Real Couples // Backyard Wedding: Janean + Andrew

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Real Couples // Backyard Wedding: Janean + Andrew

When Janean first inquired with me about shooting her wedding, she described the wedding as "invoking old fashioned elegance, but not fussy by any means." Janean and Andrew got ready in the home they’ve been renovating over the last year, along with their cat, Pam. Then came a pop-up wedding in Glen Echo Ravine, and it was a very short and sweet ceremony. Led by a flautist, the guests played follow-the-leader to the bride and groom’s Clintonville home for a cocktail hour (catered by Al-Tubasee Street) and a serve-yourself-bar of mini champagne bottles. After toasting the bride and groom, the group moved to the sister of the bride’s house, which was only a few blocks away. The DJ spun records, and the tacos from Taqueria El Fogoncito were plentiful on a beautiful October evening. Janean made the invitations and all of the signage. Hannah Hoffman Jewelry made their custom rings and jewelry.

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Bridecentrism, Bridezillas, and "The Best Day of Your Life"

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Bridecentrism, Bridezillas, and "The Best Day of Your Life"

The wedding industry didn’t grow to be worth $54 billion because Americans just love marriage so much. No way — marriage is cheap! We’re talking marriage license fees and gas money; you can get married for less than $100. The wedding industry grew to be so enormous because it is built on one big lie: a wedding is the best day of a woman’s life. Maybe it’s not a lie as much as it is a fantasy that we are socialized to embrace from day one. They slap that pink cap on your head, and next thing you know you’re living a Disney-themed childhood in which your career goals amount to being a glitter princess and a mommy to a brood of doll babies. But who will pay for your pink ball gowns and tea parties for your woodland friends? Oh, you know who: Prince Charming.

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Black BeauTEA Talk // Shopfe-line + Black Woman-Owned Business

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Black BeauTEA Talk // Shopfe-line + Black Woman-Owned Business

Hey beauties, it seems like this has been a long-ass month, or am I tripping? Either way I have been waiting to come chat again; did ya miss me? I’m sipping some Teavana tea; it’s a winterberry blend, and it is amazing!! Seriously you all have to google it and order some and then let me know how you love it?! It is a loose tea and has like grapefruit and strawberry flavors; it tastes so good so if you’re into tea, then grab some! Onto the tea you’re all here for. This month I am doing another interview and actually trying something new! I want to add some “spotlight articles” where I will interview a business owned by a black woman that caters to black women. So this month I am putting the spotlight on my girl Felicia. She is the owner of Shopfe-line, a brand that if you follow me you are very familiar with, as I do makeup for her product shoots! So let’s see how the interview went with this bossbabe, shall we?!

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Real Couples // Two Dapper Granddads Married in Atlanta: Roderic + Shawn

/ The Trolley Barn Atlanta/
Real Couples // Two Dapper Granddads Married in Atlanta: Roderic + Shawn

The day we met, you could not have told me we were going to be married. However, two days later, I knew he was the one for me. On August 19, 2010, I got a text (yeah a text), asking if I wanted to do this dating thing exclusively, and after a quick yes, it was a done deal. There were constant confirmations that this was the one for me. I will share a few:

During our first date night conversation — that lasted five hours — he asks, "What's ya favorite song?" as he queues up his to share with me.
"Faith Evans' 'Keep the Faith'" I respond.
He gives a smile and pushes play... and yes, it was his favorite song, too.

We spent the next few years finishing each other's sentences.

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Tales from a Wedding Planner // Amy of Modern Rebel Talks "Donut-Gate"

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Tales from a Wedding Planner // Amy of Modern Rebel Talks "Donut-Gate"

Amy: I had so many back-to-back weddings with donuts (they're very in right now), and so at a client's wedding, while I totally knew in my heart of hearts they were not donuts, I had a brain fart and had the band announce that the donuts were now out at the dessert table! I was literally looking at these NOT DONUTS and saying, would you like a donut? Then, the photographer's assistant came up to me and said, “Amy, those are not donuts, right? They're like muffins, right?" And I was like, "no, they're donuts!" And then my assistant and I realized: WHAT THE HECK, THESE ARE CUPCAKES. I had a grandma or two ask for some donuts, and I had to sadly tell them we only had cupcakes. I'm a very on-top-of-my-shit lady, but that was the one moment I broke. Could have been worse! You have to laugh.

