Hill City Bride

Everyday Bridal Session by KD Burke Photography – Sarah

The styling of this session is impeccable. From the red shoes to the delicate hairpiece to the perfect gown (notice how it has a detachable shoulder piece… love that to add interest and have the option of strapless or not!). If you love the gown, head to Celebration in downtown Lynchburg, and if you adore the photos, check out the work of KD Burke.

As a sidebar, I also enjoy featuring brides that I know, and Sarah is one of those. I used to teach high school science (everyone things I majored in journalism, but I was a Biology major with a minor in Chemistry… imagine that!), and Sarah attended the school where I was teaching. How fun! She and her family are a joy to know, and I wish her all of the best in the future. Thank you again, Kimberly of KD Burke Photography, for the lovely photos, and Sarah’s makeup was done by Ashley McCarthy.

Veiled – A Beautiful, Creative Collaboration between Crystal George Studios and Bodyworks Day Spa & Salon

When I hear that Crystal of Crystal George Studios and Emily of Bodyworks Day Spa & Salon are up to something, I know it will be wonderful, but then seeing the results always blows me away! This session they crafted recently just oozes of beauty and a lot of makeup, hair and veiling ideas. Here are Crystal‘s own words about the shoot, and I hope you enjoy it!

Creative collaboration is one of my favorite things in the world. Artists from different genres can often inspire each other and bounce ideas back and forth in a way that creates something special. Emily and I both share an interest in fashion and we were excited to explore veiling in a way that wasn’t your traditional bridal look. 

 

Hair & Makeup: Emily Garbee, Bodyworks
Styling: Crystal George Studios & Emily Garbee
Models: Irina Fuller, Kellie Hunt, Ruby Young, Abbey Gail Johnston, Ivy Taylor

Love what Crystal and Emily do? Well, they will be presenting a session at Bliss, a fine wedding fair on April 1st. Be sure to come and hear what they have to say!

Wedding Wednesdays – A Glimpse into HCB’s Advertisers

If you are a bride, you have probably heard of Wedding Wednesday … whether it be on Twitter or Facebook wedding vendors and aficionados post tips, photos and tidbits concerning all things wedding. Well, I actually have a “secret” Facebook group for our HCB vendors where I share news and ask for ideas. It is kind of like a meeting place for the advertisers.

A while back, Christopher from Christopher Breedlove Photography began a trend of posting a photo on Wedding Wednesday (now reduced to W/W on our page), and soon after many of the other vendors started to follow suit. I wanted to give you a glimpse into what the vendors are posting and also what they are saying … it is fun to have a little behind the scenes look, and I hope you enjoy this first of many W/W postings brought to you by our amazing HCB vendor family.

Below is the photo that started it all, and here is what Christopher had so say … I thought I would start a new trend on the group wall. Whether photographer, florist, or designer, we need to showcase our work. With that in mind, here is a teaser of an amazing intimate wedding post to come … Chris and Rachel’s first dance.

Next to post was Linda of Love Is in the Air, who does amazing work with catering, cakes, decor, flowers and so much more. Here is what Linda had to say … Ok, Christopher! This is one of our favorite photos – our Shrimp Louisiana in glow martini glasses. Photo by Stone Blue Productions.

Kimberly from KD Burke Photography posted the photo below, which is so classic and beautiful. Vendors offered comments of … beautiful, Kim; some of your best!  and elegant, nostalgic and lovely. I love the way our vendors support each other even behind the scenes!

What a sweet exit that was caught by Liz of Sincerely, Liz: Photography. She said … I love this shot from a super fun wedding back in May, and I agree!

This next photo from Kim Jennings of Capture It Photography and Events
is so sweet! Kim said … this kid is taking his ring holding job pretty seriously. He is!! I’m sure he did a fantastic job.

Of course our photographers were quick to get in on the fun as was Jeremiah Colling of Colling Photography, who said … this is my first time posting for Wedding Wednesday as well. I love the anticipation as the B&G are about to see each other for the first time!

It’s not all weddings behind the scenes as you will see by this photo taken by Jeremiah Guelzo of Stone Blue Productions who said … our couple was having fun on an engagement session we shot a few weeks back. She looks like she IS having a great time!

This was from the Connor Wedding shot on June 11th at Boonsboro Country Club … said David of David Duncan Photography. Other vendors said … can’t wait to see more and very cool! I agree, and the colors are great.

Below is Crystal of Crystal George Studios‘ first W/W posting to which she said … well, I guess it’s time to join in on the Wedding Wednesday fun with the rest of you crazy people. I love this. It just happened randomly while we were on the beach. I think it’s past and future looking at each other.

