FREE Wedding Invites!-

**CONTEST** Would you like FREE wedding invitations??

I know you brides are probably facing a tough time trying to plan your wedding and keep up with regular bills in this tough economy. So You're The Bride has decided to award one lucky bride with FREE Wedding Invitations and a FREE Wedding Time Capsule!!! You will have to write a 500 word essay free of spelling errors on why you think you are the bride that deserves these invitations the most. Now of course there are some rules and guidelines to participate and just so you know if you are the lucky winner here is the criteria....

1. Your wedding must be in 2009.


2. Order must not exceed $200 including shipping/tax. Since we discount most of our invitations either 35% to 40% we will be going by the total on your order once the discount is calculated. So the final price at checkout of the shopping cart. This way you are still getting the discount too :) If over then you will be responsible for the difference. If you are under we will NOT refund you the difference. Depending on what line you would order from if you win the price should get you approximately 100 invitations, printed flaps, respond cards and reception cards to give you a basic idea of merchandise value.


3. Order can't be shipped outside of US.


So start browsing the website to see what invitations you might like. Entries must be received by 4/30/09. Send a word document to yourethebride97@aol.com with your name, email, phone number and the city you live in along with your essay so we can identify you. Contest is open to Metro Detroit brides as well as brides all over the US. Pass the contest info along to all your friends that are getting married for their chance to win too!

http://www.yourethebride.com/discount_invitations.htm



Winner will be notified and posted on blog by May 6. Good luck!

Wendy and Jay

Just like my other winter weddings, Wendy and Jay had a very chilly January day. But, it was sunny and the evening sun had cast a beautiful glow on all of the surroundings during the outdoor photographs.
I started my day off at the hotel where Wendy and her girls were getting ready. Wendy had some very special jewelry to commemorate her late Mother, so I spent some time creating some memorable photographs with the keepsakes. Kim, the makeup artist from Bridal Beauty (who just so happened to have been MY makeup artist for my own wedding in 2006) was on site providing makeup services for the girls at this time. I was able to catch some fabulous getting ready photos because everyone was so relaxed and calm- making for a fantastic start to the day.
Once I arrived at the church, I pinned the flowers on the boys' and got all of their photos completed before the ceremony.
Once the ceremony and the group photos were finished, we went outside to take some photos on the grounds, as well as some great "in the street" shots in downtown Birmingham.
I arrived at the reception before the bridal party to get some shots of the details. The evening festivities were held at The Reserve, a totally awesome venue. One thing I LOVE about this place is how they serve a plated dinner. Basically, there is a wait staff of 5 people at the table holding the plates. They all count down to 5, and then the plates are set in front of the guest all at the same time. It looks really classy and cool, and no one is sitting there waiting to be served while everyone else has their plates.
Wendy and Jay opted to have a monogram or "Bogo" on the dance floor which is wood, and looked sweet because of the way the lighting reflects off wood. It made for some great cake and first dance photos!

Congrats you guys!!!!!!!!!!! xoxoxoxooxox

Samantha and Robert

It is not very often that I photograph a wedding where i hadn't yet met the groom- but this was one of those occasions. I must say though, I never has any reserve because I know the bride would never hire me if she thought I wouldn't be a good fit for her or her fiancee'- and i was right on par!
My Sammy is so quiet and loveable and totally the type to leave all artsy ideas up to me- which is my favorite way! It is very difficult to be given rules and regulations when it comes to art- I prefer to have brides and grooms just trust me and my ability- that is what I am hired for! Samantha and Robert trusted me 100% and gave me no rules to follow regarding their likes and dislikes- I was told just to do what I do! YAY!
The couple decided to see each other before the ceremony to get a majority of the photos done in advance- a great idea especially in the wintertime where we have limited day light.
After I set up the "first look" at the hotel, we all headed to downtown Pontiac for the outdoor photos. We had some awesome natural lighting for these so I was thrilled!
We then headed back to the hotel for the ceremony and the group family photos before heading over to one of my favorite reception venues- the Lafayette Grande. Not only is this place divine for photos, but it being a diamond in the rough gives it this mystique surrounding it that you can just feel in the photos. The food is awesome every time too!!!!

