The Ultimate Wedding Planning Showcase

Join Bridal Extravaganza of Atlanta as they present The Ultimate Wedding Planning Showcase on Sunday, March 6th from 1-4pm at the Forsyth Conference Center. Spend the afternoon meeting the best vendors in the area as they showcase their work with stunning table designs, beauty services, delicious tastings and more! Guest speaker Susan Graham of Susan Graham Signature Events will teach you wedding planning tips and ideas on how to weave meaningful and dramatic details into your day. For more information and to pre-register for The Ultimate Wedding Planning Showcase, visit the Bridal Extravaganza of Atlanta website.

E Session ~ Palmer and Joseph

These images of Palmer and Joseph sent to us by Glass Jar Photography are as adorable as the story of how they met. The story goes that Joseph wanted a reason to talk to and get to know Palmer, so he created a book club that met at their favorite local pub. Luckily for him his planned worked and now the happy couple are getting married in Franklin, TN at Carnation Plantation. For their engagement session the couple took some vintage inspired images at the plantation curled up on a blanket and with a bundle of books wrapped in twine to represent their courtship. Later they headed to their favorite local pub where it all started. To see more of Palmer and Joseph's engagement session and to see the beautiful video shot by Glass Jar Photography, visit their blog!

The Nichols ~ Austin, TX

Based in Austin, TX Jennifer and CJ Nichols are the talented husband and wife team behind the spectacular imagery of The Nichols. Inspired by the meaningful memories they hope to create for generations to see their photography is natural and real. Their unique perspective combines a creative stylized portrait approach with the photojournalistic ability to capture the feeling and emotions that happen as the day unfolds. Their stunning images have made them one of the most sought after photographers in the South and their work has appeared regularly in our Real Wedding features on Completely Unveiled. Read on to learn more about Jennifer and CJ and the inspiration behind the lenses of The Nichols.

The Nichols is based in Austin, TX. To contact The Nichols, visit their website here.

Weddings Unveiled: Tell us a little bit about The Nichols.

Jennifer Nichols: My husband, CJ, and I have both been photographers for over 15 years and shared a love for photography when we meet in 2000. We met while working at a summer camp for kids near Yosemite, and it didn't take long to discover that we shared a mutual love of photography. I never would have imagined that 10 years and two kids later, we'd be making a living doing what we love most! We truly enjoy working together and I couldn't imagine it any other way.

WU: How did you become a wedding photographer?

JN: We both have backgrounds in fine art photography, but any artist will tell you how difficult it can be to support yourself in the art world. After our oldest daughter was born 6 years ago, I stumbled upon some wedding photography blogs. I discovered that couples were now looking for creative, artistic wedding photography rather than the stiff, traditional wedding photography style of the past. After shooting just a few weddings, we discovered what a perfect fit it was for us and we never looked back.

WU: Digital or film or both? Why?

JN: Unlike many of our peers in the industry, CJ and I both learned the basics of photography shooting film and developing our images in the darkroom. We're both so thankful for that experience, but I couldn't imagine shooting film now, not weddings anyhow. We take so many images, and weddings are such fast-paced events with lighting situations that are constantly changing, that I couldn't imagine shooting film under those circumstances. Some wedding photographers shoot film, and do it very well, like Jose Villa. But for us, digital is the only way to go! I always daydream about setting up a darkroom and shooting film again, when our kids are in college and we have more time in the day, but for now, we're so very thankful for digital technology!

WU: Describe your wedding photography style.

JN: Bright and fresh! Our style is a mixture of photojournalism and creative portraiture. We love capturing all of the real moments that happen throughout the day, weddings are such emotion-filled events! But what I think makes us really stand out is our ability to create stylized portraits that are at same time, very natural and real.

WU: Show us your favorite wedding image and tell us why it represents who you are as wedding photographer.

JN: Wow, it was really hard to pick one! But this is definitely one of my favorites. A beautiful couple in love, gorgeous light, and genuine happiness, right after they said their "I do's." What's not to love?

WU: What inspires you?

JN: My family is what inspires me on a daily basis. I can't believe how fortunate I am to be able to work side-by-side with my husband, and to spend every day with our two beautiful girls. I'm a lucky mama!

WU: What inspires your photography?

JN: Our amazing clients, who really put their own stamp on their wedding day, from the little details to their vows. And I'm pretty sure I tear up just a little at every wedding we shoot. It's usually the father/daughter dance that gets me! Weddings are such a special occasion and the fact that our photography will potentially give our clients' children and grandchildren a glimpse into the past of such a meaningful event is always an inspiration.

WU: How do you keep your wedding photography fresh?

JN: We're so very lucky to have the opportunity to work with fun, creative couples who really trust our vision. Having that trust enables us to create images that not only capture our clients in a unique way, but is also a representation of who we are and how we see things.

