The Bride, As Seen In Pictures

When it comes to bridal portraits, each photographer displays his or her own unique style. And in my case, I had the incredible fortune of having not just one, but two, of the L.A. area’s very best photographers present to capture my once-in-a-lifetime moment.

To start the day off, the fabulous Damien Smith captured classic and timelessly elegant shots I’ll treasure for the rest of my life.

And up next, Alex Neumann kept me going strong throughout the day with his great humor and contemporary artistry. Each time I look at these photos, I recall just how much fun I had being the girl in the spotlight.



What types of bridal portrait shots do you hope for, and where will they be taken? Which photography styles do you most love?

(Photo Credits: Damien Smith Photography & Alex Neumann Photography)

Saying It With A Smoothie

The traffic was horrible, and the minutes seemed to fly by ever faster as Stephen drove me to class one recent Thursday. My stomach rumbled as I finally raced up the stairs, already late and left with no time to pick up my signature green tea smoothie. Stressed out and breathless, I slumped into my seat, resigning myself to three long hours of hunger.

Then, during our 10-minute break, as I headed down the hall to see whether I could perhaps scrounge a bite to eat from the vending machine, I jumped in surprise at the sound of my name being called out from behind. Spinning around, my face instantly lit up with joy as I saw my husband standing there holding out a freshly blended smoothie and a big box of granola bars. My stomach was grateful, and so was my heart.

Like many couples I’ve known, Stephen and I are not romantic in a conventional sense. He doesn’t bring me flowers, and I don’t leave him love notes. Instead, we consistently show our love through kind and thoughtful gestures that may appear small to those on the outside, but actually have a huge impact on our relationship. When I come home after a long day to find dinner waiting on the stove, or see that the recycling has been taken down without my asking, I know that my husband – the most giving and selfless man I know – loves me and values our partnership. And when I take the time to surprise him with cleanly folded laundry or a few uninterrupted hours of computer games, he knows how much I respect him and care about his happiness.

Because at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter exactly how a husband and wife express their love, as long as they both feel valued and cared for when all is said and done. What works for one couple may fail for another, and what makes one person happy may leave another feeling quite dissatisfied. This is where communication is key, allowing a couple to continue to grow in understanding one another and in truly being partners for life.

How do you typically express love?

(Photo Credit: Google Images)

Bicoastal Bride Goes Glossy In Get Married Magazine!

Way back when I was still an excited bride-in-waiting, and even before this very blog was born, I got my start as a featured blogger over on Get Married’s awesome website. One year, five blogs, a Twitter account, and one Facebook page later, I’m still going strong, loving every minute of writing, sharing and connecting.

Looking back, I’ll always be grateful to the team at Get Married for inspiring me to give blogging a shot. That’s why I’m incredibly honored to appear as the featured blogger in the Winter 2010 issue of Get Married magazine. Check out my “Lucky Seven” spread on the last page, where I share the seven goodies I’m loving right now, inspired by my own wedding’s theme and style. And while you’re at it, check out all the other fun shopping and trend ideas the magazine has to offer!

How did you first get into blogging, and where do you frequently turn for wedding inspiration?

A 'Big Apple' Halloween

Happy Halloween, everyone! This weekend, I'm off to NYC with my sister, who's visiting all the way from California, plus Stephen and his best friend. It will be our first Halloween spent in the Big Apple, and we're definitely hoping it will be fun and action-packed.

To help kick off the weekend, here are some spooky and kooky Halloween wedding ideas I've read and heard about over the years.



• At an outdoor wedding, incorporate a haunted house or haunted maze as part of the fun.

• Create bouquets of black, white and red roses for the bridal party.

• Feature a candy buffet serving classic Halloween favorites, such as fun-sized chocolates and caramel apples.



• Serve a Halloween-themed drink, like a Bloody Mary or pumpkin-spiced apple cider.

• Host a masquerade-themed reception, giving each guest a mask.

• Mix carved white and orange jack-o-lanterns as centerpieces.

• Hold your ceremony in an old, rustic church.

• Invite a fortune teller to set up a booth at your reception.

Have you ever attended a Halloween-themed wedding? What are your plans this weekend?

(Photo Credits: Google Images)

Sugar Rush: Candy Table Tips From A Pro (Part Two)

Candy table guru Frances has so much good advice, I decided to spread it out over two days. Enjoy the second installment of her helpful tips!

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced in putting together a candy table, and how did you deal with it?

The biggest challenge I've faced is the weather. Chocolate melts easily, and it can be hard to have a candy table during the summer or even outdoors on a nice day. In these situations, I load up on hard candy and items like popcorn or Rice Krispies treats, while trying to minimize the chocolate's exposure to the elements.

What are some of the most unique candy table items or ideas you’ve seen used? Are there any specific treats you’d recommend for guests who aren’t able to consume sugar?

When planning out a candy table, I think it's important to include choices that the guests of honor like. It is, after all, their celebration. If you're trying to limit the sugar level, include sugar-free candy and popcorn, plus yogurt-covered items and candy-coated selections like pretzels.

Do you have any other advice or comments you’d like to share?

Remember that the point of a candy buffet is to provide variety. It also isn't Halloween, where you have to send your guests home with pounds of candy. Use small bags or boxes so that guests don't overstuff, and use small scoops with your candy. In my experience, while you should make sure you have enough candy overall, remember that most people won't take one of everything. Rather, they'll choose a few of their favorites. For example, there is no need to provide 100 candy bars for 100 guests. You can get away with 75 bars, because some people might not like that type of candy and will pick something else from the table.



What do you think of Frances' tips? Are you ready to go out and create a candy table for your next party?

Want even more inspiration? Check out Amy Atlas' fabulous blog, where Frances gets a lot of her great ideas!

(Photo Credits: Lollipops & Paper)