Hello Readers,
Below is the link to view a montage of photos captured during our 1-year Anniversary Session with professional photographer Nikki Sanders, located in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Kara and Brian’s Anniversary Montage
Once again, I cannot tell you how delighted we were to take part in this photo session, and we definitely recommend this experience (as well as Nikki Sanders Photography) to any couple near their first anniversary mark. It was a great way to celebrate our love and commitment to one another, and most of all–SO MUCH FUN!
Enjoy!
Kara and Brian Hall
Dear Readers,
You may have already scheduled your engagement pictures, bridal portraits, and even a trash-the-dress session. However, have you ever wanted to be really brazen and provide your significant other a gift that is equally sensual and tantalizing as it is empowering? How about a gift that is also a way for you to show confidence and exuberance in your own natural skin–an outlet to express yourself, and your beautifully unique body?
Boudoir photos sessions are becoming a growing trend for many people as shown through the following diva-licious website: The Boudoir Divas. These sessions can consist of several outfit choices photographed by a professional and even a makeup artist/stylist to help you (yes…I am going to say it) “bring your sexy back!”
These photos can make for a great gift to your special someone, especially as a wedding present (if getting married), an anniversary gift, or birthday present. Boudoir sessions can truly yield amazing results for your significant other to admire, as well as something the two of you can share together.
Although boudoir sessions can be a wonderful boost in a person’s self-esteem and a further testimony of their beauty, these sessions are not for everyone. Thus, when making the decision to move forward with a boudoir session, make sure you are:
- Utilizing a reputable and professional photographer and view some of his or her work beforehand, as well as speak to the photographers references (preferably past boudoir customers).
- Feeling comfortable about the experience so that you can have fun–this is a wonderful opportunity to creatively express yourself.
- Really thinking about who will be viewing these photographs. If you are participating in a boudoir session for anyone other than yourself, make sure to ask yourself if this person is trustworthy. Also, will this person(s) be able to share with you the enjoyment of having these pictures?
In NC, there are several professional photographers that offer boudoir sessions. Most notably, April Sirit from Evoke Photography has done amazing photojournalistic work when it comes to her boudoir photographs. TheKnot.com even features a North Carolina wedding board where many future and past brides give glowing reviews about the fantastic experience they had with April and NC Makeup Artist: Elizabeth Tolley. This dynamic duo helps to create a carefree and joyful boudoir photo session that clients have walked away from feeling powerful and lively, and even with a new belief and love for their own body.
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?”
~Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of “A Course in Miracles,” 1992
Dear Readers,
The beauty and timeless grace that a diamond ring embodies is something many brides and grooms spend a devoted amount of time toward. To discover a diamond ring that perfectly defines a bride and the relationship a bride and groom holds so closely to their hearts can take time. Thus, an elite online boutique emerges as a leader of discount diamond jewelry and of course, superior loose diamonds. This elite leader can be found at Abazias.com, a company blossoming with its high standards and satisfaction that is guaranteed—not to mention diamonds that women are absolutely enthusiastic over!
Abazias boasts a significant collection of diamonds, perfect for the bride that wants options for her diamond and wedding band, and is not narrowed into once specific style or another. By going online to their website, brides and grooms together can build their own rings, truly customizing a ring that can be cherished forever. After choosing an engagement ring, the soon-to-be bride can also select from a myriad of dazzling diamonds found in earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. Abazias is adorned in accessories that even feature Paris Hilton’s Limited Edition Watches. These watches exude utter superiority as these fashion watches are one-of-a-kind. Ultimately, this vast collection of diamonds and jewelry illustrates their commitment to excellence, while enabling their customers to have a luxurious and secure shopping experience.
In the end, brides and grooms have an immense assortment of diamonds and bands to make a very important decision upon. When narrowing down the selections, it is important to choose a company that is distinguished with a high standard of quality, coupled with the reputation and expertise of only the finest jewelers. Abazias symbolizes all of these components, and can enable brides and grooms to symbolize their love through their exclusive diamonds.
Brian and Kara Hall on Wedding Day: 10/25/2008
Dear Readers,
There is nothing quite like celebrating your first anniversary with a photo session celebrating your marriage. The owners of With This Favor recently had their photos taken at Duke Gardens in Durham, NC and at the location where they wed–Brier Creek Country Club in Raleigh, NC.
They found a local and savvy photographer for their 1- year Anniversary pictures that would be able to capture the photographic memories that they desired. Bubbling with energy, Nikki Sanders from Nikki Sanders Photography has a jubilant, yet casual style to instantly warm and relax those that she photographs. The end product results in artistic photos, coupled with the flair of a fashionista.
Photos will be be uploaded in the next month, so check back soon!
A wedding party consists usually of the bride and groom, their parents, groomsmen, bridesmaids, attendants and sometimes flower girls and ring bearers. When making the decision on having flower girls and ring bearers in your wedding, there are several factors to consider.
The first factor involves actually having a family member or friend that has children. If you don’t know of anyone with children, then the decision about having children in the wedding has already been made. Please note: just because you may not have family or friends with children early in your engagement, this may change over the course of your engagement. So, if your heart is set on flower girls and ring bearers keep the option open. You and your fiancé may become friends with someone that has children, and then the option of flower girls and ring bearers may be possible.
Just don’t solicit strangers that have cute children…
The second factor to think about is if the children are age appropriate. Yes, that means your 13-year- old niece may be best suited as a junior bridesmaid and not a flower girl. Additionally, if you have a child under the age of 6, you may want to consider having someone (trusted family member or friend) walk them down the aisle. A child younger than six may not be able to stand for a 20 minute and more ceremony, so once the child makes their way down the aisle, it would be completely appropriate for him or her to sit with their parents, family members, etc. You and their parents will probably need to spend a little extra time preparing children under the age of six as to what they should expect on wedding day, and what their important role in the wedding will entail.
