which is better?

Besides being a Gemini, I have an argument for both sides. Before the ceremony is great because you have pictures of the moments leading up to seeing each other, pictures of the first sight of one another, and then the portraits that you pose for together. These most intimate moments are all captured when no one else is present. It is just the two of you, and of course your fabulous photographer. Can I type romantic? Yup, I just did. Put aside the romance for a second and think about the practical aspect to having your most special pictures taken without all of your family, bridal party and maybe even all of your guests around. That's a large audience, and a lot of pressure to handle. Stage fright is not just for Broadway and Hollywood.

Okay, so besides documenting the romantical moments and combating stage fright, there is a time factor involved. There is only an hour for cocktails, and if your reception is not in the same location as the ceremony...well, I think you can understand where this is going. The first look will not only produce amazing pictures but it will save you time. Think about it, by the time the ceremony is over, you could have completed most of - if not all of - the wedding portraits and this means that you will not be in a mad rush to fit in a million shots in short time frame.

Geoff White captures the groom's first sight of his bride
walking down the aisle

Okay, here is the other side. If you are more of a traditional bride and prefer to have the I'm about to be married glow and twinkle in your eyes at the first sight of your future husband standing oh-so handsomely at the end of the aisle, the first look is probably not for you. Or, if you are the bride who wants to show everyone, including your soon-to-be, how incredibly stunning you are as you enter the ceremony, then the first look is probably not for you either.

There are a lot of reasons why either situation is great but either way, don't get hung up on the tradition of "oh, I am not supposed to see the groom before" because it's a tra-di-tion not a rule. In the Jewish faith, the bride must see the groom prior to the wedding to sign the ketubah. See, nothing is written in stone here except that it is your wedding, and can and should be done the way you and your fiancé want it!

Now, if you are still stuck on the great debate of the first look and absolutely cannot decide what to do...check out Corinna Hoffman's picture (posted below) on a great alternate. Bravo, Corinna, for giving us the best of both worlds!

libby + jon

Just a few months ago, I received a call from Jon inquiring about planning a destination-esque wedding. First off, I absolutely love it when grooms are involved in planning their wedding!!! Second, I use the term "destination-esque " because they do live in Florida, just not in the immediate area. Anyways, I met with Jon and Libby and we all hit it off right away. They are relaxed and cool and will be married this November. Yes, I did type November of 2010! No worries, Lauren Daversa Events has had less time to plan an event! Though I can't share all the details yet, I can share their engagement shoot - shot by the amazing Kat Braman.

Ah, love is grand and their wedding will be too!

Real Events : Kalpana + Paul

Back in December, Kalpana contacted Lauren Daversa Events to help with her November 2010 wedding. I need to forewarn you now, this is going to be one A-MAZ-ING wedding, or should I say weddings...Kalpana is hosting not one but TWO weddings!!! The first will be a Hindu ceremony followed by a Jewish ceremony later on in the evening.

Just a few weeks ago, Kalpana emailed me a few pictures from her recent engagement session with photographer Miguel Irias and I was literally blown away by the beauty of the moments he captured between Kalpana and her fiancé Paul. What a stunning couple! Young, gorgeous and in love. So until November...

Real Events : My Fam Courtesy Of Jessica Lorren Photography

Me + The Hubby

Hubby + The Toddler

Our Little Family

So, this past Saturday my entire fabulous family got together with (take a wild guess) ... Jessica Lorren for a fun family portrait session. Honestly, it was a great morning. We are a very close family. We like to laugh and really enjoy life together. What's so awesome is now we have something tangible for us to forever remember the truly blessed moments we share together. All thanks to Jessica!

The Parents

Our Big Family

If you live in Florida, treat yourself and your family to a session with Jessica Lorren Photography, and you can enjoy your blessed family moments forever, too! And if you don't live in Florida, no worries...Jessica is available for travel worldwide!

Jessica Lorren Photography - She Shoots People

My friend, and photographer extraordinaire, Jessica Lorren (the eyes behind the lens in the post below) was featured on Style Me Pretty for this beautiful wedding she shot at the Powel Crosley Estate! For those of you who are not familiar with SMP...wow, time to visit that site like now. For those of you who frequent SMP, then you know it's an amazing dream to have your work spotlighted on their site. I'm so proud and happy for you Jessica!!!

Real Events : Tim + Jenny

In November 2009, I helped Tim + Jenny to plan the most beautiful modern-garden wedding. It truly was a magical night. The property they were married on is a little piece of paradise tucked away in Hobe Sound. The food everyone feasted on was out of this world because Tim created the menu himself and Leftovers catered it. (SIDE NOTE - Tim is the executive chef at Leftovers...pause...wait for it...yeah, the food was SOOOOOO good). But what was most memorable about the wedding was the overabundance of love that was swirling around in the air that night, which came from Tim + Jenny. Ahhhhh, just writing this takes me back...

