North Carolina Winter Wedding Styled Shoot

Before we bid adieu to winter and say hello to Spring in a few weeks, we wanted to squeeze in one more gorgeous winter wedding and share all its pretty details. This styled shoot is all about elegance, class, and beauty. The stunning venue, the breathtaking flowers, and the bride and groom make this winter wedding shoot super chic.   With the fabulous talent of Alexanders Studios, the images has us swooning. If you are still feeling the winter season, then warm up with a cup of coffee or tea and enjoy this Southern Winter wedding.

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About the Styled Shoot from Alexanders Studios

The dry grasses are not dead for me. A beautiful form has as much life at one season as another. -Henry David Thoreau

Though spring delivers beams of hope and renewal, the long winter that proceeds it can often bear down on our souls with dreary gray monotony – unless we have love. Love has no season. It is impermeable by cold or heat. In fact, some may argue it gains strength through the winter, when it is the sole source of gladness and warmth. The stark white, silver, and gray of winter is warmed by just a sprinkle of red love, and this styled shoot captures that contrast.The bride and groom models in this shoot are real-life sweethearts. Their romance has been one of budding beauty. When the bride model moved from her cold home state last year, she ventured into a renewed life in North Carolina that surprised her with warmth and love. From the groom model: “In February of 2014, she moved from the frozen wasteland of Wisconsin and started visiting Church. That first Sunday she attended was the first time that I was leading worship for the service. As she walked through the doors and saw me up on stage, she had an overwhelming feeling that this was the person she had been looking for her whole life.”

As we shot photos of this sweet couple, the bitter cold winds of winter blew through the leafless trees. Intermittent bursts of sunshine warmed our bodies, but the love between these two sweethearts warmed their souls. Sharing their love on camera encouraged the groom model to reminisce about his first encounter with his beloved. “As she walked up the stairs and I saw her for the first time, I was struck by how beautiful she was…I was convinced that if there was anyone in the world that I could love, it was her.” It was as if he had experienced a glimpse of spring in her beauty, and he could not go back to living in a loveless winter. “As our interest grew in each other, I began looking for an opportunity to talk to her dad, to ask him for permission to date his daughter,” the groom model explained.“We have simply fallen deeper and deeper in love with each passing day. We are so excited to see how the Lord will work in our lives together in the future, for we know thatGod orchestrated our relationship from the start.”Where summer’s heat drives us to shed heavy layers, the cold of winter beckons us to add more…more lace…more fur…more texture… in order to compensate for winter’s starkness. The fur stole the bride wore in this shoot makes one warmer just by gazing at it.

The dark red flowers in her bouquet add life to the wintery surroundings. The texture of the jewels add another layer of beauty. Even the detailed antique china warms the dining space in a way that the simplicity of summer cannot convey. And, of course, the closeness of the couple encourages warmth of body and spirit.Winter does not deliver an absence of warmth or love…it is actually the ideal season for more! With warm touches of red, textured pieces, and layers of luxury, this styled shoot shows how love can warm the coldest of hearts.

 

Vendors:

Photography: Alexanders Studios

Venue: Chateau Bellevie

Event Planner: Galej Events

Jewelry: Gemma Jewels

Invitations: Greatest Story Weddings

Make up Artist: Julie Robbins Makeup

Hair: Wedding Hair by Liz

Cake: Ambrosia Cake Creations

Flowers: North Raleigh Florist

Bridal Dress: Savvi Formalwear

Montana Winter Wedding

Here at BHL headquarters located in Southern California, we do not see much snow around here, so when we have a dreamy winter wedding to feature, we are totally head over heels in love.  Rich sumptuous colors, roaring log fires, a gorgeous handcrafted bouquet made by the mother of the bride,  beautiful snowy day as the backdrop, and this wedding is romantic and magical. Then you have Marianne Wiest Photography behind the lens to capture it all, and you have a handful of stunning images which has us swooning over all the pretty details.  Cozy up to this lovely winter wedding, and enjoy the romance!