WU: What makes you different from other wedding photographers?

JN: Gosh, there are so many amazing wedding photographers out there! I'm not exactly sure what makes us different, but couples that book with us generally say that our images stand out as being bright and natural.

WU: What would be your ideal wedding assignment?

JN: Mountain landscapes are my very favorite. We were married in a little chapel in Yosemite Valley almost 7 years ago, so I would love the opportunity to shoot a wedding in a beautiful mountain setting!
WU: Tell us three things you can't live without.

JN: 1) my adorable family 2) morning coffee 3) my camera

WU: What is the best advice you can give to an engaged couple?

JN: Hire vendors who you trust and enjoy being around and then let them what they do best! That way you can relax and enjoy your wedding day to the fullest.

Hayden Olivia Modern Trousseau Trunk Show

Don't miss the Modern Trousseau Spring trunk show at Charlotte, NC bridal boutique Hayden Olivia this weekend from February 25th-26th. Modern Trousseau designer Callie Tien will be on hand all weekend to work with brides and help them find their dream gown. The trunk show kicks off this Friday from 6-8pm for a meet the designer event. Brides and wedding industry professionals will enjoy spray tan services, desserts, makeup consultations swag bags and more! For more information and to book your appointment for the exclusive trunk show call Hayden Olivia at 704.333.0377.

Real Wedding ~ Kristen and Alex

Leave it to the lovely ladies of VUE Photography to share a gorgeous beach inspired wedding with us. Kristen and Alex's sophisticated and chic affair took place on the sandy white beaches of Florida planned by the talented team at It's A Shore Thing. Kristen wore a stunning Vera Wang gown with wrapped bodice and swirling frothy draped skirt and carried a cascading bouquet of orchids created by Enlighten Events. Tall frosted and white vases filled with hydrangea blossoms and milky white orchids lined the altar where Kristen and Alex exchanged vows in front of the spectacular ocean views. Designed in a palette of white and deep navy with accents in orange and natural elements of bamboo and rattan the couple's reception was filled with details. Cream high back sofas created lounge spaces for cocktail hour adorned with navy and white patterned pillows along with coral print pillows in orange. Long exposed wood tables set on the lawn as guest tables with bamboo chairs and square rattan chargers at each place setting. Arrangements of low square glass vases featuring hydrangea blooms and milky white orchid strands decorated the centers of each table along with flickering candlelight that illuminated the tables. To see more of Kristen and Alex chic Rosemary Beach wedding, visit the VUE Photography blog!

Credits:
Photography: VUE Photography. Gown: Vera Wang. Shoes: Ann Roth. Wedding Coordinator: It's A Shore Thing. Florist: Enlighten Events. Catering: Townsend Catering. Cake: Confections on the Coast. Videography: Hilton Head Productions.

Freshline

We love the fresh and whimsical designs from Huntsville, AL based illustrator Colleen and her store Freshline filled with all sorts of adorableness including her cute line of ring bearer pillows. From bold fonts, pretty patterns and whimsical bird designs these adorable ring bearer pillows would make the perfect wedding day addition and add a fun pop of color as a decorative pillow for after the big day! We've included a few of our favorite ring bearer pillow designs below, but to see the entire collection of cute graphic designs and illustrations from Freshline, visit the Freshline etsy shop!

Real Wedding ~ Anna and Paul

Designed in a rich palette of wine-colored hues accented with gold and Champagne, Anna and Paul's gorgeous downtown Lynchburg, VA wedding photographed by Sam Stroud Photo was created with a romantic vintage feel and lots of details. With it's gleaming hardwood floors and floor to ceiling columns, Tresca on 8th provided a stunning base to the decor. Swags of Champagne fabric draped between columns, while pintuck linens in deep burgundy covered the guest tables. Arrangements of submerged wine hued orchids as well as vases filled with roses, olive leaves and curly willow branches provided romantic centerpieces. Anna and Paul's head table was draped in Champagne linens with a gorgeous garland of orchids and roses mixed with grapes and pears that adorned the length of the table. Gold candelabras flanked either side of them with flickering candlelight, while their gold chiavari chairs draped with custom covers featuring their monogram provided a brilliant accent to the tablescape. To see more of Anna and Paul's romantic wedding, visit the Sam Stroud blog and don't miss the couple's beautiful wedding film from Shaking Hands Productions below.

Credits:
Photography: Sam Stroud Photo. Florist: Rod Meek & Co. Ceremony Venue: Court Street United Methodist. Reception Venue: Tresca on 8th. Lighting: Castle Event Lighting. Cake: Coffey Cakes. Cinematographer: Shaking Hands Productions. DJ: Official Entertainment.

Paul + Anna ::wedding trailer:: from Shaking Hands Productions on Vimeo.