Trend Alert: A Return to Formal Portraits

The pithy saying that "everything old is new again" really does hold true in weddings. One such return to the traditions of yesterday is formal portraiture. While couples still love the candid, photojournalistic approach, they are now opting for some more traditional, formal shots in addition to capturing the moments. And brides are also returning to the concept of the bridal portrait, which had declined for a few years. Here are a few lovely examples:

This formal wedding party photo is uber traditional. photo: Graham Hobart

Special formals with grandparents become family treasures. photo: Joseph Mark



Not only is this an old school pose, but the neutral, non-smiling expressions have
"tradition" written all over this. photo: f8studio



A beautiful, sophisticated formal of the wedding couple makes a perfect image to
frame and display in the newlyweds' home. photo: Sil Azevedo

You can't get more traditional than a bride in her gown with her veil and
bouquet in the church! photo: Sil Azevedo

This fabulously old school photo is taken with a special camera.
Gorgeous and classic! photo: Justin Goode

One of our favorites! Love the bride's expression and the outdoor setting is the perfect
complement to the stunning bride. photo: Al Gawlik

What do you say, brides? Will you have some formal portraits taken to commemorate your wedding?

Real Wedding: Beautiful StarDust Bride and Wedding Industry Friend!

It's so fun when one of our own - a fellow wedding industry pro - gets married! It's especially exciting for us when we get to play a small part in their big day! Look at these stunning photos from Perez Photography of the super-lovely Brittany Statt of Brides of North Texas. She is simply radiant in her Tara Keely (style 2360) bridal gown and Paris by Debra Moreland veil. She found both at StarDust! Doesn't she look just gorgeous?!

Brittany, thanks for sharing your fabulous bridal portraits with us! You are an incredibly beautiful bride, and we are so honored that you are a StarDust Bride! Congrats and all the best to you!

The Great Social Media Debate

To Instagram or not Instagram…that is the question!
Let’s face it, we live in a 24/7 social media world. People are tweeting, posting and sharing more and more aspects of their lives online. In the wedding industry, we’re starting to see a great divide – brides who embrace this regarding their weddings and those who do not. As a bride, you must decide which side of the fence you fall on and go with it – whole-heartedly.

Super-charged Weddings

If you are super-techy or just love sharing your life via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, this is the way to go. If you have some guests who are non-digeratis, you may consider explaining to them before the big day what a hashtag is and what all of this sharing is about, encouraging them to give it a try.

#spreadtheword

If you decide you want your wedding promoted via social media, go for it. All. The. Way. Create a custom #hashtag for your wedding (#WillandKatesRoyalWedding) and spread the word on your wedding website, with signage at your wedding, in your programs and signs around your reception space, asking guests to tweet, post and tag away!

Power Up

Include a charging station at your reception. But it doesn’t have to look industrial or jumbled. Make it pretty! Dress up your power bar with linens and floral. Include a sign with your custom hashtag to remind guests to share, share, share!

Unplugged Weddings

If you’re serious about having an unplugged wedding, stand firm in your convictions. It is your wedding, after all, and hopefully your guests will respect your wishes. Again, spread the word by including your choice on your wedding website, on signage at your ceremony site and in your programs.

Encourage In-the-Moment
You can just succinctly explain that you wish guests to be truly present at your wedding and ask them to please refrain from taking photos or video during your ceremony. Your ushers can also remind guests as they’re seating them that your desire is for your guests to really focus on being in the moment during your wedding and ask them to please turn off their phones and cameras and keep them tucked away. You can also ask your officiant to make an announcement before the ceremony begins, or even send some kiddos down the aisle with a reminder!

Phone Check

If you think your guests will go for it, you can even institute a phone or device check (like a coat check) at the entrance to your ceremony, a la Michael Jordan at his Palm Beach nuptials last year. If you decide to go to this extreme, it is important to inform your guests beforehand (via your website, word of mouth and perhaps even in your invitation suite). You also should be prepared for some unhappy guests who might be resistant to leaving their phone at the door. Enlist trusted friends to be your advocate in encouraging these rebels to honor your wishes.

Whatever you decide, weigh the pros and cons, discuss it with your fiancé and possibly your parents and consider your guests beforehand. It is your wedding, but considering your guests’ feelings will go a long way toward a fun and happy night for all.


image sources/credits: theknot.com, Mindy Weiss via Instagram, itsabrideslife.com, Southern Weddings, Etsy, weddingpartyapp.com, the Offbeat Bride, A Practical Wedding, Time Photos, Sarah on the Blog, Pinterest

Trend Alert: Dad First Look

We think this is too darn sweet and a perfect wedding day special touch for a Daddy's Girl.

