Newton White Mansion Wedding, Bowie, MD - Jay & Chelsea Jackson

They both attended Howard University. She was a cute, "no-nonsense" soccer player. He was a handsome football player and indulged in all the popularity that came with it.  They became good friends, and admittedly, he wasn't the "settling-down-with-one-girl" type. So, friends they remained for a long time. But all the signs were there...the daily phone calls (that you find yourself looking forward to more and more)...the constant questions from friends asking "what's up with you and Chelsea"? and all the comments about how the two of them would make a cute couple. And, when she loves Beyonce as much as he loves Jay-Z (No...Seriously...they LOVE Beyonce and Jay-Z), you just kinda know that these two have the potential to have a beautiful relationship.

Memorial Day weekend will forever mark the moment a road trip with friends suddenly turns into something more....something more romantic...something more endearing...something more like...well...LOVE.  Chelsea and her friends and Jay and his friends met at a club.  Chelsea, excited to see all her friends, was giving hugs and kisses all around.  As Chelsea went to kiss Jay on the cheek, he turned his head and their lips met. Now, call this luck...call this destiny...or call it the seizing of an opportunity by a guy who had finally come to the realization that maybe this woman was, in fact, worth settling down with.  But whatever you call it, this night out and a stolen kiss between "friends", set into motion the love story of Chelsea and Jay.

On a rainy, Friday evening, March 2, 2012 at the beautiful Newton White Mansion decorated in shades of purple, Chelsea and Jay shared yet another significant kiss.  This one was different, however. This wasn't a mere kiss between "friends", but instead a COVENANT sealing kiss, between husband and wife.

Jay and Chelsea, thank you so much for allowing us to document your beautiful wedding.  They say if you love what you do, you never work a day in your life.  It's couples like you, wonderfully warm families like yours, and crazy, fun bridesmaids and groomsmen like yours, that make documenting weddings both an honor and a privilege, but most of all, a day where we simply get to do what we love.  Again, thank you so, so much!!!!  Congratulations!! Please know that you're forever our friends, and we're here if you need ANYTHING!

Love

Staci and Janna

Vendors:

Wedding Director - Mrs. Nell Hooper-Williams
Cater - MK Catering, Hyattsville, MD - http://www.mkcatering.com
DJ - Miss DJ Gemz, Washington, DC - http://www.misdjgemz.com
Photography - Elizabeth Lynn Photography - http://www.elizabethlynnphotography.com/blog

 

Tearney and Stanley Wedding Baltimore, MD

On a brisk snowy October day in Baltimore, MD we had the opportunity to "capture" the love of Tearney and Stanley Holmes, along with Gary Gibson of Gallery Photo and Imaging, as they exchanged vows at Set the Captives Free Outreach Center.

As we watched Tearney and Stanley spin playfully on the dance floor one thing occurred to me...  As we search for a mate, it is better to wait on God to choose for us.  It has become abundantly clear that God will always choose a better mate for you than you could  possibly choose for yourself.  This can be seen in the love shared between Tearney and Stanley. They put God first in their lives and waited on Him to bring them together. With God, you cannot fail.

Tearney and Stanley, it was a great pleasure documenting your day.  Thank you for granting us this special privilege.  May God bless you and your marriage for all of your days.

You can see the rest Of Gary Gibson's amazing images here! Enjoy

Janna and Staci

 

 

Event Planner - Stephanie Grayson of Graceful Elegance

Make-up- Qiana Bannister

Venues - Set the Captives Free Outreach Center and The Forum Caterers

Photography Principal Shooters -  Gary Gibson of Gallery Photo and Imaging

Photography Second Shooter - Elizabeth Lynn Photography

Floral Design - Judy Overman of Flowers by Judy

Videographer - Jay Mcleod and Lee Mcleod of Videoscapes

Silver Spring, Maryland Anniversary Party - Newlywed Inspiration

As wedding photographers, so much of our focus is on the very first day of the marriage. We're completely enamored by wedding day details (rings, flowers, cakes, dresses, shoes).  If we had an infinite amount of time, there's no limit to how creative we could get in capturing our brides primping and prepping and capturing every magical moment of them stepping into their wedding dress.  The exchanging of the vows so poignant, that it transports us back to that very day we exchanged vows with our own beaus.  And even as we're nearing exhaustion, there's nothing quite as fun as the celebratory vibe of a great wedding reception.

