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1 In Contests & Giveaways/ Photography

Giveaway: Win Your Wedding Photography

March seems to be the month of giveaways.  First tickets to Martha Stewart’s Wedding Party and now this, a chance for three very lucky couples to win their wedding photography.

Morgan from Morgan Wade Photography contacted me to let me know about a giveaway she is doing on her site and thought Indie Wed readers would be the perfect fit.  She is looking for three awesome couples with amazing love stories who still need a photographer.  Though newly based in the S.F. Bay area she is willing to travel anywhere!  Her goal is to find “an interesting, unique, madly-in-love couple having a wedding in an unusual location, with lots of distinct details and a great story to go along with it.”  Sounds right up our alley.

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Interested?  Starting today, you have until this Friday, March 15th to enter.  To nominate yourself you must email the following to Morgan at morganwadephoto@gmail.com:

  • Name & photo of the couple
  • Wedding date & location 
  • Your amazing love story
  • A visual story board (photo collage) of images you are using as inspiration for your big day.  Here is a link to an online photo collage builder using images from Flickr, a URL, or your desktop if you aren’t very handy with tools like Photoshop. (I would suggest keeping your collage at between 6-10 images)

Morgan will select the six most interesting entries to post on her blog and on her Facebook page.  Perhaps we can share them here too!  From there, friends and family are encouraged to vote by commenting on their favorite couple.  At the end of the voting period, she will announce the winners.  Please see this blog post on her blog for more details and specifics..  Winners will be chosen by Morgan based on a combination of the best storyboard/love story and the most votes.

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Some specifics:
Each winning couple will receive a standard photography package which will include 6 hours of shooting plus a CD of all edited images.  This is valued at over $2500.  Extra shooting hours may be added at an additional charge.  Please note that any couple who is outside the immediate S.F. Bay area will be responsible for Morgan’s travel (airfare plus one night in a nearby hotel).  Even so, this is still a great deal!

Good luck!

Disclaimer:
Please enter through the Morgan Wade Photography website using the methods listed above.  Indie Wed is not responsible for gathering or submitting entries on your behalf.  All finalists and winners are chosen at the discretion of Morgan Wade Photography.  Indie Wed is not responsible for any errors in the administration or fulfillment of this contest.  All applicable taxes, if any are the winner’s sole responsibility.  This contest is strictly between you, the entrant, and Morgan Wade Photography, the sponsor.  
0 In Events/ Photography

Indie Wed Milwaukee Recap

Just over a week ago, we held our first event outside of Chicago in the not-so-distant Milwaukee.  It was a wonderful evening event with 60 talented vendors.  The weather was perfect and the venue was amazing.  Here are just a few shots of the show taken by Valo Photography.

Between all the food, drinks, live music and displays to browse, there was so much to see and do.  Everyone in Milwaukee was so welcoming of our little event and I couldn’t be more pleased.

Sad you missed it?  Well there are a lot of Indie Wed things on the horizon.  If you live out west, our next event will be in Denver on July 31st.  We are so excited about the special vendors we have found and think this will be another event for the books!  Sadly that will be all the events for 2012 (as I am having a baby Labor Day weekend – ironic!) but we are amping it up for 2013 with even more shows in more cities across the country plus an exciting new partnership with a national magazine (details coming soon).  Our 4th annual winter event in Chicago will be February 2nd so mark your calendars now!

 

4 In Engagement/ Photography

Surprise Engagement Shoot

Engagement shoots are always fun but how about one where the bride to be doesn’t even know she is getting engaged!  When photographer Latisha Carlson of Latisha Lyn Photography sent over this super sweet shoot, I knew I had to share.  For weeks Latisha and the future groom, Drew, planned this surprise pop-the-question under the guise a a simple styled photo shoot.

Latisha escorted the lovely Brenna to the surprise destination blindfolded where Drew was eagerly waiting with a hand-painted sign that read “hello best friend”.  How sweet.

When Drew fell to bended knee and proposed, I just love the expression on Brenna’s face.  Such an important moment and one that usually doesn’t get captured on film.  This is something they can cherish forever.

