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!

Better to Give

Going along with the bridesmaids post from Monday...

petalena.wordpress.com

Bridesmaids are an integral part of any wedding and during all the wedding chaos, you may forget to appreciate and thank your bridesmaids. Bridesmaids gifts are the perfect way to show your gal pals how much their understanding meant while you were off being Bridezilla. Here are a few gifts that I think can be used as a "starter," ie combine this starter item with a bunch of other items to create a themed gift basket.

If you have a bridesmaid that's a complete coffee addict, consider getting her a personalized coffee tumbler. With a variety of patterns, colors, and fonts, you can pick the perfect combination to let your bridesmaid know that you know her.

farmersmarketonline.com

*To build upon this starter item, add bags of coffee, Starbucks gift cards, scone or muffin mixes, and maybe even a personalized coffee mug!

For a spa theme, opt for a personalized bath wrap. Once again, with a variety of robe and embroidery colors, you can get the robes made in each bridesmaid's favorite color.

willowslodge.com

*The link is for a bath wrap, slippers, and cosmetics case, so it's already a variety of items. To build upon it, add some items your bridesmaid could use along with them, like candles, incense, or bubbles. You could even add a monogrammed towel or a gift certificate to the spa.

If your bridesmaid loves the beach, get her a monogrammed tote bag.

beach-backgrounds.com

*How to build upon this? Fill the bag with items one may use at the beach. Sun block, a personalized water bottle, monogrammed beach towel, magazines, sunglasses, etc. The options are endless!This would also be a great bridesmaid's gift if you have beach themed wedding.

I think the key to any bridesmaids gift is tailoring them to each bridesmaid. Using bridesmaids' favorite colors and interests will show that you know them well. What if your bridesmaids have nothing in common? Not a problem. There's no rule that says you have to get all your bridesmaids the same present (just make sure you spend the same about of money on each gift, a little more for your maid of honor's). Think outside the box. Let us know what you're getting your bridesmaids!

Best Dressed

Bridesmaids are like the most experienced pit crew at a NASCAR race. After prepping for weeks with showers, bachelorette parties and supporting the bride through cold feet moments, this team comes to the altar prepped with magic tape, sewing kits, and a whole lot of love for the bride. So why not show these girls some love and pick out some gorgeous bridesmaids' dresses to make them feel beautiful on that day too?

Now traditionally, bridesmaids' dresses could be the horror story of everyone's wedding experience. Every girl either has a memory or a vision of some tafetta laced purple gown that was neither flattering nor practical, yet ended up in every picture of the evening. I, on the other had, am a HUGE fan of non-traditional bridesmaids options. Check out some of these adorable ideas:

This option lets you stick with your wedding vision and color palette, but allows each girl to pick a dress that suits her unique style and shape. No more unflattering strapless numbers!

Style Me Pretty

Or how about incorporating both of your wedding colors? I love the variety this choice lends to pictures!

Stye Me Pretty

How about choosing a color palette and letting each girl choose a tone or shade that suits them? Everyone knows that baby blue isn't for each girl.

Style Me Pretty

Rainbow!

Style Me Pretty

I'm in love with these striped little bits! Perfect for a day at the beach or a nautical theme!

Southern Weddings

Or how about these separate look alikes? Oh that pink!

Southern Weddings

For a more casual (and super comfy) look, try these gorgeous satin skirts with simple white tanks. I love the chic simplicity.

Style Me Pretty

More Beachy Fun! 

A. Dominick Events

Ok so I have to admit that my jaw actually hit the floor when I saw this group. Talk about a dress you can wear again!

Style Me Pretty

What do you all think about bridesmaids dresses? Traditional? or maybe not even a dress at all? Share your thoughts below!

Cupcake Cakes

Everyone loves cupcakes. One way to use cupcakes is to put them together to form what looks like a sheet cake. Now, in my opinion, these are probably best for more informal get togethers, like birthday parties, or whimsical, themed weddings as opposed to a formal, traditional wedding. Here are some cool cupcake cakes that people have created:

A "cool" cake for a summer party (haha - "cool" - get it??)
http://shop.oakmontbakery.com/product_info.php?cPath=336_290_312_349&products_id=2148

A fun cake for a Mardi Gras party
http://www.flickr.com/photos/charleyscakes/3322714491/

Proof that food is art - van Gogh's Starry Night
http://cupcakestakethecake.blogspot.com/

Life is Sweet!

Just the other day I had the absolute pleasure of heading over to a great company that serves up delicious and amazing cakes.  Where did I go, you ask?  No other than .....

 My assistant, Karla, and I had a blast with Mary Alice talking about ...geeze, I think we covered all kinds of topics, but most importantly... cake.  As Mary Alice described it, the crew over at CCC is now "growing up" and you can sense that when you walk into their freshly painted studio.  

Really, it ended up being such a fun and educational night!

I think anyone would agree:  when you walk in and see all the colors, cakes, and fun, your inner-child starts to come out!  The three of us sat down at the table where they sit all of their clients, wedding, business, or otherwise.  In the center of the table, they have tons and tons of colored pencils because while talking with you about the vision you have for your event, CCC will begin to sketch and design. 

