Spring Inspired Beauty by Shannon Grant Photography

While your little self is reading this blog post, yours truly is making a five hour trek up to northern Michigan for an Inspiration Shoot I've been planning since February. Can I can three cheers for that? You can bet all the money to your name, I'll be stopping for multiple venti lattes along the way (we're talking almost 350 miles of traveling in one day here people), but I can promise you that it'll be worth the three days journey around the entire state. The fabulous Tonya flew in from New Mexico last night (now that's dedication!), we're off to pick up the florals and voila, we'll be in styled shoot heaven by this afternoon.

In other news, I love me some Shannon Grant, guys. Like seriously, isn't her work is just so darn pretty? She sent me over this fabulous shoot a few weeks ago and since then, I've been dying to show it off. Don't get me wrong, I love a shoot filled to the brim with steal-worthy ideas and wedding decor inspiration, but a shoot with inspiration on how to look your bridal best, is a bunch of wonderful all of its own. Check out all of these gorgeous gowns, hair styles and make up that you too can use for your own big day (hello, long eyelashes!) Happy Wednesday, blogettes. See you all tomorrow for some more gorgeousness!

{More about the shoot, from Shannon the photographer} In celebration of our New England winter finally coming to an end, we orchestrated this editorial styled photo shoot "From the Estate with Love." Our goals were to capture the feeling we get when Spring is approaching and love is in the air. Serenity mixed with unbridled optimism. Giddiness laced with a calm peace. The feeling that everything is right with the world and the possibilities are endless. 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Photography: Shannon Grant Photography / Hair/Makeup: Jeni Teran / Dresses: Angels Bridal / Models: Erica Pires and Kimberly Giardino

Read more...

The Expert Files {All About Veils}

When I first started wedding planning, I was pretty adamant I wouldn't dare wear a veil on our wedding day. Yet the minute I placed one on my little head I was instantly smitten; and for a while contemplated buying the veil first, and then the dress second since I first found this stunner of a mantilla. Then I ended up buying a different veil a year before our wedding only to return it to buy a cathedral weeks before the big day, then last minute exchanged it for the lace-trimmed fingertip veil you've all seen in my photos. Sigh. It's official I love veils. And with that I am extremely excited to welcome the gorgeous (yeah that's her above, be jealous) and talented Tessa Kim to the blog to spill anything and everything veil-related. Read on for more, below!

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

{Tell me about you and your business} I created my business when I was planning my own DIY 2009 August wedding to my lovely husband Choon. I really just fell into it though when I was looking for the perfect birdcage veil and fascinator and was not having any luck. I'm a crafty person so I started making a few different styles of veils and flowers fascinators which brought me to etsy since I had many more veils than I actually needed and I thought I would put them up for sale; just to see what would happen. They sold out the next day and from there I kept creating more and then slowly expanded the styles and options of my veils. I now carry a huge selection of birdcage veils, bridal veils, flower facinators, feather hair combs, head bands and dress sashes. All my headpieces and veils are hand dyed/painted and the headpieces are also hand cut/shaped with a vintage millinery iron. I also like to incorporate vintage millinery aspects to all of my pieces for a unique look.

{Should a bride pick her gown based off a veil or vice versa?} I think it depends on the individual bride. For myself, I knew I wanted to wear a birdcage veil no matter what so I made sure to find a dress that complimented that style. Although since there are so many types of veils and materials that can be used I believe you can always find a complimenting veil for any dress.

{Traditionally, what's the meaning behind a veil?} There are a few different meanings behind the classic bridal veil although it depends on who you ask. Some people believe that it was meant to represent the innocence of the bride, some believe that it is used to shield the beauty of the bride before the groom married her and others believe that it is bad luck for the groom to see the bride before exchanging vows. There are unlimited styles of veils like a birdcage, blusher, mantilla, flyaway and a traditional chapel, cathedral, fingertip, and elbow veil, that all offer different looks to compliment different gowns and weddings.

{What alternatives are there for brides who want a less traditional bridal look?} There are so many options for brides today who do not want to go the traditional route. A few of the choices would be a floral headpiece, a bridal hat, a tulle and veiling puff, a mini veil, a feather hair comb, a simple headband,  bridal hair pins, a simple rhinestone brooch comb, a decorative comb, even a decorative piece of lace. Right now I am in love with one of my newest floral headpieces "Grace." It's a double flower fascinator that is cream, blush and ivory in colour. It also has vintage millinery leaves from the 1940s which I just adore. 

