Archive for June, 2008
Amanda + Martin 06-14-08
It usually happens once ever year that I am commissioned to photograph weddings back to back at the same venue. On June 7th I photographed Jaclyn and Dans’ wedding at Carinwood Estate in Bryn Athyn, PA and I was back again the next week to photograph Amanda and Martins wedding. I really think it’s a great example of how the couple makes the wedding, not the venue. Amanda and Martins wedding was totally different, yet very beautiful in their own way. The couple are both marine biologists. They were partners in work and now in life. PhD Amanda, describes herself as the “Queen geek” and their wedding was definitely “geek chic”. I believe their entire wedding party were scientists. The couple wanted their special day to reflect their love of nature and chose wild flowers and herbs for their décor. A friend of theirs grew the herb gardens that they used for their centerpieces and their guests loved taking them home for some great cooking. What a wonderful “green” idea for centerpieces! In breaking with the “natural” theme, the bride wore a very opulent Reem Acra gown that she paired with Manolo Blahnik shoes. If there are any “Sex in the City” fans out there, these were the famous Blahniks that Carrie had stolen from her friends baby shower. Amanda kept them safely on her feet, even when the couple played croquet on the grounds of the Estate. Bravo Amanda, it takes a real woman to play croquet in Blahniks!
The couple prepares. I documented Amanda’s preparations and Jill photographed Martin.
I just love the staircase at Cairnwood! I ran up and down to get all the amazing views.
The couple sees each other for the first time in the English Garden.
I adored the presentation of food during the cocktail hour. Feastivities catered the event did a most beautiful job(as always)!
I Need a New Model!
Well I finally finished working on all the images from the bridal shoot that I did early Spring (before my busy wedding season began). It was such fun working with the most creative Claudia Seyler. We make such a great editorial team. I love doing these these editorial shoots. I feel every time I grow so much as an artist and it makes my weddings all the better. Well, now that I’m finished working on the images, I feel I’m ready for another shoot. Anyone know any agency models, 5′9″+, size 0-4, and looking for some great bridal shots for their portfolio???? I’m ready! Here are some of the last few images from the shoot. I’m dreaming up ideas of what my next shoot will be.
Jaclyn + Dan 06-07-08
The temperature was soaring on Jaclyn and Dan’s hot, yet beautiful wedding day. The afternoon temperature was near 98 degrees and combined with the high humidity it felt like 110 in the shade. This did not keep the couple from having a very “cool”, romantic and uniquely beautiful wedding day. Their wedding too place at the historic and opulent Carinwood Estate in Bryn Athyn, PA. Jaclyn wore a classically beautiful Ramona Keveza gown. It reminded me of something worn by a 50’s movie star. Jaclyns Kate Spade shoes were a perfect match! The flowers and décor were by the always marvelous Donna O’Brien of Beautiful Blooms. There were just too many details to talk about (I’ll let the images speak for themselves), but the crowing glory was a vine and floral wrapped Chuppah. Two Paperdolls designed the couples “logo” that was on all the couples paper products…. programs, invitations, napkins and it was even incorporated on the dance floor. The day moved along so smoothly with the “day of” coordination of Lynda Barness of I Do Wedding Consulting. Thanks to such a wonderful team of professionals to create such a marvelously perfect wedding day!
Great wedding gift! Dan gave Jaclyn a Shar-pei puppy as a wedding gift. He presented Jaclyn with a little story book with pictures of the new addition to their family.
Grandma sees the new bride.
Dan sees his bride for the first time.
The bridesmaids kept cool in these very lightweight dresses by J.Crew.
“Green Tea Mint Julep” and gazpacho “shooters” during the cocktail hour!
First and last dance! Notice the dress change… I love the new trend!
Lighting is EVERYTHING!!! The lighting was beautifully executed by Eventions Productions!
These are beyond awesome. The details are priceless and that structure over the ceremony is REDIC! 
LOVE!
Bridal Fashion - Part 2
I adore everything about weddings, but I must confess a particular “passion” for bridal fashion. I think some of my brides think I’m a little strange when I can rattle off the designer of brides that I photographed over 6 years ago. (A girl just remembers those things) Anyway, as some of you may remember, several months back I shared with you some images that I photographed of the beautiful bridal headgear of milliner, Holly Slayton of Artikal. (Then my outrageously busy wedding season began) It was a marvelous shoot with hair and makeup provided by Claudia Seyler who you all know I adore. The gorgeous gown for the shoot were provided by Jennifer’s Bridal in Hockessin, Delaware. What a fab selection she has. Thank you Jennifer! I finally had a few minutes free from my VERY busy schedule to work on a few more images to share with you. Editorial so creative and really helps me grow artistically for myself as an artist, and my couples. Enjoy!
