And the finalists are….
Anjuli & Christian
From Anjuli
Best bit from their story: Whatever the case, he struck up a conversation with me after practice one night. We ended up chatting for nearly an hour, but when it seemed like we might be winding down, he told me he usually went to a dollar movie in Raleigh since it was so far for him to drive to come to rehearsal, and would I go with him? I was surprised, and flattered, and excited, so naturally I said yes. I found him easy to talk to. I didn’t need to ask him endless questions in order to get to know him. It was refreshing.
DIY projects: My mother is making the skirts for the bridesmaids, and possibly the vests for the groomsmen. My family is building a backdrop with lights and fabric and flowers, I’m making the invitations, as well as the guest book, a friend of my sister’s is making the jewelry for the bridesmaids, etc. Handmade favors, tablecloths, runners, centerpieces, etc.
Hannah & Dick
From Hannah
Best bit from their story: After he swept my parents off their feet in Seattle when we visited for a weekend in February, he finally put a ring on it. It was the most shocking experience of my life, and it was absolutely perfect in every way. The ring is so perfect, and exactly what i was looking for. He even designed it himself! (talk about DIY, right?)
DIY projects: We are not having a cake, because I want cupcakes, and we are making all of those on our own, and they will be sitting on a cupcake tower made by my grandpa, and it will be amazing. We are also designing our own invitations so they will be extra personal and unique. The wedding is going to be peacock feather themed, because I had a pet peacock growing up, and they have the most amazing colors in their feathers. And my mom is designing hair pieces for all my bridesmaids that are in those colors as well as a beautiful bouquet. The rest of the decorations will all mostly come from things that my mom has already stored from other events that she made herself, as well as hand made lanterns and center pieces for the tables. My grandma will also be making my garter.
Rachel & Lucas
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From Rachel
Best bit from their story: I sadly left for BYU Idaho at the end of summer and we broke up. We decided to keep in touch but date other people. During the semester away from each other we both kind of realized that we didn’t really want to date around and would see how things went over Christmas break. We started dating over Christmas break and I stayed in Henderson for good. We dated casually and loved it!!
DIY projects: I hot glue gunned designs on bottles then spray painted them and then took off the hot glue to make a lantern, which will be hung in the trees for a backyard reception. I am going to make a satin flower bouquet that I haven’t finished but attached a picture of what it will look like. I also have a tree with purple bird cages on it that the guests will hang cards on that have “words of advice” for the happily married couple near the entrance of the reception. To make the tree I took branches and plaster of Paris and put them in a flower pot and then hot glued vines of flowers to the tree and hung the bird cages on the branches.
Shanna & Chris
From Shanna
Best bit from their story: We are planning our wedding after being together for nearly 12 years. We were the type to avoid the serious stuff, like marriage, until we had out son Chase. We both had a major change of heart and we got engaged last year, at Half Dome Yosemite… ! We are both quite quirky, outdoorsy and like to have fun. We hike, camp, kayak, snowboard, love concerts, traveling and watching movies. I am very crafty, love to cook. Chris is very smart, loves to play music and loves to eat all the yummies I make.
DIY projects: Handmade Burlap Table Runner,Handmade Spun Sugar Bird Nest Cake Topper, Mason Jar Flashlights for walk to parking lot after event, no existing lights! Thumbprint Tree Guest Book,, Birdcage envelope holder, painted to match even, Homemade Lavender Lemonade an, Homemade Sweet Tea in Large Mason Jar Dispenser, Banners made from scans of concert tickets and photos of our relationship.
Kristy & Scott
From Kristy
Best bit from their story: At the end of the night, as we were lingering before heading off to our respective rooms, Scott bet Jim that he could ride his bike down the hill faster than Jim could. This hill was enormous, and notoriously steep, and often those guys who considered themselves athletes would brag about how easy it was for them. Jim took the bait and Scott rode down first, Jim Made fun of the effort and bragged about how much better he would be. I laughed and thanked goodness no one had bet me! Scott got back, hardly winded and handed off his bike to Jim. As soon as Jim was out of eyesight, Scott looked at me with a devilish smile and said “I knew that would get us alone” and he kissed me. We quickly became the best of friends and partners in crime, and now we intend to spend our lives together.
