21 Jan

Today we’re so thrilled to introduce you to one our favorite photographers, Corbin Gurkin Photography. Her work has graced the covers of numerous magazines, and she’s traveled hundreds of miles to capture couples all over the world. Her work is simply breathtaking. She also has a brand spanking new site to boot!

corbin gurkin photography

What is or has been your favorite wedding moment?
Clients have told me before that they can tell when I get excited about a photo I’ve just taken. My voice gets more animated, my heart races to capture the image in just the right way, I snap away, taking it all in. So often this has more to do with the way light is falling on a subject, or something in a subtle gesture that I find so inherently beautiful. It’s not the big, what my fiancé calls “meat and potato” wedding shot that you know you need to capture for any wedding narrative to be complete, but rather it’s the image that completely embodies the emotion and demeanor of the couple. It’s the photo that seems to be illustrative of the connection between the artist and her subject – and in this moment, I think I really get to know my clients best.

Favorite wedding trend of the moment? Wedding trend you’d love to see disappear forever?
I admit it – I love ombre. Maybe it’s the painter in me (I started off as a painter before transitioning to photography), but I truly don’t tire of the soft, ethereal look of this current wedding trend.  Ombre is perfect for weddings, when done in the subtle way that it should be used. The watercolor palette just allows colors to swirl around a dinner table and I particularly love the way that palette looks in detail photos. Ethereal, subtle ombré, in wedding decor, is hard to beat

I’d love to see the vintage filters and washed out yellow-hued photo processing leave forever – I’m drawn to an ephemeral look and I think it would be so wonderful if our images could just age naturally over time. I take the authenticity of my photos and the images I capture quite seriously and I would never advise a client to follow a trend that has more to do with what’s hip than what is meaningful.

Do you have a favorite song/band/style of music? Does it define or help shape your work?
I love Aimee Mann, Brandi Carlile, Adele – beautiful female vocals with strong emotion in their lyrics and melodies. I want my images to have that same sort of raw, true feeling, but In a pretty sense, not an overly gritty one.

Is there an artist/designer/generally creative person in a totally different field who inspires you?
Gosh, so many people! I am really inspired by Vera Wang’s color palette right now – soft nude, flushed pink, ivory – these tones seem to appear in my work naturally and I really love how Vera is always one step ahead. In general, I find myself always referring back to Vermeer’s work as an inspiration for dynamic window light, the movement and femininity in Degas’s paintings, and Jane Austen reminds me that a strong independent minded woman can still be one to fall in love.

If you weren’t a photographer, what would you be?
Had I not become a photographer, I’d be a painter or perhaps I would own a curiosities shop in France. Or maybe I would be a designer or illustrator. I have always been a highly visual person and if I had not chosen photography, I know I would have picked another creative field and I know it would be something visual.

Favorite winter food? (we love food).
Cooking is one of those talents that I truly wish I had, but I’ll happily settle for being able to take pretty photographs of delicious food made by others. I have been pinning the most delectable looking mini desserts on pinterest.

When it’s cold out, a yummy soup on a cold day is hard to top-Curried butternut squash soup with candied walnuts is a current favorite.

Thanks, Corbin. Stay tuned because next we’ll be sharing some painterly inspiration Corbin shot in Paris.

You can view more of Corbin Gurkin's work in our A-list guide!

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20 Jan

Ivy & Aster refer to themselves as fashion lovers + oooohs and ahhhers (we can relate!). We can tell you know – you’re going to be oooh-ing after getting a peek at their lace and vintage inspired bridal collection. It’s stunning, romantic, the makeup, by Leibi Caria is just soft and natural enough, and the photography by Caitlin Bellah - straight out of a dream we could have had about a garden party wedding set in the 20s.

ivy and aster wedding dress

ivy and aster wedding dress

ivy and aster wedding dress

ivy and aster wedding dress

Have a nice weekend! We look forward to seeing some of you in Austin, TX at the The Cream event!

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20 Jan

There’s something about ending the week with a sweet engagement shoot. They ease you into your weekend of planning or pinterest hunting for reception decor ideas, and when they’re shot on a rainy day near the docks of Cherry Creek Reservoir near Denver, Colorado – by Sara Hasstedt, they make you wish for spring showers to hurry up so you can cuddle with your hunny.

nautical engagement session

nautical engagement session

nautical engagement session

nautical engagement session

Their cute proposal story…

In March, Tom planned a little getaway to Hawaii for us. Just a few weeks before we left, my ring, which we had custom made, came in and I had the opportunity to try it on for all of 15 seconds- enough time to guarantee I loved it. Of course, I thought to myself that it would be so perfect if he proposed in Hawaii. Wanting the proposal to be a surprise, Tom gave me every possible excuse for us to wait to get engaged. By the time we left for the trip I was completely persuaded that I would have to wait for months until it happened. We spent the first couple days of our trip in Honolulu having a wonderful time and by the third day we headed to Kauai for a change of scenery. By this point, I was sure that if he had planned  to propose in Hawaii that he would have already done it. During our first day in Kauai, we scouted around the island checking out all the beaches and towns around the area we were staying in. After going for a little hike on some sand dunes, grabbing lunch and enjoying some ice cream, Tom suggested we watch the sunset at Poipu beach. What kind of girl doesn’t love sunsets at the beach? As we snuggled on the beach and watched the sun sink down toward the horizon, Tom got down on one knee and proposed. I was blown away and, of course, said yes!  Come to find out, Tom had been carrying the ring around with him at various points during the trip, waiting for that perfect moment… and when it came, it truly was perfect.

