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!

Step-By-Step: Design to Dress

 

Going from sketch to gown is a long process.  Having a one of a kind dress is a dream fewer brides can enjoy with tight budgets and the massive numbers of off the rack gowns.  Fewer shops offer the chance to sit with a designer and really discuss ideas on what would be perfect for that one special day.

This is one of four new sketches starting the 2013 Spring/Summer season for Weddings By Armando.  Updates on how this beauty will go from thoughts, to sketch, to being ready for a walk to the alter will be available in future updates.  Until that point our new quest for models to participate in our 2013 search continues.  Plus size, same sex couples, and anyone wanting to have a chance at being a model for a day should keep track of our updates on facebook and apply as soon as we open the information. 

Until then, we are working on big website updates, new dress designs, and a wonderful winter trash the dress idea for snowy brides to get some ideas for fun photos in the frosty outdoors!

A Little Sneeky Peek

Winter and I usually get along just fine, but today it seriously made me sad panda.

I'm a jogger when the opportunity is there.  I say when, because if you are familiar with a typical Maine winter you will understand that it is not always an option.  Our condo is lovely, but not at all large enough to house exercise equipment more extensive than my Wii Fit.  I waiting until the baby was napping, hooked up my infant monitor with the awesome radius that allows me to get to the end of the road (about a half mile) without loss of signal and headed out the door.  I got to then end of my drive way before landing firmly on my backside thanks to our recent melt-freeze cycle that has been making this area it's pet project.

That meant trading jogging time for logging in to more wedding websites and working on the 2013 campaign for elopements and weddings.  Bookings have started to pick up a bit and I find myself hopeful that adding in two new services will expand on that growth.  The bigger of these two factors is that we will be launching an option for brides to work with our exclusive seamstress to design a one-of-a-kind gown to go with their one-of-a-kind day!  

This seamstress has over thirty years professional experience and a passion for rich fabrics paired with figure flattering designs.  She has done everything from prom gowns and wedding design to approved regiment garments for reenactments presenting battles from the American Revolution.  She has owned and operated a costume design company for over ten years specializing in beautiful designs for children.  And finally, she did the detail work on all of the gowns this budding photographer wore through her early years and in high school.  Yes, she was even the skilled hand for fitting wedding gowns for my closest friends, bridesmaid gowns I have worn, and my own wedding gown.  I am talking of course about the fact that I am now employing the seamstress services of Diane Martell... the person my son calls "Namma" and I call "Mom".

We have both been budget brides and planned our events in a limited schedule.  When she and my father held their wedding they announced their engagement and set out the details so quickly her family was shocked.  We both believe in getting things done the right way first and making sure that services match the price, but that a couple should not have to spend themselves into a lifetime of debt for one day.  From finding unusual venues for a wonderful price, to planning a special surprise with the DJ to make the father of the bride sniffle when he dances with his little girl... we work as a team to bring out the best in a big day.  And we do it because the strongest force in the 'verse is LOVE!

Check in soon for more updates with Diane's designs, our adventures in planning the wedding of a close friend for this summer, and more amazing news about our contacts with officiants and other vendors through the newest part of the Akelis Studios family:

The North Remembers

I have been neglecting this blog as I deal with some difficult family situations lately.  Honestly, it is more that I am just not keeping up with it while I work out a way to get my family through a rough patch. I need to get back to work on this blog and make sure that I am not ignoring my updates. 

We live in Maine, an area always covered in snow in the winter.  When I was in middle school a serious ice storm came through and caused saplings along the road to my family's house to become curved from the extended period under the weight of the ice.  They now make arch over the road and the snow looks beautiful on them.

What I would like is the chance to share more wintery images.  For that reason... I am sharing these until I finish editing the next batch of wedding and portrait works.