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From Marianne Wiest Photography

This sweet, cute and goofy couple had a cold and snowy, but absolutely beautiful wedding in Missoula, Montana.  Luckily they were used to the cold since they are from Nome, Alaska!

Jake and Kaley have known each other for 10 years. They met in Kalispell, MT, and were friends through mutual friends. Kaley was in a relationship at the time, so was not interested in more than a friendship. Jake moved to Alaska and they went our separate ways. They didn’t have contacted for 4 years. One night, Kaley’s friend Sara was trying to set her up with a friend. We talked about relationships and Kaley mentioned how she and Jake always had a connection. They spent the night on google looking for info and pictures of Jake. The next day, Sara called the last known bank he had worked at and pretended he did a loan for her. Reluctantly, the bank gave her his number because he had moved to Fairbanks. She called him and told him he needed to get in touch with Kaley. Jake called later that week and they began a long distance relationship for 2 years until Kaley moved to Alaska.

 One of Kaley’s favorite things to do in Nome is to comb the beach for sea glass along the Bering Sea. It was in May and she was leaving for Montana the next day to spend the summer with family. Jake and Kaley went to collect sea glass on the beach. As they were walking along collecting glass, Jake got down and said “I think I found a piece of glass you will really like” Kaley looked down and he was on one knee with a wedding ring. Of course I couldn’t believe he was proposing right before she was leaving but she was so happy that they were going to get married. I said “yes”

They began planning a winter wedding in Missoula, Montana, which was close to both of their families.  They figured a Christmas/winter wedding would be convenient for family that had time off of work were traveling home for the holidays.

Although the blizzard made for bad driving conditions, the snow added a beautiful element to the photos.  And the 1953 Chevy, restored by the groom’s father, was an added bonus as a prop!  Jake’s dad Gerry rebuilt the truck from the ground up. The exact same model driven by 3 generations in Jake’s family. 

Instead of a cake, the couple had a local bakery make blueberry pies out of blueberries they had handpicked and brought with them all the way from Alaska.  This way they could have a little bit of Alaska with them in Montana.

 The bride chose natural colors that go along with burlap, eggplant, blush, and other natural tones. She wanted the wedding feel to be antique, the shabby chic with the lace and burlap. Instead of bouquets, the flower girls walked down the aisle with vintage fans.

On all of the wine bottles were from a book of love poems that the bride’s great grandma had given her mom. The lace, broaches in the bouquet and the gloves were from the bride’s great grandma. The bride’s mom made the bouquet and the bride made the boutonneires.

 

Vendors:

Photographer: Marianne Wiest Photography

Venue: The Ranch Club

Hair: Bella Sauvage Spa & Salon

Wedding Pie: Bernice’s Bakery

Bridal Gown: BHLDN

Jewelry: Blue Nile

Groom and Groomsmen Attire: Tuxedo Gallery

DJ: ZooTown

Winter Wonderland Industrial Wedding

It is New Years Day, and it is a time of renewal, new year’s resolutions, and change. We hope that each and every one of you had a safe and happy New Years Eve. In honor of of the first day of 2015, we wanted to feature a very special wedding. One year ago, this couple celebrated their love for each other, and today we want to dedicate the New Year to this fabulous couple. Gorgeous images from Andie Freeman Photography  and beautifully planned by Southern Sophistication Designs this winter wedding is romantic and very sweet.  Happy Anniversary to Eddie and Courtney!

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A few words from  Southern Sophistication Designs…

Courtney and Eddie, “are an absolutely adorable couple.  They started out as clients, but living through her leukemia journey with her and planning her dream wedding, they quickly became family.  The inspiration for their wedding was at first going to be southern summer sweetness but after her diagnosis made a summer wedding an impossibility, we changed her wedding into a southern sophisticated New Year’s celebration to remember.  It was also Courtney’s first big event after her diagnosis and treatment.  The story would even make the Grinches heart grow three too big.”

