This last week was a BLUR. A week packed full of birthday parties, long nights with Gavin not sleeping great, work, and of course Melissa doing a little something awesome it seemed like every day to help me celebrate my birthday week. If you don't know about Melissamakah (and Milesmakah) you should ask sometime. It's a bit ridiculous. Anyway, as the end of the week rolled around I geared up for Saturday's wedding on my birthday excited of course for Carolyn and Brian's big day - though if I'm honest pouting a bit about working on my birthday while Melissa and Gavin took the day to hang out. The minute Laura and I showed up all of that went right away. This couple is so laid back and so sweet it must have been easy for me to forget how great this wedding was likely to be. From the moment we I walked in and Carolyn gave me my birthday hat I was pretty sure we were going to have a blast.
On task and on time all day, par for the course with Carolyn, we had more than enough time scheduled in for EVERYTHING they wanted. We started hair and makeup at the Garden Room in the bridal suite with a team full of stylists and makeup artists, moms, family members and friends in and out all morning. By noon the flowers had arrived, the details were shot, and we were well on our way to getting Carolyn all ready for the big day.
The rest went quick, except for a few important moments. Right before the first look Aaron - one of our favorite videographers, grabbed Brian to ask him a few quick questions about how we was feeling. As if we'd all forgotten why we were there except for him, Brian got quiet, calm, and smiled. He simply forgot to say all the cheesy taglines guys use over and over to express themselves and instead went right to the heart. I swear I saw Laura tear up, and all three of us were a bit at a loss for words with how sweet this guy's heart is for his now wife.
A few minutes later she walked up behind him and the day picked up again. His hand instantly to his mouth as he turned to see her their couples photos were nothing short of sweet as we stood back and just let things unwind. The ceremony itself was less that 7 or 8 minutes, or so it seemed. Short and sweet and off to a delicious dinner getting the crowd ready to dance late into the night.
This was a perfectly Carolyn & Brian wedding filled with all the important people. Thanks you two! If you're reading this RIGHT NOW you need to get back to Hawaii and enjoy the rest of your honeymoon! {miles}
(more...)
It is inevitable that the goal of your day is for everything to be just holistically pretty. You spend hours and hours (years even) putting together the pieces to the puzzle that is your wedding day. Binders are made, planners are hired, countless conversations take place, and the planning quickly becomes the center of your focus. Well, you know the phrase, "It's the little things that count?" we are here to add a little wind to that already burning fire. Everyone loves the extravagance of the venue, the decadence of the reception, and the romance of day. What we get to do is bring attention to all the details that bring the pieces of the big day together. Here are the top ten "little things" that we have grown to love shooting and have found really bring everything together nicely:
1. For her: You think you can't pull it off, but you can. Today is your day. Your dress can be as extravagant or as simple as YOU want it to be. Get sheik with a dress that is fitted through the hips. You can be the girl you see in Vogue, InStyle, and Cosmo. If that's not your thing, get sweet and classy with a sweetheart neckline and huge skirt. If you want to feel like a princess, look like one! Don't settle with something safe, it is your time to shine. 2. For him: As much as this day is about your girl, she wants you to feel awesome too. That is what will make HER happy. So, go for it. Go all out with some Ascots and argyle socks. Get fancy and fun with a cumber bun and bow tie. Personally, I love the hipster look with suspenders and either slip ons or penny loafers. Make it you, but make it you with a little gumption. 3. To wear: Spruce up your doo with a a diamond filed hair comb, perfect your neckline with a delicate diamond pendant, frame your flawless face with earrings that nearly touch your shoulders.4. To eat: The cake not only tastes delicious at the end of your day full of family and romance, but looks incredible. Go tall and simple with a seven layered white tower cake, go short a extravagant with floral detail on a three layered square cake. Go for an expression of you, whether it's elegant, decadent, vintage, or high class, go all out. 5. To eat on: It's one of those things you don't have to think long about, but could potentially set your reception apart. The tableware you use brings a special flare to the decor, so compliment the feel you already have going with the style and color and then move on ahead to the next item of business. 6. To look at and to smell: Your flowers are an essential to your wedding day. They're the cherry on top of a sundae. In trying to decide which flowers to go with, consider your dress and your bridesmaid's dresses. Think of a flower that is significant to you. 7. To keep for later: Create name cards for your guests, design large posters to personalize your reception, keep the style consistent with your programs and schedules. We love to get shots of these, because they make your wedding specific to you.8. To center your table: Whether your reception table is round or rectangular center it with a lamp chandelier or elaborate flowers. Put candles in lanterns or wine corks in mason jars. Have fun with it. 9. To leave with your bridal party: Brides, get your girls something unique. We all have enough necklaces and bracelets from weddings passed. Get creative with a coupon for a "free date with the new bride" to catch up on life post-honeymoon. Go thoughtful with a picture and a poem to represent your friendship. Go chic with a pair of killer pumps. Whatever you do, make it different. Groom, get your guys something practical. Your creative could be a day at the driving range, post-honeymoon for some man time. Your thoughtful could be a custom engraved pipe for each of the guys. Rather than going chic, go fun with tickets to the next big game. You're not bound by what's already been done. 10. To top it off: of course include something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue.