BUT...every now and then...every so often... (even for the brides-to-be who are still in the planning phase) it helps to remember the goal...to remember there's life (i.e. a roller coaster ride) after the wedding day...to remember THE COVENANT- "for better or for worse...til death do us part...in sickness and health" (we don't want to call anybody out, Kim Kardashian, but we're just sayin'...).

We had the pleasure and the honor of shooting the surprise anniversary party of a beautiful (and I do mean beautiful...check out the purple dress below) couple that epitomizes "the goal" and the covenant of marriage, and they've got the 50 years experience to prove it.  That's right...50 years of marriage.  50 years may seem unobtainable, but then you meet James and Eudelle Bolden and you're all of a sudden inspired.

You'll see below that this party was complete! Guests of honor who were completely surprised, lots of friends and family who came from far and wide including groomsmen and bridesmaids from their wedding party, and beautiful liturgical dance tribute to Eudelle  who LOVES to dance and directs in her church's dance ministry.

The love of James and Eudelle permeated the place and it reminds us that although marriage is a difficult journey, it is obtainable and it can be ours.  Who wouldn't want that? After all, there is nothing sweeter than lasting love.

Enjoy!

Janna and Staci

 

 

Wedding Trends for the Fall 2011

Personally for me... there is nothing better than a fall wedding.  I LOVE the fall! Call me biased because I was born in the fall but fall is sooo beautiful! The rich colors are absolutely incredible.  The reds, the oranges, the yellows and even the browns look good!! Can you say GORGEOUS!!?? I can...GORGEOUS!!  You can NEVER go wrong with a fall wedding!!  Here are some of the latest fall wedding trends that I absolutely love!



L to R:  Wedding Paper Divas Artistic Maple Wedding Invitation, Dessy Bridesmaid dress, Maple syrup bottle, Tablesetting, Centerpiece, Fall Wedding Bouquet, Personalized Fall Cookies, Wedding Cake

This season weddings have moved towards more traditional romantic styles incorporating heirlooms in their styling.  Many brides choose to go the DIY route allowing for a more personalized feel that allows the bride and groom's personality to really shine through.  Some brides use mason jars on tables to hold arrangements instead of vases.  I've also seen clothes pins used to hold seating cards. These concepts help the bride and groom make the wedding their own and very unique to them.  Think of ideas that represent you!



Brides are opting to have their weddings outside using nature as a beautiful backdrop for their day as opposed to choosing an indoor venue.  This can be a photographer's dream because their is nothing more beautiful than the perfect natural light on a perfect day!  Imagine exchanging vows with your significant other as leaves cascade from the rustling trees.  OMG, how romantic is THAT!! If I could go back in time and get married again I would definitely choose an outdoor location (what was I thinking?).

Rich colors and jewel tones are in this season. Plum dresses are hot , as well as emerald green, and cobalt blue.  As a photographer all I can say is that I LOVE this!!  I live for colors that POP!  Give me some color to work with and I am super happy and as a client you certainly will be too  :) This goes for shoes as well! Drop that tired ole white shoe! Get a shoe with the some color and flare! Your shoes will be the talk of the town trust me on this... I know.

Well ladies and gents, these are a few of the latest trends that I love the most this season.  Find out what works for you and your groom and ROCK your wedding!!! Fall 2011!

 

Things We Love #2 -- Don't Forget the Details

To a bride, their wedding can be an exciting affair that goes by quickly, in a whirlwind of emotions.  Brides can easily miss the small but significant details of their own wedding that they planned, from the location of the wedding down to the favors that they plan to give to each and every guest.  They might not get the chance to sit back, relax and enjoy the beauty that they've created especially for this day!

This is precisely why we love "Shooting the Details"! The details are all of the things that tell the story of the wedding day.

Maybe the bride looked high and low to find the one and only vendor that could create a customized banner that illustrates the eternal bond that she shares with her husband to be.

Maybe she selected the perfect pair of shoes that shows her personality through and through.

or maybe, just maybe their shoes tell the story of their courtship...

These are the  memorable moments that add to a compelling story and make their story complete. When a bride looks through her wedding album, and can appreciate how beautiful her wedding day really was, we can be confident in knowing that the details have told a significant part of the story  and will never be forgotten.