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From Andie Freeman Photography

Courtney was originally planning a summer wedding to her sweetheart, Eddie.  But in January of 2013, that all changed.  She was tired, so she decided to go and see her doctor.  The results weren’t good.  She was diagnosed with Leukemia and immediately hospitalized for treatment.  Her brother donated his bone marrow for a transplant and she underwent chemotherapy and radiation.  She lost her glorious blonde hair that she has been growing out for her summer wedding.  It was a summer wedding that would never happen.  She was not allowed to be around a large group of people for one year.  So she and Eddie changed their plans.  They began to plan a winder wedding.  With the help of their wedding planning and event designer, Jessie Patton, they planned a glorious event at the Foundry at Puritan Mill in Midtown Atlanta.  And even though she didn’t have her long blonde locks, she had the cutest short, curly bob.  Courtney stated, “My fiance and I have been through alot together, especially in the past year after a cancer diagnosis last Fall. Now with a clean bill of health, our wedding has become an even bigger celebration. Our wedding will be a mix of northern and southern guests. I am envisioning a rustic winter wedding”.It was a stunning event from beginning to end and Eddie and Courtney got their dream wedding with all of their family and friends.  She is now a little older than 1 (her cancer free date) and they are living in their dream house in the suburbs of Atlanta.  

 

Vendors:

Photographer: Andie Freeman Photography

Wedding Planner: Southern Sophistication Designs

Venue: The Foundry At Puritan Mill

Wedding Cake: The Posh Cakery

Caterer: Bleu House Cafe

Bridal Gown: Bride Beautiful

Videographer: Hammond Studios

Groom and Groomsmen Attire: Men’s Warehouse

DJ: Osborne DJ Entertainment

Officiant: Rev. Sam The Marrying Man

Colorado Winter Wedding

We do not see much of winter here in Southern California, as most of the year it is sunshine and blue skies.  However, once in a while, I love when a winter wedding comes long that brings a smile to my face. One that usually entails a beautiful winter affair with all the gorgeous details. This one is no exception. This wedding is super romantic.  Behind the lens to capture it all is Mathew Irving Photography.  Pretty snow flakes, lovely white flowers, pine cones, and sparkly details make this winter wedding a magical one. We love that this couple thought of their guests and the cold weather when planning their day. They offered socks to warm up those cold toes, staying cozy and warm throughout the reception. I have seen flip flops, but never socks! This is such a great idea for a cold winter wedding.  And a winter wedding is not complete without a s’mores bar to make your own little treat. Its fun, and yummy. So before you head out to do the day after Christmas shopping, or if you are taking a shopping break, make sure to take time to browse the photographs of this Colorado winter wedding. So, grab a cup of hot chocolate or coffee and see all the winter details from this romantic affair.

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Karin and Travis had a wonderful, wintery wedding. Despite the unseasonably warm December day, the couple’s carefully chosen details glistened like freshly fallen snow. From the sparkling snowflakes to the frosted pinecones, these newlyweds had their theme covered. Their genial personalities showed that opposites really do attract- an icy theme and two warm hearts are the perfect match.

 

Vendors:

Photography: Mathew Irving Photography

Venue: Villa Parker

Event Planner: Marilee & Grace Wedding + Event Desigm

Floral Designer: The Garden Path Co.

Wedding Cake: The Makery Cake Co.

Caterer: Three Tomatoes Catering

Winter Wonderland Rustic Wedding

The holiday week continues with this gorgeous winter wonderland wedding from the very talented Andie Freeman Photography. This wedding is very special and has warmed our hearts with its very moving love story. This beautiful couple’s love is so strong, it radiates from each and every image. I was so enamored by their incredible love, I almost missed out on all the amazing lovely winter wedding details. This wedding is cozy, intimate, and so pretty! Winter + Rustic + Stunning Couple= Winter Wonderland Dream. I think I have fallen in love with winter, and it is all due to the exquisite details of this Southern wedding. I have to admit, I have browsed through these images more than once, so make sure to set some time aside for this one. Happy Winter!

