Winter is Coming

Actually, winter is always coming in this area.  Just about the time the last snow melts, we start doing our job to prepare for next year's storms.  This somehow never manages to dampen my love for snow.  It can be a love/hate relationship at times, but nothing quite compares to watching children and pets play in the pretty white flakes.

Duke is getting older now, he is less about frolicking in the snowbanks and more about finding a soft pile to flop down for a nap, and yet manages to look adorable the whole time.  He reminds me how lovely it can be to enjoy the little things, and with a fair sized storm slated for Wednesday, I am trying to focus on how lovely it will look and not how little I enjoy driving through it for our trip to visit family.

Next comes the fun of winter weddings.  So many brides skip over this season because they cannot see how beautiful it can look or forget that often they will save money because of the off-peak booking which can go into a larger reception or upgrade in honeymoon. 

If you are a winter wonderland bride, congratulations on picking an uncommon season and making the most of the snowy white world!  Jewel tones against fresh snow can look amazing in photos, and I am a sucker for the look of a classic wool pea-coat over a wedding gown.  And don't forget that you can keep that dress off the ground by going with a knee length design and adding some super cute fashionable boots to warm your toes outside and slip on your dancing shoes at the reception.

As always, winter is slow season for many wedding businesses, so you can save with "End of Season Sales" and booking for the year ahead well in advance.  Small business Saturday is on the way too, so keep an eye out for all those discounts and deals where you can.  Because there are fewer events, this is a good time to research and contact vendors if you are the kind to ask a ton of questions, take notes and make use of the time wisely, doing everything in a rush can lead to impulse choices that cost you in the end.

As always, enjoy the snow and the holidays!

The Word You Are Looking For Is Perfect!

Part of being willing to pose for fantastic photography is being comfortable with your body.  This is as true for a new bride celebrating in a fantastic white dress as it is for a "heavy" girl doing her first boudoir shoot as a gift for a special somebody.  And trust me, it only gets harder when you are battling body image issues and a growing baby bump before a day you know you cannot avoid the camera's flash.

I am pregnant.  Some years ago now, I was a pregnant bride.  Both times I have been keenly aware of the dirty looks that leaving the house being confident and proud of my belly can earn.  The inconsiderate whispers of other brides and shoppers stabbed like knives as I did my best to enjoy planning a wedding and getting the opportunity to have a child.

So why does it bother me when I hear or see people commenting about a woman "looking pregnant"?  Because pregnancy requires so much bravery and selflessness.  Being heavy after a baby is something we shame women into thinking is a flaw, being thick without having a big round belly is rough and we ALL need to remember that healthy and happy people come in more than one size.

I have this shocking theory that the words "She looks pregnant" should never be used when talking about a woman's clothing choices.  It may well be one of the most insulting things ever said about a person's appearance for how it defines both body image and maternity.  And as a woman who deals with both fashion and nude figures, it is something that irks me beyond belief when I see those comments on a photo of any strong, smart, sassy lady brave enough to not fall into the fear of photos that comes with wearing a dress size beyond single digits.

Stay tuned for a few fun images I have been keeping up my sleeve that prove that "perfect" is a far better word than "pregnant".  Beautiful is defined in our minds, not in our media.