Friday Faves!

I am sure I am not the only one who’s favorite day of the week is Friday! While perusing Weswen Design’s Blog last week, I noticed she started a “Friday Faves” and I just love it! I always see things throughout the week that I love, but don’t necessarily feel I could do an entire blog post on! So, every now and then, I plan to do a “Friday Faves” to share some awesome stuff out there in the world of the Internets.

Hope you enjoy my first “Friday Faves”:

* I am somewhat obsessed with this necklace & entire blog post for that matter from Katelyn James Photography. You could totally DIY that necklace!

* I saw this idea via Wedding Muse on Facebook: Linens & Clotheslines for your engagement shoot backdrop! Gorgeous and insanely easy to do yourself!

* New Jersey will always have a special place in my heart! I grew up there and it is still my hometown. Live It Out Photo captures these beautiful (yes NJ is beautiful, I don’t care what YOU think!) scenes with her Holga Camera. So Jersey.

*Speaking of WeswenDesign, be sure to check her “Behind the Design” series on her blog if you need some amazing wedding invitation inspiration in your life!

* And finally, if you haven’t seen it yet, then you should definitely hop on over to For Japan with Love.  Lydia from Ever Ours and Lucia from Utterly Engaged have put together the wonderful fundraiser for the victims of the tsunami and earthquakes in Japan. Check it out, become a fan on Facebook, or follow on Twitter!

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Real Capitol Romance: Lydia & Cesar

Natalie of Natalie Franke Photography was one of the first DC area wedding photographers that I encountered when I started my search for my brand new blog.

Natalie was extremely nice, talented, and helpful … but she was also INSANELY BUSY! This girl WORKS. On top of being a wedding photographer (based in the Annapolis, MD area) she is a full-time student, has started a separate business for her boudoir photography (Love & Lace) AND has started a new wedding blog for Annapolis area couples (Bayside Bride – coming soon!!).

Like I said. The girl WORKS.

But on top of all of that, she promised me a few months ago that when she had time, she would submit a shoot to my blog and well, it was worth the wait!  I am so pumped to bring you this adorable Georgetown engagement shoot this morning. A perfectly sweet shoot to get you excited for the weekend!

Without further adieu, here are Lydia, Cesar, & the ever-beautiful Georgetown captured by the fabulous Natalie Franke!

I am in LOVE with this shot and painting!

A note about Lydia & Cesar from Natalie:

Right about now – they are half way across the world, in India, starting their new life together! These love birds met in Nigeria while traveling abroad for work. I honestly could have talked to them all day about their love for other cultures and their incredible travel experiences. We started the session at Georgetown Cupcake and left to explore the neighboring streets. I absolutely loved photographing Lydia & Cesar and wish them the best of luck with all of the amazing moments headed their way!

I know Georgetown Cupcake is a popular spot for e-shoots in DC. Natalie shared with me her take on it:

When we did the shoot it was right before Georgetown Cupcake launched their TV show and the shop was completely empty. We got this cute little corner in the shop and I let them interact naturally while shooting from a variety of different spots. I event walked outside and it took a second before they realized I was there. It was so sweet. Just letting them interact & capturing more candid moments.

When I went back to the same shop a few weeks later for another engagement session, there was a line around the block – no kidding. It’s funny how sometimes timing just falls into place perfectly!

I can barely handle the adorableness that is happening here!

So subtly romantic & sweet.

Congratulations Lydia & Cesar! Thank you both ( & Natalie again) for sharing your shoot with us!

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The ULTIMATE eco & budget friendly wedding invitation or save the date!

Searching the internet for eco-friendly wedding invitations or save the date options will bring you to a TON of websites and blogs out there that will teach you about recycled paper, seed paper (paper that can be planted!), and a ton of other “green” wedding invitation options.

I was ALL about this when my husband and I first started our venture into DIY Wedding Invitations, however, I quickly learned that sometimes, going green ended up meaning going EXPENSIVE.

Then my friend Melissa introduced me to Paperless Post. The ultimate source for eco-friendly AND budget-friendly wedding invitations or save the dates.

Now, before you freak out about sending electronic invitations or save the dates. Keep reading … Paperless Post allows you to upload an image so that your electronic invitations look exactly like your paper invitations! It also sends an electronic envelope to your guests that simulates opening a card, tracks your guest list to see who has opened, read, or responded to the invite, AND costs a fraction of what traditional invites cost.

So this is what I am suggesting:

1. Save the Date (STD) Magnets are so 2007. The point of the STD is to provide a date and information. Don’t blow your budget on this! Paperless Post is a fantastic alternative for your tech savvy friends/family to get the STD they need, without the cost (or waste in paper, magnets, etc) to you!

2. Use a combination of traditional & electronic. At first I was totally gung-ho with sending all our invitations out e-style. Then, I sort of started to get a bit sentimental for a paper invite AND started to realize that not everyone on our guest list might appreciate the e-card over a traditional paper invite. So – I decided to go through our guest list and send electronic invites to our guy friends from high school and college, and cousins and siblings that were more tech-friendly. I knew that MOST of my guy friends would not appreciate a paper invite like my parents or grandmother might … and might just lose the invite anyway!

3. See for yourself how awesome a combination of paper and electronic wedding invitations can be!

Our Paper Invites (sans Map & RSVP postcard):

Our Paperless Post Invites (multiple images display 1 at a time on computer screen):

Let us know if you end up using Paperless Post for your STDs or Wedding Invitations!

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Real Capitol Wedding: David & Sam

A few weeks ago I featured one of Washington, DC’s best offbeat and alternative wedding venues, Long View Gallery. Today, I am beyond excited to get to feature a REAL WEDDING from this amazing site!

Thanks to the insanely talented photographer, Moshe Zusman, I give you the wonderful wedding of David & Sam.

From Moshe:

I had the privilege of photographing David and Sam’s wedding at DC’s Longview Gallery. David is a renowned photographer and Sam is a editor at Discovery, so needless to say, I was honored to be chosen to take part in their special day. The couple shared a beautiful, intimate wedding, and then celebrated with close family and friends. The reception featured a mouthwatering spread of food and drinks, and David and Sam cut a rug on the dance floor with guests…congrats to my friends David and Sam.

Congratulations indeed! Now onto some drool-worthy photography, emotions, food, and Long View Gallery in all its glory!

I love their rings! So unique and ancient feeling!

One of my favorite shots!

The emotions can totally be felt through this picture alone! Love it!

Nom Nom Nom – look at those sliders!!

You can’t tell me that Long View isn’t one of the coolest wedding venues after seeing their decor. The best part about the space, is you don’t need much decor to make it look so stunning! A few bright colored lanterns and some lighting & BOOM.

Not sure why, but this shot/the colors make me have this sense of being under water! I adore it.

The quintessential reception shot. Break it down guys!

Congratulations David & Sam! Thanks for sharing your wedding pictures with Capitol Romance. Special thanks also to Moshe Zusman again for the shots!

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