DIY projects: The bouquet, the boutonnieres, the plant growing favors, Ordering a simple cake to embellish with edible butterflies and a home painted cake topper, making home baked cookie favors, I will be up the night before making appetizers and salads with my sister, our guest book will be wood burned by yours truly, our centerpieces, the invites are print yourself which I intend to schmancy up, even embellishments on my wedding gown and hand dyed wedding shoes.
This is going to be a touch race between everyone! Such great couples and amazing DIY!!
TO VOTE: for the couple you like best, head on over to my Facebook Page and “Like” the photo of the couple. Next Friday, whoever has the most likes, WINS! If you want your couple to win, be sure to share the link to help them win dream wedding photography for their big day. And don’t forget to “Like” my page too!
Featured: Beantown Bride!
Before we get down to the finalists of the GIVEAWAY (I’m so excited!) I wanted to share this awesome feature on Beantown Bride! So happy to have my dear sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Crystal & Jack, and their amazing wedding day featured!
I’ll be posting their full wedding next week so you can see all the wonderful things this rainy Boston wedding has to offer. Love you two!
Handmade Wedding, Photography Giveaway LAST DAY TO ENTER!!
It’s your last chance to enter the DIY wedding, Photography GIVEAWAY! I’ve gotten some great entries but there is still time for yours!
The styled wedding shoot I did has some great DIY projects in it which I’ll be sharing soon. So tell me what you’re doing for your wedding day. I want to hear all about it!
Giveaway is now closed
Handmade Wedding Photographer Giveaway
It’s Tuesday. It’s my Golden Birthday. And it’s nearly Leap Day. So what better way to celebrate than to host a giveaway. Like a big one. BIG. I certainly don’t need gifts, but you do!
I hope you’re excited! I’m giving away a jam packed collection to the couple with the most DIY/Handmade flair. Is it you?
WHAT YOU WIN: 6 hours of coverage by meg, 20 page 10×10 hand bound custom album, and a gorgeous case with a hi-res disc of images from your beautiful wedding day.
REQUIREMENTS: Your wedding must take place in 2012. The location must be either in the Los Angeles area, Las Vegas area or the Salt Lake City area. Wedding not in those places but still in the USA and know you could win the whole thing?! Then ENTER! And all you would pay is travel fees.
Happy Weekend!
Aside from picking up a cold from Sir Luke this weekend is shaping up really nice. I’m working on getting the last details together for the styled wedding shoot I’m putting together for next week. There are SO many great vendors I’m working with in town. And if you haven’t checked out their work yet you totally should
Consistently glamorous and on trend hair and makeup with Your Beauty Call
Unbelievable custom cakes from Gimme Some Sugar
Gorgeous personalized custom invitation suites by SHE Paperie
Inspiring and romantic floral art by Layers of Lovely
An amazing selection and beautiful array of gowns from Bella Bridesmaids
Image via The Pink Book
Chic and vintage inspired handmade hair pieces by Pomp & Plumage
Out of the box and artsy event space at The Arts Factory with food by the Bar + Bistro
Image via Las Vegas Vegas
And a few festive DIY projects by yours truly!
It’s bound to be fantastic! Stay tuned!
All images by megruth unless otherwise specified
Display Thursday: Scales
This entire week has been a whirlwind of information, inspiration, and a lot of socializing. There are an unquantifiable amount of things I’m going to be implementing in my business to make it loads better for you and I, both. I can’t wait to share all the gory details. And believe me, MegRuth is getting a facelift, from surface to guts.
My entire goal in being a photographer is fulfilling my need to make beautiful stories and your need to retain memories for generations. It’s taken me a long time to realize that. But now that I do, it’s better for everyone, especially you.
One of my favorite classes at WPPI was the influence of cinematography on album design by Amina from Stillmotion. I love designing albums. Putting together the day in a relevant and interesting story that fits each specific couple is something I’m continually working at and becoming better. Sometimes you can think of a wall in your home like a page in an album. Below the smaller images lead the eye to the main focal point, which is the biggest and centered image. Letting you know that it is the climax of the story.
P.S. Love the well kept stack of books next to the couch.
Do you play with scale in your images? Have you ever thought of your wall like an album page? Take a look at a magazine. See how they lay things out. How do those items relate to each other in their respective sizes and placement on the page. You’d be surprised how much it can relate to your walls at home!