“Never Walk Alone” I remember the day just like it was yesterday. It was unexpectedly cool for a “Summer Day in Georgia” All of the planning, the phone calls and the decision making had some to this June 2015 day: … Continue reading
Today we are so excited to feature M&A Photography as our “Vendor of the Week”
1. How long have you been in business? “We started this journey just over 4 years ago”
2. Tell us what we should know about Marcus and Aisha. “I really love my job! There is something about capturing the happiest moments in people’s lives that makes our lives better”
3. What makes you guys different from other photographers in the Atlanta area? “We offer albums with all of our collections. We don’t like to give away only digital files. We love giving our couples something that they can hold.”
4. Why should brides hire M&A Photography? “They should hire us because they will receive the highest quality of photography with great customer service that will have them feeling like they have made a new friend, rather than a hired wedding vendor.
5. What services do you offer to brides? Do you have a specialty? “We offer photography (boudoir/bridal/wedding) and will be offering video for 2016 weddings. We specialize in fine art and lifestyle images”
6. Who is your ideal client? “Our ideal client is laid back and sweet. Chances are she loves things like Pinterest and texting. Her phone is more than likely filled with screenshots of wedding pictures and a countdown to my wedding app. For my client this wedding is going to be the highlight of her life because she is head over heels in love.”
7. Do you travel or are all of your clients in the Metro Atlanta area? “We LOVE to travel! Whether it be a destination wedding or an out of state client I always look forward to visiting new venues/locations”
8. How can brides reach you all? “Through the website is always great http://www.MNAphotoz.com but our phone number is 678-421-4219”
9. Where can you be found on Social Media? (Facebook) BaltimoreWeddingPhotographer (Twitter) MnAphotoz (Instagram) wisephotographyatl (Pinterest: MNAphotoz
10. Is there anything else that you would like to add? We are currently running a special on 2015 weddings: $2000 includes engagement session, his and her photographers, up to 8 hours of coverage, online proofing gallery with shopping cart and delivery of all edited images with print release. Receive an 8×10 Flushmount Album when booked before April 30, 2015
When Erica called me late 2013 telling me about her wedding vision and her love for this guy named Stenio, I knew that this was a wedding that I really wanted to work on. I could hear the LOVE in … Continue reading
You know the story: Boy meets girl, Girl likes boy, Boy falls in love with girl, Girl loves boy right back…The rest my friends is history!!! Dion describes Kamaree as an “Uptown Girl” and funny enough Kam calls Dion her “Downtown Boy” Together they share a LOVE for hip hop, fine dining, travel and each other
Dion chose Kamaree’s birthday to surprise her with a proposal. In front of friends and family he asked her to be his future and she of course said yes!
Fast forward to 09.29.13, the place was the gorgeous and historical Biltmore Ballroom in Atlanta, Georgia. The Dobbins chose for their color pallet Blush, Grey and Ivory. Having a fun, laid back and memorable wedding was extremely important to the duo since this was their personality. They are always smiling, joking and finding the positive in every situation
Their was not a dry eye in the crowd of almost (200) family and friends as Kamaree came down the aisle, being escorted down the aisle by her mom, who has always been by her side so it made perfect sense for her to be the one to give her daughter away on the biggest day of her life.
Dion and Kamaree chose to work with some of Atlanta’s Finest vendors to bring their vision to life:
Photography: Chelsea Patricia Photography http://www.chelseapatricia.com
Cinematograohy: Focal Blu Wedding Films http://www.focalblu.com
Wedding Planner: Z. Curlett Events http://www.ZCurlettEvents.com
Dress: Winnie Couture http://www.winniecouture.com
Cakes: Cakes by LaMeeka http://www.CakesByLaMeeka.com
Florist/Catering: The Avenue http://www.avenue-catering.com
Venue: The Biltmore Ballrooms http://www.novareevents.com
DJ: One Sound and Entertainment http://www.onesoundandentertainment.com
Makeup: Celebrity MakeUp Artist Toni Acey http://www.toniacey.com
Please enjoy some of our favorite images from {Chelsea Patricia Photography}
The day was October 25th, 2013; we’d just embarked on a day of fun and adventure in Montego Bay, Jamaica, visiting the beautiful island courtesy of my college friend’s destination wedding. We started our morning with an early morning breakfast and then we decided to try our hand at some water sports. First, we did a little kayaking, but under Stenio’s (mis)direction, we would have been vacationing with his family in Haiti if I’d let him continue to guide us. So, I managed to get us back on track and back to shore safely, where we then took up some water tubing and wind surfing.