 

 

Things We Love #1 - Upcycled Wedding Envelopes

As you know, we are very much conceptual photographers.  That means that we are constantly looking for creative shoot concepts to infuse into the photography coverage on the wedding day.  It doesn't have to be anything major like a styled shoot concept (although we do love styled photo shoots), but something simple and unique in a few of the pre-wedding photographs is always fun.

So for LaDane and Mawuli's wedding we wanted to try this confetti shot that was DIY inspired. Of course we needed confetti, right?  Well! Do you know how hard it is to find cool confetti in this town of ours? We eventually resorted to making our own confetti, which was used in some of the shots, but we also wanted something with bigger paper pieces.  Again, finding it in Bowie....NOT! So, we went to good ol' trusty Etsy.  WE LOVE ETSY!  In fact, ETSY should have been the first post for "things we love!" We clicked on pages, and page, and pages of shops selling confetti, and just as we were nearing the final few pages, we stumbled on Lyndsay's shop, and she had exactly what we wanted in the colors we needed! Yay, Lyndsay! Our Hero!!!

We feverishly ordered the confetti (we're about 6 days out from the wedding at this point) and await its arrival from Canada praying that it arrives in time.  It does. Yay, Lyndsay! Our Hero!!!  But not only does it arrive on time, it arrived in the cutest little bridal envelope made from wedding magazines (so "GREEN").  It was just adorable!

We think these envelopes would be particularly cute for wedding planners. Use them to send notes to your clients!

Check out Lyndsay's Etsy shop HERE !

Here are the envelopes...  By the way, these images are courtesy of Lyndsay herself, who happens to be a photographer.  We LOVE showing LOVE to fellow photographers!!!

Edible Arrangements For the Wedding Day

I wish we could take credit for this brilliant idea, but we can't. We will, however, pass this little tip on so that you can come out looking brilliant and wonderful for your next wedding or event.

We all know the day of the wedding is a bit hectic. Whether you're a bride, a bridesmaid, a groom or a vendor, somehow eating really kind of falls to the bottom of the priority list when you're trying to get prepared to walk down the isle.  Well, at our last wedding, someone was wise and creative enough to put it at the top of their priority list, and what a world of difference it made.

My bride sat there getting her make-up done and all the bridesmaids and groomsmen were scattered throughout various rooms in the house prepping, as well.  The vendors, including, Janna and I, were working extremely hard in 90 degree weather.  Suddenly, in walks someone carrying a huge Edible Arrangements bouquet that had just been delivered to the venue.  What a fabulous sentiment, and the bride was soooooo surprised!!!!   Darn!!!!! Why didn't we think of it???!!!!  Anywho....kudos to whoever  it was that sent the delicious Edible Arrangement.  You are a hero!!!!

Why is it such a great idea...

1. It's just a sweet (no pun intended) sentiment.  The idea that someone had the forethought to ensure that the bride/groom and bridal party had something to eat, is heartwarming.


2. It's good, light and quick. No one wants to eat anything too, too heavy prior to the wedding, and on a 90-degree day, like we had, the fruit was very refreshing. As a photographer, it was easy enough to grab a stick and go. Disclaimer: I know some photographers would not dare eat while shooting an event, but in this case, our team arrived extremely early to have some wiggle room. Plus we had the privilege of having the most awesome  bride, groom, wedding party, and mother-of-the-bride who went out of their way to make sure we had eaten and had something to drink.


3. CONVENIENCE - this is the key selling point for us.  Think about the wedding party, especially the brides, bridesmaids, mother-of-bride/groom, hostesses.  If they're already in full make-up, they need something that they can eat without making too much of a mess of their lipstick and make-up.  Since, the fruit comes on a stick, it's very easy to share and doesn't require anyone to run around looking for plates and forks.

So, that's the story.  Everywhere you looked someone was munching on a stick of refreshing fruit.

If you're a vendor (wedding planner, photographer, make-up artist, caterer), and you want to go above and beyond for your bride and groom, consider having an Edible Arrangement delivered to the wedding venue or wherever the bridal party is getting ready on the day of the wedding.   You're wedding party will be most appreciative.

And because every blog post is better with a picture...