Congratulations to this happy couple.  Hopefully we will get a chance to see the wedding photos as well.  And thank you to Latisha for sending these are way.  So adorable.  Now I want to get engaged all over again….  Did you have an interesting or unique engagement?  Do tell!

 

3 In Ceremony/ Inspiration/ Photography/ Real Weddings/ Reception/ Vintage

Real Wedding: Shannon & Joe

With all the weddings that I have been involved with, through matching couples to vendors at an event, designing invitations through Paper Stories, or highlighting weddings here, there are few that are as special to me personally as this one.  This next wedding is one of my favorites for many reasons.  1.It is one I actually had the honor of attending.  2.Many of the vendors involved are Indie Wed alum and have become friends.  3.The couple, Joe & Shannon, are two of my most favorite people in the whole world!  If Shannon looks familiar it is because over the last few years she has been a great help with the Indie Wed events and someone I couldn’t have done without.

Photographer, Colin Lyons, sent over the photos for this November 2011 wedding which took place at Salvage One.  It is always great to see Colin and I loved seeing him in action, snapping away.  You may have had a chance to see more of his work at the last Indie Wed event where he was a vendor.  Shannon & Joe were married downstairs at this architectural salvage warehouse among a sky of chandeliers, pillars and beautiful carved pews for the guests.  A close friend of the couple was ordained just so he could marry them.  It was so special for everyone involved and equally special to witness.  The ceremony was touching but just like the couple, filled with lots of joy and laughs too.

The wedding party looked absolutely stunning.  The bridesmaids had these wonderful Jenny Yoo dresses.  The colors for the wedding were a mix of yellows and grays and while everyone coordinated, they each had their own sense of individuality.  It is hard to tell in a photo but all the dresses, especially Shannon’s, were gorgeous.

One thing about Shannon and Joe I loved, was that they really wanted to really make the event personal.  They had so many whimsical and handmade touches, from the invites that Shannon designed and we printed on my antique letterpress (she actually learned fast and did most of the printing herself!), to the ring pillow in the shape of their beloved Weimaraner Walter, to the couple’s friend who crafted all the beer for their cocktail hour.  After the ceremony everyone mingled downstairs during cocktails and appetizers while the upstairs was being set.

As guests filtered upstairs, they were treated to a hodge-podge of all sorts of awesomeness.  All the mismatched tables and chairs came from Salvage One’s current collection and filled the space beautifully.  It was exciting to walk around, wondering what sort of table you might end up at… the antique farm table or the retro Formica one?  Either way, you weren’t disappointed.  Lynn from Pollen created some amazing arrangements which were organic and unfussy… each one different yet complimenting it’s surroundings.  She used a mix of yellows and greens, some in vases, some tucked in terrariums.

One of the most wonderful things to see at the reception were the vintage mismatched china, awaiting each person as they sat down.  When I first met Shannon she had mentioned this idea she (and her maid of honor Sarah-shown giving speech above) had about collecting vintage china.  Both of the girls were getting married at the end of 2011 and really loved the idea of using the china at their weddings.  Since they couldn’t find any local sources that rented mismatched china they started their collection.  What they also realized was that there were probably other brides who also shared their love for rescued crockery and so they started Plate: Vintage Crockery Rental & Rescue.   So in addition to planning two weddings last year, they also began renting out their pieces to couples all over the country.  (Did you know they have to handwash each plate because of their delicate nature?)  Knowing how hard these gals (and their spouses) have worked on this business, getting to see the end result in action was breathtaking.

Everything about the reception was lovely.  The food was so yummy.  As a vegetarian, sometimes we get stuck with just a few side dishes at receptions but Shannon made sure every guest had enough to eat.  All the food was terrific, seasonal, and belly-warming.  My favorite part of dinner was the speeches.  They were so touching and totally had me tearing up.  They were funny, poignant, and memorable.  After dinner, we made our way to the dessert stations for cupcakes, coffee, and pie pops!  There is nothing better than a personal, seasonal pecan pie on a stick!  When bellies were full, everyone worked it off on the dance floor.  This couple has some serious moves!  Shannon’s dad also built an adorable photo booth backdrop and Colin had it set up so people could pose and snap away.  Shannon & Joe provided plenty of props and smiles too.

I am just over the moon thrilled for this couple and am happy to show just a few of the wonderful images from the evening.  Aren’t they just adorable?

Hair Stylist:  Tsubo Salon
Caterer: 
 Maison Cuisine
Favors and Gifts:  The Left Bank
Floral Designer:  Pollen
Reception Venue:  Salvage One
Cinema and Video:  One Fine Day Productions
Dress Designer:  Jenny Yoo Collection
Cake Designer:  Molly’s Cupcakes
Lighting:  Art of Imagination
Makeup Artist:  Nika Vaughan, Makeup Artist
Tuxedo and Mens Attire:  Frederick Lynn Haberdasshere
0 In Contests & Giveaways/ Flowers/ Photography

Chicago florist and photographer team up to celebrate your love story.

Well hello there! My name’s Janessa Knodt. I run a little floral endeavor called Forget Me Knodt.

I spend my days making lovely things like this:

Photo courtesy of Michael Rastall Photography

…and am always thrilled to be a part of joyful moments like this:

Photo courtesy of David Turner Photography

But enough about me. This post is really about you! And the fact that I’m part of a pretty fantastic giveaway that can greatly benefit you! Here’s the skinny:

I’ve teamed up with super-genius / super-sweet photographer Robert Johnson of Rojo Foto // Design to give Chicago couples a chance to win an amazing wedding package including full photography, plus all personals + ceremony florals, for FREE. It’s called the Love Never Fails Giveaway.

Pretty groovy, right?

All you have to do, basically, is tell us your love story. We’re reading through piles of them and will continue to accept submissions until midnight on February 29th. The winning couple will be announced on March 12th.

You can learn more and enter the contest by clicking here.

And please, spread the word! We LOVE a good love story, and can’t wait to hear yours!

0 In Inspiration/ Photography/ Vintage

Hunting Inspired Anniversary Shoot

As a nearly life-long vegetarian, I am usually not one for hunting themed things.  However, as a serious lover of fine art & conceptual photography, when this hunting inspired shoot fell in my inbox, I was totally smitten.  Besides, this one has a happy ending for the hunter and the hunted.

According to the photographer Hilary Cam, the happy couple Chrissie & Gregg “are good friends of mine who were married this time last year. Chrissie is an acclaimed fashion photographer (check her work www.chrissiehall.com) and shares my quirky sensibilities.”

For their 1st anniversary shoot, Hilary wanted to come up with a unique concept that was “truly out of the ordinary!”  Greg, who is a wild buck, is hunted by his bride and in the end is transformed into the handsome groom.

Oh, did I mention that these lovely folks are from Australia?  This dreamy location is in New South Wales and Hilary is based out of Sydney.

And now for the great transformation….

So what do you think?  Would you do something so conceptual for an anniversary shoot?  Personally I think it is a great way to do something unique and so different from everything else out there.  Why not do something so memorable and fun to celebrate!

0 In Engagement/ Inspiration/ Photography

Super Sweet Engagement Shoot

Every day my inbox is filling more and more with incredible engagement sessions and real weddings.  When I saw this one, I was so excited.  They are the most adorable duo and look like the type of couple I would want to know and hang out with.  When Emma from Honey Honey Photography sent this over I had to post it as soon as I could.

When the Redlands, CA couple, Melissa & Johnny, contacted Emma, Melissa was prepared with an inspiration board filled with images from film stills to Anthro catalog pages.  She wanted a casual feel but something that toes the line between a visual diary and a vintage editorial lookbook.

I mean look as those masks?  What struck me about the images was the fine art photography feel.  A mix somewhere between William Eggleston and Cindy Sherman perhaps?  The couple wanted to spend the day doing things they loved to do together which involved hanging out at home, picnics in the park, visiting antique stores and a vintage book/record shop.  (Believe me, if I showed you all the amazing photos Emma sent, this would be the longest post ever!)

I am hoping that once they get married, Emma will send pics of the wedding as it will be just as beautiful I am sure.  As Emma told me, “Their wedding will be held at a museum park where several historical houses stands (Very big fish, the movie, inspired) in March, so it looks like a little neighborhood, with rented vintage furniture, white christmas lights, and lots of DIY goodies. It’ll be a very small and intimate wedding!”  Do you think I’ll get an invite? ;)