The truth about ... Wedding Dresses

Last week was bridal fashion week in New York. I couldn't get enough of the tweets, twitpics and blog posts. As always, I was not disappointed. I WILL be there next year. All the gorgeous designs reminded me of something and it's a secret, especially if you are newly engaged and in search of THE dress for your wedding day.

What is this secret? The wedding dress industry is wicked mean. If you are a gorgeous size 6 in street clothes, you might and I say MIGHT, wear a size 8, but probably better fitted into a size 10. WHAT!? you ask. I know! It's wicked mean isn't it? Of any demographic to mess with, a bride. If you are a plus size bride, then be aware there is usually a plus size fee. If there is one thing I could fix in the wedding industry, it would probably be the sizing of wedding dresses.

How do you handle it? One of the first tips I tell my clients and frankly anyone I know who is engaged to be married: make your first dress shopping trip in a REAL bridal salon. Here in San Antonio you have your choice of one of my favorites: Julian Gold There is also The Bridal Salon of San Antonio.

Be sure and make an appointment, have an open mind, these gals know how to fit Don't be afraid to ask all the questions you may have. Be aware almost all brides need alterations. Only once in my long career of wedding planning did I have a bride wear a dress as is. Lastly, once you have visited the upscale salon with impeccable customer service, you will be prepared to visit those a store such as David's Bridal or Alfred Angelo and the shock of not fitting into a 6 won't blow the mind.

Good luck and happy planning!

A Slipcover for your Wedding Album

I have discovered a very cool product: ChrysQ Luxe Slipcovers These are beautiful slipcovers for your wedding photo album. What a great way to display, carry and store your precious memories. I've seen some beautiful albums, but in the end, they just kind of sit there, either on the bookcase or coffee table. What a stylish statement, using a ChrysQ Luxe Slipcover.

ChrysQ is designed and custom manufactured by Christina Quintanilla, wife of Ben Quntanilla (a wonderful wedding photographer). As Christina describes, BenQ needed a way to display his incredible work in a manner which reflected his brand. They designed a very luxurious line of wedding album slipcovers which are just to die for. Christina has a background in fashion design and a passion for accessories, mainly handbags (my kind of gal). Her abilities in design in allow to please all personalities and styles: rockstar leather look, vintage lacy, or fiery red hot metallic. (I want fiery red hot metallic)

There are two lines available and many swatches and customization options available. The Deluxe line for this Fall is available for order until December 31, 2009. The Deluxe line changes every season (3 months) to keep up with current fashion.





The Standard Line is available year round. You can find more pictures and swatches online.



These slipcovers are available for albums as small as 4x4 and up to and larger than 16x12. Each one is custom made per the client specification. The suggested MSRP ranges from $50 - $400 and higher depending on customization. Christina's brilliance does not stop with album slipcovers. She also has iphone and laptop covers AND has designed handbags too. I am just in love with ChrysQ. Photo album slipcovers are available through your photographer, so have them give Christina a call asap. What a great Christmas gift for you family when you gift them their parent album, make sure it was wrapped in luxury, a ChrysQ Luxe Slipcover.



last two photographs courtesy of Grant Isaac Studio

Make a Statement at your Wedding

Styled by Jordan Payne Events, photo by F8 Studio

I know what you're thinking, that is a lovely centerpiece. YES, it is! I originally was going to talk about hiring a florist / designer with some vision, but in the end I know what makes beautiful photographs (and it isn't just in the eye of the photographer)

While opulent centerpieces, luscious linens and walls washed in colored lighting make for beautiful pictures, what really makes a photographer happy is photographing happy brides and grooms. When the stress of wedding planning shows on your face, no amount of decor and wedding bling will make your pictures look great. When the bride and groom are enjoying themselves, so will everyone else. If something went awry and the centerpiece or cake is off a little, don't obsess: it will show up in the pictures. Besides, you just married the man of your dreams.

When the love the is there, it shines through.

Texas Wedding Photography - Tanya + Cesar Perez

Today's Texas photography features Tanya and Cesar Perez of Perez Photography. based out of the Dallas-Forth Area. Tanya and Cesar love coming to San Antonio for weddings. They have such great personalities and such a fun couple to work with. Be sure and visit their blog and follow them on twitter.