Congrats you guys- I wish you many years of happiness! xoxoxooxoxxo

Alessia and Paul

What a perfect evening for a wedding- New Years Eve!
We honestly couldn't of asked for a better day- it was cold, but Alessia and Paul are a total hoot, as well as having the honor of working with with my good friend Kristyn from Castle Video, it really was perfect.
Kristyn and I both started the day at Alessia's home in Grosse Pointe where her and her girls were getting ready. Alessia picked the MOST perfect dress for her style and body type and even a fancy designer- Monique Loullier!
After some photos at the house, we headed over to the church for the photos of the guys. Paul and his friends have the type of personality that anyone can get along with- very outgoing and willing to do ANYTHING you ask of them. Those qualities truly made for some unique and interesting photos...... :)
After the ceremony, we went outside of the beautiful church for more photos, then to the village of GP for some urban shots. I am so proud of the bridal party- everyone was such a good sport for the photos in the 4 degree weather!
After the photos, we all headed back to Blossom Heath for the reception. What a fabulous way to end another year- to be with a couple who are starting their lives!

Congrats you two! Love ya's! xoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxooxoxooxox

Family Style, Buffet or Plated?

It is no doubt that feeding your guests is going to be the biggest expense of your wedding. So, why not make the most of the food in front of them! Many venues have different meal options, with the three most popular being buffet, plated and family style. other options can include a strolling reception (options given at Petruzello's and The Roostertail)or an appetizer reception, but the most popular ones are those listed above. Over the past 9 years in this business and over 500 weddings later, I finally decided to post the "list" I have been keeping tally of, as far as dinner in concerned. The fact of the matter is that one of the most frequent questions I get asked by brides is "What do people generally enjoy more- buffet, plated or a family style dinner?" At 99.8% of all weddings I am seated for dinner at a table with guests (which I love) and people are very open and honest and will tell you their opinion on everything. When it comes to a bride and grooms choices, although I always keep my mouth shut, my ears are always open and I listen closely! So remember, not only are these NOT my own opinions, but in the end you do what you are most comfortable with! I am just here providing the survey!

1. FAMILY STYLE DINNER
OK, not everyone knows exactly what this entails, so I will elaborate. Family style consists of usually a pasta, veggie, potato and two entrees in large serving dishes being passed around a table from guest to guest; basically, imagine Thanksgiving dinner at Grandma's house. There are pros and cons to this just like any other meal option:

PROS: Guests do not need to get up from their seat,guests have options on what they want to eat.
CONS: There is always someone at the table who got jipped on food because someone hogged more food than another; food is generally not "hot", serving dishes must be placed on the table and usually there is hardly any room to set the dishes anywhere; staff at the venue are usually reluctant to bring out more dishes of food.
Guests always rate this option their least favorite of all dining options


2. PLATED DINNER
Plated dinner is just that- the wait staff at the hall brings you your own plate with a certain pre-chosen entree, veggie and potato. Sometimes, the bride and groom give the guest a choice on what they would like to eat- they send this information in the wedding invitation, and along with the RSVP card, the guest indicates their choice. The problem with this is something I have witnessed in EVERY single wedding that had a plated dinner- a guest indicated on the RSVP card that he or she would like the chicken choice for dinner. That all changes when he sees his girlfriend next to him with the beef option that looks a bit more tastier today. So, he tells a little white lie to the staff that he actually ordered the beef and not the chicken. The end result? A shortage on food, so the last few tables to be served actually do not have a choice and just get the leftover plate.