The next photo is a moment captured from a “first look” by Allegra of Allegra’s Studio. One vendor said … I love the framing. Allegra definitely does have an eye for that!

Of course it is always a treat to see a beautiful cake made by Jennifer of La Bella Torta, who said … This is this past weekends’ cake with hand painted gold scrollwork and adorned with handmade gumpaste flowers. For those of you who are curious about the flavor (as one vendor did ask!), it was strawberry lemonade. Delish!

Adam of Adam Barnes Fine Art Photography shot this beautiful image to which one of the vendors commented … Check out that captured emotion! BRAVO! What a sweet moment.

The next image hails from Thomasina from Photography by Thomasina. She stated that she … wanted to get in on the W/W fun. And what fun it is when there are stunning images such as the ones below.

You never know what you will find on the page on a Wednesday as is evidenced by this photo by Heather of Visions by Heather. Vendors commented … lovely, lovely! and the clouds behind her are so cool. 

Our vendors are so talented as is shown by this photo of the work done by RS Exclusive. Rachel of RS said …Enjoy a photo from an outdoor wedding RS decorated for, and directed, this weekend. We were so happy with the way their bridal pagoda turned out! It’s no wonder … it is so gorgeous!

And last, but not least, even our hair experts get in on the fun! Here is a hairstyle by Gwen of Mitchell’s Salon on 7th to which vendors said … nice, soft curls and so pretty Gwen! You’re the bomb with a pair of scissors and a few hairs – I’ve seen you at work! Again, I adore how much our HCB family really supports each other.

I hope that you have enjoyed this little glimpse into our secret Facebook group … it is a lot of fun to see what the vendors come up with to show us each week, and I am looking forward to sharing more with you soon.

12 Days of Christmas Contest – Everyday Bride by Crystal George Studios – Angila, the Queen of Hearts

For the first 12 days of December, I am reposting my personal favorite photography postings. There are just so many that deserve attention once again … and these postings are not only getting attention, but they are getting a prize. That’s right! On December 13th, voting will begin to determine the best posting of 2011.

The photographer who submitted the winning posting will receive a $50 gift certificate to Gerald’s in Wyndhurst (what a great way to take a break and have a nice meal out during the holidays!). The couple featured in the winning posting will receive a $50 gift certificate to Charley’s in Lynchburg and also a $25 gift card to Starbucks … what a great date night!

So, whether you vote for the couple that speaks most to you and has that special spark, you root for the couple that has the most creativity or you even choose your favorite based on whose photography most aligns with your personal style, take a moment each day to look at the postings so that you can help us determine Hill City Bride’s winning couple and photographer.

This bridal session speaks for itself, but I adore it due to its uniqueness, effort (yet seemingly effortless) and creatively cool vibe. Without further due, here is today’s favorite:

Sometimes when I see the work of the HCB photographers, my heart skips a beat, and this session definitely made my heart skip and jump for joy! It is so beautifully styled and fun to look at. It was photographed and co-styled by Crystal George of Crystal George Studios. Here are Crystal’s own words about her Queen of Hearts session:

Angila has a love of all things Alice and wanted to do something fun. So we put our thinking caps on. Let’s be honest people, Alice is lovely, but it has a million different takes on it. One that I’d never seen done was the bride as the Queen of Hearts. I think Angila makes a heartbreaker Queen of Hearts, no? We had such a fun time playing around in our own little version of Wonderland. Huge, huge thanks La Bella Torta, Rod Meek & Co, and RS Exclusive for helping to make this happen.

 

Venue:  Anderson Wright Rooms and Gardens

Styling:  RS Exclusive and Crystal George Studios

Bouquet:  Rod Meek & Co

Cupcakes:  La Bella Torta

Dress:  David’s Bridal

Makeup:  MAC by Yasminda

 

 

Everyday Bridal Session by Jane Bradley Photography – Joy

Aqua cowgirl boots, an umbrella and a rainbow … this session has it all! Sometimes darkening skies can look discouraging for a photo shoot, but the color of the sky and cloud pattern can really make for an interesting backdrop as is the case with this bridal session shot by Jane Morice of Jane Bradley Photography. How fun that a rainbow made an appearance, too. The overcast day really made Joy’s dress pop out in the photos. Enjoy this beautifully photographed session, which took place at Sweet Briar College, and congratulations to Joy!

 

What a beautiful job, Jane! to view more work by Jane Bradley Photography, just click here to take a peek at her website.