Tuesday, February 19, 2013 9:23 am
Santa Barbara is a destination site for weddings. It’s not unusual for a first in person meeting to be the Bride and Groom’s wedding engagement session.
We’ve emailed and chatted by phone, and scheduled a photo shoot between their appointments while Kara and Matt were going to be in Santa Barbara.
Kara and Matt flew in from D.C. last week and like many couples that don’t live in California, it was a whirlwind of meetings, tastings, and appointments. The time we had scheduled was cold, windy and rainy. So we changed the session for the following morning because the weather forecast said it would be sunny and beautiful. It was sunny. But it was still chilly and windy, I knew they wanted a Santa Barbara “look”. But I also know that bright sunshine and wind are a challenge. With that in mind, I took them into downtown Santa Barbara for the photo shoot.
I think they would agree the photo shoot was a success. It was a nice break from decision making. With the help of our downtown Santa Barbara architecture, we were able to protect ourselves from the wind and get some beautiful photos for fond memories and perhaps a Save the Date!
Friday, February 1, 2013 8:55 am
Today Junebug Weddings published Melissa & Jon’s wedding on “What Junebug Loves“ real weddings.
It can be a challenge choosing your event professionals via internet and phone calls. I recently asked one of my couples how they made their choice of Santa Barbara wedding photographer. Here is the insightful answer, and “Thank you” from Melissa and Jon.
It’s a bit long, but I believe it may give you confidence in choosing me to photograph your wedding.
“I’ve been gathering a few thoughts in an email since you sent me the photos, which I’ve copied below. Regarding choosing a photographer from a distance, it’s very confusing! I knew and know nothing about photography and the options seem limitless so it is completely overwhelming. I also didn’t have any friends in the area or anyone I trusted (other than my wedding planners, Colette and Kaitlin who thankfully recommended you) so I spoke to probably 10 photographers over the phone. It was tough not being able to meet with people but you took the time to write me a long email in response to a bunch of questions I’d sent you, you also had a long phone conversation with me, which helped ease my mind and gave me the impression that you would be someone I would also enjoy working with and would make us both feel at ease (since, confirmed!). It was also clear from that initial conversation that you were very thoughtful and knowledgeable. I also had a long conversation about photographers with Colette and she opened my eyes to the fact that I wanted someone experienced (who wouldn’t miss important shots as certain other photographers had for her brides in the past), who would shoot both beautiful portraits and candids and would know how to capture all the details of the day and present the most beautiful facet of everyone and everything. We then worked through the portfolio of another photographer I’d been considering and she pointed out strange angles, washed out lighting, photos where there were trash cans or luggage carts in the background, photos were the position of the bride gave her “arm fat” or other flaws. Then we looked through your photos and they had none of the same issues.” “One thing I did know was important to me was responsiveness and service. Obviously planning from afar, you rely on email and phone so those factors become even more important. The online reviews I read gushed about your professionalism and service. Specific instances that I read: we got our engagement photos immediately and in time to get a guest book printed, not to mention your help with this technologically challenged client, getting my photos within a month after the wedding (other photogs said up to 6 months), flexibility with and customization of photo packages, taking us to multiple different locations around town to shoot our engagement photos. To name a few.
One other thing that struck me during one of my planning trips to SB was that every other vendor I met with asked who my photographer was and when I told them the response 100% of the time was “Oh my gosh I LOVE Melissa and she is absolutely the best. You are working with the best!” So it was confirmed over and over again by people who are “in the know”.
This is getting lengthy so in sum, the qualities that made my photos and my day so wonderful were experience, personality, professionalism and of course amazing talent. I hope this is helpful.”
Below is the thank you Melissa & Jon sent me. I’m humbled and grateful to be able to share with my readers.
“Melissa,
Wow, I am speechless. These photos are beyond stunning. You’ve captured our day, all the happiness and emotion and Jon’s amazing smile (among other things) so perfectly. My favorite part of that day was seeing our families so happy and radiant and seeing our moms look and feel so gorgeous, which I’ve just relived through these photos. The faces more than anything made me laugh and cry happy tears (apparently I laugh a lot with my mouth open- who knew? My mom holding back tears, my dad smiling quizzically at my dress (and the picture where he is peaking around the corner before we walk down the aisle), my brothers’ speech, some very emotional hugs with the people we love most in the world, our guests’ beaming faces.
How did you come up with some of the ideas!? I love the picture looking through Elizabeth’s camera into the bridal room, the portraits of us where our images are reflected in the pool water, the light shining through my veil so that it just seems to float over me. What fabulous creativity and artistry! I also love how some of the photos are awash in light and others are saturated with the rich fall colors and the bright greens and pinks of the villa garden- you didn’t miss one detail or one beautiful background (and there were many!). It’s so fun to get to relive the memories and also to see moments that I missed either because I was elsewhere at the time or I was too busy to really notice. It’s like seeing a whole new dimension of the day, and that is priceless.
