Posts Tagged "beach weddings"
Acrylic Wedding Tables
Acrylic wedding tables…can you say très chic?
Photo from Room Service Rentals
I first felt in love with the use of acrylic tables for wedding and event designs last spring when I was invited to attend a professional event for destination wedding planners in Vero Beach, FL.
Featured below are photos from that event of what started out as a poolside reception for us at Costa d’Este Resort designed by the awarding designer, Fé Domenech and her team from The Event Firm International.
Photo from PS Photography
An alternative to full acrylic wedding tables and a less expensive option is to use acrylic table boxes as featured below to create the illusion of a clear wedding table. These are also great because you can place rose petals, wedding flowers, and the like inside of the acrylic boxes as table decorations.
Photo from Dann Event Hire
If you like the look of clear acrylic tables, but wish to only incorporate a few of them, consider using them for your head table and open bar table design. Just imagine how glamorous the clear acrylic table box would look with colorful linens in lieu of the white linens (as in the picture above) in addition to the right lighting. Fabulous, I tell you!
Photo from Kool Party Rentals
I would love to see some of you North Carolina brides incorporating acrylic tables or table boxes into your event design, especially if you are planning a destination wedding here in our coastal region or a chic wedding in the Raleigh-Durham area. Get Inspired!
Read MoreInspiring Beach Wedding Ceremony Design
Having a wedding on the beach is already majestic in and of itself, but to add the unexpected to such a setting is bound to captivate your wedding guests. Have a look at this beautiful beach wedding ceremony set up designed by Karen Tran Floral. What is so unexpected about this wedding design?
Photo Credit: Pamela Scott Photography
It is not everyday that you see manzanita tree branches adorned with phalaenopsis orchids on the beach and have it look as if it was meant to be there. I just love this beach wedding design, it looks so simple and elegant, yet it makes a very dramatic statement to me. Get Inspired!
Read MoreDestination Weddings: North Carolina’s Hurricane Season
When planning a destination wedding on the coast of North Carolina, it is important to know that we rank third in the area most prone to hurricane strikes with Florida being number one, followed by Texas.
Our hurricane season begins June 1 and goes through November 30, but our official hurricane month is September. It is during the month of September when tropical development is at its highest, and our coastal region is threaten by storms that are formed in the Atlantic and the Caribbean, including any storms moving from the Gulf of Mexico.
If you are planning a destination wedding on North Carolina’s coast during the hurricane season, it is imperative that you are flexible and have a backup plan in the event of adverse weather conditions. Should a hurricane warning be issued during the weekend of your wedding, you must understand that curfews may be imposed as well as mandatory evacuation.
Is it worth having a beach destination wedding?
Why, of course…it’s beautiful here and just like Florida, we do not have hurricanes every day. In fact, most days are filled with beautiful, sunny weather during the season. You just need to know in the back of your mind that tropical storms and hurricanes are a possibility and to plan accordingly. For tips on creating a backup plan, please check out my outdoor wedding essentials blog series.
Happy Planning!
Read MoreVendor Chat with The Love Project Weddings
Vendor Name: Jenn Ackerman
Company Website/Blog: www.theloveprojectweddings.com
For this week’s featured vendor, I had the opportunity to interview half of the husband and wife team, Jenn Ackerman. Jenn and Tim are both international award-winning photographers, including the recipient for an Emmy for their documentary on mental illness in prison. In addition to having spent time documenting mental illness and aging in prison, living with the homeless to shred light on their struggle, and documenting rural heath in Africa (which is one of the things I am passionate about and have spent time researching, that is ethnic and rural health disparities), they are a brilliant team of destination wedding photographers based here in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, serving destination brides worldwide. Featured below is my interview with Jenn!
TD: What’s the story behind The Love Project Weddings?
