Congratulations to the Winner of our Royal Wedding Opinions Poll!

Random.org has chosen:

Congratulations AMY SHORTRIDGE!!!

Feel free to contact that studio to claim your

free 11×14!!! (*PS we still have your engagement one too!!)

Prince William and Princess Kate… let’s talk about the Wedding Dress!!!

If you had to ask me to sum up the Royal Wedding of William and Kate in one word I would say: “STIFF” pretty much describes it!  So yes, I see tons of nontraditional ceremonies.  I see tons of CHURCH weddings too and this was one of the most stiff and orchestrated one I have ever seen.  Barely even spiritual if you ask me.  While I was happy to feel a small part of it, and enjoy the time with my daughter, I was sorely unimpressed and definitely think that my brides could whip up on some “awesome wedding” day rankings over these two ANY DAY!

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!

Join us at Simply Love Studio to celebrate the Royal Wedding of William and Kate

So yes, I am a self-proclaimed, guru of weddings.  I love weddings of all shapes, sizes and creeds but to hear that there will be a ROYAL wedding is something that truly peaks my interest.  Seeing as how I am 6 months younger (almost exactly!) than Prince William, I was not alive for the marriage of Princess Diana and Prince Charles, but I have always been fascinated.  Being a wedding photographer, and having a daughter of my own I thought it would be a nice memory for her if we celebrated.  But where?  Surely the great city of Lexington will be celebrating this historic occasion?!

ENTER: Simply Love Studio

“A Formal Affair” Royal Wedding Brunch

to celebrate the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Katherine Middleton

128 N. Broadway Lexington, KY. 40507

Invitation courtesy: www.privilegedclub.com

This is where Kyleigh and I will be celebrating the Royal Wedding and we would like to invite each of you to come along.  Even if you cannot stay, feel free to stop by and say hello!

We have been speculating and anticipating the pageantry of the day and I am sure the the Royal Family, William and Cate will not disappoint!   Do you know I actually had a dream last night that I was PHOTOGRAPHING the Royal Wedding and that Troy was in the PERFECT spot but that there were 15 other photographers who were trying to edge me out of mine!  I guess it would be an appropriate dream for a wedding photographer eh?  Alas, I will NOT be photographing this wedding but I will be happy to celebrate the wedding of more than 25 Princess Brides this year!!   To all my brides: may each of your wedding days be as magical and memorable as tomorrow will be for Will and Cate!

See you tomorrow at Simply Love!

HOT Wedding Trend Alert: Belted Gowns!

These are NOT your grandmother’s belts.  (well maybe they are if your grandma was a chic happening lady!  It could be totally cool to wear a piece of her life with you!)  I am talking some seriously cool, beautiful, amazing, totally fabulous, sometimes “bling”ed out, always stylish belts!  A really amazing belt or sash can make even the simplest wedding dress look F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S!!!!

Like this silvery gray stunner from yanethandco on Etsy:

Or this totally bling belt to add a little sparkle to your dress by IngenueB on Etsy:

Or maybe you are inspire by a softer satin look like this stunning satin sash with just a bit of bling by Untamed Petals on Etsy:

Then there is elegant, yet whimsical with something like this Vintage inspired satin flower and sash creation by GracefullyGirly on Etsy:

Or maybe you would think of using a belt / sash as a pop of color to tie in a colorful wedding theme with something like this stunning Teal Rhinestone Flower sash by peaceandglorydetails on Etsy:

Or MAYBE your dress stands on it’s own but you would rather wear a belt in your hair!  Today’s headbands seem to be the love child of the headbands we knew and loved as kids and a satin ribbon!  Something like this could be perfect from LoBoheme on Etsy:

At any rate I truly do this that this trend of belts and bows is fabulous.  It is the perfect way to add a little extra sparkle and pizazz to your wedding attire without altering your dress design.  Oftentimes, custom alterations can costs many hundred of dollars when adding a belt can cost as little as $25-100.  Not only is this cost effective but it could make the perfect heirloom.  So yes, let’s face it our daughter will be very unlikely to want to wear our dated gowns when they get married but these stylish belts can be added to their dress, hair or bouquet in the future to allow them to keep the tradition going in their own weddings.  Or better yet have a belt made from YOUR mother’s 1975 lacy number!  It’s puffy sleeves may not be cute but it could be the perfect “old” in your new, borrowed and blue repertoire!!

Erin & Allen’s Negril, Jamaica Destination Wedding

Erin and Allen found us through Youtube (of all places)   We never actually had the privilege of meeting before the wedding but that did not stop us from becoming fast friends!  We joined them and their 50 closest family and friends at the Couples Swept Away Resort in Negril, Jamaica for their wedding on 8/9/10 (yes… still catching up on blogging!). It was neat to share our 10th anniversary week with them and we could not have chosen a better couple! After spending a few days getting to know Erin, Allen, their family and friends we felt right at home! We are determined to make it to NY soon to visit! Their ceremony took place on the beautiful white sands with a cocktail hour following in the lush gardens to the center of the resort. It was a beautiful week and a fabulous wedding that we were proud to be a part of. We only wish that Erin and Allen lived closer so that we could see them more often!