John & Joseph Photography Inc.

I'm super excited to have a chance to work with John & Joseph Photography in couple of months. Based in Seattle, John & Joey are available in SF, LA and worldwide. "Since starting John & Joseph Photography Inc, their wedding photographs have won numerous awards from the Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA), and their work has been highlighted in multiple well-known publications. Collectively and individually, John and Joseph are ranked among the top in the nation for wedding photojournalists; John belongs to the exclusive Artistic Guild of the Wedding Photojournalist Association, and Joseph was named the Portrait Photographer of the Year by WPJA. Beyond photographing regularly all over United States, their work has taken them many international destinations, including Hong Kong, Indonesia, Mexico, and Fiji Islands on many occasions."
These shots of Jamie & Sean are fabulous; they look like they are straight out of a fashion magazine spread. Please do check out their blog to see their lastest photos.

my favorite shot of the bride

Edible Favors

Looking for a beautiful and modern way to package your edible favors? In Martha Stewart's new craft line, she is offering some lovely packaging options. Find everything here or you can always stop by at Michael's. She has some wonderful products and her helpful templates for the DIY in you. Here are a few options:

Tipping your wedding vendors

My clients always ask me about protocol and etiquette when tipping their wedding vendors. It's never clear and it can be a sticky issue. First, there are three major rules to remember:
1. Gratuities are always at your discretion and while they may be expected, poor service should not be the case. Of course, if you have received an excellent service, it should be rewarded.
2. Tips are generally reserved for professionals who do not own the company you hired. Cake bakers, photographers, make up artists & hair stylists, florists, DJs, musicians, and coordinators often fall into this category.
3. Check your contracts before determining gratuities. Some companies include a tip in their total bill, usually caterers.
You may wish to prepare envelopes in advance and have your coordinator or close friend hand them out to the appropriate vendor on the wedding day.

Trash the dress

Trash the dress - it's a photo shoot usually after your wedding somewhere at the beach or lake, mountains or even areas with urban decay. You don't necessarily need to destroy your dress but I personally think they come out so sexy when you're soaked in water and covered in mud with your huaband. Showing off a little bit of bare skin would be even sexier! You can basically do whatever you want to do with your dress. Roll around in the mud. Drench it in the ocean. Or go to a place where you normally wouldn't go. But I know that there are some brides out there that are afraid to sacrifice their dresses and I totally understand how you feel. After all those effort and money you put into shopping for the perfect dress, will it be worth it to trash your dress? Some brides literally have emotional attachments to their dresses. In this case, maybe you can buy a cheap, white party dress to roll in the ocean.
Whether you want your dress to be preserved or trash it, one thing I gotta say is it does produce amazing photos. After all, it's once in your life time. When will you ever do this again? Just on a side note, we barely take pictures anymore now that we're married.
Enjoy these gorgeous photos taken by Susan from En Point Photography ( I recently found about her work through one of my church members and OMG! she is one talented woman!!!!) Do check out her blog to see more amazing photos! I am definately recommending her to future brides out there.

Sol Tomargo, another great photographer took these shots and this bride looks like she's having so much fun!

Wedding Invitation websites & inspirations

I've been looking at wedding invitations all day for one of my clients and I stumbled upon some great websites that I'd like to share with you. (actually, I've been a huge fan & a blog stalker for couple of these designers) No matter how trend-of-the-moment the invitations may be, they should all reflect your personality and style. Invitations, in my opinion, are made to be ooooohed and ahhhhhed over. Since the invitations are the first thing the guests receive for your wedding, I think it should definately have some "WOW" factor so you can keep the guests be excited to attend your wedding ceremony! Note that these websites that I'm about to share are not cheap. They can range between $1,500- $2,000 dollars alone just a set of 50-100 invitations, response cards, printed envelopes and enclosure cards. Although that isn't cheap, it certainly isn't unreasonable. Kenzie Kate
RedBliss Atelier Isabey
Bella Figura,
Top Row: Wren Press (photo from Brides), Claudia Calhoun (photo from Brides) Louella, Center Row: All Louella, Bottom Row: Abby Jean, Kate Spade and Abby Jean

Top row: Paper-source, CECI NY, Middle row: Wedding Paper Divas, Bottom row: CECI NY

all images from Etsy

Tips for planning an outdoor wedding

Photo Credit: Jessica ClaireOutdoor weddings are romantic and beautiful. And not to mention that they come out so natural in pictures. However, they aren't as easy as they may look. Outdoor weddings come with additional caveats and pitfalls. So be sure to read these tips from about.com before you plan an outdor wedding.

