obsession | photo booths

i have always loved the idea of a photobooth at weddings or events. i went to a bridal show with a friend a couple of years ago & that is when i discovered this idea for the first time. i still have the pictures that we took in that photobooth that day. what a great way for your guests to remember your wedding or event. they also double as a terrific favor!

you can rent a photobooth locally from Photobooth Services.

photo by barbie hull.

or, if you are on a budget & have a little bit of creativity in you, you can make your own! give it a homemade feel (like below), or cover it with patterned paper in your events color scheme. here are instructions on how to make your own!

photo by jerry hull photography.

second annual masquerade ball

the second annual masquerade ball will have a new beneficiary this year. i am very excited to be supporting the BJH Believe in Miracles Foundation.

the purpose of the foundation is to assist families with the needs associated with what terminal or life threatening illnesses can bring, whether it be spiritual, emotional, or financial. their mission statement is to strive to help others by reminding them that our faith in God...love...and togetherness are the important parts of any journey.

this year's event will include dinner, drinks, dancing, a photographer a-la-prom-style, and a silent auction.

keep watching for more details regarding dates & ticket information. its going to be a cant-miss event for sure.

obsession | giving back

i organize an annual masquerade ball which benefits charity. last year the proceeds went to the breast cancer 3-day in seattle. i have been so blessed with my health & in my life that i feel the need to give back.

i love that some couples are making charitable contributions in lieu of favors.

photo by nancy gould photography.

photo by kamila harris photography.

photo by joNa photography.

photo by alea moore photography.

if thats not your thing, or you already have amazing favors, here are some other ways to give back during your special time:

-find a local run or walk on the morning of your weekend (or if you are having an early ceremony, try the weekend before). grab your wedding party, don matching wedding party tshirts, & support a good cause! find an event on a website like Active.com. my mom & i have committed to running a 5k each month for a year & ive found several events through this website. best case scenario - its a major stress reliever to get out & be active!

-purchase your wedding favors through a charitable website like thebreastcancersite.com or the Livestrong store. a portion of your sales generally will go back to a specific organization.

-donate or purchase your gown at a brides against cancer event. your donation is tax-deductible or if you purchase your once-worn gown at an event, you ll save mucho bucks!

logo is up!

you might notice my new logo (see above in case you missed it when you visited today). i am so blessed to be surrounded by talented people. my good friend jessie nordike of j. nordike designs created this beauty for me. i told her that i wanted it to look elegant, with colors of mostly brown & ivory with some lime green accents. this is what she came up with. if you need any graphic work done, she is your girl.

obsession | shoes

i LOVE when couples stray away from the norm of white bridal shoes for her or black patent shoes for him. your shoes can say so much about your personality - just ask shaun who is constantly asking why i need ANOTHER pair of shoes.

in recent weddings, two of my favorite photographers captured awesome shots & they just make me smile everytime i see them.

photo by c. pelland photography.

photo by jenna boogerd photography.

obsession | jim & pam

everyday i will bring new ideas to you, my brides, my committee leaders, my event planning friends. i call these my obsessions because i scour magazines & websites, staying on top of new trends.

last night was the much anticipated jim & pam wedding from the office. i tried staying awake to watch it but shaun is going out of town this weekend so i figured i probably should spend time with him instead of watch tv. but when i woke up this morning & checked out facebook, everyone was talking about what an amazing episode it was. so i crawled out of bed & watched it on my dvr before getting ready for the day. it truly was an amazing episode (recreating the youtube forever dance? genius). word on the street is that pam's wedding dress is a david's bridal gown which retails for $399 in stores.