Friday, August 27, 2010
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Bridal Show this week
The Premier Bride Showplace is this Sunday. I will be there to share samples, answer questions and even book your wedding if you'd like. There are over 100 vendors showing so it is a great chance to one stop shop, check out dresses at the fashion show, and grab lots of snacks. It can be overwhelming if you are unprepared. Check out the exhibitor list to see if there are vendors you are interested in. If you don't know who you'd like to meet then bring a list of categories to check out. I can't wait to see you there!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Planning your Marriage: Why are we doing this?!?
Planning a wedding can be overwhelming, frustrating, expensive, etc. What about planning you marriage? Many couple are married by their pastor and many of those get pre-marital counseling, but most don't. My grandpa preformed my ceremony and our counseling consisted of a chart of living expenses. Turns out marriage is a little more complex that just how much you make and who writes the checks.
If you haven't been through the real stuff, the deep down dirty stuff that you can't talk about with your grandpa, like sex and conflict resolution, then get thee to premarital counseling. Even if you have lived together for years and are finally making it official you will benefit from having an experienced professional navigate you through the changes. Obviously marriage will change your relationship, or you wouldn't bother doing it.
The Fresno/Madera Healthy Marriage Coalition is a great resource for classes and info. There are also many pastors and psychologist that offer the service. It isn't free, but it is an investment in your marriage that will last even longer than the photographs and may improve the lives of not only yourselves, but your children and grandchildren.
If you haven't been through the real stuff, the deep down dirty stuff that you can't talk about with your grandpa, like sex and conflict resolution, then get thee to premarital counseling. Even if you have lived together for years and are finally making it official you will benefit from having an experienced professional navigate you through the changes. Obviously marriage will change your relationship, or you wouldn't bother doing it.
The Fresno/Madera Healthy Marriage Coalition is a great resource for classes and info. There are also many pastors and psychologist that offer the service. It isn't free, but it is an investment in your marriage that will last even longer than the photographs and may improve the lives of not only yourselves, but your children and grandchildren.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Un-Bridaled: shoes
Have you found your shoes?
When I married a bazilion years ago I wanted a pair of off white ballet flats. After months of searching I found a pair and had to have them dyed off white. I got them back 2 days before my wedding. At the time brides wore nondescript white pumps that matched the nondescript dyed-to-match pumps her bridesmaids were wearing. Thank God those days are past us. Now bridal shoes come in every shape and size, which is great, but they are still bridal shoes. Why not have some fun and pick out a pair that will shock people when your new hubby grabs that garter?
I cruised around Zappos today and here's what I came up with.
When I married a bazilion years ago I wanted a pair of off white ballet flats. After months of searching I found a pair and had to have them dyed off white. I got them back 2 days before my wedding. At the time brides wore nondescript white pumps that matched the nondescript dyed-to-match pumps her bridesmaids were wearing. Thank God those days are past us. Now bridal shoes come in every shape and size, which is great, but they are still bridal shoes. Why not have some fun and pick out a pair that will shock people when your new hubby grabs that garter?
I cruised around Zappos today and here's what I came up with.
I am a big fan of the Doc Marten's and the Converse. The great thing about Chuck Taylor's is that you can find them in your basic white, or any other color. Match you wedding colors or choose a complimentary color. Don't settle for boring uncomfortable shoes that you will never WANT to wear again.
12 Green wedding tips
Celebrate your efficient choice (marriage) in an eco-friendly way.
http://www.greenbrideguide.com/12-ways-green-your-wedding
My favorite tip is choosing dresses your bridesmaids WILL wear again, rather that dresses you have fooled yourself into thinking they may wear again. I personally chose simple, elegant and inexpensive dresses that my girls all wore again, one of the multiple times.
http://www.greenbrideguide.com/12-ways-green-your-wedding
My favorite tip is choosing dresses your bridesmaids WILL wear again, rather that dresses you have fooled yourself into thinking they may wear again. I personally chose simple, elegant and inexpensive dresses that my girls all wore again, one of the multiple times.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Guest Blogger: Saving, Serving and Conserving.