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19 Jan

We’re always on the hunt for extraordinary venues. They can be so hard to find and they’re a very defining factor in the wedding planning process! The Corson Building in Seattle definitely meets our criteria for awesome. We spotted Amy and Jeri’s beautiful celebration on A-list member Michele M. Waite’s blog, and knew it was a special place.

It has the old world charm of a European inn right in the center of Seattle. And it’s rustic down to the cracks in the walls and vine-covered brick, but has a lovely elegance when gussied up with beautiful flowers by McKenzie Powell and candles and beautiful people getting married.

Rusty gates and beautiful little cabbages growing in the garden = two thumbs up if you ask us.

The ceremony spot might be a tad urban for some folks, but we love the little garden and the big fig tree. It’s all about the couple getting married here, which makes it really special in it’s own way.

Then there’s the especially charming courtyard where dinner is served. It’s just so deliciously intimate and backyard-feeling.

And then comes the food. The food seems like it would be worth a trip to Seattle, frankly. They bake bread in an outdoor oven, people. And that’s just the start.

Ready?

Does it not look divine? Definitely the picture of how we’d like to eat every day. We’ll take family style, organic, seasonal, blah blah blah, over a formal dinner any time.

You can see Amy and Jeri’s entire wedding on Michele’s blog, (including more of McKenzie Powell‘s beautiful work) and you can contact The Corson Building through their site to book your event. And then, PLEASE send photos. Pls. We’ve also heard a wee rumor that they’re planning to open up their farm on Vashon Island for events in the coming season. Now THAT would be something to see.

The Corson Building
5609 Corson Avenue South
Seattle, WA 98108
206-762-3330

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19 Jan

Mary and Jonathan were married at the historic Rucker Place, a turn of the century home tucked away in the middle of bustling Birmingham, Alabama. They stayed true to their roots and planned an intimate Southern garden party to celebrate their marriage. Such a pretty celebration, and it really captures the spirit of their relationship. These two haven’t spent more than 8 hours apart since their first date!

vintage hankie invite

Mary relied heavily on Etsy wedding artisans for her decor, which is always a fabulous way to go. Even if you’re not the person crafting each piece of your wedding, with an Etsy seller you know that someone is putting time and love into pieces you’ve chosen to decorate your day. Her hankie Save-The-Dates came from Benign Objects, and the sweet hoop below from Elephant Stitchery.

garden ceremony flowers

To help with planning, Mary stopped by an event at Lowe Mill Arts hosted by White Rabbit Studios. There she met her invite designer, her letterpress studio, her photographers, and her DJ! It’s always great to choose vendors who know each other and love working together. Makes the entire event feel so much more cohesive, and you can bet that your creative professionals are going to love planning your wedding.

bagatelles bags

Even Mary’s bridemaids’ gifts followed her easy theme. And guess where they’re from ladies… Mademoiselle Bagatelles! As in the most cutest clutches ever that just so happen to be on sale in our Pop-Up Shop right now! (Get them for your maids at a discount while you can.)

garden ceremony

Aren’t the lacey hoops pretty? Mary made them herself, and as she says, they’re super super easy (don’t even need a tutorial!), but they add a really nice element to your decor.

garden ceremony

They served fried green tomatoes and Southern cocktails on the wrap around porch of Rucker Place. Love the whimsy and sentiment!

balloon gift station

Isn’t that a cute vintage hot air balloon? Such a nice element to their guest book table.

milk glass vase

Mary and Jonathan are big time music lovers and carefully chose the music they wanted to hear during their big day. After months of thinking, they finally settled on Otis Redding’s “That’s How Strong My Love Is” for their first dance. Thought we’d share some of their other choices too, because it’s so nice to see what other people chose, isn’t it?

New Slang by The Shins, All My Stars Alligned by St. Vincent (Seating)
Wedding Bell by Beach House (Bridal Party Procession)
Sea of Love by Cat Power (Bridal Procession)
All You Need is Love by the Beatles (Recessional)
My Girl by Otis Redding (Father/Bride Dance)
In My Life by The Beatles (Grooms Mother/Groom Dance)
Sugar, Sugar by the Archies (Cake Cutting)

reception flowers

wedding cake

Mary also shared some very sage advice on the DIY wedding planning process:

“It’s easy to get overwhelmed with ideas from all of the beautiful weddings that are on the internet. Choose things that you really love and feel best represent how you and your husband-t0-be want to experience your day. Sit down with your vendors, send them pictures, and be up front with everything so they can best help you achieve your vision.”

So super sweet, you guys! Thanks so much for sharing your day and big congrats to the two of you.

Venue - Historic Rucker Place / Photography, Video, and DJ- the fabulous White Rabbit Studio team / Wedding Gown – James Clifford / Bridesmaid gowns- Dessy Collection / Cake, Sweets Table, Guest Book, Cupcake in a Jar Favors- Proper Measures / Embroidered Initial Hoop – Elephant Stitchery / Love Always Banner- Nice by Caitlin / Flower Girl Dresses- US Angels / Handkerchief Save the Dates- Benign Objects / Invitations- Designed by Benign Objects with letterpress by Green Pea Press / Flowers by LSL Event Design / Bridesmaids gifts- Bagatelle clutches  (Bonus! They’re on sale right now in the Pop-Up Shop!)

Related Posts with Thumbnails
Love the clutches Mary picked for her maids? Mademoiselle Bagatelles is on sale in the Pop-Up Shop through Friday!

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