Wedding Pics: Getting Ready

Geez... practically 3 years later and I will finally post some pics for Rachel! ;)

I'm such a slacker - I still have my final wedding album layout 

sitting on our counter for over 7 months.

I didn't realize I never got around to posting any wedding pics.  

So here goes Part I!

(mind you, most of these pics qualities have been resized for lower memory)

My cousin was thoughtful enough to snap a shot 

of the day's newspaper and wedding related story.

Getting my veil pinned on.

I wish the photographer had hung the dress over the window.

We had an amazing view of the valley with floor to ceiling windows. 

***BRIDE TIP:  Despite everything I read about NOT giving photogs a "must take list", 

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you do.  If I hadn't instructed for a few detail shots, I

 would not have got them.  This dress shot was just one of a few disappointments 

from lack of a list and trying not to be controlling.

I had read that a signature wedding perfume scent would be a great reminder

for the hubby.  The idea is that when you wear it, he will always relate the 

scent to our wedding day.  I think it worked (though Chloe became my daily perfume).

I couldn't afford Louboutins in the budget, but I did score these

sparkly Manolos for a good discount!  Again, I was disappointed by

the lack of creativity with my shoe shot.  

Surprisingly enough, we had to ask the photographer to take ring shots as well.

At least these came out nice.

In case you're wondering:

Hubby's Band is a Tungsten Carbide comfort fit ring. 

I originally wanted to get him THIS RING, but he ultimately 

fell in love with the one he chose (similar to THIS).

My wedding band is the Cartier Platinum, 3 Diamonds style B4058300.

My e-ring is a 4-prong solitaire based on the Cartier 1895 Solitaire setting*.

* Cartier didn't sell Asscher stones, nor would they sell just the setting.  

So we had to go to a jeweler who did have the stone I wanted 

and could make the same setting. 

As some of you may know, I want to change my setting at some point.  

The band and setting are eternally classic, but they are much more of 

my hubby's style than my own.  Though, there are days when I love that the 

simplicity and elegance are timeless and go with anything.  

Getting ready with my girls!

Me and my MOH checking out the reception room as it's getting set up.
We didn't know the photog was behind us at first, and these 2 were some of my fave shots.

That's it for today...

More pics and posts to come!

Cranes of Luck and Love

Saw this beautiful wedding of Laura and Jonathan in Chicago, IL.

What an incredible backdrop and a perfect way to add visual interest

to an indoor wedding where you may have a plain background.

The vibrant colors make her white dress pop that much more!

Beautiful shot of the cake through the shower of cranes.

I have a similar one with shower of orchids.

In Japanese legend, making 1000 cranes can grant you a wish, such as long life,

or a thousand years of good luck. The same can be said if it is given as a gift.

Given to a couple for a wedding gift, it would hold a gift of wishing a thousand years of

happiness and prosperity upon the couple. Given for the welcoming of a baby

would be wishing the baby a long life and lots of luck.

In Asia, the crane is a mystical creature that is said to live one thousand years.

I love this idea so much - it's great for any special occasion - a baby shower perhaps?

And easily transitioned into a baby nursery! I'm definitely doing this at some point!

Want to learn how to make some paper cranes of your own?

Check HERE for a step-by-step photo tutorial.

Or check HERE for a YouTube video tutorial.

Martha Does It Best: Ring Porn

My ultimate ring looks exactly like one in the colorful boxes in the pic below.

I squealed with delight when this issue came out.

Can you guess which one?

{All images above via From Martha Stewart Weddings, Spring 2008}

What to Wear for E-Pics

Let me give some brides-to-be some sage advice.

TIP 1:

Do NOT procrastinate on choosing your e-pic

outfits.

I should have known. Brides are always stressing about

what to wear for e-pics. Just check and forum or wedding

board.

Did I worry? No.

I thought that J and I had a ton of clothes to work with.

well... it seems that I was wrong.

I did not want to wear the typical Black or White Top + Jeans combo.

Ideally, I would have done something "different", "colorful",

or at least more flattering.

Tip 2:

Don't wear something baggy or "flowy" if there is possibility of wind or breeze,

My tent-like top did nothing to flatter.

Below are a few e-pics [outfit combos] I LOVE LOVE LOVE!

{Sarah K. Chen}

{Sarah K. Chen}

I actually bought my parasols from Crystal (in the yellow dress).

NOT SURE WHY EVERYTHING IS UNDERLINED NOW :(

{Via}

{Via}

{Via}

{Via}

*sigh*

These beautiful, glammy, and vintage styled shots

make me want to take "couple pics" again.

I love our beachy e-pics (very casual and more "us")

but I love these themes as well.

Well, J DID win a free photo session at a concert.

We might just have to redeem that prize soon!

E-pics: A Day at the Beach

Having our e-pics (engagement pictures) taken was

one of the BEST decisions during wedding planning

and one of the most fun!

(Images are poor quality due to me re-sizing)

Below are a FEW of my faves...

This "splash" photo is one of our faves!

There's a series of these leading up to

and after the big splash.

Definitely a fun shot!

This one [above] is framed in our home.

J, being his silly self. ;)

The one above was a *heart* in the sand,

which got washed away.

Photographer: Bryan D. Chan of Premier Photographs

Bryan and his wife are an amazing team!

He worked with my budget and produced

pictures we'll cherish forever!

In fact, I may think he was more prepared

and gave us better pics than even our wedding

photographer!

More on that topic to come.

I've come to realize how important engagement pics are.

After the wedding has come and gone, the e-pics

are more natural to keep displayed in the home.

With more than 1 or 2 wedding photos in

[our tiny] home, I think people might think us

to be self-centered or showy.

Engagement pictures capture us as couple,

simply, naturally, and in love.

What do you think?

Do you display more e-pics or wedding pics,

or none of the above?

Slacker

I realized I never let this wedding blog come to full fruition. In all honesty, I was hoping it would be a launch-pad for another project and when that fell through I let Beach Bound Bride fall to the way side.

Well, it's been almost a year an a half since we've been married and I figured as one of my resolutions in 2010 that I would help finish along my little journal of our wedding planning and projects. As it is, we've already forgotten many of the little details and events that took so long to get to. I'd like to document some memories for ourselves while we still have them.

Another resolution for this slacker bride? I still haven't finished choosing the pictures for our wedding album. All done and paid for, but I just can't seem to finalize that project. I hoping to complete it before Valentine's Day or at the very least, our 2nd anniversary.

Tidbits and lessons learned to come. Happy Holidays and see you in the New Year!

photos for ideas