Perez Photography

15635 Quorum Drive

Addison, Texas 75001

469.877.4725

info {at} perezweddings {dot} com

How did Perez Photography come to be?
We both always had an interest in photography and took courses in high school then a few in college and loved it. I'm not going to lie and say that we dreamed about being photographers as kids or what not. But we have always both been creative and photography allows us to express that creativity. Cesar started Perez Photography and Tanya came along a couple of years later.

How would you describe your style?
We would define our style as timeless and classic with a little bit of a modern edge. We love simplicity in everything, we think simple is beautiful!

What is your favorite aspect of the job?
Our hands down favorite thing about our job is the people we get to meet and make friends with along the way. It's definitely really interesting how as photographers we get to meet so many REALLY fascinating people... both vendors and clients.

How many people shoot for Perez Photography?
Two at the moment (Just us), we are training a third. He is currently our studio assistant and helps with editing and all of the back-end stuff. He rocks our socks.

What is the starting investment for a wedding?

Starting investment is $3500

Favorite part of the wedding day?
Tanya's favorite part is the getting ready shots, the anticipation, first dance, all of the emotions running high and all of the details. Cesar's favorite part is definitely the fun receptions, he loves when people just let loose and have a good time.

Greatest length to get the perfect shot?
Walking through Sewer water. Enough said! :)

jennifer says: now that's what I call dedication!

Anything else we should know about Perez Photography?
We love Sprinkles, love to travel, and are pretty laid back.

Childhood Ambition?
Tanya wanted to be a singer/dancer ... doesn't everyone? Cesar wanted to be a famous painter.

Dream Vacation?
Greeeeece! Ahhhh, one day!

Favorite animal at the zoo?
The Gorilla!

jennifer says: I see a great Halloween prank in the works...hmmm, involving a gorilla

Can't live without?
Our I-Phones, that’s totally lame we know, but we don't know what we did before we had them. But truly we couldn't live without the support of the people around us.

Hidden talent?
Cesar can draw really well! Tanya is really good at remembering numbers in general, (Phone numbers, license plate numbers, etc) it's really weird.
jennifer says: wow, me too, I am freakishly good with numbers

Favorite quote?
One of them is "If you'll not settle for anything less than your best, you will be amazed at what you can accomplish in your lives" by Vince Lombardi

jennifer says: I love a good sports quote

Best compliment ever received?
The best compliment that we have ever received is being hired to shoot other wedding photographers weddings. It's crazy nerve wracking but so flattering all at the same time.

If you weren't a photographer, what would you be?
Tanya would probably be a teacher; Cesar would probably be a graphic designer

Describe your perfect day?
Just spending time with all of our families together, and having them all in one place at the same time. We have family that lives all over so that's hard to do. That would be our perfect day.

Does your wedding planner have a back up?

We all agree hiring a wedding planner can ease a lot of stress, especially the weekend of you wedding. What happens when something happens to your wedding planner? There have been instances where colleagues have had a sudden death in the family, a major accident or come down with a major illness. Does the vendor's contract cover such instances?

I've personally not been able to attend to two of my weddings. Once in 2005, I had a death in my family, so sudden and shocking, it was painful, but I would have been able to work; however, the funeral for my young family member was on Saturday. At the time, I had a very large team and we no had problem staffing. More importantly, they were fully aware of how I run an event and did so in a manner that the bride expressed she did not even notice my absence.

My second wedding ever missed was this year. I had the joy of planning the wedding of two sisters. These were large extravagant events. In 2009, we are considered a "boutique" planning firm (translation - it's just me and we take very few weddings). I've enjoyed the change in my business practice to do less events and leave the wedding planning world domination to others. It suits my personal lifestyle and allows me to give even more attention to my full service clients. So when my personal dilemma prevented me from attending the second wedding of the Patel family, I was worried. I was worried, wondering if my colleagues who were helping me would deliver in the manner I do: I am all over the place, I don't freak out - at all, I am cool as a cucumber and nothing bothers me. Large events for 600 people are not stress free nor are they snafu free. My son had surgery the Wednesday before the big wedding and I really thought I would leave the hospital and just check on everyone, as set up began in the ball room on Thursday, then again Saturday. It was a big deal and I didn't leave the hospital for days until he was discharged. My friends plus their staff did a stellar job. The family was very happy. They even came to the hospital to express it in person. I was so touched.

