Yes yes… so this started out as an innocent walk through the woods, a post nuptial “bridal” session with Kristen and her handsome hubby… and then I said… “How brave are you?”  She of COURSE said she was up for anything because of COURSE SS&G brides are amazing and wonderful nurturers of my ideas!  (I love my brides!!!)  So off we went.

Granted we went the LONG way, bruised and cut our feet in TOO many ways, ended up wet up to our waists, but MAN… was it worth it!  I give you… Bridal Waterfall photos. 

Kristen and Ben’s Wedding was amazing and we were honored to be a part of it.  We are sad that Ben’s military career has led their life to Alabama but we know that they will continue to be blessed wherever they go!

Is Kristen stunning or WHAT?!!!  I literally gasped out loud when I saw this one pop up on my screen while downloading.  I always think my work is nice or pretty but to capture something that is breath taking… I am blessed!!

Location was the gorgeous Talon Winery.

The florals were amazing by Suzi Hjorth of Magnolia Floral Design.

Cake by the awesome Martine of Martine’s Pastries.

Wedding Planning by Jackie Lee of Every Last Detail.

View the COMPLETE ISSUE HERE

Not to mention our amazing ad with another of our fabulous couples, Maureen and Chad (wedding pics to come!)

So lets discuss… the dress.  Personally… I call it Classical elegance but honestly I think it was a bit STIFF.  I honestly thought that Kate would be enough of her own woman to pick something a little more stylish.  I saw her wearing something more like what her SISTER Pippa wore honestly!  I would love to know if she had a more stylish dress for later in the day.  I guess my question was answered though after William refused to wear a wedding band… Something about that just doesn’t sit right with me. 

According to Harper’s Bazaar : “Kate Middleton is wearing an Alexander McQueen wedding gown. The Arts and Crafts-inspired design was specially made for the princess-to-be in silk gazar. The Royal School of Needlework, based out of Hampton Court Palace, crafted the intricate lace bodice and sleeves, and created the veil as well. We love the McQueen signature corseting and the long sleeves; both are sure to set trends. Her tiara, which has also been the subject of much speculation, is a Cartier “halo” tiara, previously worn by the Queen Mother. Her diamond oak-leaf earrings are by Robinson Pelham and were a gift from her parents”

Image Courtesy: Harper’s Bazaar

Now… here’s the fun part.

I want to know what YOU think about Princess Kate’s Dress…

Weigh in with your opinion in the comments below and you could win a complimentary 11×14 portrait to use on your Engagement, Bridal or Wedding Day images!!!

I will choose a winner from the comments on Monday morning!

Tracy and Adam will be getting married this summer in Somerset, Kentucky and the whole SS&G crew is looking forward to their fabulous wedding day!

For their engagement photos we headed out to Somerset and to The Coal Reserve.  I have to say that I have seen a LOT of venues and this place WOWed me!  Brides in the area looking for a venue… we got a sneak peek of what I am sure will be one of the most sought after venues in the Somerset area and it was nothing short of AMAZING!

It’s always fun to work with couples whom we have previously met.  Adam was a member of Dackery’s wedding party a few years back at Cumberland Falls (Remember Chelsen and Dackery?!  They had a stunning wedding ) and Dackery (our former groom) will be a member of Adam’s wedding party this summer.

Adam is a Pulaski County Sheriff’s Deputy!  Obviously, from the photos you can tell that he takes pride in his work.  We were stoked to get to work with Adam IN UNIFORM!  I love it when couples prepare for their engagement sessions and have ideas that are uniquely them!  It was definitely a first for me but we loved it!  I think the pics of Adam in uniform turned out especially fabulous!

We even took a few just for the Sheriff! 

If you didn’t notice the “coal” theme… its there notice this pile of rocks in the landscaping?  Not just rocks… coal!  Even the “bark” around the landscaping was coal chunks!

Indoors there were these towering 20-30 foot walls that were made from stacked stone coal!  Even the fireplace had coal chunks in it instead of “glass”… All very special and amazing.

We are totally excited for their upcoming wedding day and know that it will be a beautiful and memorable event for all!!!

I have to say one of those things that I think is a REALLY neat idea and something that I would like to see a LOT more of (hint hint brides!) is a monogram on the aisle.  Whether it is a monogrammed aisle runner in a church or a neatly placed FLOWER monogram in the grass for an outdoor ceremony, they add such a pop of color and a touch of class to ANY ceremony.

This monogram (above- “P” monogram) was created with Rose petals by the fabulous Suzi Hjorth at Magnolia Floral Design for Mackenzie and Chris Powers’ ceremony at the Andover Country Club in Lexington.  A simple drape between the chairs was a gentle urging for the guests to enter the aisles from the exterior so that the monogram would stay in place until after the bride walked down the aisle.

This aisle was done in Daises for Chelsen & Dackery Larkey’s Wedding at Cumberland Falls.  Their ceremony overlooked the falls and this monogrammed aisle was among MANY sentimental parts of the ceremony.