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From Andie Freeman Photography …

I was amazingly touched when I was told the story of Alison and Brandon by venue owner, Debbie Benson.  Brandon, who was diagnosed with terminal melanoma, was to wed his fiance Alison.  They were married at an outdoor barn wedding with beautiful quilts and stunning winter wonderland country accents.  Although we almost froze to death that day (40 degrees!), it was so wonderful to be a part of the culmination of their love story.  Sadly, only a few months after their marriage, Brandon passed away with Alison by his side.  All services by vendors were donated or provided at cost.  Brandon decided to grow his beard after his cancer treatment made him lose all of this hair.

Alison wanted a winter wonderland rustic wedding so venue owner, Debbie Benson, came together with myself and Event Planner, Cissy Wood to put together a beautiful winter wedding.  There were pinecones and teal glitter balls in beautiful lanterns.  There were snowflakes hanging from the ceiling.  There was an extremely popular hot chocolate bar.  And because of the cold, there were quilts for all of the guests to wrap up in.  Even though it was bitterly cold, Brandon and Alison truly made the best out of their special day.  Alison stated recently that she loves Brandon and misses him every day.

 

 

Vendors:

Photography: Andie Freeman Photography

Venue: The Barn On Belmont

Caterer: Blind Pig Tavern & Buffalo’s

Makeup: Bombshell Creations

Event Planner: Hydrangea House Events

DJ: Osborne DJ Entertainment

Chic and Sophisticated Winter Styled Groom Shoot

Can you believe that it is 2014? January can already be considered an amazing month. Winter weddings are still in tow and we could not be happier. Are you ready for some fabulous winter wedding inspiration? That’s exactly what we’re serving up this morning, and we have to warn you, it is a good one! This inspired winter styled groom shoot is extra special because Perfectly Made Weddings, together with an incredible lineup of vendors is to sure to inspire any winter style affair. Perfectly Made Weddings wanted to really pull in the groom for this one, and let the groom steal the spotlight for a bit. Don’t worry, the wedding day is still about the bride too, but we can’t forget that the groom has a pretty important role in all this. So here is to the groom and his groomsmen!

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From Perfectly Made Weddings

Idea and inspiration behind the shoot:

The idea and inspiration came from the designer’s love for sophisticated, elegant,  and classical details.  The wedding day seems to always be about the bride and her details, but what about the groom? We really wanted the groom to have his own spotlight as well. So, how does the day look like when a groom and his men are hanging out the day of a winter styled wedding in a very elegant and classy setting? We choose Mastro’s Steakhouse for it’s contemporary, sophisticated, and elegant ambiance. The concept was to create a very sophisticated and masculine feel for the day of wedding for the groom and his men. The location is a perfect compliment for this chic and sophisticated look.

Color palette:

The main color palette for the shoot consists of greys, serene blues and silvers.

Fashion: We wanted to stay with winter inspired wardrobe, while keeping it simple and chic.  The groom is wearing a light grey Allure Heather tux, while the groomsmen are wearing Allure Heather Charcoal tuxes.

 Vendor Information:

Event Styling and Design: Perfectly Made Weddings

Photographer:  Silver Gecko Photography

Wardrobe Styling: Eric Acuña | Friar Tux Shop

Wardrobe: Friar Tux Shop

Hair & Make-up: Vibrant One Make-up by Alexis Gameroz-Steely

Floral Design: French Buckets

Venue: Mastro’s SteakHouse (Costa Mesa location)

Models: Sebastian Ramirez, Dan Douglas and Emmanuel Gonzalez

Three Ways to be Holiday Festive

December is one of the most festive months of the year with Christmas, Hanukah and New Years’ Eve all in the span of four weeks.  It’s a busy time but it’s an exciting opportunity to have the festive holiday wedding you’ve always dreamed of! Here are a few ways you can make your winter wedding holiday festive.

FLOWERS AND GREENERY

 By choosing the right flowers and accents your guests will be immersed in holiday cheer.  Be sure to mix in lots of reds and greens into your arrangements for that wonderfully Christmas feel.  You can also add touches of gold or silver into bouquets and boutonnieres or blues, silver and white for an elegant Jewish affair.  However, if you want your wedding to be unmistakably Christmas themed add a beautifully decorated Christmas tree as a focal point and wrap garland over any staircases.  This will serve as a great photo opportunity for you and your guests.