So, when we spoke after the wedding and they told me they wanted to recreate their wedding day for a post-wedding shoot ... I could think of no one better then the amazing Jessica Lorren.

Seriously, Tim + Jenny ROCK!

And so does Jessica.

daryl + john

On Sunday, one of my bride's sent me the link to their recent e-shoot. Before I even clicked the link I knew I would be posting their images on my blog, which is actually something I need to start getting in the habit of doing more often. It was actually my new year resolution! So, as I was scrolling through the AWESOME pictures Ashley Colhouer captured of seriously one of my fav-fav couples, Daryl & John, I knew I had to fulfill my resolution! These two are such a cute couple, so in love, and have the most creative ideas for their wedding. It's going to be a great event, but until then...


For more pictures of Daryl & John visit 1313 Blog!

DIY Photo Sharing Kiosk

How many pictures will be taken by the guests at your next event or your wedding wedding? Probably hundreds to thousands. Wouldn't you like to have them? Of course you would. Well, good luck getting them! Okay, okay, okay- maybe your family and friends represent the one percent who will actually send all the shots they snapped at your event BUT most likely they will forget. Not maliciously of course; I'm no stranger to forgetting to send pictures. 

What to do - what to do - what to do? You could rent a Kedai for $499. A very nifty device, which also comes with a high definition monitor for immediate viewing pleasure. All you do it order the machine, Kedai sends it. Simple; a little pricey but simple.

Or, how about making your own photo sharing kiosk? Sounds more difficult than it is. All you need are three things: a laptop, a card reader and a family or friend appointed computer guard. Yup, that's it. Make sure to inform your guests about the download station, or else you wont get any pictures. If you have a DJ, they will be able to make announcements throughout the night. If not, set the station up by the exit and ask the computer guard to remind the departing guests. Then enjoy ALL your event pictures...for F-R-E-E!

Phindy Studios

What a gorgeous bridal session taken by Phil & Mindy Thornton of Phindy Studios. How beautiful is the reflection! 

Clay Wieland Photography

Bride N & Groom C have chosen their wedding photographer! Clay Wieland.

Clay Wieland, has been photographing people, places, and things in South Florida since 1989. He started his career in the photojournalism field and this has allowed him to approach each wedding or assignment with an unobtrusive style. Anticipating the Bride’s next move, the mother’s hug, a soft touch, and the groom’s smile, he captures and documents the moment in time.

Through Clay's visual imaging, your wedding story is told, and preserved for lifetimes to come. His studio is located in the Historic downtown area of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in his hometown community called Rio Vista. From traditional church settings, to intimate home weddings, his attention to detail and personalized service will help to make your wedding day one to remember for generations.

Bride N, Groom C and I are all very excited to work with Clay on their special day, which is only four months away!!!

Photo courtesy of Clay Wieland

WedFog - Photography Demystified

WedFod is a directory of wedding photographers dedicated to great wedding photography, honest answers to your questions, and sound business principles. Definitely check this website out for great wedding photography idea, a listing of photographers, very resourceful Q&A Forum and tons of articles. Below is an article by Steve Holcroft on Why your photographer could be the most important part of your wedding day!

Why Yor Wedding Photographer is Important

Nobody is better placed to help your wedding day along than your chosen wedding photographer. A bold statement, but stay with me.

You’ve paid out a small fortune for other people to look after everything, and you’ll be a little bit pre-occupied of course, what with getting married etc.

The groom will go along with whatever you want, darling. As will dads. Men, huh?

Mums will help a little, enough, or a lot…I’m not going there.

And your friends have come for the party.

Your cake and flowers will be delivered.

The DJ will set up later.

The venue will feed and water you. And the 90 other people you’ve invited.

But not at the church, or on the boat, or even the dancefloor.

Only your wedding photographer will be focused on you through all of it. To record the day’s events, we have to always be there…around…watching. Not in your face, in the background. Experience tells us when to expect things to happen, when to nudge them along and when to stay out of the way. We might take photos of your flowers, your table plans, your decorations, but we will always know where you are and when. Right up until it’s time to leave.

We’ve joked with grooms and best men to calm their nerves.

We’ve told the bride she looks wonderful seconds before she faces the world.

We’ve asked the flower girls to jump on the page boys, just to see what happens.

We’ve filled-up when your dad’s voice cracked during his speech.

We’ve worked out which is your mum and which is your stepmum.

We’ve made friends with your labrador!

We’ve taken you both aside for a few minutes to give you a breather and remind you you’re there for each other.

Oh, and we’ve taken a few photographs too!

Photo courtesey of McLellan Studios
Article courtesey of Steve Holcroft