Sofia & Brian • Reunited

Sofia contacted me in early April of this year about taking vintage style photos of her and her husband, Brian, in May. He returned from deployment the day after I consulted with her at Starbucks and after meeting her, I knew that I wanted to be a part of their story.

The couple got married in Seattle, WA in July of 2011. Originally from Seattle, Sofia was very pleased to be able to plan the wedding by her sweetie’s side here on the east coast, while her family helped out on the west.
Brian & Sofia met through mutual friends while Brian was in the Air Force and kept in touch no matter where their journey’s took them. Eventually, while both residing in Washington, D.C., they took their friendship to the ‘next level’.

After a proposal in Napa Valley…what’s a girl to do?

Working with the couple really rekindled for me what the definition of true love is. They are like best friends and lifelong loves. Funny & playful and, not to mention, probably one of the most photogenic couples I have ever had the privilege of shooting.

While Brian continues serving, in the Marines, the two enjoy a cozy life in the beautiful town of Surf City, NC. A lovely place for photos!
I am hoping that in the future I will have the opportunity to work with them again.
Wishing them all the best!

(To see more of their gorgeous “Reunited” session photos please click the photo above.)

Malissa & John: So In Love

I had the privilege of receiving an email from Malissa in January 2012. Although she and her fiance, John, had been planning their wedding for almost two years they found themselves in need of a photographer. Of course, I was delighted!
After meeting with them at Starbucks to go over the logistics of what their styles and expectations were, I knew they were my kind of couple!
The two met through Malissa’s friend who was looking for a room to rent. And guess who she ended up renting from? John. After hanging out with John and her friend, Malissa made the first move by stealing John’s number from her friend and calling him up. As it turned out, John was wanting to spend time with Malissa just as much.

After just a short time dating, Malissa become pregnant with their first child together. However, because of their similarities, experiences, and friendship they faced each obstacle together.

“Because of our journey we make a great team. We both have great patience and are very understanding. We enjoy watching movies together and eating different foods. Johns passion is videography and quit his job to pursue it and I’ve backed him 100% since day one”, states Malissa.

Photographing their plantation wedding on April 14th, 2012 was such a joy! A big congratulations to them and what a wonderful life they have ahead!
I will be shooting Malissa’s bridal portraits this weekend and can’t wait for the opportunity to work with her again.

To see the rest of this beautiful couple’s wedding photos, please click the photo above.

Quintana McConnell • The Mast Farm Inn

Quintana McConnell • The Mast Farm Inn

How grateful I am to be a featured photographer on The Mast Farm Inn‘s website! What a wonderful surprise to start the month off right!
Henri Deschamps & Marie-Henriette Deschamps are amazing and I am so looking forward to my time off in June; spending a lovely weekend in Valle Crucis.
Final edits to my page on the website (including a link to my blog and a few extra photos) will be available for viewing in the near future! 🙂

WEDDING WEDNESDAY! Before and Afters :)

It’s #weddingwednesday so let’s do some before&afters!!
Email one of your wedding photos/snapshots (no cell phone or iPod photos please) to laughinglarkphotography@gmail.com including a short story about how you met before 8 pm (est) & then look for the retouched version to be posted here!! Happy Wednesday!

Pregnant Bridesmaid | Faux Pas or Fashion Forward?

I’m sure that this situation plagues more people than I could imagine. Although it has never happened to me, or any of my friends (thus far), but it’s something I’ve always wondered about conquering. How would YOU deal with it? What if you were planning a FAB wedding and found out your maid of honor got knocked up? I did some research and I’ll share with you what I found…

Well, for starters, DO NOT make your friend feel like their pregnancy it’s a burden on you. Be happy for her and congratulate her, just like you would at any other time. It’s a time of excitement for her and her family & naturally she will expect (and deserves) the same support she is giving you, by being in your wedding.

1) If you have NOT already ordered your bridesmaid dresses when you find out your friend is pregnant.

The first step is to calculate how many months pregnant she will be at the time of your wedding. Perhaps she has been pregnant before and will be able to anticipate her size and weight fluctuations. Although, do not be disappointed is these are not exactly “spot-on” because every pregnancy is different.

When it comes time to select the actual dress that your bridesmaids will be wearing, pay close attention to the cut and style of the dress. Be sure to consider the comfort and fit for each girl. You may also want to think about weather your wedding style would accommodate each girl wearing a different design dress in a cohesive color(s). 

If you choose a fitted or straight cut dress, give your expecting friend the option to not only go up in size, but perhaps pick out a dress that she feels confident in. Maybe even one that flaunts her tummy! Most importantly, stand by her in her decision. Yes, it is your wedding, but all of your bridesmaids need to feel good about how they look during.

2) If you have already ordered your bridesmaid dresses when you find out about your friend’s new addition.

Here’s where the creativity of your bridal shop comes in. They may take in to account the unexpectedness of this circumstance, and let you change the order; allowing you to get a bigger or different dress. However, if they inform you that it’s too late for such alterations, simply ask them to order a few extra yards of material. With a bit of tailoring, a skilled seamstress will be able to show off your friend’s new condition and make the existing dress work. That way, neither of you are too “put out”. 