My first guest blogger is Ashley (Dill) Baker. Ashley and Matt were married in May. It was my second wedding with this family and we have so many mutual friends and so much in common that our families have started to blur into each other. Ashley is a practical woman and like me lives her life in a way that causes less waste and harm to the Earth. Her sister, Janna is past bride of mine and an event planner. Janna and Jennae of Statements Wedding and Event Design had the day running smoothly and were a great help to me.
I met my husband Matt through a friend at church. After dating for about 2 years, Matt popped the question at Apple Hill (the very place I had dreamed of being proposed to since I was a child). When I began planning I quickly realized that my small wedding budget wasn't going to get me an extravagant wedding. However, that didn't mean I couldn't have the wedding I always dreamed of; with a few creative changes, we were able to create the perfect wedding.
The key to our success was deciding what aspects of the wedding were most important to us (this is where we used most of our budget). For us, it was flowers, food, and photography. This doesn't mean I chose the most expensive vendors for those items, it just meant I spent more in those areas because they were important to me. Some things that we did to keep the cost down were:
I did many other things to keep my wedding costs down. The best advice I can pass on to another bride is to not focus on the little things. As much as you would like to think people notice all the small things, they don't. Keep it simple and cut corners where you can. Borrow, call upon friends help, and be creative and you will be able to create a wedding you love as well.
I met my husband Matt through a friend at church. After dating for about 2 years, Matt popped the question at Apple Hill (the very place I had dreamed of being proposed to since I was a child). When I began planning I quickly realized that my small wedding budget wasn't going to get me an extravagant wedding. However, that didn't mean I couldn't have the wedding I always dreamed of; with a few creative changes, we were able to create the perfect wedding.
The key to our success was deciding what aspects of the wedding were most important to us (this is where we used most of our budget). For us, it was flowers, food, and photography. This doesn't mean I chose the most expensive vendors for those items, it just meant I spent more in those areas because they were important to me. Some things that we did to keep the cost down were:
- I purchased my dress off the rack and did alterations instead of paying the full price. I ended up saving about $500 doing this.
- I had my sister and brother in law be my DJ's and they did a great job. They used their church sound equipment and an IPOD. This by far was my favorite low cost idea. Not only did I personally know my DJ, but I was able to easily pass on information to them, request things, and they never forgot our names (I have seen this at MANY weddings). Hint~ as long as music is playing and things are moving along, no one will care if your DJ is a "professional".
- My reception was held in the backyard of a friends house. It was great because it didn't need much decorating to be exactly how I wanted it. I borrowed a lot of different decorations and things for my wedding. I can't stress this enough; why pay for something someone else is willing to let you use. You will end up saving a lot of money this way. So when planning your wedding let your friends and family know what your looking for and see if they know anyone that has it already.
- My wedding cake was free. I found out that a friend of mine makes cakes on the side. She did a fantastic job and it ended up being her wedding gift to us. If you know of anyone handy in the baking department, see if they would be interested in baking your cake.
- I don't like to see flowers used as centerpieces all the time. They are beautiful but end up dying quickly (what a waist of God's beauty). What I decided to do was to have potted flowers as my centerpieces. This way, the family and friends of the wedding party could take them home and either plant them in their yard or keep them in the pot. Either way, the flowers live on and become a reminder of our wedding day. It can double as a favor and centerpiece.
I did many other things to keep my wedding costs down. The best advice I can pass on to another bride is to not focus on the little things. As much as you would like to think people notice all the small things, they don't. Keep it simple and cut corners where you can. Borrow, call upon friends help, and be creative and you will be able to create a wedding you love as well.
Monday, June 21, 2010
New features
I am so happy that a few friends and brides have agreed to act as guest bloggers on Bobo Bride. They will be sharing true life experiences about wedding planning, marriage, and whatever else they can think of. I am hoping to get some grooms on board, too. If you have questions for brides, grooms, wedding vendors, or myself let me know and I will find the answers and share them with you.
Look for my first guest blogger, Ashley Baker this week.
Look for my first guest blogger, Ashley Baker this week.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Your Day
I have noticed that weddings are expensive. Make that CAN BE expensive. Of the brides that I meet with read about or overhear there seems to be a common thread amongst those who are the most worried about the expense: tradition. They see a list in a bridal magazine of all of the things they will need and become convinced that they must have those things, then stress about how they will fund the wedding.
