This is definitely a great time of year for brides with all of the connections that can be made with vendors through various events, and the Bridal Showcase on November 13th is another “must attend” event. Check out the information below and feel free to go to the Central VA Bridal Guide’s website for more information. See you there!!

I love looking at photos of brides. Photographers have a way of capturing their essence and true beauty, and when I look at these girls, I think about how happy they are and all that their future holds. Getting married is such an exciting phase of life, isn’t it?

Kimberly Burke of K D Burke Photography has such a beautiful mix of photos of Crystal, and they are so fun to look at … from colored glass and a parasol to a bike ride and a barn, Kimberly did a spectacular job with these photos! I hope that you enjoy looking at them as much as I did, and maybe this will get your creative juices flowing for your own bridal session.

Crystal, you are an adorable bride, and I hope that you have a lifetime of happiness in your marriage. If you would like to view more of Kimberly’s work, just click here to visit the website of K D Burke Photography.

Also, brides are already starting to sign up for our event, “an Engagement”, which is very exciting!! Click here to find out more.

Leave it to Martha Stewart to come up with a fun, beautiful, eyecatching alternative to the traditional bouquet. You may remember this photo being featured in our “Fun Bouquet Alternative” post last Tuesday, and I just had to put the instructions on here for you! I do have to say that our local craft stores have these butterflies on wires in all kinds of shapes and sizes (I used them for a craft project not long ago when the Monarch Butterflies were migrating), and with several 40% off coupons, you should be able to make this bouquet for much less than a traditional floral one would cost.

This would even make a fun decoration for your home once you have carried it down the aisle … what a fun conversation piece for your decor. Enjoy!!

1. Peruse your local craft store for fun butterflies (and even some other creatures) that are attached to long wires. I found them in the floral section near where the floral tapes and wires are, but if all else fails, just ask an associate for help. The butterflies are either made of silk or feathers. The bugs being on wires gives the appearance that they are able to flutter on their own.

2. You will also need: white floral wire, white floral tape, ribbon, and … wow, that’s it. Four things!!

3. Gather a few (2-4) of the butterflies together, and use the floral tape to tape their wires together. If you have never used floral tape, it is a great little thing! If you pull it, it gets sticky, and it sticks to itself. It is a wonder of a thing! You will want to stagger their spacing so that they are not at the same height or too close together.

4. Fashion several of these little butterfly clusters and set them aside as you are working on them. When you have the desired amount, put the clusters together in a bundle and play with the height and location of each bundle.

5. Once you are happy with where the bundles are, take the white floral tape and begin taping the entire batch of their stems together. If the stems are not long enough, you can attach the white wire to the bundles by laying the wire alongside of the stems with a 1 or 2 inch overlap and tape the two together to extend the length.

6. Finish off your stem by wrapping it in your favorite color of ribbon.

Again, if you need more fun ideas, be sure to stop by Martha Stewart Weddings and peruse their site … there are lots of lovely ideas for all things wedding (especially if you like DIYs!).

If you prefer to shop on the internet, click here for a resource for purchasing the butterflies … have fun!

Hill City Bride is also hosting its first event on February 26th … to find out more information, click here.

Think quick! Heavy lifting, decorations and mood lighting … what is the first thing that comes to your mind … moving or maybe interior design? Well, in this case it is photography!

After viewing this video, I have a much greater appreciation for what goes on behind the scenes to take truly gorgeous photos. I used to think that all it took was an expensive camera (that was before I BOUGHT an expensive camera … trust me, it takes much more than that!), but it also requires a good eye, forethought, planning and the ability to see the “big picture”.

This video was captured by Stone Blue Productions‘ Joel Guelzo, and you will see Stone Blue‘s owner, Jeremiah Guelzo, hard at work capturing Bethany for her stunning bridal session. Bethany’s session took place at West Manor, which was appropriate since she is the daughter of the owners of West Manor Events.

As a fun sidenote, Bethany was featured onTLC’s Say Yes to the Dress, which means that her gown was purchased from Klienfeld’s in New York City. Her dress fits her flawlessly, and it is by Italian designer, Le Spose De Gio.

Enjoy the behind the scenes peek at what it takes to get those perfect photographs.

Bethany’s bridals are breathtaking, and to see more, just head on over to the blog of Stone Blue Productions. They are definitely a feast for the eyes … congratulations, Bethany!

Ok, first of all, let me tell you that I am SUPER excited about what I am going to tell you. It has been in my mind for about a year now, and I am thrilled that things are coming together so well … I can not wait to share it with you (really, it has been under wraps for so long, and I have been bursting at the seams to share it!!).

On Saturday, February 26, 2011, Hill City Bride will be having its first event, and it is not just any event! I long to provide an upscale, yet fun and affordable experience for the “Hill City” bride, and I want brides to learn all sorts of fun tips and tricks for wedding planning and also be able to connect with the vendors that can help them make their wedding dreams come true!

The event offers exciting and informative panel discussions with local wedding professionals along with breakout workshop sessions that you can choose based on your interests and where you are in your wedding planning. This event is designed for brides to bring their mom, maid of honor, sister or future groom for a fun day of mingling, learning, fun and, of course, food (in the form of a catered lunch!).

Ok, without further due, I will show you all of the pretties that go along with the event. Here is the skinny on some of the details, and I hope to see you there!

Saturday, February 26th, 11am-4pm

Riverviews Artspace on Jefferson Street in Downtown Lynchburg

Cost: $15 (until February 16th)

Special thanks goes out to Stone Blue Productions for their marketing and promotional help with our event!