I hope this helps with any of you who may need to find some options for your upcoming wedding, with a close friend who is expecting a little miracle! 🙂

To: You | From: A Lonely Heart

Brandee & Aumber {mother/daughter} are a hardworking pair from Phoenix, Arizona. There, they dedicate themselves to rekindling loves lost, those unrequited, and provide intriguing decor for those who’s love has led them to the alter.

Most of the products for sale in their shop are handmade, repurposed, or recycled which give them a bit of a cozy and worn look. Perfect for the vintage, rustic, or backyard bride!

Prices are beyond reasonable too. For instance, their personalized, hand-stamped ribbon is only $10 for every 4 yards! And, one of my personal favorites, vintage paper heart confetti (seen below) is only $16 per 500! Every order can be customized to fit your needs, style, and occasion. With over 5,000 admirers “window shopping” on their site and over 3,000 current sales, I’d say that love for the lonely heart is overflowing!

Why not check out their designs? I bet you’ll be as fascinated as I was in the detail and ingenuity each item contains… Go ahead, click the link: http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheLonelyHeart?ref=pr_shop_more

And when your done buying up all the goodies, come over an see us @ http://www.facebook.com/LaughingLarkPhotography 🙂

Love Letters That Shoot Straight To Your Heart!

 Erin & Brett Middleton, of Bow & Arrow, are a husband and wife team based out of Brooklyn, New York. And how these’s two started their love for wedding stationary to putting together entire websites… is just as romantic as the designs themselves!

The stylish couple met while each studying graphic design and, after constructing Erin’s sister’s wedding invitations in 2006, decided to try out entrepreneurship.

Sending their fabulous color schemes, delicate craftsmanship, and intricately detailed products all over the country and the world, Erin and Brett bring happiness to all they encounter. Easy to work with, speedily productive, and sensationally creative Bow & Arrow addresses your needs when you need them, the way you want them.

Check out their Etsy shop today and take a look at not only the thrilling motifs, but the reasonable prices; then, let me know if you haven’t fallen in love with this dynamic duo!
http://bowandarrowdesigns.co/12840/h-o-m-e

Twigs & Honey – Here’s one for the Supertasters!

Myra Callan of Salem-Portland, Oregon is pure genius! Not only is she beautiful and bright, she is EXTREMELY fashion-forward.

Her designs are creative and masterful. Self taught technique? Flawless. And her vision… timeless.

World renowned and known by the stars, Myra’s accomplished wedding essentials are something sought after by the droves. With over 7,000 fans on Facebook, almost 3,000 followers on Pinterest, over 20,000 admirers on Etsy.com, items available in 15 boutiques in the United States, Canada, and Australia, and featured by nearly 100 magazines & websites- I’d say that Twigs & Honey speaks for itself, in a BIG way!

Twigs & Honey is every brides dream. And with as wide an array of products- accessories to it’s own twigscent fragrance- it’s the perfect online boutique for any upscale, vintage bride.

I have to say, I’m partial to vintage inspired conception because it’s one of my favorites to photograph. But , the fact that Myra has worked so hard to make each immaculate piece with the grace to accompany anyone’s style or personality had me sold at “hello”.

I wish I would’ve know more about Twigs & Honey when it was time to plan my own wedding, but now that that’s passed I am sharing the impeccable taste of Ms Callan with all of you. 🙂 Her interpretation of the modern bride is enchanting and delicate, to say the least.
Click the link below and visit their Facebook page…When your done, come over and see us at http://www.facebook.com/LaughingLarkPhotography

https://www.facebook.com/twigsandhoney

Ruche Bridal Collection 2012: To Have & To Hold

“Where have you been all my life?!” <—– that’s what I was thinking when I glanced through Ruche’s new lookbook {To Have & To Hold} of bridal pieces available for purchase.

Vintage inspired and easy on the eyes, their wedding gowns go for $72.99-$799.99! The bridesmaid dresses are simple and flirty; something that your girls will appreciate is that they can wear them again and again, instead of buying a $200 gown they will cast into the closet and forget about. Additional items range from jewelry to bow ties & gloves…even decor! Ruche has simply thought of everything!

Budget-conscious brides know a good deal when they see one; Ruche is overflowing with great taste and even better prices. In fact, recent Facebook postings have shown that fiancee’s across the world are writing to thank Ruche for making their big day everything it can be and more with such affordable ensembles!

This collection, released just yesterday, has an understated, classic beauty that any bride/bridal party could pull off well and who wouldn’t be proud to adorn themselves in these fabulous articles of clothing! Well worn and quality; Charming and seductive. Everything a wedding day should be!

Click the link below and be swept away in the magic of this modern vintage boutique!  (http://shopruche.com/bridal.htmlutm_source=homepage&utm_content=bridal&utm_campaign=mainnav)

Then, head on over and see us: http://www.facebook.com/LaughingLarkPhotography 🙂