These pictures are fantastic! The dresses are gorgeous but you make them sing!
Maureen + Spence
It was Princeton University’s alumni weekend and Maureen and Spence were in town for the festivities and decided to do a few engagement portraits. I’ll be photographing their wedding in August at the Princeton University Chapel. The two met while attending Princeton University for their undergraduate studies. Spence graduated in 2002 and Maureen in 2004. The commemorative stones for their class years are right next to each other on Nassau Hall. I do several Princeton alumni weddings each year and I have always been struck by how many Princeton alum marry each other. I would say it’s about 70% as far as my couples go. Note to self: apply to grad school at Princeton instead of joining Match.com when looking for husband!!!
What fun! 
These are great! How cool is that …tiger…thing… it’s crazy! Wonderful job Marie!
I Want It!!! I Need It!!!
At my wedding last week, with a heat index above 100, the brides mom had a perfect solution; a really high powered neck fan. Now I’ve seen these things before but they never seem to “blow” enough relief. This one did. I must find some for my staff and me! (I have a feeling it might be a long hot summer). I searched Google, Yahoo and Ebay but with no success. Anyone have an idea of where I can pick one up?
Jennifer + Vincent 05.30.08
I always say, “My brides don’t jump”, but now I stand corrected. Physicians Jennifer and Vincent were jumping for joy as we walked around the beautiful grounds of The Manor in West Orange, NJ. The two were so blissful and funny, Vincent, a cardiologist and Jennifer an orthopedic surgeon had us in “stitches”. I knew my birthday was fast approaching because the beautiful purple irises were in bloom. I always remember picking purple irises as a child from my backyard on my birthday! The couple was married in a beautiful rose garden which was stunning even though the roses were not yet in bloom. It was so cute when their ring bearer used his pillow as a Frisbee throwing it 3 times down the aisle! Just a note to new parents out there; shrimp can make an excellent substitute for baby’s pacifier. Yumm!
First you go from an exquisite beautiful formal style in the last wedding to a fabulously fun candid style. HOLY COW! And all of them look fantastic! It looks though like that wedding was a BLAST! Send some of those super-fun couples our way. 
Romi + Kirby 05.24.08
What a wonderful time we had a few weeks ago in Oklahoma. It was my fist time in the state and I must say it was great fun. I was photographing the wedding of Romi, who was the bride who belonged to the great pair of Jimmy Coo Vintage shoes. I photographed her bridal portrait several months back at The Saint Regis Hotel in NYC. I loved her Pnina Tornai gown from Kleinfelds. It was so very opulent and truly fit her wedding day. Her headpiece was by Maria Elena Headpieces; very different and very stunning! You will note that on her wedding day Romi had the cap sleeves of her gown removed. Note to self: Bridal portraits are a great way to test out your gown to make sure it’s perfect for you! Pink was definitely the color theme of the day and it was perfectly executed by Todd Events of Dallas. I was so excited to see the mirrored dance floor. I have always wanted to photograph one. It made for the most marvelous pictures throughout the evening. The couple capped off the evening with a spectacular fireworks display. One detail that I loved was that Romi changed into a “going away” dress after her bouquet toss. Check out her very jovial goodbye shoes. I must find out the designer. A girl can never have too many shoes and a wedding is a perfect excuse to buy as many as possible. Such fun!
I Want a Puppy!
For some reason, week after week, my couples have the cutest dogs ever this year. I keep going home from my weddings saying “I want a puppy”. I would love to have something soft and cuddly to walk around town. As many of you who have visited my studio know, I have the most amazing cat in the world, Sebastian. He is my 18 pound big black furry Maine Coon, but for some reason he won’t let me walk him on a leash. I thought of getting a boyfriend, but they won’t let me walk them on a leash either! What’s a girl to do? Well, at my Oklahoma wedding the bride had the cutest little chubby Yorkie named Mollie. It was love at first sight! So what do you think? Should a try to find a rescue yorkie, a rescue boyfriend or stick with my loyal Sebastian? Mollies cuteness speaks to me!
You should look into getting a Toy Australian Sheppard. That’s what we want. My parents Aussie always got along great with their Maine Coon so maybe you’ll have the same luck. Beautiful Cat, btw, gorgeous. You should see our Charlie. She’s a full bred burman (and she walks on a leash!)
Why can’t a girl have it all?! Boyfriend, dog and cat - there is no reason to settle for just one.
These are absolutely FANTASTIC! I LOVE the details and the tonal range you’ve captured. Simply stunning.