The Perfect Bridesmaid

Being asked to be a bridesmaid is a great honor and a testament on how close you are to the bride. Here are a few helpful tips to make sure that you are the best bridesmaid you can be during your friend’s special day!

image found: www.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com

1. Provide support to the bride by letting her know that you are available to help out if she needs it. (i.e. help her send out invitations, register for gifts or just offer to listen to her ideas)
2. Traditionally the bridesmaids organize the bachelorette party and bridal shower which is a time for everyone involved to have fun. Make sure to be courteous of what kind of style the bride wants. A themed bachelorette party is entertaining and a great way to get people excited about the upcoming wedding. 
3. Smile and try to have a positive attitude, you are there to make things easier for the bride.
4. Take tons of pictures not only during the wedding or the rehearsal dinner, but during the entire wedding process.
5. Make sure to listen to what the bride wants since this day is about her. If there are any suggestions you want to make, feel free to offer them gently, but try not to make things difficult over something trivial. 

image found: www.districtweddings.com

Overall the best advice I can think of for any bridesmaid is to be a good friend. If you support the bride and are honest with her you are sure to make her wedding that much more amazing.

Eric Stocklin

So a few weeks ago, Karla, Jenny, and I had the great opportunity to attend a catering even hosted by Absolutely Perfect Catering. They had different stations set up by themes and it was amazing. I'll be dedicating a post to this event with tons of pictures very soon, but this post is about something else. At the event, I met Eric, a photographer based out of Baltimore. If you're still looking for a photographer, you should consider him! Read on to learn more about him, his business, and take a look at his work.

 1. How long has your business been around? Where is it located?  

I have been a professional photographer and photojournalist since 1996, located in Federal Hill neighborhood in Baltimore, MD.  I am willing to travel and have photographed weddings from NC to NYC.   Mostly I work in MD.

2. How far in advanced do you arrive to take pictures of a wedding?  

Usually one or two hours depending on what the bride wants.  

3. What's your favorite part of a wedding to shoot (ie when the bride walks in, cake cutting, bouquet throwing, etc.)? Why?  

I love candid shots that tell a story.   I never do any cheesy posed photos and never put people in awkward poses.   These shots are a waste of time and my clients expect more.   My favorite images are when the bride and groom are having fun and forget all about having their photo taken.   These shots are natural and honest moments. 

 
4. What was your favorite wedding you've shot? Why?   

I love working for clients that have non-traditional weddings.   There is no such thing as a boring wedding, but when religious or family rituals are included in the day it makes the photos more personal and interesting.   I like working outdoors with natural light.   Anything in a park or near the Chesapeake Bay in late afternoon light is favorable.

5. Which venues are your favorites for weddings?  

 I don’t have a favorite venue but my clients often select locations that allow them to create the perfect day and don’t have any photography restrictions.    As a photographer I want to be able to get images anywhere without limitations.    I frequently work at Cloisters Castle, Herrington Harbor, American Visionary Arts Museum, Turf Valley, Museum of Industry, Pier 5, Peabody Conservatory, Gramercy, 1840s Ballroom, Admiral Fell Inn and the Hyatt Regency Baltimore just to name a few.  

  

All the photos seen here, as well as pricing and more info about Eric, can be found at www.ericstocklin.com. Check it out, and tell him the jpb designs sent you!

Hair Here!

Stuck for hair ideas? Below are pictures for three of my favorite hair styles that I think would look stunning on any bride. They're elegant, chic, and breathtakingly sunning.

http://greatweddinghairstyles.onsugar.com

The Side Ponytail may not be the most unique hairstyle ever, but it's on the list because it's is such a classic. I love side pony tails and have been growing my hair out so I could wear my hair in a casual side pony tail during the day. If you think it's too simple, you can always dress it up with some hair accessories (see my previous post "Adorn Your Hair"). 

http://www.polyvore.com

 

 The next hairstyle on my list is a French Loops updo. It's made up of strands of hair intricately braided and, well, looped. This is a sophisticated yet youthful do that's guaranteed to have guests complimenting you all night long on your hair.

http://alisonbriegallery.blogspot

The Low Messy Side Bun is a hair do that has been rocked by many celebrities down the red carpet. It's fun yet formal enough to be worn down the red carpet, or  better yet, down the aisle of a wedding. This hair style can be modified, which makes it even better. It can be pulled tighter to make it look more formal, or have your hair french braided into a bun, a la Lauren Conrad or Lo of The Hills.