To give an example: at a recent wedding the ring bearer (7-years-old) pulled a flower girl (3-years-old) down the aisle in a decorated wagon. Behind them, another flower girl (6-years-old) walked down the aisle, slowly dropping flower petals. Subsequently, the ring bearer pulled the wagon with the flower girl over to the side (out of the way), and he went to stand with the groomsmen. The parents of the youngest flower girl picked her up out of the wagon and she sat with them for the length of the ceremony. The oldest flower girl stood with the bridesmaids. The flower girl and ring bearer stood the entire time, watching the ceremony, and behaved very well. There were a couple moments when the ring bearer became a little antsy and the best man of the groom gently put his hand on the ring bearer’s shoulder and he calmed down.
Having children in your wedding can be absolutely delightful while filled with beautiful moments, and really cute pictures. There may be situations with the children that you did not prepare for, but sometimes those impromptu moments make great memories. Even if you do not have flower girls and ring bearers in your wedding, remember you will be surrounded by family and friends that love you and are there to support you. Here’s to your wedding day!
Although a bride’s wedding dress (or dresses, for some) usually takes center stage as an important decision, the accessories a bride chooses is also a critical decision. The bridal accessories can really accentuate or overwhelm a wedding dress, so it is essential for some brides to carefully choose what compliments her dress.
Thus, it is important a bride define her own personal style, as she may want more dazzling “bling” to add to her dress, but must realize she will hear more “ka-ching!”Alternatively, a bride may gravitate toward simplicity and forego most accessories, which can also add to a breeze of elegance and timeless sophistication.
Below is a list of accessories for the bride to think about for wedding day, but is not all-inclusive:
- Earrings
- Necklace
- Bracelet
- Wedding Veil
- Tiara
- Hair Brooch or Hair Jewelry
- Shoes
- Crinoline or Hoop Skirt
- Undergarments such as: Bra or Bustle, Underwear
- Panty-hoes (very optional due to risk of panty-hoes tearing)
- Wedding Band
- Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue
A word of advice from With This Favor
A month or two before wedding day, a bride should try on their wedding dress with all bridal accessories she wants to wear. This helps the bride decide what looks best, but also gauge how comfortable she feels in her dress and accessories (especially if she will be wearing all of these items for 4 hours or more). This will enable brides to adjust accordingly, especially before wedding day.
by Kara on November 2, 2009
in General
The stories of how a groom proposes to his bride (or vice versa) are endless, but they can certainly bring a smile to those that hear these tales of love.
How the proposal occurs sometimes comes as a spontaneous act, fueled by the spark of intense desire. Other proposals are narrated by a well-planned, time-consuming, yet creative venture.
Regardless, these stories are usually nestled into the thrones of dramatic fashion. Below are a few proposals that may flutter your heart, and yes…make you smile.
- Proposal One: Use a book to write out sweet memories of the time you and your loved one have spent together, or make an album of pictures of you two together. Then, cut out a section at the back of the book or album. When the book or album is opened to the final pages, inside will sit a dazzling engagement ring.
- Proposal Two: Hot air balloon ride. Find a local company that specializes in these adventures, and make sure your soon-to-be fiancé is not afraid of heights!
- Proposal Three: Trip to New York City’s Rockefeller Center. Pop the question in the middle of the ice skating rink. If you work it out beforehand you might be able to have the ice cleared so that it is only you and your significant other on the ice.
- Proposal Four: Take a trip abroad to London, UK. Ride on the tallest ferris wheel in the Western Hemisphere—the London Eye—and let your loved one know how much they mean to you and ask, “Will you marry me?”
- Proposal Five: Travel to the happiest place on earth! Stay in a resort on site of Disney World in Orlando, FL! There are many places to propose, such as the Rose Garden at the Magic Kingdom (which has a wonderful view of the Castle, and is right below where Tinker bell makes her descent during the nighttime fireworks show). Or take a stroll to the wishing well near the Castle at dusk for a truly romantic proposal. Another option that is absolutely magical involves collaborating with a travel agent that can help you to book dinner before the fireworks show inside the Magic Kingdom Castle! While dining in the Castle, you can arrange for Walt Disney World Cast Members to bring out the engagement ring situated on top of a glass slipper. Then you can propose to your special someone right before you look out the stained glass windows to see beautiful fireworks highlight the sky!
Hello Readers!
If you are a bride trying to figure out what to get your bridesmaids as a gift, or want something special to treat yourself, check out our personalized flip-flops!
Perfect for the bride and bridesmaid that doesn’t want to wear high-heels all night, these flip-flops are a great alternative to heels, especially as the celebration gets moving on the reception dance floor!
Additionally, these stylish flip-flops are adorned with a dazzling rhinestone, and the opportunity for the bride and each bridesmaid to have their name embroidered onto the foot strap! Therefore, a bride and her bridesmaids can enjoy their flip-flops at the wedding and beyond–perhaps even at the beach!
Click Here to Pamper the Bride and Bridesmaids with Personalized Flip-Flops
Dear Readers,
With This Favor loves the idea of Thanksgiving-themed weddings so much that we wanted to add a few more inspiration boards to excite all brides and grooms as they plan their weddings!
Absolutely divine acorn idea on table napkins, coupled with ideas for leaves, pears and pinecones! Thanks to Tiny Prints for some fantastic inspiration!
Get Married’s website cloaks this inspiration board with appealing colors, along with elegant silk ribbon, a creative cake creation, and perfect wedding favors!
Wrapped in festive fall foliage and decor, this inspiration board from Peach-Pearl touts supreme elegance topped with some tasty pumpkin pie and a dollop of whipped cream!