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Halloween Inspiration // October Birthstones & Blooms

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Halloween Inspiration // October Birthstones & Blooms

This shoot is one part from a series that a group of wedding professionals in Richmond, Virginia, collaborated to manifest, in which they matched birthstones to florals. Amanda Burnette created the floral designs, ReLove Events & Elements styled the shoot, the artists of Slingin' Pretty designed the hair and makeup, and Catalyst co-founder Carly Romeo and Co. captured the images. The October birthstone, opal, inspired this shoot.

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Real Couples // Engagement Photos in NYC: Jálynn + Tiffany

/ manhattan/
Real Couples // Engagement Photos in NYC: Jálynn + Tiffany

"Tiffany and I met for the first time on a January evening in New York City. It was my birthday, and I was celebrating with friends. Tiffany had been invited to the same bar by a mutual acquaintance. Tiffany recalls she was amazed by how quickly we connected, despite just meeting that night. I was taken with Tiffany’s quiet confidence, charming intellect, and sweet smile.

After discovering Tiffany and I had both attended boarding school in the Northeast, had the same major in college, and were both passionate about careers in public service, I was smitten. We closed down the bar that night, and after hanging out a few more times, we finally went out on a proper date."

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Real Couples // A Rainbow-Themed Celebration Of Love in Cancún: Ariadna + Laura

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Real Couples // A Rainbow-Themed Celebration Of Love in Cancún: Ariadna + Laura

Nuestra mayor inspiración para planear la boda fue el lugar en dónde nos conocimos y en nuestras personalidades. A las dos nos encanta la playa, el mar y la suave arena del caribe, por lo que, queríamos que todos estos elementos tuvieran un lugar importante dentro de nuestro gran día! Somos personas muy alegres y nos encanta la música, así que decidimos que la decoración y la temática serian colore alegres y llenos de vida ( verde, amarillo, fucsia y azul). Decidimos gastar una buena parte de nuestro presupuesto en los músicos! Asi que, buscamos una persona con la que nos identificáramos para que tocara en vivo durante la ceremonia nuestras canciones favoritas y con un toque especial.  El mariachi no podía faltar al salir del altar para celebrar y por último una banda de música en vivo durante la fiesta no podía faltar. La ceremonia fue oficiada por una ministro muy amiga de nosotras por lo qué, el discurso fue aún mas emotivo y personalizado.

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5 Self Care Tips for Feeling Your Best on Your Wedding Day

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5 Self Care Tips for Feeling Your Best on Your Wedding Day

Planning and preparing for a wedding can be stressful. Start the process of alleviating your stress by identifying the sources.  There are two types of stress: eustress, which is positive and can be motivating, and distress, a negative source of anxiety. What is unnecessary and can be left behind, eradicated, or revamped? Create a to-do list, and delegate tasks to people that you trust, like your wedding party or coordinator who will help to disperse the load. Surround yourself with a positive support team that can help you to stay clear of unnecessary tension. Then begin implementing a daily routine like meditation and breathing techniques with a cup of herbal tea to start your day. This can create a moment for yourself and set the tone that will help you to feel grounded and ready to tackle what’s left on your to-do list.

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Real Couples // An Interracial Cuban-Chinese Wedding: Kelly + Michael

/ Ryland Inn/
Real Couples // An Interracial Cuban-Chinese Wedding: Kelly + Michael

Kelly and Michael were study partners first, then friends, and then best friends. She talked him through a breakup. He listened to her stories about dating in New York. Law school trudged on. She got a job in New Jersey, and he got a job in California. Romance seemed unlikely.

Then she visited him in California for one glorious week, and he fell in love. She remained unsure. They returned to Ann Arbor for their last year of law school and spent most of their class time talking to each other. They went together to brunches and dinners, Michigan football games and music concerts, and he fell more and more in love, while she played coy about her own growing feelings.

