Al Fresco Dinner Party Inspiration

Summer is the perfect season for a slower pace of life, and this includes all kinds of outdoor dinner parties, pool parties, wedding receptions, or even date nights under the stars.

There is nothing quite like a beautifully curated table to elevate the feeling of any get together, small or large. I'm pulling a few of my favorite al fresco dinner party tablescapes!  Nothing is sweeter than sharing a meal, meaningful conversation, laughter, and a glass of wine (or 2) with those you love. <3

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design: Bespoke Events  florals: Clementine 

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design & florals: Without Wax, Katy

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florals & design: Katelyn Pinner Studio

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design: Eighteenth Avenue   florals: Clementine

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floral & design: Without Wax, Katy

All photos shot on Contax 645 with Fuji400h | developed and scanned by : Photovision Prints

5 Colorful Summer Inspired Bouquets

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I love neutral colors as much as the next person, but I have been so obsessed recently with bright blooms to create a fun, vibrant vibe at any event! Here are five of my favorite summer inspired colorful wedding bouquets! :) Enjoy! 

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This painterly bouquet was created by House of Margot Blair for one of our brides at the South Congress Hotel. See this full wedding on Ruffled

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Amazing florals by Clementine, and see the full gallery here and on Style Me Pretty

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Florals at Enchanted Rock by Without Wax, Katy. More of this shoot on Magnolia Rouge

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Florals by Without Wax, Katy, and the full feature here and on Southern Weddings

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Floral design by Color Theory Collective, and the full feature is coming soon. All film scans from all photos by Photovision Prints

Engagement Session Tips

what to wear engagement

Many of my clients book engagement sessions, and I LOVE this time spent with clients getting to know them and their love story better. The inevitable question always comes up- what do we wear? I put this list of 5 tips when deciding what to wear on your engagement photo shoot. 

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1. Make sure your outfits complement each other. 

Make sure that your outfits harmonize with each other, but also that your outfits aren't too matchy-matchy. Photos look better if they go together, but aren't exactly the same. Two people in khaki pants with the exact same white button up shirts is a no go, as their is no variety when looking at these photos. If one person wants to wear a solid white dress, and the other a blue plaid shirt, this will be much more aesthetically pleasing to the eyes, and offer more of a balance to your engagement photos. 

what to wear engagement
what to wear engagement

2.  Stick to  2 outfits.

My engagement sessions usually last around 1 hr- 1 hr 15 minutes, and I always tell my clients you don't want to spend your whole time changing clothes. Two outfits usually ends up being perfect! We'll shoot in each outfit about 20-25 minutes and then there is time for the couple to change in the middle of the shoot. Some couples opt for two dressier outfits, others for two casual outfits, whereas some go for one dressier outfit and one more casual. There is no right answer, pick clothes that feel like you.

Occasionally I will have a couple that want to shoot three outfits, and that is totally fine, I just explain to them that we will still shoot the same amount of time, so they may end up with less photos due to the double changing time. 

what to wear engagement
what to wear engagement

3. Make sure you stay true to yourself and your style. 

I tell my clients to never feel obligated to wear something just because you see it on Pinterest, or a friend wore it in their engagements. Wear something that you would normally wear in your every day life. These photos are to capture your love, and your love story, so the photos will best tell your story if you stay true to yourself and your style! 

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what to wear engagement

4. Make sure to bring a comfy pair of shoes. 

I love outdoor, natural locations, which sometimes include climbing up large rocks, or walking through streams! Bring comfy shoes that you don't mind getting dirty or wet, or climbing rocks in! Some of my favorite photos have required us to trudge off the beaten path a bit.

what to wear engagement
what to wear engagement

5. Incorporate meaningful experiences into your shoot. 

If you guys love having picnics at the park, then include a picnic in your photo shoot. If you have a special heirloom blanket bring it so you guys can sit in it or wrap up in it. If you guys love drinking champagne while watching the sunset, let's do it. Always remember that each relationship is beautiful, and unique, and the engagement photos should reflect your love and your story.   

I have a what to wear engagement Pinterest board to help give my clients some ideas of color palettes and outfits that go together! Feel free to check it out here. Enjoy :)