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Travel Update- Wednesday, September 17th- I'm back in Lusaka at my Dad's house today. Gonna soak up some serious R & R, and get an idea of their everyday life here. I can't wait to see my dad in action at work. He's been traveling to Africa my whole life, and this is the very first time I'll get to see a first hand look at what he's been up to over here for all those years!
Today's blog post is from one of my Junebug partners in crime, Blair. As the resident Junebug genius, Blair has an absolute wealth of knowlege about weddings, ettiquette, and all things sweet and special. Today she's talking about kids in weddings, and what you should keep in mind when including the little ones you love in your big day. Enjoy!
Including kids in your wedding is the guaranteed way to add extra sweetness to your day. What could be cuter than a little girl all dressed up in tulle and ribbons scattering flower petals from her basket, or a little boy suited up in his tuxedo taking on the important job of the bearing the rings to the bride and groom? If you have children in your life that are between the ages of four and eight those are perfect jobs for them and with enough practice and encouragement they can carry out their roles with pride and passion. Should you have older children that you would like to include, they make great junior bridesmaids, groomsmen and ushers.
Little children, especially toddlers, are unpredictable and adorably spontaneous. If you plan on including them, be sure to stay flexible and keep your sense of humor. Sometimes they'll be with you and sometimes they'll be in their own world, playing with their toys while you say your vows, or hiding from the camera when the photographer wants to take your group photos. To help kids stay comfortable follow these easy tips:
Get the kids to practice their roles at your rehearsal and several times before your ceremony.
Have your flower girl and ring bearer walk down the aisle together. Having a buddy can help calm jumpy nerves.
Seat parents in the aisle seat where their kids can see them.
Be sure children have an extra change of clothes in case they can't wait to get out of their fancy duds.
Arrange for child-care during the reception for toddlers and elementary school children. Create a play area with snacks, toys, and appropriate videos. Consider setting up a changing and nursing room for moms and little babies.
If you're blending families, be sure that all the kids are included. Have them with you during the ceremony and be sure that the officiant calls them out as an important part of your union.
Without a doubt, no matter how you choose to include kids in your wedding they're sure to bring big smiles to your guests and look too precious for words in your pictures, making any minor accomodations made for them well worth it.
Speaking of well worth it! If you have a pet that is as adorable as the one pictured below, by all means deck them out in wedding attire and have your photographer include a photo of them in your wedding album. Kids and puppies, it really doesn't get any cuter than that!
Travel Update- Monday, September 15th- We made it! Today I'm with my lovely family in Zambia at Kafue National Park, the second largest national park in the world. Lions, and leopards, and cheetas, oh my!
Today's guest blog post comes from my friend, Kim Bamberg, Junebug's Art Director extraordinaire, and one of the sweetest people you're ever likely to meet. Kim works with all of the spectacular images that are generously submitted to our site, and has an eagle eye for beauty. Today, I've asked her to share ten of her favorite shots from Junebug member photographers. I know you'll love them!
As Junebug's Art Director I have the greatest job in the world, but I have to say that coming up with only ten photos I adore has been pretty tough. Here are my favorites of the moment (by the time I've posted this I'll probably have chosen 100 more!) The first two were taken by my Junebug partners, Christy and Blair, of Postive Light Photography, the rest are from John and Joseph Hong, Grace and Hun Kim, Jim Garner, John Chin, Anglea Burke and Ashley Delatour, and I've even chosen one from my husband, Adam, who is my partner at La Vie Photography.
I love the photos above and below from Positive Light Photography, because they tell an emotional story of love and connection. You can feel the joy of the couple pictured above, see how stylish they are, and get a glimpse of what it was like to be there with them. In the photo below you can feel the vulnerability, gratitude, and love of the bride. I think that the ability to transport the viewer to another time and place is what great photojournalism is all about.
