Limited Edition Bridal Gown from White House Black Market ($498)

I’ve been seeing a lot lately about bridal gowns being available from retailers who aren’t traditional bridal outlets like White House Black Market (fittings available in select boutiques), J Crew (website/catalog only), with Urban Outfitters’ Anthropologie line and The Limited joining the fray soon.

J Crew Chiffon & Organza Dune Gown ($895)

The prices on these range anywhere from $295 to $2500.  The first obvious question is, do you like some of the dresses available on these sites?  And the follow up, of course, is, would you consider a dress from retailers like this, and if so, what would your expectations be?  Would you want to see the dresses in the stores at these prices or is online only OK, how much support would you expect from the stores, would you expect to have to take it somewhere else for alterations?

Leave me a comment and tell me what you think!

This is how you do Save The Date, kats ‘n’ kiddies…

I was on one of my new favorite wedding blogs, Emmaline Bride, which specializes in equipping the bride who loves unique and elegant handmade items, and they profiled this great Etsy shop, Dawn Correspondence.  You’ve gotta see their stylish, modern take on invitations– so much more interesting than the everyday stuff you see from all the usual suspects.

Take a look at some of these refreshing invitations:

They also do custom orders, so you can inject some of your personal interests like the bicycle one above…

They’re based in Richmond, Virginia, but they work with clients worldwide.  Go give them a look for yourself!

Like a lot of people, I do a bit of end of the year evaluating, at least when it comes to the photography business.

My lovely bride Kristina got me a book by Joe Buissink for Christmas, Wedding Photography from The Heart.  Joe has always been one of the photographers whose work inspires me most, and as I read the book, I started to realize that there are two things I’ve gotten away from over the last year, delivering lots of black and white photographs, and sometimes, turning all the flash units off, and making a natural light photograph, even I sacrificed a little shutter speed to get it.  The two really go hand in hand, because my favorite natural light photographs have always been my black and whites.  Two years ago, I delivered usually about 25% black and white or sepia toned images, and as of late, the number had been a lot closer to 10%.

That’s going to change this year, I think.  While I pride myself on my ability to create light and natural looking color when I need it, I’ve always felt that when you take the color out of an image, sometimes you let the emotion back in.

Every once in awhile, I try to link to something that’s outside the box.  Sometimes, it’s advice, sometimes it’s inspiration.  This is definitely the latter.

Found this one through Offbeat Bride.  Bride and groom are turning 30 and 40, respectively.  A dual birthday party is planned.  This (fun, sexy, stylish) film is shown at the party.  Most of the guests are unaware that Jessica and Lorien (aka “Tree”) recently eloped.  

They know now.