Another great marketplace

From reading the blog, you know my love of Etsy and Wedzu. Such great sites! I've found another really cool website that brides can use to buy or sell items.

Go to 100 Layer Cake's Marketplace: http://www.100layercake.com/market
to find different posts from brides who are looking to sell some of their items. Check out these great finds:

http://www.100layercake.com/market


http://www.100layercake.com/market



http://www.100layercake.com/market

In my experience, so many brides (and their parents, for that matter) forget about all of the decor they are left with at the end of the night. You have to remember all the vases, special frames, votives, signs, etc. I'm really hoping this site catches on because I think it can be a really great place for brides! (And, I have my eye on a few decor items for our new house, too.) Were you able to find anything on there you might be interested in?

Newly Engaged?

Isn't it funny how everyone will want to know the story of how he proposed and if you knew it was going to happen, but the very next question is where and when the wedding will be? After hearing this about 20 times over again, most couples begin to get really nervous that they do not have enough time to plan! I'm here to tell you to relax -- especially around the holiday season. If they do not have a wedding booked, most vendors will be taking the next few weeks off, or at least, they will be taking it easy. So, if you are newly engaged this holiday season, take the time to enjoy your engagement, talk with your fiance about what it is that you both want out of a wedding, and figure out what time of year you want your wedding to take place. It is much better to make quality decisions for this big day than to rush into anything. Once January rolls around, be ready to move forward!

Happy Engagement!

Looking Good...

Brides pay top dollar for their wedding photographer. That is no surprise -- who doesn't want a great album of memories? I'm always surprised, however, when a bride is completely camera shy on her wedding day or isn't sure how to interact with the camera. Here are a few of my tips to help you take great pictures...

1. Ever notice how celebrities stand on the red carpet?

www.popsugar.com

See how all these women find a way to bend their arms a bit? This provides the illusion of having a skinnier waist. Now, you don't have to be quite so dramatic about bending your elbow, but do be aware of where your arms are during your wedding day photos.

2. Where is my head?

www.handbag.com

Beyonce shows us a perfect example of how celebrities often tilt their heads. Did you ever notice how they frequently will move so their pictures are not shot from straight on? And, look at how her chin is slightly tilted downward. You may want to practice this in front of a mirror so you don't look quite as "pop star-ish" but definitely try it out!

3. I have to pose with flowers, too?

The key to a good bridal party shot is to make sure you and your bridesmaids aren't holding the flowers up too high. Instead, hold the bouquet at arms length -- but, remember, with a little bend. Keep this in mind not only when posing for pictures but also when walking down the aisle.

Definitely ask your photographer for any other tips s/he may have.

Let me know if you can think of any other good tips!

Balance Photography at Retropolitan

Last night I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to stop by Retropolitan in Ellicott City for Old Fashion(ed), a photography show by balance photographers Nathaniel Corn & Rissa Miller. Last night was the show opening, and it remains open until January 5, 2011. You have to go check it out. As they describe it, the show is "a collection of 18 new photographic works by Nathaniel Corn and Rissa Miller. The photographs were shot in vintage style on film cameras and printed on aluminum, canvas, cotton and encaustic wax on wood. Each piece is a numbered limited edition." The pictures were absolutely beautiful!

Retropolitan, as I learned last night, is a shop in downtown Ellicott City that features antiques and vintage pieces. Wishing I didn't have a six month pregnant belly, I browsed through the beautiful vintage dresses wanting to buy so many of them.

Not only is the show worth the trip down there in itself, but as a bride, you can definitely find some great vintage pieces. Let me know when you make it down there and what you think!

Balance Photography: www.balanceweddings.com
Retropolitan: www.retropolitan.net/index.html

Wedzu

Have you heard of Wedzu? Compared to Etsy, this website is strictly for weddings - indie and handmade weddings, specifically. It is absolutely adorable. You'll have to check it out. Here is a peek at what I found when I was browsing the site:

Bunting
www.wedzu.com

Guest Box
www.wedzu.com


Photo Props
www.wedzu.com

And, of course, Pom Love is also on the site, too. I heart Pom Love! Check out Wedzu and tell us about your great finds.