He was there when you took your first steps and said your first words. He saw you off to kindergarten and your first date, sent you off to prom and watched proudly as you walked the stage after earning your diploma. Why not do a "first look" with your deal ol' Dad for one last sweet father-daughter memory before you leave and cleave?!

Staged much like a bride-groom first look, this special encounter often happens in the rooms where the bride gets ready at the ceremony site (usually cleared of most other people for the beautiful and intimate moment) or sometimes in a picturesque spot on the ceremony site grounds. Just make sure to have a hanky ready - for you and your Daddy!

Here are a few more absolutely precious examples:

 

 

image credits: Jason Mize, Ray Anthony, Dixie Pixel and Julie A. Whitlock via Southern Weddings; Cory Ryan via Bridal Guide and Bend the Light via Green Wedding Shoes

Picture Perfect: Having Fun with Wedding Day Photos

We love wedding photos! They preserve a couple's history, offer a glimpse of a moment in time and help tell a story. When we stumble upon a wedding day photo that we think is fun, unique or particularly special, we file it away for a rainy day. Well, it's raining this morning, so we thought we'd pull a few out to offer you a bit of sunshine today! We hope you will be inspired!

We've all seen the ubiquitous ring shot, where the bridesmaids are ooohing and aaaahing the bride's ring.
This funny twist featuring the fellas made us giggle!

Cute idea - have your bridesmaids make your new last name initial with their bouquets.
Could make a cute photo for your new home, especially if you love monograms and such!

Cute, different and whimsical! Who wouldn't be happy playing under a rainbow parachute?!
Brings back a bit of nostalgia, too!

 

We think this is darling! Have each of your 'maids write how they know you or where you met for a cute pic.

Surely you have all seen this crazy trend - wedding day invasion shots! The photographer shoots a pic of the wedding party running for their lives and later Photoshops in the whatever they are running from. Campy!

There are several fun things you and your girls can make with your hands.

We would be remiss to not include a shot of a stylish wedding party rockin' the 'stache!

Very sweet three generations shot - the hands of the bride, her mother and her grandmother. What a keepsake!

Last photo for today, and while this isn't a wedding day pic (or even one pic, for that matter), we just LOVE this and had to include it! This would be great to do during an engagement shoot! Beautiful!

image sources: Marin Kristine Photography, Bleubird, Studio B Photography, Bartek & Magda, Josh McCullock Photography, Bridal Guide, She’s a Canvas, Quinn Miller Photography, Style Me Pretty and My ModernMet

Engagement and Bridal Portrait Hot Spots

Do you realize how fortunate we are to be in this market for weddings?! DFW offers so many fabulous venues, fairly decent weather year-round and a multitude of talented and wonderful vendors. Another one of the great perks of tying the knot in the Dallas/Fort Worth area is the many fantastic locations for engagement and bridal portrait shoots.

Whether you’re looking for modern and minimalist (think Winspear Opera House, DMA and W Hotel); vintage (hello, Cotton Mill, Old Red Courthouse and Aldredge House); rustic or outdoorsy (something like Fort Worth Stockyards, the Arboretum or Botanical Gardens at Heritage Park); funky or artsy (how ‘bout Bishop Arts District, Lakewood Theatre or Deep Ellum); glamorous (perhaps the Adolphus, Mansion or Stoneleigh); DFW offers so many options that you are certain to find the perfect location to fit your and your fiancé’s personalities and style. These few suggestions are just the tip of the iceberg.

Speak with your photographer about your ideas regarding your photo shoot and be sure to investigate which locations require appointments and fees, as many locations do cost something to shoot there. We hope you have lots of fun planning a great photo session! Happy shooting!

Trend Alert: The Group Wedding Guest Portrait

Wedding photography is all about capturing the important and unique memories of your special day in a beautiful way. One trend we’re seeing more often is the all-guest wedding portrait. We simply adore this! What a fun and spectacular way to remember your wedding and all of your friends and family members who were there! The panoramic photo can be taken at the church or reception site, outdoors or in and it can be more formal or a little wacky. Just consider your group size when selecting your location and discuss this with your photographer plenty of time before the event so together you can develop a great plan to make this happen. Here are a few sweet examples.

image source: realsimple.com

www.josephmark.com

www.kimgrubb.com



image source: theknot.com

Have some fun with this and nab you and your fiancé a wonderful keepsake from your wedding day!