I am going to let you in on a secret. Things don't matter. It is your day, your family's day and things don't matter. At the end of the evening the menus will end up in the garbage and half of the favors will be left on the tables. The food will only be remembered if it is very bad or very remarkable. The center pieces will wilt, as will the bouquets.
I am not trying to be a downer. I want to encourage you to focus on the details of your wedding that are important to you. Some things matter to you and some things don't. If your budget is tight then put your money where it matters most TO YOU. Then cross some things off of your list that matter less.
A good DJ and a good photographer will make the day more enjoyable, but one more variety of candy for the candy bar will be very soon forgotten.
I am going to let you in on a secret. Things don't matter. It is your day, your family's day and things don't matter. At the end of the evening the menus will end up in the garbage and half of the favors will be left on the tables. The food will only be remembered if it is very bad or very remarkable. The center pieces will wilt, as will the bouquets.
I am not trying to be a downer. I want to encourage you to focus on the details of your wedding that are important to you. Some things matter to you and some things don't. If your budget is tight then put your money where it matters most TO YOU. Then cross some things off of your list that matter less.
A good DJ and a good photographer will make the day more enjoyable, but one more variety of candy for the candy bar will be very soon forgotten.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Brilliant Jewelry from Brilliant Earth
Brilliant Earth is a jewelry company that creates custom rings at reasonable prices AND the jewelry is fair trade, slavery free, recycled gold, and a whole bunch of other things that will make you feel way better about wearing it. They don't just do rings, but a whole universe of jewelry. If I were buying a ring today it would look like this:
Pretty, huh?
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Alternatives: Flowers
I love alternatives. It means I have options, choices. I may go with the original, but I love knowing I had a choice. Premier Bride's blog has flower alternatives for weddings. In addition to these I have seen lanterns carried, pumpkin center pieces and candy jar center pieces. Explore your options!
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Wedding Undies a la Martha
Panties!
Well, wedding undergarments, and who knows more about undergarments than Martha Freaking Stewart? I can't actually think of how that relates, but if Martha picked them, they have to be awesome. Is there anything that woman can't do?
The Best Undergarments
Well, wedding undergarments, and who knows more about undergarments than Martha Freaking Stewart? I can't actually think of how that relates, but if Martha picked them, they have to be awesome. Is there anything that woman can't do?
The Best Undergarments
Saturday, March 20, 2010
THE Guide for Green Brides
Green Bride Guide is a wedding planning site (I know, another one) where you can find resources and ideas for making your wedding earth friendly. Right now they are holding an engagement story contest. Hop over and read, then vote for your favorites. While you are there learn about green weddings and find out what you can do.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Blog love: One Wed
One wed is a wedding planning site. I find that I tend to love the stuff they feature on their blog, chic, but not trendy. This post here features vintage brooch head peices. \
LOVE. Tiaras are great, but brooches are bobo!
LOVE. Tiaras are great, but brooches are bobo!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Introduction
I am a wedding and portrait photographer. I have an unusual sense of style and I follow a bazillion bridal blogs. Partly because I have to, but mostly because I love too. Rather than bombarding my clients and photo blog readers with endless posts about wedding/marriage/life planning I have decided to divert it here.
Welcome to the Bobo Bride Blog.
First off: what is a Bobo?
Wiki it!
We are the new bohemians. We have a strange mix of cultural values, some liberal, some conservative, some moderate. We love art and culture. We are well read. We love the aesthetic and the function of objects. We wear makeup on our own terms, not because we are conforming to the social norm. We get married in church and play the soundtrack to our favorite indie movie. Our receptions are in barns with Martha Stewart center pieces, and the food we serve is organic. We are green. We are a balance of opposing forces.
Be Bobo with me.
Welcome to the Bobo Bride Blog.
First off: what is a Bobo?
Wiki it!
We are the new bohemians. We have a strange mix of cultural values, some liberal, some conservative, some moderate. We love art and culture. We are well read. We love the aesthetic and the function of objects. We wear makeup on our own terms, not because we are conforming to the social norm. We get married in church and play the soundtrack to our favorite indie movie. Our receptions are in barns with Martha Stewart center pieces, and the food we serve is organic. We are green. We are a balance of opposing forces.
Be Bobo with me.
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