1. Think of your guests first. Think about what the weather will likely be at the time of day and month of the year of your outdoor wedding. Check the farmer’s almanac for conditions that could be expected. If it’s hot, don’t leave your guests melting in the sun. Rent a tent to shade your event.
2. Have a backup plan. While it may not be your ideal plan, make arrangements for ‘plan B’ in the event of rain or other hindering weather. Select an outdoor wedding venue that also has an indoor location waiting just in case. A tent is another option to shelter guests from light or scattered rain showers. Be prepared for the chance of rain the night before your wedding. Heavy rains will soak the ground underneath, leaving guests on soggy soil and muddy shoes.
3. Plan for wind. If your wedding may encounter windy conditions, avoid lighter fabrics like chiffons and silks in dresses that will take of with a gust of wind. Plan ahead with your hairstylist, so your wedding day hair will be all set for the elements of an outdoor ceremony. And of course, make sure your tent will stand up to gusting winds or find an indoor backup plan.
4. Can everybody hear? When you picture your dream wedding at the beach, you’re probably not hearing the roaring of the waves, the rushing wind, or the local kids running and screaming around you. Look into renting a sound system with clip mikes for the bride, groom and officiant. Your DJ or band may be able to easily arrange this for you.
5. Decorations. One of the bonuses of an outdoor wedding is the natural beauty around you, lessening your need to decorate. Visit the site a week before your wedding to make sure the landscaping on site is in good shape. Accent the natural decor that’s already present.
6. Make things tasty outside. Make sure your caterer knows you’re having an outdoor wedding, so that things won’t melt and that food and beverages keep while in the outdoor temperatures for an extended period of time.
7. Don’t leave your guests parched. Since alcohol is dehydrating, consider serving a variety of lemonades, teas and punches. Be sure to have plenty of ice and water around as well. For a fancy cocktail, why not serve a classic mint julep or a mojito? The mint will refresh and cool your guests.
8. Share details. Don’t be afraid to share information and assistance to your out-of-town guests about travel plans, hotel accommodations, and seasonal weather. Offer your guests a courteous mention about appropriate dress on your invitations. This means your wedding party, too. Let your crew know what to wear to the rehearsal dinner and any other wedding weekend events. Well-informed guests are happy guests.
9. Here comes the sun. Consider timing your outdoor wedding for sunset where your guests will see you take your vows surrounded by the warm glow of the sun. Those having a daytime outdoor wedding should orient the ceremony so that the sun will be on guests’ backs rather than in their eyes.
10. Give all sorts of outdoor favors. Have custom printed ice-cold bottled water available to guests too keep cool and hydrated. Print your wedding program on a paper fan, and place one on each seat. Place a bundle of complimentary sunscreen bottles in the restrooms or elsewhere for the taking. If your ceremony takes place on the shore of a beach, give your guests flip flops to walk in the sand.

Images from The knot

What I'm loving today- Table Linens

images from blue orchid design
images from the knot images from style me pretty

Linens play a big role in creating your desired ambiance for your wedding. I personally love deep purple, brown, pink, or even black. I know that not many venues carry variety of linen choices so you might want to do some research in your area to find the right linens for your tables. If you can't afford to rent all the table linens, you can go with table runners! You can even DIY your table runners by choosing the right kind of fabric for your tables.

To see which size you may need for your particular tables, check out this chart from Marquee Rents:

Jessica Lee, the make-up artist

doesn't she look so young? I won't tell her age, but I was completely shocked when she told me how old she was)

I had a special interview with Jessica Lee this past weekend. For those who are not familiar with her, she is a makeup artist that studied at the Shu Uemura Institute in Japan and the Makeup Forever Institute in Paris. She has been a professional makeup artist for over 15 years working with celebrities and Miss Korea contestants before coming to the States. She currently works at Hair day in K town. She is known for her before and after shots and she has been getting rave reviews from brides to be from weddingbee. I spent about one hour talking about her personal life and how she got started in this business. A Before & After shot of the bride to be is Stella who is getting married next month. She was on her way out to take her casual shots with Studio Q