So how is it I was successful the second time around without large in house staffing? Bottom line: I've made nice with my competitors. Of course not all of them, as you work in the industry, you learn of certain business practices; some just don't want to like you, any number of reasons to be friends or not to be friends. Some years ago, a few of us cordial planners agreed to be each other's back up in the event of an emergency. We also agreed to a certain rate so as not to break the bank. In this instance I had to activate the wedding planner phone tree and use everyone available.

So, does your wedding vendor play nice with others to call upon them in an event of an emergency?

If you are a wedding professional interested in discussing a back up plan further, please join me as I moderate a WEDCHAT on Tuesday, September 29th at 8pm E.S.T.

Texas Wedding Photography - Wendi Poole

Today's Texas Wedding Photographer feature is of Wendi Poole of Thompson Poole. The talent in Texas is amazing. Wendi considers Austin and San Antonio her wedding home base, but recently has expanded into the Houston market. Be sure and visit the Thompson Poole website and blog

You can reach Thompson Poole by calling

Denise Cornell, Owner / Client Relations 512.484.1523

Wendi Poole, Owner / Photographer

Follow them on twitter:

@thompsonpoole (Denise)

@wendipoole (Wendi)

Email: denise {at} thompsonpoole {dot} com

I love your company name, Thomspon Poole, how did it come to be?
Thompson is my maiden name and Poole is my married name.

I know this is cliche, but how would you describe your style?
Storytelling. I am a working photojournalist and I photograph weddings like I do any other editorial assignment; I tell the story of the event.

What is your favorite aspect of the job?
Meeting people and watching families come together. I love knowing that the photos I take have meaning and will be cherished and shared for generations to come.

How many people shoot for Thompson Poole?
I am always the lead photographer. We also have a pool of working photojournalists that we use as second shooters.

What is the starting investment for a wedding?
Wedding coverage starts at $4500

Favorite part of the wedding day?
Oh, this is hard. I love it when the bride and groom first see each other. I also like it when the couple leaves the reception and everyone is saying goodbye. And, Dad’s first dance with the bride is always awesome; the way he looks at his daughter is priceless. I could go on and on.

Greatest length to get the perfect shot?
I've been in cherry pickers, waist deep in water and even in the operating room for an open heart surgery -- but not at weddings! For weddings I'll climb, crawl and squeeze into weird places to get that perfect shot...but usually without anyone, especially the bride and groom, seeing or hearing a thing. I love it when a bride declares, 'How did you get that shot? I didn't even know you were there!'

Anything else we should know about Thompson Poole?
I like sweets and baked goods and if you get me talking about food you might regret it.
Jennifer says: I hear you are quite the baker, I accept baked goods any day of the week.

Childhood Ambition?
I grew up in Pensacola, FL, home of the amazing Blue Angels. So first I wanted to be a navy pilot then an astronaut, but getting eye glasses in high school dashed any hopes of being a military pilot. I then turned my focus to journalism and soon learned that I write like I talk -- ramble, ramble, using a thousand words to describe a moment that could have been captured in just a few. At the urging of my photographer father I picked up a camera and discovered I could capture those same moments in a heartbeat -- in my pictures. I knew immediately I had found my calling and off to Photojournalism school I went. As they say, the rest is history.

Dream Vacation? I love to travel and explore new places. Some of my top destinations are: England, repeat my honeymoon trip to Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, the Bahamas.

Favorite animal at the zoo? I LOVE Penguins!

Can't live without? God, candy, my Husband

Hidden talent? I am a mean pinball player. I bet I could take on Tommy.

Best compliment ever received? This note to one of our brides from her brother made me blush. “THOSE ARE THE BEST WEDDING PICTURES I'VE EVER SEEN!!!! Do you know if Thompson Poole has a time machine so I can have them do my wedding five years ago???”

If you weren't a photographer, what would you be? Let’s see, a doctor, a pilot, a pastry chef. I think that covers it for this week. Check back next week for an update.

Describe your perfect day? Any day I can smile when I wake up and when I go to sleep. It also helps if chocolate and cake are involved.