jennifer + steve = happy anniversary

I know this is one wedding I will never forget. Imagine the 8 months pregnant girl running around Alms Park hanging lanterns in trees....that was me at this wedding. Jennifer looked stunning in her Monique Lhuillier fitted gown, and the park was glowing with a colorful eclectic ambiance. The gorgeous wedding was topped off with guests lighting sparklers on the overlook while watching the labor day fireworks! An amazingly gorgeous night, rich colors, and love rich enough to last a lifetime. Congratulations on your first year of marriage.

vendor feature = lucky designs

So excited to bring you today's vendor feature. Erin from Lucky Designs! We've chatted over twitter, email + our blogs for quite awhile now. It was great to finally meet her at the Knot event at Greenacres. See our pics from the photobooth here.

Erin is a talented, fun + super sweet woman from Cincinnati with a great eye for design. She does custom monograms and stationary work. Erin also has a growing set of very reasonably priced standard monograms. Erin was nice enough to answer some questions so you can get to know her better! Enjoy...

How did you get started?
My own wedding! I had such an incredible time designing my stationery for my own wedding (and so many compliments from my guests), that I wanted to continue being involved in the wedding planning process. I love that I get to “be a guest” at many other beautiful events.

In five words or less, describe your style
Classic, yet modern

In three words or less describe your personality
Fiery, loyal, and funny

What inspires you?
My husband and my mom are a huge part of what inspires me. My mom's motto of "never give up" resonates in my head daily. It keeps me moving, even when I am frustrated. My husband and daughter are curious, entertaining people, and I always feel more creative around them.

Where is your favorite location to find inspiration?
My grandfather is in textiles, and I have to say that I love looking at fabric.

What do you love most about what you do?
I love how much the people behind my favorite blogs and companies care about their clients. I have a deep-seated conviction that the caring and personal involvement is what makes their writing, products and services remarkable.

If you could have lunch with anyone who would it be?
My grandmother - I miss her dearly, and would love to sit down and enjoy her spaghetti and meatballs with her.

If you had three wishes what would they be?
Take care of everything for my family, go to Italy, and be a fantastic photographer!

If you had to pick a theme song, what would it be?
I think this is an even harder question then what is your favorite movie. Music has been a part of my life since I started playing the violin at age 3. My theme song has definitely changed over time. I think it would be different in each stage of my life! Right now, I would have to say All You Need is Love by the Beatles.

Skyline Chili or Gold Star Chili?
Without a doubt, Skyline

Erin included some of her favorite work below. Be sure to check out her blog + website for even more great design.

photo of day = light

From the incredibly talented and oh so fun, April @ Bluebird Photography. Looking forward to working with you next week April!

vendor feature = loft3 photography

So excited to share this vendor feature with y'all today! The brilliant team at Loft3 photography took a few minutes to answer a some questions and share their favorite photos from recent shoots with us.

Interview + photos below (how cool is the last pic? I mean really...)

1. How did you get started in photography?
Melanie: In high school I had an amazing art teacher, Ben Price. He saw in me more than I saw in myself. He made me promise I’d pursue photo and teach one day. Tweleve years later, from heaven, he’s guided me to teaching art to kindergarteners and owning our own photography business!
Adam: In high school I saw a Richard Avedon exhibit. I was hooked.

2. In five words or less describe your photographic style.
Melanie: Traditional Funk
Adam: BOOM BOOM POW

3. In three words or less describe your personality.
Melanie: Colorful. Crazy. Open minded.
Adam: Chill. Creative. Unique.

4. What inspires you?
Melanie: Color. My husband. And watching anyone do anything they love.
Adam: White space…music…other artists.

5. Favorite location for e-pics? Weddings? Receptions?
Melanie: Anywhere that has texture, color and natural light.
Adam: I don’t really have a favorite…I like to switch it up.

6. What do you love most about what you do?
Melanie: Regardless of the shoot, we are sharing in some of the happiest moments in peoples lives! Also, we are our own bosses and we don’t have to split the checks. (except with the government!)
Adam: It doesn’t feel like I’m working.

7. If you could photograph anyone who would It be?
Melanie: This question is ridiculously hard. How about any famous, beautiful girl with unlimited wardrobe and makeup!
Adam: The Rat Pack

8. Three wishes, what would they be?
Melanie: 1. Money doesn’t exist. 2. Turn all the negativity in the world into positivity! 3. Meet both of my grandpas.
Adam: 1. For my Chihuahua lilo to live as long as I do. 2. Cure for cancer 3. To have the power to make anyone do whatever I want. Muauauahaha.

9. Your theme song?
Melanie: ‘Three Little Birds” Bob Marley
Adam: Peter Bjorn & John – nothing to worry about

10. Skyline or Goldstar?
Melanie: Goldstar, duh. We’re tight with the owners. Lol (they are one of our clients)
Adam: Goldstar.

for more eye candy... check out the Loft3 blog.

photo of the day = moody

Changing it up for today. Love this photo from Megan Jane Photography... For more beautiful photos from Megan, check out her blog or her Flickr photostream

stephanie + luke = happy anniversary

Stephanie and Luke's wedding at Ault park was one of my favorites last summer. It was a quick engagement with not a lot of frills and fuss. They just wanted to be married and have a great party. That it definitely was! They are an amazingly gorgeous couple, and I can't help but think of them everytime I hear Jason Mraz sing "I'm Yours". Wishing you as much happiness in the second year as the first!