LIGHTS

Lights are a huge part of any festive event.  Rely on large amounts of candles during your ceremony.  The warm, low light of candles will not only make for a romantic ceremony, they will produce an intimate atmosphere where guests will feel they are sharing a special moment with a couple in love.  Also, what could be more festive than Christmas lights?  Dress your reception space in white twinkling lights to create your enchanted winter wonderland.  If you want some more sparkle use lots of crystals in your décor and the reflection of light off the crystals will create a snowy feel in the space.  Finally, play with projections on the walls and dance floors.  Snowflakes would be perfect projections on the dance floor and tie into the holiday theme brilliantly!

FAVORS AND ACTIVITIES

There are so many great opportunities to be festive when it comes to favors and fun activities for your guests.  First, create holiday feelings of a cozy night by the fire with friends by offering a warm beverage station with holiday treats like peppermint hot chocolate or spiked eggnog.  Next, have holiday themed favors at the tables.  Snowflake shaped frames, yummy holiday treats or even a monogrammed ornament are all great options.  Last but not least, kick up the holiday fun with a holiday photo booth!  Provide Santa hats, reindeer antlers, elf ears, a Santa beard, etc.  Your guests will have a ball taking photos and who knows, you might even see some of the pictures in future Christmas cards!

There are so many ways to be festive at your holiday wedding.  The most important thing to remember is to enjoy the time you spend with your family and friends in this celebration of your love.  The holidays are a time to be together with the people you love.  Have a wonderful holiday wedding season!!

 

 

Top Five Winter Wedding Tips

Winter often gets overlooked when it comes to planning a wedding.  No, it’s not the most popular season but for the winter loving couple it just might the perfect time to say “I Do”.   Having some doubts about a winter wedding?  Don’t despair my beautiful brides-to-be before setting out on your planning journey, here are BHL’s top five tips for winter nuptials.

Candlelight:  Candles are perfect during the winter.  They give that rustic and inviting feel, and when used in large numbers provide comfort in any space.  The soft glow of candles is perfect for creating a romantic and intimate ceremony atmosphere.  Continue this feeling into the reception space by using candlelight as the main source of light during dinner.  Your guests will feel relaxed and at ease in the inviting glow.

Experiment with Color: Don’t feel obligated to choose the typical holiday colors.  Surprise your guests with an unexpected accent color in the flower arrangements or reception tables.  Remember flowers that are in season are cheaper, but also be mindful of holidays.  For example,  the price of roses skyrockets around Valentine’s Day.

Photography: The winter months are notorious for unpredictable weather.  That’s why it’s so important to pick multiple areas within your venue to take your pictures.  Pick an area that is indoors in case rain prevents you from taking photos outside.  Remember, after the time change the sun goes down much earlier than in the spring and summer months.  An earlier ceremony time might be the better choice if you want your photos taken before nightfall.

Always Have a Back Up Plan:   Save yourself some wedding day stress by having a back up plan for… almost everything. Back up plans for ceremony, photography, reception, etc.  It’s not likely you’ll have to use any of these plans but it’s nice to know that you have them… just in case.

Have Fun with the Season:  The best thing about winter is that there are so many holidays!  Christmas, New Year’s, Valentine’s Day and more!  Have some fun with the holidays and add seasonal details to your wedding.  Incorporate an eggnog cocktail closer to Christmas or heart accents as a nod to Valentine’s Day.  You can also create a winter wonderland by hanging crystals like icicles and plenty of greenery.

Follow these five helpful hints and winter wedding planning is not so scary after all!  Happy Planning!

Top Five Winter Wedding Ideas

Winter is a time of family, friends, feasting, and festivities, and it is quickly becoming one of the most popular times to tie the knot. However, with the holiday season in full swing, winter can also be one of the most stressful times of the year. With our five top ways to incorporate winter themes into your wedding, you can add some festive cheer without adding extra stress to your season. So cozy up and read on to learn how you can be extra merry with your holiday and wedding planning!