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Real Couples // A Storybook Wedding: James + Gloria

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Real Couples // A Storybook Wedding: James + Gloria

James and Gloria met in University in a Chinese class. They had their wedding in one of the most beautiful venues in Edmonton, the Hotel MacDonald. The ceremony room is so beautiful that it looks like a picture from a fairytale story book. It was a rainy day, but thank goodness the venue is so beautiful and we were able to take lots of formal photos indoor. The tea ceremony took place right after the ceremony in the Hotel MacDonald. Their wedding cake by Art of Cake was so gorgeous. James and Gloria were such a cute and down-to-earth couple and I feel so lucky to be part of their big day.

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Real Couples // Engagement at the Griffith Observatory in L.A.: Nancy + Will

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Real Couples // Engagement at the Griffith Observatory in L.A.: Nancy + Will

We got engaged over Christmas vacation while visiting home (Massachusetts). We were headed to have dinner with his dad when he decided to take me on a little driving tour of his hometown. Little did I know that he was just gathering up courage to pop the question. We park at a quaint little pond and take a walk to the gazebo and that is where he asked. We drive by it every time we go to his Dad's house.

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Real Families // Ethereal Boho Wedding: Mydanh + Alec

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Real Families // Ethereal Boho Wedding: Mydanh + Alec

Mydanh Nguyen Tran and Alec Baker met only a year and a half ago, and it was love at first sight. They were both newly divorced with kids in tow and decided to do a very low-key two day event at Alec's farmhouse in Upperco, Maryland, this past June with only close family members invited to the actual ceremony and close friends and other family for the reception the following day. Mydanh's daughter, Laya, and Alec's daughter, Justine, were the flower girls, while Mydanh's son, Liam, walked her down the aisle. The kids stole the show to say the least

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Master the Menu // Being Mindful of Your Guests' Dietary Preferences

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Master the Menu // Being Mindful of Your Guests' Dietary Preferences

Weddings are the ultimate sensory experience — the sound of a band, the smell of fresh roses, the texture of a hemstitch napkin, the sight of family and friends over candlelight...and the taste of a great meal!

When planning the menu for any event, it’s important to consider all of your guests and their needs. From kosher to vegan to gluten free and more, here are few tips on how to curate the perfect menu for your special day.

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Real Couples // A Wintery Engagement Session on the Streets of Paris: Gisele + Luiza

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Real Couples // A Wintery Engagement Session on the Streets of Paris: Gisele + Luiza

It was fifth of August 2013 when I first saw her. We both work for the same organization, and she was giving a speech regarding a subject that I was completely aware of, so I actually had planned not to be there. When I saw her, I couldn't help but sit and watch the flawless way she spoke about something she enjoys and listen to the sound of her voice. Some days later, I found the courage to send her an e-mail (she did not have Facebook or any social media, which I found weird!) inviting her do have lunch with me. After that, we could not stop being together.

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Real Couples // An Indian American Wedding in Galveston: Jessica + Ryan

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Real Couples // An Indian American Wedding in Galveston: Jessica + Ryan

Ryan and Jessica are some of the kindest people you will ever meet. They first met in the fall of 2011 at Texas A&M University. When they met at Schuhmacher Hall, Jessica thought Ryan was super weird. They became close friends almost immediately, so Jessica was also probably a little weird in her own right. From late night studying and dinners at Sbisa to playing in the rain on campus and cheering on the fightin' Texas Aggie football team, Ryan and Jessica realized there was something special between them and eventually started dating. Ryan loved Jessica for a long time and waited patiently for her to finish nursing school before they got married.

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Real Couples // A Beautiful Garden and Ballroom Wedding: Marquis + Ruth

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Real Couples // A Beautiful Garden and Ballroom Wedding: Marquis + Ruth

Ruth is a Registered Nurse, born and raised in Haiti. She met Marquis while she was getting her nursing degree at Keiser University; he was studying criminal justice. Marquis is an army veteran who was raised in Brooklyn, New York, and served eighteen months during a tour of Iraq. 

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5 Great Gifts to Show Some Love to Your Wedding Party

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5 Great Gifts to Show Some Love to Your Wedding Party

We know you have so much to organize for your upcoming wedding, but don't forget about gifts for the wedding party! This collective of Australian e-commerce companies has compiled a list of the best wedding party gifts to help you show your gratitude to your friends and family. 

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