Great wedding video shot by Love Life Images

Check out this amazing video by Alicia Kunz and David Morley of Love Life Images. It is amazing and shows you just how beautiful and truly neat Erica & Tommy's wedding was!

Erica & Tommy's Wedding

Remember I told you about how cool of a couple Erica & Tommy are? Stephen Bobb from Love Life Images took some amazing pictures of the couple on their wedding day. You have to check out the pictures, which are posted on his blog. Don't only look at their coolness but also at all of the detail that went into their big day. Enjoy! Great job, Stephen!

http://stephen.lovelifeimages.com/erica-tommy-an-american-visionary-art-museum-wedding/

Dessert Tables

I cannot help but to be completely obsessed with the dessert table craze! In fact, as I'm sorting through my pre-planning thought for an upcoming baby shower I plan to throw, I can't help but insist that a dessert table be a part of it. Although I've seen a ton of them for family cook-outs and kids' parties, I would love to see this incorporated more into the bridal realm. Check out the dessert tables I found on www.hostessblog.com:

Very feminine

An ice cream station

A candy buffet

A more formal damask decor

An Amy Atlas design

What do you think? Have you seen others that you've fallen in love with?

Trash the Dress

Over the weekend, I saw the coolest trash the dress shoot. We took our son out to Larriland Farms to walk through the pumpkin patch and to pick apples. While we were sifting though the pumpkins, sitting in the distance was a bride in a big poofy dress. It was such a cool site for a trash the dress shoot. She looked great, and I'm sure her pictures will turn out really cool, too. Here are some other trash the dress photos that caught my attention:

www.rawphotodesign.com

www.seanazul.net

www.stacyable.com

Orange Outdoor Inspiration Board

I've finally got all of my ideas put together in an inspiration board for one of my clients who is getting married at outside with a tented reception. Since her colors are orange and green, I figured she'd want to do some shopping after Halloween for a bunch of good deals. I hope she decides to go with a sign at the entrance that is similar to the picture of the couple married in '09. It would be really sweet hanging from a tree by where the guests enter.

I'm so excited to see how it all comes together!

Brittany & Ryan's Highlight Video from Blue Sky Films

Back in April in Ocean City, MD, I had the privilege to work with Brittany and Ryan, a couple who are so completely in love with each other -- and very affectionate! Brit's love of pink is almost as great as her love for Ryan. She infused it every where she could -- including her wedding bands.

As you can see from the video, Brittany, a photographer herself, wanted to capture some really great moments.

So, check out the video to see the unique places they went for bridal party pictures.

Brittany and Ryan's Closing Highlight Film from Blue Sky Films on Vimeo.

Thanks again, to Brittany and Ryan for having jpb designs be a part of your special day, and thanks to Blue Sky Films for the amazing work you did!

Creative Engagement Pictures

The more I speak with Erica and Tommy, the more excited I am about their big day! With only two weeks to go, the bride emailed me a link to their engagement pictures that were recently posted on their photographer's website. Stephen of Love Life Images did a fabulous job! You have to check them out at http://stephen.lovelifeimages.com/

I just love his creativity combined with the simplicity that DC and its architectural aspects have to offer. This photo shoot perfectly matches the personalities of Erica and Tommy, too. Now I'm so excited to work with Stephen and to learn more about Love Life Images.

http://stephen.lovelifeimages.com/

Marah & Todd's wedding

I knew I wanted to launch a blog for jpb designs, but I was inspired by Marah & Todd's wedding this past weekend. How could I not share it? It was absolutely beautiful!
They are such a lovely couple.

The ceremony was held at the south overlook of Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis. As guests watched the ceremony overlooking the water, they had the option to grab a parasol. After the ceremony, all the kids sat in the grass and played with the parasols...so cute!

The beautiful bride and her handsome groom boarded their charter boat in Annapolis for their reception.

Soo Son at Silverstems in Annapolis did an amazing job with the floral arrangements.
As a result, the boat looked amazing!

The best part of the charter was that we were the only party on that boat, and it felt so secluded out in the middle of the water. The natural elements like the sunset, water, and stars definitely added to the ambiance of the evening. After sunset, everyone danced the night away under the stars.
It was truly a magical, unforgettable wedding day. Congratulations, Marah & Todd!
Thanks for letting jpb designs be a part of your day.