If you loved the shoot, please leave a comment on Lauren’s blog to let her know! This girl does such an amazing job giving us daily inspiration, it’s always nice to know it’s appreciated

Gowns are Justin Alexander, La Sposa, Lazaro and Carmen Sutera – all from Something Blue Bridal Salon in Orlando.
Bouquet by Lee Forrest Design, Orlando
Hair by Nicole Beth, Jacksonville
Makeup by Heather Schnell, Orlando
Coordination by April Dorsey, The D-Tales, Orlando
Photography by me, Kristen Weaver Photography, Orlando
Photographer Assistant was Heather Blackwell
Model is Tyler Hill

Maria and I have been planning on shooting together for so long now, that I almost didn’t believe it when the universe aligned and our schedules allowed us to work together! Planning a shoot while Maria was in Miami walking fashion week, and I was in the middle of 3 weddings wasn’t the easiest task, but thanks to the help of her stylist friend, Chris, and the outstanding designer, Eduardo de las Casas (and Paul!), we finally got it together!

HUGE thanks to Heather Schnell for coming out and doing makeup (and a bit of hair!) for us! She’s amazing!

This shoot also caused quite a bit of ruckus on Facebook (my favorite shot of Maria was actually removed by Facebook for being “inappropriate” – thanks to whomever reported me )

So let the conversation begin!

Maria and I decided to play around with some of Eduardo’s absolutely fantastic gowns. Love his work so much!

Eduardo was named as the New Emerging Designer at Miami Fashion Week 2008. Keep an eye on this guy!

On Saturday, I was absolutely honored to photograph the wedding of the beautiful Mindy and talented Josh. Mindy spent months preparing every detail of her amazingly elegant event, along with the expertise of planner Jackie Ross with Table 6 Productions. The church was amazing, the reception venue was just breathtaking, and the food was unbelievable! Not to mention the gallons of sweet tea before and after the event – I was in heaven! With details like a Starbucks coffee bar, Banana’s Foster, big band entertainment, and a fresh lavender send-off (to a vintage Rolls Royce), the reception was one of the best I’ve attended!

Mindy wore an Anne Barge gown and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house as Josh, a country singer/songwriter, played a song he wrote just for her during the ceremony. *swoon*

You better believe I’ll have a much longer blog post with a full vendor list in the next few weeks, but I couldn’t resist posting a little recap of the day.

Event Planning: Jackie Ross, Table 6 Productions
Ceremony: Tampa Covenant Church
Reception Venue: St. Pete Museum of Fine Arts

Mindy has the most amazing blue eyes! And her cute tank-top says it all

Mindy had a gorgeous bridal party with her, and her mom looked absolutely stunning.

Jackie designed the gorgeous rose-petal aisle runner

Is this a handsome group of guys or what?? (and I love the baseball pose…. haha! Totally his idea, by the way!)

Sweet tea station!!

Mindy and Josh shared their first dance with their friends and family!

And had their own little photobooth! We snuck the first couple photos…

I loved that their mini-cake was a nod to their engagement photos!

The evening wrapped up with a Blushing Bride signature cocktail for the toast!

I can’t wait to share the rest of their amazing event… stay tuned!

How do you put in to words how much your best friend means to you? I keep trying to think of something clever to say, but instead, I’m reminded of just how fantastic a person she is.

I met Candice while working at Handel’s Ice Cream back in 1998. I was a junior in high school, she was a sophomore. When we realized we were basically the exact same person, we were inseparable. That summer, and my senior year, you could always find us together – at work, at school, lunch hours, weekends, dances…. she just got me (and that’s not easy for anyone!). She was creative, funny and so down-to-earth. She was also super shy (until you got to know her) and loved all the same things that I did. She was a talented artist and driven to greatness, I was sure of it.

After graduating, Candice attended the Fashion Institute in New York City, and her career as a fashion designer began. Now, looking to start her own couture bridal line, Candice has met the man of her dreams, bought a cute little house in Pasadena together, and is planning the most amazing vintage wedding event at the famous Wayfarers Chapel and historic Viceroy Hotel in April.

Kevin is a fantastic match for Candice, and I knew he was perfect for her when I heard he proposed in her favorite city at the Flatiron Building in New York. Not only did he get the location right, but her one-of-a-kind vintage diamond engagement ring was the perfect fit for her flawless fashion style.

I can’t wait to shoot their wedding in April, and share their amazing plans with everyone! And keep a lookout for Candice’s first collection of custom bridal designs that I’ll be shooting

Candice has always been one of the most beautiful people I’ve known. But seriously – look at those big green eyes!

Kevin’s not so bad either No joke, I see beautiful babies in their future

After shooting in Pasadena, we stopped over at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown LA for a few quick shots.

On the way out to Manhattan beach, we stopped over at this amazing restoration shop.

Here’s a shot of her gorgeous vintage diamond ring…

We were so lucky to find these 2 posters of the very place where Kevin proposed! On the right is the Flatiron Building!

We went over to Manhattan Beach and grabbed a Starbucks on the very bench where they first met each other…

This is the bench on the pier where they sat and talked on that first date…

And to finish off the day, we *cautiously* incorporated Kevin’s surfing background by hanging out at some tide pools in the Pacific!

It was no easy task for Candice and I to get out to these rocks – but I’m pretty proud of ourselves for getting there without falling
(with Kevin’s help, thankfully)! The waves were amazing as they crashed around us….

Just before we left, I wanted to get a quick shot of the shoreline. I love the west coast! You just don’t get these views in Florida!