After our morning of fun, we had worked up an appetite and decided to venture off the resort to the city of Montego Bay to find some authentic Jamaican food. Stenio hired us a cab driver to show us around for a few hours, and we found a small, Jamaican, family-owned place for lunch. While eating and taking in the wonder that is Jamaica, Stenio asked me, ”Would you marry me?” Though I knew he was joking, as he’s asked me the same question numerous times before, I told him yes, as I’ve told him numerous times before, and then he said we were married. I told him that I didn’t have a ring, so he made a ring out of our used straw wrapper, placed it on my ring finger, and we continued on with our day. Of course, that ring fell off.
Our driver continued our island tour, taking us through the hills to see the mansions and the slums. He also took us to an old hotel that sat atop a mountain, overlooking Montego Bay. The view was breath-taking, with the sun setting over the island. In my mind, I thought, “this would be a beautiful spot for a proposal…”
On the way back to the resort, our driver stopped so that we could do a little shopping and visit Margaritaville. While shopping, Stenio became very quiet and reserved, but I figured he was just worn out from our busy day, so I ignored him. It was a quiet ride back to the hotel and a silent walk to our room.
Before we got dressed for dinner, I decided I wanted to go sit on the beach right outside of our room for a bit, but Stenio insisted that we needed to talk. I told him I’d be back after I went to the beach, but he was adamant that I needed to come to the room right then!
When I walked into the room, Stenio was sitting on the bed. He looked up at me and asked me if I wanted to marry him. Assuming he was carrying over our conversation from lunch, I started to answer, but he continued, telling me that he loved me, and that I’d made a huge impact in his life since the day he met me. He told me that he had wanted to do “this” at our beachfront dinner scheduled for later that night, but he wanted it just to be the two of us. He didn’t want anyone else around because he wanted the moment to be about us, as our relationship was going to be between us. Catching on that he was indeed proposing, when he asked me to marry him again, he reached in his pocket and pulled out a beautiful engagement ring. Of course I said, “YES!”
According to tradition, it is considered bad luck for the bride to be seen by the groom before the ceremony. In days when marriages were arranged they rarely saw one another as “dating” was not a custom.
The lifting of the veil at the end of the ceremony symbolizes male dominance. If the bride takes the initiative in lifting it, thereby presenting herself to him, she is showing more independence.
In some Middle Eastern and Asian cultures, the veil was worn to hide the brides face completely from the groom who had never seen her. Only after they were married would the groom be allowed the lift the veil to see his new wife’s face.”
In the earliest times, some brides were even kidnapped — barely one step removed from the caveman bonking his chosen fiance over the head with a club. Marriage by purchase was quite common, where the bride was exchanged for land, political alliance, social status and/or currency. These negotiations were carried out by the parents of the bride and groom, with the “happy couple” having no say in the matter whatsoever. Indeed, the Anglo-Saxon word “wedd” meant the groom would vow to marry the woman – and that the bartered goods and/or currency would go directly to the bride’s father. Often the groom’s family informed him that he was to marry…but very rarely let him see the bride. After all, if the groom didn’t like the bride’s looks, he might not agree to the marriage. With this in mind, the father of the bride gave the bride away to the groom who then lifted the veil to see his wife of all eternity for the first time.
In short, the wedding was little more than the purchase of a bride for breeding purposes. Not a particularly liberated point of view, but this tradition, like many other quirky wedding customs, is remembered and still symbolized today.
My personal opinion: I love the idea of the “First Look” it lends the opportunity for the bride and groom to share a few moments of intimate time prior to the start of the event. Once the event begins until they are walking to the limo at the end of the night, there is NO ALONE time…Cameras flashing, Guests hugging and Toast after Toast after Toast (giggles) I recommend “The First Look” to my clients but ultimately leave the decision to them. I feel it is my obligation to provide each couple with both the Pros & Cons of having the first look and then stepping back to leave the decision up to them
Z. Curlett Events
Z. Curlett Events is starting a new series each Wednesday to feature a different vendor that we work with or hope to work with in 2014. To start things off our FIRST vendor is none other than: Samantha Reese – Makeup and Hair. Let’s meet Samantha and find out what this vendor is doing in and around Atlanta
1. How long have you been in business Samantha?
— Believe it or not, just (2) short years
2. Tell us what we should know about Samantha.
— Well, I was born in Florida, raised in Michigan, and lived in Los Angeles for 7 years, before moving to Atlanta in 2012. I’ve ALWAYS had an affinity for hair and makeup, and harbored a mild obsession for weddings! I have over 10 years experience doing hair and makeup, but I officially decided to become a full time professional makeup artist in 2012
3. What makes you different from other Makeup Artists in the Atlanta area?
— I think I differ from a lot of other bridal makeup artists, and most definitely in this market, is my versatility. I can do everything from the very clean, “barely there” makeup to full on “Glamazon” bridal makeup.
4. Why should brides hire Samantha Reese?
— Because your wedding day, and how you look walking down the aisle and in those photos that you will one day show to your grandchildren, is just as important to me, as it is to you.
