Wedding Recap - Rachel & Bobby Part 1

I am excited to finally share a Birmingham wedding recap from Rachel & Bobby's beautiful February wedding!  We had a gorgeous day in the low 60 degrees (a little odd for February but we'll take it!) and couldn't have asked for a better backdrop than Independent Presbyterian Church and Soho's Rosewood Hall.  This was my first time working with the amazing Mary Margaret Chambliss, and we had a blast!  The photos turned out awesome as you will soon see and both Rachel & Bobby were a lot of fun throughout the day.  Kathy Miller and her team created all the stunning floral bouquets  and arrangements to go along with the black, green, pink, and lavender color palate.

The bridesmaid's bouquets were comprised of cool water roses, charming unique roses, garnet calla lilies, silver spray roses, green hydrangeas and lily grass.  The bridesmaid's bouquets were adorned with beautiful green Midori ribbon.  Rachel's stunning bouquet consisted of white mini calla lilies, vandella and eskimo roses, white hydrangea, and freesia.  To match the bridesmaid's, her bouquet was adorned with ivory Midori ribbon.

Stay tuned for Part 2 including details from the stunning reception!

Vendor Spotlight - Mary Margaret Chambliss Photography

I'm super excited about this next vendor, she pretty much rocks, and it just so happens that she will be mentioned in tomorrow's blog post as well!  Who is she?  Why the lovely Mary Margaret Chambliss of course!  She not only does seriously amazing photography, but she's also just so much F-U-N!  We worked together on a wedding last month and she was incredible.  Just read her interview below and you'll see what I mean!  And her photos are breathtaking, so vibrant, full of life and emotion.  Love her work...lots!  Read on for her interview and a look at her photography.

Why did you choose to work in weddings/events?  How did you get started?

I got into the wedding/events business about seven years ago when I was assisting another photographer.   I was a travel photographer at Southern Living Magazine, and one of my co-workers introduced me to the fun of shooting weddings as a side gig.  I stayed with the magazine for about 7 years and have since decided to go out on my own shooting Weddings and Children, as well as Corporate headshots, Advertising work, and the occasional Rockstar I come across.  I've been photographing my whole life, my mother is a photographer, so I fell into the family biz.

How would you describe your style/product?

My style is upscale, but very relaxed and natural.  I am part photojournalistic, but also have a lot of respect for traditional photographs the grandmother expects to see(formal, by the alter).  I like to see the day's beauty unfold, and really lead the bride and groom into great photographing situations.  I like for my products to be as pretty as the day itself-I enjoy making brides cry when they see my work.....in a good way of course...

What separates you from other Birmingham area vendors?

For one, I am a girl-of marrying age, so.....I kind of know what I would want in a wedding photographer.   Another thing is I have traveled all over the South looking for the good in people while photographing for the magazine-I have been in most every situation with my subjects, equipment ect.  I know how to think things through in regards to a shoot, and what to expect in most situations.  A lot of people are getting into the Wedding photography business because of how easy digital cameras are to operate, and really the money you can make doing it.  There is so much more to wedding photography than that.  I am trained to see things most amateurs do not see- there is an honor of photographing a wedding for someone, and I don't take that lightly.  I get compliments at most every wedding I shoot from the groomsmen saying something along the lines of, "That wasn't so bad-you are kind of cool."  This is like winning a gold in the olympics of photography to me..If I can make the couple people who are not stoked about being at the church 3 hours before the ceremony have a decent time..I win!

What would you be doing if you didn't work in weddings?

I shoot weddings, but I also shoot many other aspects also...so probably one of those..I would love to shoot life on the road, whether it was a political campaign or a big music act's tour.  Something about having a team traveling together with their own little working city intrigues me.    If I wasn't a photographer all together, I think I would go back to school to get my MFA in painting.

Favorite TV show and why?

Actually....I am such a nerd...but I have no cable....totally rock the rabbit ears and everything.  I moved into my house in the middle of my travel job, and spending 4-5 days on the road seemed silly to spend money on cable.  I have since loved it, the fact I only have 8 channels to choose from....That said...I love some Sunday night TV(desperate housewives, Brothers and sisters).  I come from a family with 4 kids in it, so the chaos and noseyness of Bros and Sisters strikes pretty close to home.

What advice would you give to brides on the wedding planning process in general?

Have fun!  Don't sweat the small stuff.  This is a time to celebrate you and the decision to be with someone for the rest of your life..thats a big deal, but remember key word is to celebrate.  Everyone one is there to support you, because you have made an impact on their lives....THAT IS REALLY COOL IF YOU STOP TO THINK ABOUT IT....I mean...doesn't matter if 2 people are in the room, or 4200, you have made an impact so much so that people want to get dressed up-on a Saturday no less, and stand when you walk down the aisle.  Thats awesome!  I once had a bride who's band didn't show up....Best attitude ever, she just looked at everyone after dancing to a Kenny Chesney cd someone had in their car, and said, "guess we will have to drink more since we aren't paying for a band!"  That was cool to see that attitude....Im not sure I would have had the same reaction.  

Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?

Keeping Control of Your Planning From the VERY Beginning...

CELEBRATE! After you are engaged, it's time to celebrate!  Don't run out to a dress shop OR find the perfect reception location.  Enjoy your time and take a moment to enjoy the engagement.  If you just can't stand it, change your status on FACEBOOK and go out and buy every bridal magazine available.

GET EVERYONE INVOLVED.  Set a budget and stick to it.  Once the budget has been established, now is a good time to go out and hire a wedding planner (we can recommend a good one!) and searching for the perfect ceremony/reception venue.  But STOP, first have all financial participants (mom, dad, groom, bride, etc.) attend those very "must have" meetings.  Wedding Planner, Catering Venue, Photographer, Videographer: appointments are a must!

BE ORGANIZED.  Once you start signing contracts, take a moment and get organized.  At M. Elizabeth Weddings & Events, we give each of our clients a lovely 3-ring notebook in order to keep contracts and other financial documents organized.  Carry it with you everywhere you go.  Set up a separate checking account just for wedding expenses.  Set up an easy to understand excel spreadsheet for everyone to use throughout the payment process.  

GET CREATIVE.  This is your time to shine with your creative ideas.  If you're NOT creative, find someone who is: your favorite aunt, your mom, your best friend, or anyone who has a Martha hand.  Get them on board, and ask them to help you create those fun, fancy menu cards, favor boxes, and other fun items to make your wedding memorable.  Ask your bridesmaids over for an invitation STUFFING PARTY and buy all the junk food you can stand.  Stuff yourselves silly.  Get them involved too!