As we sat there, we were surrounded by cakes displayed on the tables close by. 

Here is a sample of what we saw and others that Mary Alice emailed over for me:

The detail on these cakes was amazing.  Absolutely amazing.

The next two pictures are of the same cake.  

CCC definitely captured the essence of Baltimore in this one!

I'm afraid that these pictures just don't do justice to how detailed and beautifully crafted this (and these) cakes are.

Then, the spools of ribbon caught my eye ...

And, before we left, Mary Alice sent us home with a box of cake containing six different flavors.  

Now, although I cannot eat chocolate and had to share those with my husband when I got home, I will say my absolute all-time favorite was the dulce de leche.  So, when you head over there to taste some delicious cakes for your wedding cake tasting, be sure to add the dulce de leche to your box!

If you are looking for a unique cake for your wedding (or any other event), you should check out Charm City Cakes.  I promise you won't be disappointed.

Let me know if you like dulce de leche!

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.

The Silver Platter

picture courtesy of juliejourneys.blogspot.com

So the new trend right now, and one I am ABSOLUTELY loving, is food trucks. I don't know what it is, but there's something just fun about walking up to a truck and ordering food.   

facebook.com/thesilverplatter

I talked Damian, the owner of Baltimore's very popular food truck. It's called The Silver Platter and is so popular that people wait in the rain to get delicious plates of food at very affordable prices. 

Here's what Damian had to say about The Silver Platter:

How did you come up with the idea for your food truck?
-->  We wanted to open a food truck that would offer on par with a nice restaurant but served out of a truck at a lower price.

What are the best selling items on your menu? 

--> The lobster roll, lobster mac & cheese and the brisket, also the pit beef we cook every day in the truck in our smokers.

Do you have any experience catering weddings?

--> We have been asked to do private parties but not a wedding yet. Our chef has a catering background and a culinary degree. We would consider a wedding and we would offer a full menu.

Since the chef has experience catering, The Silver Platter is an excellent option if you'd like to add a unique twist to your wedding. While your guests are waiting for you to arrive at the reception area, why not have a food truck there to serve your guests fun finger foods, like potato ribbons and truffle fries? Check out The Silver Platter's facebook for their full menu and more info!

If you like the idea of a food truck, but don't want one to cater the entire evening, consider having a food truck to serve your guests just a few items, like ice cream at the end of the night. Food trucks are versatile and can be incorporated into your wedding any way you'd like!

            

Adorn Your Hair

I was watching the Sex and the City movie the other day and I was completely in awe of Carrie Bradshaw’s beautiful blue accessory in her wedding hair…and then I remembered it was a bird. 

Regardless, I personally loved the shade of blue and thought it fit SJP’s character perfectly. If you want to accessorize but don't want to do anything as extreme as sticking a bird in your hair, there are many other options. Take a look:

Kim Kardashian wore a diamond studded headpiece
as she said her vows to Kris Humphries
eonline.com

Pandora from Real Housewives of Beverly Hills complemented
her wedding dress with an elegant headband
hollywoodlife.com

Khloe Kardashian opted for the more traditional
floor length veil when she wed Lamar Odom
 OK! Weekly

You could also employ flowers or feathers. And of course, you can always opt to keep it simple not accessorize at all! No matter what, your hair will be absolutely gorgeous, as long as it reflects your personality. Do you plan on using any accessories on your wedding day?

A Lace Obsession

For the last five years I've been in love with TLC's show "Say Yes to the Dress". And, ever since I began watching, I've been in awe of every single lace dress that a girl puts on. So in honor of all things dainty and lace, here are some of the most gorgeous gowns I've ever seen from some of the world's best designers.

 Sarah Nouri

           Style Me Pretty

If you haven't checked out this site yet, hurry on over! You'll faint over how gorgeous these weddings are                        

 

 

Jenny Yoo

 Modern Trousseau

 

Lela Rose 

Will you be wearing a lace gown to your wedding? Know any other gorgeous designers who make lace gowns?  We'd love to hear from you!

Get Inspired, Get Organized

In my opinion, a woman in love is a woman inspired. When people are in love, everything around them can inspire creativity and originality, so it's no surprise that engaged women, and even men, have an abundance of wedding ideas. Getting inspired isn't a problem - getting organized is. One of the best ways to get organized is by creating an inspiration board, like the ones seen throughout this post.

Courtesy of blushingbrideblog.com
A Purple, Pink, and Gold Inspiration Board

A Fruit Themed Board

An inspiration board (you may have heard of them as wedding boards or mood boards) can give you a visual as to how all your ideas will look together. Not only will it help you, but it will also help your vendors provide products that will mesh flawlessly with the theme and colors you have in mind. 

    

A Peacock Board

Although there are plenty of sites you can use to create inspiration boards on your own, like at the Wedding Wire website or by Shardi at http://www.blushingbrideblog.com/, it wouldn't hurt to have a professional, like Jenny of jpb designs, to help you finesse and perfect your board, leading to the wedding of your dreams.