5. What services do you offer to brides? Do you have a specialty?
— I love hair styling and Makeup for all special occasions, Bridal consultations, and private makeup lessons. I also have an extensive background in film/tv, runway/print and other special occasions.
6. Who is your ideal client?
— Someone who is excited about the experience, open to and trusting of me and my creativity.
7. Do you travel or are all of your clients in and around Atlanta?
— No, we will absolutely travel!
8. How can brides reach you?
— I can be reached by either Email: SReese6@gmail.com or by Phone: (310) 597-6825. Give me a call to discuss your special day.
9. Are you on Social Media? Can you share with the Brides how they can see your work?
— Facebook: Samantha Reese Makeup Artistry
— Instagram: @SamIam_mua
— Website: http://www.SamanthaReese.com
10. Thank you Samantha for taking the time to talk to us! We look forward to a great working relationship with you. Your work is amazing and I can’t wait to introduce you to my Brides.
— You’re welcome and I’m excited to work with you too!
Photography Credit {John English Photography & Julie Anne Neil}
Z. Curlett Events
Weeks before their April wedding the Atlanta weather had been beautiful – We had experienced above 80 degree temperatures, plenty of sun and not a bit of wind to be found – But on the morning of the wedding the weather became the total opposite…It was in the low 60’s, the wind was blowing the chairs everywhere and to top it off we were on the 14th floor for a outside ceremony – Despite all of that we dealt with the hand that we were given and out of this cold, windy and quite blustery day became the marriage Jonathan and Veronica
The ceremony was held on the 14th floor of Ventanas which is a gorgeous rooftop venue in the heart of downtown Atlanta…Jonathan was all smiles to see his bride for the first time coming down the spiral staircase. As she made her way down the aisle you could not help but see the joy from both sets of parents. Veronicas dad was Cool, Calm and very much so Collected as he proudly escorted his baby girl down the aisle
I feel so blessed to have worked with this couple. Veronica and Jonathan were both very easy to work with from day one, they knew what they wanted and had a great eye for small details…I pray for a lifetime of happiness for both of them (and plenty of babies) 🙂
Why photographers HATE iPads/tablets at weddings & events
by Bokeh Amore Photography
This is your special day, you’ve dreamed about this day for a long time. Your first look at him standing there, waiting for you at the altar or you’re standing there in awe of how beautiful your bride looks walking the isle…….. WAIT! Not anymore, unfortunately as you’re cherishing the…se special moment you aren’t able to focus on what is supposed to be your very first time seeing each other in your wedding dress/tuxedo. Your eyes wonder not to the guest that you have invited to share this special moment with you but their phones, iPads, tables and any other picture taking device. …..
The Bride and Groom hire professionals so that they can take their wedding photos. From pre-wedding to ceremony to wedding reception.
You’re invited as a guest to partake in this special moment of their lives, not to be the “iPad-photographers” or “smart-phone photographers” or else they would have paid you for your services.
As professional wedding photographers we feel disrespected by those who make it hard for us to do the job that we were hired to do by the bride and groom. We shouldn’t have to say “excuse me” for you to get out the way. We shouldn’t have to shoot over your shoulder to get the shots we were hired to get. We shouldn’t have to show newlyweds a photo of what would had been an awesome shot but isn’t because of how distracting a 7 in or 10 in screen that is in the way is.
We know you’re excited about your friends/family getting married but leave the photography for the professionals … We promise we will get better quality, clearer and much nicer photos than your tablet, phone or digital camera could ever get.
Please, if you’re invited to a wedding ask yourself this “What if I’ve invested this money, MY money for a professional photographer and all these electronics are in the way”, “Would I be happy with all the distractions?”
As an invited guest be sure to put away your electronics, sit, relax and enjoy the wedding ceremony, first dance, garter toss / bouquet toss. Enjoy the wedding you were invited to be a part of and witness and stop with the electronic nonsense.
– Eva & Tony
Bokeh Amore Photography
And the day final came, wow what a wedding!!! Sometimes during my initial consultation with a couple I can tell on the spot that I am going to have a great time on the wedding day. Henry and Wendy are a super fun couple with a family of even funnier family and friends. Wendy’s love for PURPLE was evident in the decor and could not have been more beautiful. There were so many cute DIY items at the wedding, Wendy did a GREAT job bringing everything to life. It was a pleasure working with this couple and I wish them nothing but the BEST in their life together
Vendor Shout Out
Minister: Jacosta Odom
Music/DJ: DJ The One & Only
Videography: Christopher Brock Cinematology
Photography: Christopher Brock Photography
Cake: HHD Desserts
Catering: Sun in my Belly
Makeup Artist: Nia Makeup & Hair
Draping/Lighing: Magnum Lighting
Venue: Callanwolde Fine Arts Center
Photo Booth: Red Eye Photo Booth
Day of Coordination: Z. Curlett Events
ZCurlettEvents 