PROS: Guests do not have to get up to serve themselves for dinner; Food is generally proportioned well; lack of food choice
CONS: Food is generally lukewarm, possible shortage on food
In the 9 year survey, guests have rated this their second favorite dining option


3. BUFFET STYLE DINNER
Surprisingly enough, this style of dinner at wedding receptions beat out the other two options by about 60% in the survey. In the end, guests really don't care about the look of the cake, the type of booze (when drunk, Grey Goose goes down as smooth as Smirnoff)if there are chair covers or even if there are favors. People just care about the food, and how much of it they get to eat. They also like the fact they can be pigs and not have to worry about there being food left over for anyone else- they can choose what they want to eat because there are a ton of options as well as people really do like conversing as they wait in line to eat- people like making friends at weddings. Alot of brides think that the plated or family style option is more "classy" and if that is what you personally like, it is your money and your reception. But in the end- the survey says- buffet all the way! Remember, people just want to eat what they want, how much they want with an abundance of choices!

Natalee and Kyle

I was SOOOO looking forward to this day, I love this couple. We totally hit it off from the get go, so I knew their wedding would be just like hanging out with old friends. I was right!
I started the day at the hotel where both Natalee were getting ready before the ceremony (in sep. rooms of course!) and Natalee was seriously peachy-keen happy. That girl cracks me up to no end! She had her dress all ready and hanging for me in a perfect spot in the suite- and had her jewelry and other goodies ready for me to do the artsy shots.
After a few in Nat's room, I swung over to Kyle's room to get some candids of him. Kyle seriously cracks me up- he is totally the bridezilla of the two. Although, I feel the need to elaborate- not zilla in a bad way, but a guy zilla that is totally involved in the wedding and put his two cents in wherever he feels the need. I got such a kick out of it during their whole planning- Kyle is one of those guys that you can't help but love- he is so genuine and kind- as are his parents!
Anyhow, after the hotel I headed over to the church- St Hugo of the Hills where I met up with my very favorite wedding planner, Ana of Twofoot Creative. It was also a great time because Natalee and Kyle invited both Ana's husband and my husband to the wedding so we all had a great day- and the boys were such a great help!
Natalee and Kyle had a full mass, and afterwards we were totally tight on time for family photos, but we managed it and got it done.
The outdoor photos were taken in downtown Rochester, then on to Addison Oaks (which I have mentioned SO many times before that AO is by far my favorite reception hall- ever. ALWAYS get the buffet people!) My favorite banquet manager Mike was working which made it more fun.
After the buffet dinner, guests indulged in the sweet table with probably the best candy I have ever seen- pixy sticks, ring pops, fun dips- perfect! as well as the photo booth for some "drunken" photos. This was seriously one of the best nights ever!!!

I love you guys soooooooooo much! Screw "Whose Wedding is it Anyway"- you are way to sane for that show anyway! xoxoxoxooxoxoxo

Attention!!!

Due to a family emergency, I will be unable to access the internet to check my messages. From March 4th till probably March 7th. Will return all email ASAP.

Thank You

Amanda Williams

Pamela and Robert

A foot of snow, 15 degrees and blowing. Ahhhhhhhh. What a great day for photography! :)
I started the day off with Pamela and her girls at the hotel where they were getting ready. I was in luck because Robert and his boys were also getting ready down the hallway- making it easy for me to get some candid shots of both parties before the ceremony.
The roads were really bad this day so the ceremony had to start a little late as we awaited the Father to arrive, as well as some guests. After the ceremony, we had the must take family photos, and let me tell you that Father was pissed and wanted these done in 5 minutes even though he was late! Robert pretty much stood up to the challenge and took charge of yelling at everyone to quit talking and gather around me so we could get the photos done- my hero! I normally have a big mouth and just corral everyone in anyhow, but Robert did so more effectively seeing as they were his family and all, and could yell at them a bit differently than I could! He saved the day and we got all of the needed photos out of the way without having to do any of those at the hall!
After the church fiasco, we headed to downtown Rochester for outside photos. The bridal party were TOTAL troopers and didn't complain one bit about standing out in the cold for photo ops.
The reception was lovely- Pamela did so much decorating it was amazing- she is a very "artsy" gal! Who couldn't love these two? With Pam's cutesy smile and Roberts rosy cheeks- what great photos they have~!

Congrats you two! xoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxo