This spring, to our pleasant surprise we discovered we have a fruit tree in our front yard.  One I had never heard of before the neighbors informed us of the sweetness in store.  A lychee tree.  Within their coarse red rinds is the sweetest, silkiest flesh. Somewhat grape-like but larger and smoother with an equally smooth seed inside.

The lychees have been a treat to feast on and share with our neighbors.  The old man on the bicycle, the little girls in pigtails jumping at the branches.  Thank you for the sweet gifts, lychee tree.  You are a simple joy magnet.  

A taste of old Florida...  An awesome DIY wedding full of rustic elegance.  Kristen and David were married on her father's Arcadian ranch where laughter and music steadily drifted up to the stars as the celebration flowed into the night.  A beautiful day for a beautiful couple.

This was a truly special weekend for Michael and I to be a part of.  Mohni and Ajay with their families welcomed us into their homes, lives, and traditions with open arms. Kindly teaching us about their customs.  We felt like old friends the moment we met them.  The first day was a special Indian Engagement ceremony and party.  The next day, we had an engagement shoot scheduled.  It rained the whole day, but we didn't let it stop us! In fact, it made for a couple of my favorite images from the day.  After our rainy e-session we had a wonderful time chatting over tapas.  We're so excited for their November wedding. 

P.S.  I'm obsessed with the henna and the saris.  I was so jealous of all the beautiful women.

I love Michael's images... I think this next one the most.

Cue the rain!

This is one cool lady.  Not to mention photogenic...

Kristin and Eric had a lovely beach ceremony at The Ritz-Carlton Beach Club on Lido Key with a rooftop reception overlooking the Gulf.  While rain clouds threatened to move in off and on through the day and night, they avoided the party almost as if out of respect for these two kind people who had chosen that place and moment to say their I-do's and celebrate in style.  Here's to good Karma and a lifetime of happiness!

 

Especially when learning all the tricks are only a day of workshops & elegant lunch away! 

The Florida Wise Bride Workshops & luncheon is the place to learn everything you need to know about hiring professionals for your wedding & the most efficient ways to insure that your wedding day runs smoothly and is everything you've imagined it to be. 

The Wise Bride Workshop isn't your typical bridal show.  You won't be walking around endlessly hoping to find answers.  You will be seated comfortably and the answers will be brought to you by SW Florida's most sought after and nationally reknowned wedding experts.

The Summer 2009 Workshop will be held at the new, modern Holiday Inn Ft. Myers Airport @ Town Center.  Throughout the workshop, you will hear expert advice on photography, videography, hair and make-up, cakes, wedding attire and wedding planning & decor.  Industry experts presenting will include:

• Creative Wedding Design, Kelly McWilliams, Weddings by Socialites
• Making the Most of Your Photographer, Ashley Brockinton Photography
• Cakes that Wow the Crowd, Karen Vazquez, Kakes by Karen
• Styles of Photography, Krista Kowalczyk, Impressions Photography
  
• Surviving the Elements: Make-Up & Hair that work, Kathy Cantu, RED Salon & Spa
• Silhoutte Styling From Head to Toe, Tie the Knot Couture Bridal Salon
• The New Boudoir: Sexy, Relaxed & Fun, Audrey Snow, Audrey Snow Photography
• Modern Wedding Videography, Rob Epple, AMC Video

The workshop includes a gourmet luncheon created by Chef Murray Young and dessert will be provided by the creative cake designer, Karen Vasquez of Kakes by Karen, a nationally acclaimed cake baker.

The Royal Palm ballroom of the brand new and GORGEOUS Holiday Inn Ft Myers at Gulf Coast Town Center will be designed for your wedding inspiration by wedding designer and planner Kelly McWilliams, who is the featured coordinator in the Summer 2009 issue of

Bride & Bloom magazine (flowers by Floral Artistry).

Not only will you be given invaluable secrets from these industry experts, but you also receive a swag bag and  be entered into a drawing for incredible prizes including a $200 Gift Certificate to AMC Video, a  Boudoir Session with Audrey Snow Photography, a $200 Gift Certificate to Tie the Knot Couture Bridal Salon, an Engagement Photo Session with Ashley Brockinton Photography, a Bridal Package from RED Salon & Spa, and Candy Buffet or Escort Card Tablescape (non-floral) from Weddings by Socialites, and a Gift Certificate from Kakes by Karen.

Tickets are limited and the event is expected to sell out.

Tickets will not be for sale the day of the event.

For more information, visit the Wise Bride Blog:

http://floridawisebride.blogspot.com

 

Oh, wow.  Details, details, details!  These last couple of weddings have had such beautiful elements.  This travel-themed event was truly a feast for the eyes in rich and classic shades of blue.  Classic being just how I'd describe Cristin and Justin, both of them being ridiculously charming.  (Did I mention Justin's boyish Australian accent? or Cristin's tendency to blush in his presence?)  They laughed, cried, and kissed their way through this breath-taking wedding.  Michael and I loved documenting it all.  

Planning and event design by the incredible Nicole Kaney at NK Productions.  Flawless. Ceremony; St. Michael's Church on Siesta Key.  Reception; The Ringling Museum Sculpture Garden.  Flowers by Tiger Lily.  So so pretty.  Picture perfect make-up by Amanda K. make-up.  Music by None Other (Clint Wiley Entertainment).  The party was kickin!  Video by Scott Hayes.  See the montage premiered at the reception.  It wowed us all!  Beautiful letterpress invites and save the dates by Joel Eschenbach of Notion Design Group.

Isn't it gorgeous?  My friends at Studio B will be hosting our lovely KC boudoir day (7.22.09).  We will have wine and cheese and crackers on hand.  Hair and make-up is available on site.  It is going to be a great time resulting in stunning Allure boudoir images for those who attend.  Space is limited so register soon!  Email Audrey@AudreySnowPhotography.com.

For this gorgeous beach wedding, we traveled up the coast to Santa Rosa Beach in the panhandle.  Long drive, but completely worth it!  Jennifer and Randy were fun and down to earth and the beach was breathtaking.  Jennifer did an amazing job of carrying her colors of pink, red, and sand through the whole affair.  I'm crazy about her details! 

Jennifer's mom was a key part of the preparations.  She learned how to do Jen's wedding day make-up and was the one to apply it for her.  So sweet.

This is my favorite image of the day.  Love the soft dreamy colors.

Every frame of this short film for Chanel No. 5 is graceful, rich in style and emotion. I find it great inspiration for my photography. You may find it inspiring too. Couples: Don't be afraid to play in front of the camera. No need to feel silly. After all, you are the stars on your wedding day. Act out your love as if in your own short film and I promise you will love the resulting images. Ladies who boudoir: Same goes for you! Bring out your inner actress with thoughts of your love. Play around with dreamy poses, far away stares, imagine with every step you take your love is dreaming of you too. Bring on the romance!!

Our own wedding planning has been put on the back burner until we get through this wedding season, but this much I know: I will be wearing one of these lovely fascinators (still deciding the exact feather combo) with a black birdcage veil on my wedding day. I love them. I think they would be beautiful for a boudoir shoot too.

The sweetest little seaside ceremony.  A small gathering of close friends and family... celebrating love...