In the following two photos, John and Joseph Hong capture the important details of the day and add a little magic of their own. Notice the couple's reflection in the groom's ring (genius!) and the texture and beauty of the bouquet below, I feel like I can smell and touch it from where I'm sitting.
When it comes to great portraits, it's all about capturing authentic personalities. I love the way the blue eyed bride, captured by Jim Garner, looks at the camera completely at peace and content in the arms of her groom. The following photo from GH Kim, clearly shows a couple joyously in love and in their own moment.
In the last few years wedding photographers have gotten increasingly creative at producing fun, artistic group portraits. It's been a pleasure to see how many of the Junebug Member photographers have led the way. Take a look at how gorgeous and fashionable the photo below is, taken by GH Kim. It looks like it came straight out of Vanity Fair magazine! The next one, from Yours by John, is a playful take on a classic group portrait. I love the somewhat traditional shape combined with the spontaneous moment.
Last but not least, I am always amazed by what famous photographer, Henri Cartier-Bresson, called the "decisive moment." That milisecond where magic happens. Obviously, no photographer could have ever planned to take the photos below. The first one was taken by Jim Garner, who always seems to be at the right place at the right time, and the last one was taken by my husband, Adam, at the height of a Jewish Hora dance. The opportunity to work with Adam (and to know he is busy taking shots like these) is one of the things I am most grateful for in my life. When it comes down to it, I just adore looking at fabulous images. Send me your favorite photos, or submit your Real Wedding for consideration on Junebug. I'd love to see how your photographer captured your big day!
Travel Update- Friday, September 12th- I'm flying! Goodness it takes a long time to get to Africa!
Today's Real Wedding of Amy and Jon comes to us straight from the beaches of Hawaii. Feeling overwhelmed with planning a huge local wedding, Amy and Jon decided to shift gears and make theirs a simple, intimate, and beautiful affair by heading to the islands. With just four months left to go, they planned and hosted a destination celebration for 28 of their closest friends and family at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai on the Big Island of Hawaii. Perfect!
As Amy was getting into her dress, she started have those famous pre-wedding nerves, and at the very same moment she received a picture message on her phone from Jon. The Big Island has lava rocks all over and traditionally people will take white rocks and shells and create messages on top of the black ones. Jon had pulled over on the side of the road and spelled out, ?Amy + Jon? on the lava rocks for her, and once Amy looked at the picture, she was immediately calm again.
The ceremony was on a grassy bluff overlooking the water and they wanted to create the feeling of an intimate, elegant, earthy, green paradise for all of their guests who's presence at their wedding they so appreciated. Wedding coordinator Kelly Simants of Sweet Pea Events helped with all of the details, and arranged for over 3,000 loose orchid blooms to fill the aisle all the way up to where they said their vows.
John and Joseph Photography travelled along with the happy couple to document their day and they captured unbelievable images as always. The photos are romantic, intimate and elegant, just the qualities Amy and Jon were hoping for!
The reception was all about great food and lots of fun, and at the end of the day they felt that their best decision was following their instincts and planning a destination wedding that was perfect for them!
Thanks for sharing your wedding story and beautiful photos with us Amy and Jon! For more information about this Hawaii destination wedding, be sure to visit our Real Weddings section!
OK, this is it, my last post before leaving on my big African adventure! Woo-hoo!
Over the next three weeks we have some amazing guest posts all lined up; ideas from the team here at Junebug, the work of talented wedding professionals, Real Weddings to die for, and personal stories from bloggers and brides alike. You're going to love them! You can also follow along with my itinerary in the mini travel updates I've written at the beginning of each post. As you read, just picture me lounging in the locations above, and in my fantasy safari wardrobe below! Dreamy! See you in October!
Spring 2009 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is well under way in New York, and as always there are all sorts of designs from the ready-to-wear runways that would be perfect for weddings. I can see many of these dresses worn by a bride at a casual wedding, at a rehearsal dinner, or out on the town on a fabulous honeymoon. Check out a few of my early faves from the great coverage on Style.com...
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