Check out Stephanie + Luke's client page for more pictures from Mike Bresnen Photography.

nickie + nick = married

We lucked out with a very pleasant August day for an outside wedding. The wedding took place at the Willow Tree Inn, north of Dayton. It is a gorgeous venue and was perfect for this laid back couple. They got married in the field alongside the Inn, then guest walked across the bridge to the barn for the reception. Nickie, who has the most gorgeous hair, looked stunning in her fitted gown and mantilla. I LOVED the bridesmaid dresses, which were flowy and flattering to all of the girls. And the barn looked amazing with bright pops of orange and red. Great family, great weather, gorgeous setting, stunning bride: can only mean one thing.......a great day! Congratulations!

photo of the day = dancing queen

This bride is absolutely stunning + having such a good time! love this moment captured by Loft3 Photography. Check out more of this fabulous wedding on the Loft3 blog. Look for an in depth vendor feature on Loft3 Photography shortly!!!

me = photobooth addict

The first step is admitting you have a problem right? If there is a photobooth, I have to get in (usually multiple times). I've loved them since I was a kid and forced my friends to do them every visit to Kings Island. Last night at the Knot event at Greenacres Arts Center in Indian Hill, Shutterbooth had a huge booth set up. You could stand up move around and fit a ton of people in there. It's a little strange until you get used to using up all of the space. I had a great time last night enjoying amazing waffles from Taste of Belgium (seriously SO good), food from Chef's Choice and tunes from DJ Toad. I also caught up with some of my favorite people + met a few I've been looking forward to meeting - Carrie Karibo, Erin from Lucky Me! and the women from Giddy Ink to name a few. Ok now onto the photobooth madness...

my first photobooth shots of the night with Reagan from StudioZ films, April from Bluebird Photography and Erin of Lucky Me! Can you tell we were still trying to figure it all out in the first photo?


Later I had to drag in Matt + Dan from Lifetime Films. Love working with these guys. So much fun.


Towards the end of the evening, I finally connected with one of my favorite flower gurus, Katie Elfers. She provided the flowers for the event and sent everyone home with some beautiful creations. I mean, how cute is she? Love you Katie.

lindsey + phil = happy anniversary

wow, has it really been two years since the beautiful (and yes, a wee bit hot) day the two of you were married at the Manor House? I loved the personalized touches in your ceremony, decor and favors. You were both simply a joy to work with.

Happy 2nd anniversary!!!!

Check out Lindsey + Phil's client page for more amazing photography by Sutography.

photo of the day = mirror image

Loving this image by White Photography. Isn't the bride stunning?

heather + michael = happy anniversary

Heather + Michael.... I can't believe it's been a year already. What a gorgeous day you had. Hope you have enjoyed your first year of marriage! Heather + Michael had a fabulous selection of vendors to pull off a near perfect wedding day... including Catana Photography, Courtenay Lambert Florals, Heidi McKenna and VP DJ Service. Check out their client page for more gorgeous images.

Happy anniversary Heather + Michael!

ladaska + theo = engaged

I've been working with Ladaska (who is in Chicago) and her mother, Muddie, for many months now. We are getting all of the final details ready for their Labor day weekend wedding at Drees Pavilion. We have so many great vendors lined up including Lifetime Video, Motortoys, Yellow Canary florals + rentals from Prime Time.

I've yet to meet the groom-to-be, Theo (he's in D.C.) but I have to say - they are one good looking couple. Love these images taken by White Photography at the Robinson family home in Indian Hill. For more from their session take a look at the White Photography blog.

photo of the day = color

I love it when I find awesome photographers out of the blue. I'm pretty sure I found Brandy J photography via twitter. I was lost in their blog yesterday for more than a half an hour. Love their work. The colors in this image from a destination wedding in Punta Cana really caught my eye. Reminds me of yummy sherbet., plus they look like they are having a ton of fun. For more of this beautiful wedding, check out the Brandy J blog.

photo of the day = shoes

check out this fab-u-lous shoe shot by Kortnee Kate. To see more from this wedding check out the Kortnee Kate blog.

vivian + steve - the outtakes by 28:20 Films

Andrew (28:20 Films) just sent me this link to the outtakes from Vivian + Steve's wedding film.

It really shows two things:
1. How incredibly HOT it was
2. How happy Vivian + Steve were all day

Thanks for sharing Andrew!

vivian + steve = happy 2nd anniversary

I can't believe it's been two years already. Vivian + Steve are a fantastic couple. They were both all smiles on their wedding day even with a few mishaps with the flowers and no a/c in the limo. It was honestly the most fun I'd had with a bridal party as well. It was the first time I had worked with incredible Nancy of Brideface as well as Andrew + Annette from 28:20 Films . Check out their client page for more images from their amazing day courtesy of Rachael Waring of Living Photogaphy.

photo of the day = perspective

How incredible is this image? From the brilliant mind of Steph Carson. She found a way to capture the first look while letting the couple be alone in the moment. Check out Steph's blog to see the rest of the series.

photo of the day = rain

Another brilliant image from Bobbi + Mike. I could have selected a ton of photos from this wedding day. I just love the reflection of the couple on the street. Take a look at the rest of the photos - all of the rain certainly didn't keep them from smiling + enjoying their day!