Thank you again. There just aren’t words to express how much these images mean to us. What a wonderful talent you have. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Love,
Melissa & Jon”
To see my post on this wedding, click here.
Thursday, January 31, 2013 6:18 pm
Then came marriage. And guess who will be pushing a baby carriage?
My niece Kelly and her husband Sam are overjoyed with the birth of their newborn baby boy.
All the family is over the moon. I’m so happy they live near my neighborhood so I can be an active part of his life.
I can’t wait to walk him in his carriage.
Welcome to the world Grover!
Tuesday, January 29, 2013 5:01 pm
Katie and Shaun had a high energy, fabulous wedding and spectacular ocean view reception at Fess Parker Doubletree in Santa Barbara. When I heard they were going to have 28 people in their bridal party I knew I was in for a fun group. They did not disappoint! Both are super cute and full of personality. It was a glorious Santa Barbara day with plenty of sunshine, and warmth. Not only from the weather, but from family and friends too.
A special thanks to Jessica Kuipers of Bijoux Events for her smooth timeline and Grassroots for their beautiful florals. Everything was perfection!
Friday, January 25, 2013 5:36 pm
My niece Kelly is having her first baby, and I was delighted, with the help of my sister Sydney, to throw her a baby shower in my home. She and her husband chose not to find out the sex of the baby, so we didn’t do a pink or blue theme. Since her family and friends are helping to “feather her nest” I thought it would be cute have a bird themed baby shower.
A special thank you to my dear friend Nico for sending over his design team with bird cages, twigs, daffodils, birds nests, faux eggs, white vases and blue mercury glass. Up for an international design award, Nico was in Chicago, but insisted on sending his talented team over to help with the decor.
Kelly with her Grammy and and Mom, Sharon. (My big brother’s wife)
My sister Sydney, made most of the food. Tuna, and ham & cheese wraps, potato salad, deviled eggs (bird theme), chilled green bean vinaigrette . I didn’t have room at my dining room table for everyone, so we wanted mostly finger foods that would be easy to eat off a plate in your lap.
I bought some unpainted wooden bird houses at Michael’s craft store , painted them white, and hot glued them to this twisty branch. (Thank you Tenley for loaning me the branch) It’s been so long since I had a glue gun in my hands. It was fun to be crafty.
I printed the table tent menu cards on my printer and hot glued these cute little nests to each of them.
Kelly and me.
I had the cupcake tree. I bought it at Pottery Barn in Santa Barbara last year. It was perfect to display our dessert. I’ve learned well from my event planner friends to use dessert as one of the key elements in your design. Give it a table of it’s own in an area where it will stand out.
I made chocolate and vanilla cupcakes and frosted them with cream cheese frosting and toasted some coconut to look like a nest. I used Jordan almonds as the bird eggs. Again, Michaels comes through with the grass printed cupcake liners.
Kelly didn’t want to do any shower games. But while we all sat in a circle about to open gifts I asked everyone to make a guess about the sex of the baby. My guess is it’s a boy. I’m sure it will be, because I have ESP.
After the party, on the way out the door, we had pretzels (twigs) for party favors. A little messy to make, but worth the effort. Dip pretzel rods halfway up the pretzel in melted caramel, let cool and dip into melted white chocolate. While wet, roll in chopped peanuts and almonds. You can buy the chocolate for melting and the pretzel bags at Michaels. Another great resource for crafts is Save-on-crafts.com.
I had such a great time planning and enjoying Kelly’s Santa Barbara Baby Shower. Thank you so much to our family that flew in from Philadelphia, and to our local friends that feel like family. We love you all.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012 10:20 am
Mother, daughter team, Colette and Kaitlin of LaFete Weddings host an annual Christmas Tea in their home. While we have come to know each other through our business relationships, our friendship has become much deeper. They always design a gorgeous table for all of us to enjoy. Each year all the girls share our stories of good and difficult times we’ve experienced throughout the year.
This year Colette and Kaitlin had the clever idea of using a Giving Key on each of the place cards. Each guest had a different word inscribed on her key. We sat down at our place and they asked us why we thought we were given that word on our key. My key said inspire. I was speechless. Which is saying a lot for me. The other keys had the words, fearless, grace, love, dreamer, and faith. As each of us stumbled on why we were honored with the words we were given, each gal at the table quickly joined in to say why they thought the word described the person to which it was given.
It was an emotional evening. We all left the table with full hearts, and intentions to wear our keys until the time comes to share the key with someone else that either needs to feel the word on the key, or deserves the word on the key.
The story behind the making of the keys is glorious. A great gift. www.thegivingkeys.com.
Gorgeous Linens by LaTavola
Place cards by Heidi at Zenadia Designs
Rentals by Town & Country
The Christmas Tea girls, from left~ Stephanie, Chloe, Cindy, Laura, Colette, Janine, Kaitlin, and me.
This gorgeous Christmas Tea party was published on two other blogs. Click on these links to see more;
OohlalaLaFete
and
Pretty my Party
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