Dress

The type of weather and climate you will be facing on your big day will determine just how bundled you and your wedding party will need to be. Keep in mind that despite how chilly it might be outside, you do not want to be sweaty and uncomfortable in a thick and heavy dress once you are inside and in the heat. Intricately detailed dresses (a la The Great Gatsby) are still trending this season, so take advantage of the beautiful beading and let it reflect the feeling of a gorgeous winter landscape. This decadent trend also celebrates straps and long sleeves, as well as capes and fur stoles. And don’t worry—there are plenty of gorgeous faux fur stoles out there for you to choose from!

 

ruffledblog.com

ruffledblog.com

Décor

Be cognizant of your guests’ winter traditions by staying clear from decorating with a purely Christmas theme. There are plenty of ways you can add gorgeous winter décor that doesn’t scream Santa Claus—plus, by steering away from Santa motifs and red and green drapery, you are also keeping your wedding and reception classy, and not cheesy. However, you can still incorporate red and green by using garland and holly, and a Christmas tree here and there won’t overkill your venue. A gorgeous tree upon entering the reception adds a majestic and wintery touch—having your guests sign tree ornaments to hang on the tree is a great substitute for a guest book, and it allows you and your spouse to have something special to look back on every winter.

Two Chics Photography

Two Chics Photography

Flowers

Bring the outdoors inside by decorating tables with pinecones, tree saplings, holly, garland, and poinsettias. Large white branches with orchids dangling from the limbs resemble snowflakes falling in snow. Don’t be afraid to use winter fillers—pinecones, sprigs of Christmas trees, branches—in your bouquet in lieu of using purely flowers, and instead of choosing only red and green flora, opt for cooler colors in muted tones.

 

http://www.bobanddawndavis.com/

http://www.bobanddawndavis.com/

Food

Wintertime is all about cozy comfort food that is shared with family and friends, so don’t skimp on the food at your reception. Choose filling classics such as mashed potatoes, ham, turkey, and squash, and let your sweet tooth take over with s’mores stations and miniature pies. My favorite part? A hot coca and cider bar!

Hot chocolate bar

Favors

As always, the best favors tend to be either edible or functional, and a winter wedding gives you plenty of options in either category. Miniature pies, hot cocoa ingredients, and peppermint bark make for tasty favors, while gloves, scarves, and blankets are always appreciated during the winter months.

Bridesofadelaide.com/au

Bridesofadelaide.com/au

Three Tips for Planning A Winter Wedding

Winter is almost here,  and we’re excited to see all the latest trends in the wedding world. For those brides who have envisioned a fairy tale wedding in a perfect winter wonderland we have three important tips when planning your special day.

THINK ABOUT YOUR GUESTS

Winter weather is downright freezing in some parts of the country so remember to accommodate your guests. For larger venues, turn up the heat to a comfortable level.  In smaller venues, as the party gets going it will heat up naturally. Keep it cool but don’t let your friends freeze either.  If it rains, provide umbrellas for your guests so they can go to and from cars. Also  it is a good idea to arrange for heat lamps if the party happens outdoors.  A hot beverage option is a nice touch on a cold day, so offer your guests some hot chocolate or a warm cocktail.

PLAN FOR THE WORST CASE SCENARIO

Winter is unpredictable by nature so it is VERY important to plan for the worst case scenario.  What will you do if it rains? Snows? Wind? Think about a back up plan for these types of situations.  Alleviate a ton of stress by prepping back up plans early that way if something changes unexpectedly you are prepared.

KEEP HOLIDAYS IN MIND

Quite a few holidays happen in the winter that make planning a wedding slightly more difficult.  Keep in mind that some of your guests may not be able to attend if the wedding falls to close to a holiday.  Travel also gets more expensive during the holiday season.  You might want to save your friends some money by setting a date before or after the holidays.  Also, your decor may be limited if the venue is already decorated for Christmas, so be sure to check it out!

Keep these three tips in mind as you plan your special day and you are sure to have the perfect winter wedding. Happy Planning!