JA: The Love Project actually began as a documentary. As documentary photographers, we have seen and photographed some of the most emotionally-draining and heart-wrenching stories. One summer, while photographing inside a prison about the mentally ill, it was too much. We decided that we needed to document something that was a little lighter and full of joy so we began documenting love. It was called The Love Project and we documented people of all ages who were in love. We documented old love, young love, large families and small families. As we continued the project, we started to look at those moments when love was defined such as births, deaths and weddings. It was extremely fulfilling and rewarding as we loved photographing people on the most important days of their lives. In 2008, we decided to continue The Love Project and focused on weddings. Since, The Love Project has grown into a wedding photography studio that continues to push us as photographers and bring us joy at the same time.
TD: Can you tell me about your approach to working with brides?
JA: We love getting to know the couple’s that we photograph and more than anything feel like our job is to tell their love story. As a team and married couple, we know and understand the power of shooting images from the heart. We believe you can’t photograph what you don’t feel so we value developing a relationship with the people we photograph and we hope it comes across in all of our images. We like to think of our couples as more than a client – they’re friends. Also, we are a boutique wedding photography studio. We pride ourselves in only doing a handful of weddings every year which keeps us fresh and creative. This approach allows us to photograph the first wedding of the season like the last with an abundance of creativity and excitement.
TD: What is your style of photography?
JA: We like to say that we cross the lines between fine art and documentary photography. Trained as documentary photographers, we love to capture tender and storytelling moments. At the same time, we want to make images that are timeless works of art.
TD: How many people shoot for The Love Project Weddings?
JA: Two photographers. Jenn Ackerman and Tim Gruber, a married couple, are the photographers behind The Love Project. Both are international award-winning photographers. We have an interesting perspective as a couple photographing weddings. We are in tune with how each other ticks and we’ve used this team approach on a variety of projects including our work for Miss Universe, The New York Times, and our Emmy-winning prison documentary.
TD: What advice would you offer to brides when selecting their wedding photographer?
JA: Aside from creativity, rapport is the most important ingredient to great photos. Making sure you both feel comfortable with your photographer is really important as they will be with you for the majority of your wedding day. You should also be excited to give your photographer creative freedom on your wedding day. You should hire someone that you have confidence will make beautiful images no matter the moment.
TD: What is your favorite time of the day to shoot weddings?
JA: Beautiful light is an important ingredient to making great photos so obviously we’re attracted to the times of day like dawn or dusk. However, some of our best photos this year actually came from overcast and thunderous skies. Overcast skies are great as it acts like one big softbox making for great diffused light. So while it may add a little drama to the day, we’re not opposed to the dramatic light a storm can bring.
TD: Lastly, what is the one thing you cannot start your day without?
JA: These two things get me going in the morning. I (Jenn) need a good morning kiss from Tim and my To-Do List posted on my keyboard from the night before.
TD: Jenn, thank you so much for the interview!
Featured below are photos from The Love Project Weddings of an Outer Banks destination wedding in Corolla, NC. Please note that Corolla is not pronounced like the car, rather locals call it Kuh-RAH-Luh, where the second syllable sounds like “all”. Hey lovelies, this is Eastern North Carolina.
I love this photo and that the guys sported Chuck Taylors!!
Matt and Adrienne’s wedding on 10-10-10 was filled with glorious details from head to toe – her birdcage veil to his Chuck Taylors. It was an October day on the Outer Banks you dream of for your wedding – 80 degrees and sunny. Shortly after Adrienne cheered on her beloved Redskins to victory, she walked to the beach and down the aisle. With the help of The Embellishers, all of their details came together beautifully, many of which Adrienne created herself. ~Jenn Ackerman
To view more work from The Love Project Weddings, please be sure to visit their company website and blog and if you are planning a destination wedding in the Outer Banks, please be sure to consider this fabulous husband and wife team, Jenn and Tim.