In all of this, we love what you put into your day. The decisions you make the visions you have. We get to capture {the little things} that tie it all together. Keep it consistent and keep it personal. Choose a style that is you and that is the very best version of you. You'll remember your day by the memories you make and the pictures we take, so we'll capture what you create and you'll never forget.
(more...)
Over the weekend we had the chance to work with a dream team of Vendors to pull off one of the most beautiful receptions we've shot in awhile. BUT before that came Lisa & Andrew. Lisa is basically nothing short of beautiful. So refined, and collected, Lisa's bright blonde hair and dramatic looks were something we were all excited about from the very beginning. The beautiful thing about this couple spreads through to Andrew as well. Andrew comes across laid back and polite with such a sweet heart for Lisa. Easily one of the most photogenic grooms we've worked with, this couple really was a dream come true.
The two together are quirky and funny. They do everything right cuddling, holding hands, complimenting each other, and being so full of fun and excitement about their big day. We started the day off at the Embassy Suites in Rogers where the reception was being set up downstairs. One of our favorite wedding planners, Amy Bates (
bates-events.com) was putting together an incredible vision filled with flowers from Shirly's and BEAUTIFUL paper goods from Amy Hannon.
We had a blast with these two and their classic, elegant style. Lisa and Andrew, we hope this post finds you a few days into your honeymoon in Hawaii having the time of your lives! THANK YOU! {miles}
(more...)
Starting a NEW blog thread on here. We've got all kinds of new things in the works for this silly blog - who knew SO many of you guys kept up! SO - in addition to our {SNEAK PEEKS}, {ASK // US}, {TOP 10's} and {LOVE STORIES} we're adding on with a little fun stuff. {LITTLE THINGS} is coming soon (posts about the little parts of our lives that we just love), BUT FIRST here's a new one. {TIMEOUT}. All about the random little things that happen that people just need to know (for no real reason).
Let's keep this short and sweet. Anybody who's married knows your spouse secretly loves driving you nuts. I know Melissa didn't do this on purpose, BUT somewhere deep down she is going to love knowing that it's making me lose my mind. Last week she baked the best cookies I've ever tasted - I think they were peanut butter, oatmeal, Reeces Pieces or something wonderful. Anyway being somewhat health conscious she only baked half the batch and froze the other half. The problem is EVERY TIME I open the freezer amidst somewhat healthy options for meals and snacks is this rock hard, completely unsnackable, delicious brick of cookie dough. I've tried breaking off pieces, I've tried sneaking little spoonfuls. It's literally a brick and I can't break it. It may be a first world problem, but it's a REAL problem right now.
(more...)
I can definitely say that I learned two things this last weekend. 1 : the summer heat is here EARLY. I am pretty sure we all burned off more than just a couple cheeseburgers during this wedding. Normally this would have inspired me to get the biggest slice of cake I could find, BUT we were too busy out on the dance floor for cake on this one...
2 : Ascots are possibly more awesome than ever. I know it's crazy but in all of the weddings we've shot I've NEVER seen a group of groomsmen wear Ascots. Truth be told I only new what they were from old Esquire and GQ articles that I somehow managed to absorb in airports here and there. (I can't fly without good magazines.)
It's been a few years since we've been out to Bell Gable, a charming little (tiny to be honest) chapel in Fayetteville. Our weddings have outgrown the number of seats the chapel holds for the most part, BUT when Kristy and Sean decided they wanted to use the chapel as a backdrop to their vows we were pretty excited at the chance to shoot such a beautiful venue again.
Kristy and Sean ran into me at a wedding a few years back. They weren't engaged yet, but poor Sean was already getting pressure from all of Kristy's girlfriends to get that ring bought. Evidently long before I had the pleasure to know both of them they'd been well known for being "perfect" for each other. Sean - like any smart guy was patient with the ring. (side note, after knowing Sean a little better I think he found it kind of funny that Kristy was basically HANDED the bouquet at the wedding we met at) Anyway, fast forward a few years and a few more friends weddings that we've all hung out at and here we are.
You'd be hard pressed to find a couple more comfortable around eachother. They spent their days mostly apart of course but from the time Sean walked up behind Kristy for the first look, until we hugged them both goodbye hours and hours later I'm not sure they were ever really apart. The wedding was beautiful, full of tastefully simple details. The nice part of having a wedding at Bell Gable is that there's simply very little to do that would even be noticed against the backdrop of the venue itself. One of our favorite florists (
http://www.julesdesignevents.com/) pulled together some beautiful floral work and the rest was really left up to Bell Gable.
Such a fun day with these two as they tied a long awaited knot - and the reception was the perfect period to the day. Simple, tasteful food, delicious (looking) cake, (I'm still bitter about that one), and plenty of dancing and fun with a huge group of friends and family. Thanks and Congrats to Kristy and Sean! {miles}
(more...)
Read More Posts From Miles Witt Boyer Photography
Working...