{What trends are you predicting this summer and fall, and what do you believe will forever remain timeless?} I believe you will start to see a lot more colour being incorporated into bridal headpieces. I also believe the statement pieces will still be popular although complimented with smaller and more dainty hair combs. And it never goes out of style to be yourself and not always go with the trends. Make sure to be comfortable with the style of accessories you choose and truly love them :)

Thanks so much, Tessa for stopping by the blog! And all of you can check out Tessa's website and shop for more information, items and goodness. Top photos by Deyla Huss and product photos by Candice Benjamin.

Read more...

FAQ Friday; How to be a Bride

{The Question} What are my expectations as a bride?

I know what you're thinking. "Rhi how could you possibly know what it takes to be a bride?" And to be completely honest, I'm not 100% sure I know it all. But I do know that in addition to rocking a sweet lace bridal gown for five hours of my life, I learned a few lessons that might make your job as future bride run smoothly and efficiently. Stemming off of last weeks' How to be a Bridesmaid post, I present to you, my personal, Spark Notes Version on How to be a Bride. Picture via.

{De-Diva-tize Yourself} I totally just made that word up but it sure sounds good. I'm not sure if any of you ever watch Cake Boss but I recently watched the episode where a bride came into the bakery to check on her cake the day before her wedding. She explained very clearly to Buddy that the cake he had made was 'disgusting,' and not even close to what she had asked for. She then proceeded to help herself to piping bags full of coloured frosting, that she used to completely destroy the cake before walking out and telling a very shocked Buddy that 'hopefully he knew what she wanted now.' A very professional and kind Buddy created a second equally as beautiful cake and delivered it to the bride the next day were she still refused to come out of her bridal suite to praise/apologize/thank/admire the cake and/or Buddy. I told myself I'd never curse on this blog and I'm not yet willing to make an exception but this girl was a you know what. Don't be a you know what. Ever. It's unattractive and it's bad karma. And not worth it for the pleasure of getting your way on one day of your entire life.

{Be Forgiving} Life happens. Sometimes it rains on your wedding day. Sometimes the coral coloured roses you selected can look a little more orange than you'd like. And sometimes your Mom can sort of get in the way when all you want to do is run the show your way, no ifs, ands or buts. As much as it sucks to hear it, while you are indeed the bride on your big day, you are not an exception to any rule that governs how you treat others. So while you celebrate one of the biggest days of your life make sure you remember to be forgiving. Forgive your bridesmaid who gets stuck in traffic and is late to the salon. Forgive your Mother who is so emotionally overwhelmed that her daughter is getting married, that she is still arguing with you over the dress you selected that's not as 'traditional' as the one she loved. And don't forget to most importantly, forgive yourself on that day if you don't meet every wedding-related expectation you've conjured up in your head. Sure you're the bride. But you're also human too. As is everyone else contributing to the celebration. Be forgiving.

{Be Realistic} I'll be the first to admit that decking my bridal party out in Vera Wang gowns, Loubous and handing them over bunches of imported pink peonies would have been so fly. I also thought a canary yellow diamond ring a la Heidi Klum would have looked sort of lovely on my finger. Clearly my head was clouded with unrealistic thoughts during the preliminary stages of our engagement. While I was guilty of muttering on more than one occasion the "But it's my day!" phrase, I did learn quickly to be realistic about both the choices that were made during our engagement, and the way I expressed my reactions to how things panned out on the wedding day. For example, consider your bridesmaid's feelings, budgets, and body types when picking their gowns. Do your research and find a photographer who has a similar style to the photog you love yet quoted you a price that made you pee your pants a little. Get.over.it when you're convinced your budget, northern Canadian autumn wedding won't match up to all those pretty southern California summer fetes. Do things your way, and be true to yourself but don't get lost in any ideas, concepts or behaviours that are in the end, completely unrealistic. Otherwise you'll be one flustered and disappointed bride. So not sexy.

{Have Fun and Be Fabulous} This one's pretty obvious right? Wrong. If you're reading this blog, chances are you either a) really like me and I sincerely love you for that or b) you're a bride to be and are looking for advice on everything relating to weddings. You've crafted up the most perfect day in your head and you can already picture exactly how you want everything to turn out. And for all those lucky folk out there, it might turn out just like you imagined. Or it may not for whatever reason. If the cake is the wrong flavor, the roses are instead daisies, the DJ plays the wrong first dance song, your brother gets too drunk, your bustle busts on your dress, your maid of honour changes of out her dress before the dancing has even begun; just remember the most important thing is to have fun and be fabulous. It's your wedding day. And that girl in the pretty white gown with the busted bustle? Everyone's going to  look to see if she's having fun. So make sure you do. You'll thank me later.

Any advice anyone would love to share on How to be a Bride? I'd love to hear from you!

Read more...