Interview: Jessica Lee, Make Up Artist

How did you get started as a make up artist?
I was first introduced to the make up industry when I began having skin problems in my late twenties. I had tried numerous different products and medicines but none of them ever seemed to work. Skin care was rare and expensive back then, but because I wanted to solve the root of the issue I attended skin care sessions that I thought would help me. In the room next door, they were holding make up lessons, and since there weren’t too many make up artists at the time, an interest to learn about make up was sparked within me. And that’s how it all began!
How did you get yourself known?
I first started out as a freelancer. I did make up on models for commercials and advertisements. I would say I started out pretty late. However, one year later, I was hired to be a make up artist for one of the biggest salons in Myung Dong, Korea. From then on, I had the opportunity to do the make up for Miss Korea pageants. Back then, there was no such thing as natural looking make up and when I look back now, I honestly have to say I wasn’t good at all. (she chuckles) Then in 1990, I opened up my own salon and for five years I covered many young celebrities, TV broadcast anchors, singers, and fashion models in Korea. As some of you may know, Kim Hee Sun recently got married. Well, I used to do her make up when she first started out as a model back when she was in high school!

By the end of 1995, I had this vision to come to America to become a celebrity make up artist in Hollywood! (she chuckles) To start off my new career in America, I felt it necessary for me to enroll in a language school, but my plan ended up taking a completely different direction because this is where I met my husband!! He was my English instructor/teacher!! I guess you can say that my reason for coming to America to become a Hollywood make up artist didn’t exactly happen the way I wanted to, but instead, I found my soul mate.
What do you enjoy about being a make up artist?
To tell you the truth, I love it more than being a house wife. I now have 2 grown up kids and my husband has always done an excellent job taking care of my kids. I don’t think I could have been where I am now without him.
I also love that I get to meet with new people, because I am a total people person. Most of the brides I work with now are so pretty and young that I just love seeing them and working with them. They literally make me feel younger too! Sometimes parents can be difficult to work with, but the brides are always great.
What do you like the least about your job?
It does hurt my feelings when brides end up not liking their make up. This rarely happens but I face about 1-2 cases a year…
What is your schedule like?
Monday- Sunday, usually from 8:30am- 4pm. It really depends on the appointments. It’s very seasonal too. During peak seasons, I work with about 7-12 brides on weekends (Saturdays & Sundays) but on average, I work with 5-7 brides.
What should brides expect as they consult with you?
Most of my clients are introduced to me by referral so they know exactly what they want from me. Most brides either want natural or smoky make up which I am completely fine with. However, they absolutely must consult with me so that we can communicate clearly about what they want and what to expect from me, and therefore develop a mutual understanding.
Any suggestions to the brides out there who are interested in your services?

I always receive so many compliments about the make up and since I work at Hair Day, brides have an easier access to hair stylists. Unfortunately, I do sometimes receive complaints about the hair, so I would just like to let brides know that if they don’t like the hair stylists at Hair Day, they can get their hair done somewhere else. It is not a requirement for brides to get their hair done at Hair Day in order for me to do their make up. So ladies, please feel free to do whatever you want! I’m forever thankful and appreciative to all the brides out there who have recommended me. Thank you so much and I look forward to seeing you soon!

More Before & After shots of brides to be

Long or Short?

When it comes to choosing your veil, it definitely needs to complement your dress. Your veil depends on the style of wedding gown you choose, as well as your face shape and personality. Feeling royal? Go for the long veil. Want something more hip and modern? Go short. Something more edgy? Try a caged veil. I personally love love caged veils these days. I think they look very metro and sexy! But I must admit, it's not for everyone.

Stephanie James

Photo Credit: Brooks

Photo Credit:Rodney Bailey -Picture Perfect Wedding

Photo credit- John and Joseph Photography

You must visit Jessica claire's blog if you haven't already, her pictures are just so breathtaking...Almost too beautiful for words.

Now, mantilla bridal veils are making a big comeback and they come in a variety of lengths beginning with shoulder length and as long as cathedral length veils. Whatever style and length you choose, balance is key. It should always complement your whole entire look.

Kim Hee-Seon is a Korean actress who recently got married last year and her wedding created a sensation in Korea. Her long mantilla veil was stunning!

Mrs. Radish from weddingbee Photo Credit: Forbes Creative Photography

And this one is from the lovely Knottie djrs whose whole look was just gorgeous!

too pretty for words... image from Paloma Blanca