Contributing Wedding Vendors:
Cater: Good Life Gourmet
Reception: Gertrudes Breakaway, a Beach Realty/Kitty Hawk Rentals for Weddings and Special Events
Wedding Florist and Day of Coordinator: The Embellishers
Wedding Cake: Great Cakes
Ceremony Musician: Roy Murray
Reception Music: DJ Bruce
Read MoreDay After Wedding + Vendor Chat with Lindsay Corrigan
Vendor Name: Lindsay Ann Corrigan
Company Website: www.onceuponatimephotos.com
I am excited about today’s post for a couple of reasons. I had the opportunity to interview the fabulous Lindsay Ann Corrigan and I am featuring a few photos from my first clients who actually had a trash the dress or day-after wedding photo session, which were photographed by Lindsay. Why the excitement?
We are breaking ice in Eastern North Carolina (ENC). You see, although the popularity of “trash the dress” sessions are increasingly popular among brides across the country, in ENC it is still relatively new despite our numerous destination wedding locations. Translation, most of my clients have not been interested in trashing their wedding gowns. Seriously, you would think it was a taboo to suggest it.
Perhaps after viewing a few images of Kristi and Joe’s “day-after wedding” photo session, (actually it took place after their honeymoon) more of you Carolina brides will be interested in booking what Lindsay calls her “All Dressed Up” day-after wedding photo shoot, which is ideal for brides who do not mind having some fun and getting a wee bit dirty, but without fully tarnishing their wedding gowns. Say in natural setting with lush greenery, sand, and water?
The Interview
I first met Lindsay at a bridal show back in February. Let me say, she has such a warm and genuine spirit that just draws you in. Don’t you just love it when you get that feeling upon first meeting someone? I do.
Okay, here is my interview.
TD: What is the story behind Once Upon a Time Photographic Artistry?
LC: I worked as a newspaper reporter and photojournalist for a short time during college and fell in love with capturing the amazing stories people have to tell, especially the ones filled with joy and emotion. The idea of a portrait career had just started to form in my mind when a friend of a friend asked me to photograph her wedding. I was smitten! It was a dream come true to be able to capture and retell over and over with my camera all the symbolic details, emotions, expressions, and events that made up their wedding story. So I added weddings to my portrait idea and Once Upon a Time Photographic Artistry was born.
TD: Can you tell me about your approach to working with brides?
LC: I sit down with the couple and get to know their story: the first date, the proposal, special memories, wedding dreams, anything they are willing to share with me. Then I envision how I will bring out who they are as a couple in their photographs. On the wedding day, I do my best to help the couple enjoy their wedding day, and I stay on task to ensure I accomplish their wishes.
TD: What about your style of photography?
LC: I enjoy using artistic elements, such as unique angles and contrast. I tend to lean toward non-traditional portrait journalism technique, which incorporates candid shooting and guided posing to create a natural look. My subjects are the focus and my goal is to capture their true beauty. I also like to incorporate locations, architecture and props that are unique or meaningful to bring out their personalities.
TD: How many people shoot for Once Upon a Time Photos?
LC: I am the only photographer at Once Upon a Time Photos, but there are three other photographers that I hire as second shooters on a regular basis.
TD: What advice would you offer to brides when selecting their wedding photographer?
LC: Look for a photographer with a style that you love! Make sure to see a handful of entire wedding collections by each photographer you consider, meet with the photographer before signing a contract and get references from former brides.
TD: What is your favorite time of the day to shoot weddings?
LC: Late afternoon weddings work the best because we can shoot portraits during the early evening, which offers the most romantic and appealing lighting.
TD: Lastly, what is the one thing you cannot start your day without?
LC: Prayer!
TD: Same here…love it!
Now a few photos from my clients’ “day after wedding” photo session. Their session took place in the historic town of New Bern in a secluded park located on the Neuse River, which is located in the Crystal Coast region of North Carolina.
Kristi also invited her sister, Kara, who was also her maid of honor along to join in on the fun. As you can see, Kristi did not get in the water with her actual wedding gown. She was willing to do the sand, but she changed into a bridesmaid dress and trash it with her maid of honor. Talk about fun! I love that she got her sister involved.