Or… if you are not that crafty you can always just fill the entire aisle with petals like Ruth at Carol Lynn Originals did for Kimberlee and Denver Haddix’s ceremony at Talon Winery.  It was also elegant and added just the right pop of color to the aisle!  A lot of people forget that the AISLE will be in ALL of your wedding ceremony so it really is important to decorate it if you can.

Here are some other great ideas from the web:

Images courtesy: the knot . wedding by color . explosions 500 . beautiful beginnings events . jose villa . wedding on the brain

via: utahbrideblog.com

Image Courtesy: IDOweddingdetails.com

Image Courtesy: lovelyweddings.com

Image Courtesy: Kio Kreations (on Etsy – follow link to purchase one of these fabulous pieces!)

Image courtesy: N&L Notes.com

I have known Lynn for a while now through a parent board that we are both members of.  Her daughter shares a few of Kyleigh’s medical issues so we bonded quickly over talks of surgeries and other medical kid related stuff!

When Lynn asked me to photograph her beautiful family I, of COURSE, said yes!  I could take a million photographs in my lifetime but the ones that I will always remember are the ones that were unique and special.  When you have a friendship like Lynn and I do, it makes creating beautiful memories for their family, that much more special!

I also have to say… that these are some of my favorite family photos that I have ever taken to date! 

I even managed to get the boys to smile… REAL smiles!  That is always an accomplishment.  Having two boys myself I know how hard this can sometimes be!

Having my daughter as the youngest child I have to say that there is a SPECIAL bond between a mom and her daughter.  I could not love my boys any more if I tried but there is just something about a mom and daughter that is different than any other relationship in the world!!  I always love capturing photos that express that bond!

And yes… we make menfolk look cool too   Thanks for posing for me guys!

Obviously you can tell we had a blast as traffic was zipping by and honking all the way!  I mean… who WOULDN’T honk at these three beautiful ladies??!!

I also had a blast working with Miss Commonwealth, Kelly Casey, who was a top ten finalist for Miss Kentucky!!!  Congrats Kelly!  We love you!

We are getting in the Spirit of the Season here at the old SS&G.  We know that the economy has hit everyone hard.  It has been a rough year for us and I know it must be for others also!

Everyone deserves good photography!  We think that every wedding day should be accompanied by amazing portraits to remember it by! So… we want YOU!

We are giving away a $500 gift certificate.  That is HALF off your wedding retainer payment!

All we want to know is your story!  Have you overcome great adversity in your relationship?  Had a long distance relationship?  Met in an unusual or amazing way?  Had an awesome proposal? Have a rockin’ idea for your wedding photos?  Something totally out of the ordinary – let us know that too!!

Sweet, sentimental or simply amazing… we want to hear them!

So here’s the rules:

1) Submit a photo of yourself and your fiance… we want to know who we are getting attached to!

2) Share your story.  Short, long, whatever floats your boat our only request is that they are typed!  (Easier to read that way!)  And be sure to pour on the sappiness!  The more the better!

3) Submit digitally or by mail.  If you can email the photo and story… kudos to you!  Hardcopy mail works too!  Submit entries to:

The Schmidt’s

1804 Hopemont Court

Lexington, KY 40514

4) Deadline for entries is January 2, 2009.  (giving an extra because of the holiday!!)

5) 1 couple will be chosen to receive the $500 gift certificate and winners will be announced at the January 11 at the Bridal Potpourri Bridal Show (Embassy Suites) and here on the blog on January 12th.

6) Can you enter as a surprise FOR someone else?  ABSOLUTELY!!!  Just make sure the couple is our style before hooking them up with such onconventional photographers!

7) ALL entries will recieve $100 off their wedding retainer payment just for playing!!!  YAY for parting gifts!

**now for all the boring parts… contest is open to NEW wedding clients only… old clients… hang on your contest is coming soon!… one entry per couple please… only submit if you are serious about hiring The Schmidt’s to be your wedding photographers… a wedding package purchase IS required to receive the gift certificate… gift certificate is NOT redeemable for cash or other compensation…void where prohibited (haha… always wanted to say that!)**

I got an email late last night from a beautiful family.  I had the privilege of photographing Kayla (Martin) and Jason Cole’s wedding a few years back.  Jason was in an accident on Friday evening and tragically did not make it.  My heart goes out to the entire Martin and Cole families during this sad time.  I am praying and I ask that each of my clients also, if you have a moment, would say a prayer for Kayla and the families.  I have been told that Kayla is doing extremely well, all things considered.

I had the privilege of knowing Jason for just under a year before he and Kayla were married but I know that Jason, was an amazingly sweet and caring person.  I knew from the way he looked at Kayla that he truly loved her with all his heart.  I remember that I worried about them after their wedding.  Their friends had TRASHED their car with Vaseline to seal the deal and after following them back to Lexington we had them stop at our house and use some dish detergent and a pressure washer to clean the car off before they hit the Parkway to head to their honeymoon.

My heart is absolutely broken by this news and I know that Jason’s memory will live on strong and beautifully in the mind of everyone who knew him.  Godspeed dear Jason.