Actually, this got me thinking, “why not ask your bridesmaids to join in all the fun?” Think about it. Are they likely to wear their gown again? Probably not. If so, a little water may not necessarily cause any damage depending on the fabric. Kristi told met when they got home, they
…threw them into the washing machine–after all they were already trashed, so if the washing machine ruined them, who cares–they came out PERFECTLY clean! I steamed them with my fabric steamer and they’re good as new again!
I hope you enjoyed the interview with Lindsay, owner of Once Upon A Time Photographic Artistry and are encouraged to live it up a little and book a trash the dress or day-after wedding session. Trust me you will have a ton of fun and you will have the memories captured in time to share with your grandchildren some day. Please leave us some comment love. To view more photos from this session, please visit and subscribe to Lindsay’s photography blog.
Read MoreDestination Weddings – Vero Beach, FL (Part 2)
On Friday, I started talking about the Vero Beach “familiarization trip” I attended for destination wedding planners. On our first day there, we attended a “Welcome Reception” at the Vero Beach Hotel and Club (a Kimpton Hotel), which provided us with an opportunity to get acquainted with each other over hor d’oeuvres and cocktails to the sound of steel drums being playing in the background.
Where is Tabitha? I’m in the background in my signature color, “turquoise” in the 3rd photo (top row).
The Vero Beach Hotel and Spa is a very charming and elegant beachfront resort, which would be perfect for hosting a modern, yet traditional style wedding among your closest family and friends.
The property is magnificent and they offer several options for hosting a lavish wedding ceremony, including exchanging vows beach side on their patio or under their gazebo, as well as an indoor space for an elaborate wedding reception for up to 200 guests.
Following our “Welcome Reception,” we were whisked away by Magic Carpet Ride,a family owned motor coach company who provided transportation for us over the course of our trip, to our after party.More to come in another blog post. Stay tuned by subscribing to my blog.
Photo Credits: PS Photography (1,2); Vero Beach Hotel & Spa (3)
Read MoreDestination Weddings – Vero Beach (Part I)
Last week, I had the honor of attending the “Discover Love” Familiarization Trip in Vero Beach for destination wedding planners courtesy of the Indian River County Chamber of Commerce. They hosted 40 of us from across the United States to learn more about their area as a destination wedding location.
Let’s just say that I felt in love with the area from the time my flight landed in Melbourne, FL and I hopped into a town car for the 40 minute ride to Vero Beach. My host hotel was Costa D’este Beach Resort and Spa, owned by Emilio and Gloria Estefan. The resort is very modern, zen, and it suited me very well.
The ambiance is just fabulous. Truly, you can escape from it all while residing at this resort. The moment I stepped into my room, I turned the air condition off and open up the sliding doors so that I could hear the ocean and feel the breeze. Even when it stormed that evening, I left the doors to the balcony open as I got ready for our Welcome Reception at the Vero Beach Hotel and Club. Everything about the style and furnishings of my room at Costa D’Este resort was zen.
The bathroom was fabulous, especially the shower and the bed slept heavenly. Of course, it’s truly about the details. Each evening when I headed back to my room, my secret elf had sneaked in and pulled the bed linens back, placed a bathrobe across the bed, dimmed the lights, and left me a “sweet treat” of chocolate. If you will take look at the flower artwork in the headboard on the bed in the photo above…this actual lights up with very dim lighting. This is one of the things my secret elf would have had turned on each evening. Talk about creating an atmosphere that nurtures love and complete relaxation.
Brides and grooms, this is a beautiful place to host not only a wedding, but your honeymoon. More details from my trip to Vero Beach to come, including detailed information about hosting a destination wedding in Indian River County. Please stay tuned by subscribing to my blog.
Photos Courtesy of PS Photography (1); Nathalie Cadet-James (2); and Costa D’Este (3 & 4)
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