A Peek into the Studio – Pretty Pansies at The Bride’s Cafe

I’m in need of a little Spring.  How about you?  If only the slightest suggestion of the warmer temps and a green scent in the air that will come soon.  These pretty pansy images from Amelia Johnson seen on The Bride’s Cafe did the trick for me.  Now it’s your turn to breathe in a hint of Spring!

I want to walk in these woods…

Detailed watercolors of Pansies for the menus and color-washed place cards.

Fabulous composition.  Love the complimentary creamy yellow as a backdrop.

SO happy that Janie indulged in her Pansy obsession and included our painted paper pretties!!  XOXO

Want to see more?  Check out Munaluchi Bridal!

So what am I up to?

Drooling over samples posted last week.  So proud of our design team, go Steph and Jess, GO!

Envisioning a new project with my friends at Occasions Magazine in Atlanta!

Wrapping up final details for kristyrice.com including this SKETCHED portrait of yours truly!

Behind the Scenes – Holiday Hydrangeas on The Brides Cafe

I could not be more excited that it is now officially appropriate to go Holiday wild!  To be honest, we’ve been listening to Holiday tunes at the studio for the last two weeks!  Imagine my thrill when the talented Janie from The Brides Cafe surprised me with this savvy Holiday shoot last week!  From time to time I send Janie stationery pieces, rarely knowing exactly how she plans to use them.  But oh the thrill of delicious surprise…

You may recognize the stationery pieces from a project with Bride and Bloom Magazine but we love seeing them again!  Read more here about the painted dots on each.  We adore this whimsical and modern painting technique!  More on the design from Janie:

“…my mother loved this time of the year and she so enjoyed all the planning and decorating….hydrangeas were one of her favorite flowers and I couldn’t resist these lovelies when I spotted them in our local Whole Foods a few weeks ago.  The great thing about hydrangeas is that you can purchase about five stems and truly decorate your dining table….their fluffy heads are perfect for the holiday table and I paired them up with lots of silver vessels and mercury votives…..and to accent the red in these antique hydrangeas, I added pomegranates…..and yes, that’s an “old silver tray” of my mom’s in the middle of the table holding the votives and the pomegranates…..so simple…sweet…and elegant.”

Big hugs to Janie for including some of my favorite stationery pieces and Amelia Johnson for capturing every moment so beautifully.

Behind the Scenes – Vintage Shop Engagement Shoot on The Bride’s Cafe

So I must apologize.  I posted this gorgeous film from our Utah Engagement shoot about 2 weeks ago and promised more but then Bridal Market happened and I lost track of time!  Here is a refresher by Castlebridge Films:

So many of you ask for fun DIY tips and it was time to deliver!  This Engagement Session Inspiration Shoot is all about being you, finding a place that makes you feel at home and being in the moment.  With the plethora of inspiration from blog to blog couples can get overwhelmed and feel they need to live up to all they see online and in print.  Styled or not, some of the most gorgeous moments in wedding photography happen unexpectedly and emerge from a carefree attitude.

This shoot although purely inspirational,  promises to deliver a smidge of relief for the over-inspired.  This was a real couple (hugs to Mason and Stephanie), they wore they favorite digs , walked into a fun space and just started having fun.  Pure and simple.  The shots by the stellar Jimmy of Gideon Photography show the true magic of just being yourself and letting go.

Seriously, who doesn’t love a good pillow fight?  Oh and check out Stephanie’s painted flats.  Simple project: A #4 paintbrush, coral shimmer ink and a few swooshes later,  topped off by two clip on earrings in a fun flower shape, voila!

Any chance I have to show off Caroline’s work from Paloma’s Nest and I take it!  These wooden bangles are so charming.  Caroline will customize text, so how lovely, right?  Here we chose the wedding date and a sweet quote for Stephanie’s 2 bangles.  “Only the best is yet to be…”

For save the dates I created a DIY friendly concept with Poloroids as the focal point.  I picked up wooden boxes from a local craft store and painted a Sego Lily (Utah State Flower) on each lid. Inside were two mini Poloroids with fun shots of a watercolor palette and the couple holding hands. Each shot had a note written; “October 20, 2012″ and the other read “Write it down”.  Of course I had to include a mini Sharpie pen for guests to literally write it down!  The idea was to create an interactive save the date, one that guests opened and sensed playfulness immediately!   Instead of the standard Save the Date message, this look invites guests to “Savor a Moment…”

Jimmy took Stephanie outside Urban Renewal for a few quiet moments.  I love this sweet couple!!

A big shout to my Utah Shoot crew for going above and beyond!!  I cannot wait until next time!  Want to see more of what we shot with this gorgeous couple that sunny day in Utah?  Pick up the next issue of Utah Bride and Groom Magazine.  You won’t be disappointed!!  We are all so grateful to Janie from The Bride’s Cafe for originally featuring our little project.  XOXO

Concept, Styling and Stationery – Momental Designs  ::  Photography – Gideon Photography  ::  Film – Castle Bridge Films  ::  Location – Urban Renewal, St. George, Utah  ::  Production/Styling - Tessa Woolf   ::  Models – Stephanie and Mason Woolf  :: Cynthia Dean – grooming for Mason Woolf , Stephanie Bybee- makeup design  for Stephanie Woolf, Morgan Clark- hair design for Stephanie Woolf -  Enzio  ::  Wooden Bracelets –Paloma’s Nest

Behind the Scenes – Vintage Shop Engagement Shoot on The Bride’s Cafe

Sharing this project has been a long time coming.  I’ve been sitting on images for nearly a year.  Yes, I’m a very patient lady.  You might remember my trip to Utah last fall?  I posted about a life changing project with a group of people I call friends but that was about all I said.  Well, a portion of the creative plunder from that day has gone live and we are honored that Janie from The Bride’s Cafe shared our vision.  Today I am giving a little behind the scenes peek at a film shot day-of.

The concept was built around an amazing location, Urban Renewal in St. George Utah.  I’ve been dying to orchestrate an inspiration shoot with modern/urban details and DIY friendly projects.  My Polaroid save the dates fit in just perfectly (more on that later this week).    The film is meant to be sent to guests in addition to our painted box/Poloroid save the dates.  Imagine this landing in your inbox?

I’ve Just Got to Tell You – Dr. Dog

Concept, Styling and Stationery – Momental Designs  ::  Photography – Gideon Photography  ::  Film – Castle Bridge Films  ::  Location – Urban Renewal, St. George, Utah  ::  Production/Styling - Tessa Woolf   ::  Models – Stephanie and Mason Woolf  :: Cynthia Dean – grooming for Mason Woolf , Stephanie Bybee- makeup design  for Stephanie Woolf, Morgan Clark- hair design for Stephanie Woolf -  Enzio  ::  Wooden Bracelets –Paloma’s Nest

Inspired Ink – Lush Blooms with Janie Medley

For this week’s Inspired Ink, I called on the amazingly talented Janie of The Bride’s Cafe and Janie Medley Flora Design!  I am sure you are all familiar with the edgy, romatic style featured on her daily blog in addition to the artistry she weaves into each of her floral creations.  Janie sent over a few of the newest images of her favorite bouquets captured by Katie of Open Air Photography.

Read more here about Janie’s line of greeting cards – stunning idea!

I combined a sketchy illustration of a variety of blooms.  Quickly painted strokes of yellowish greens and raspberry red add a certain movement and life throughout the design.  Printed on a soft shimmering white cardstock, the artwork appears soft and romantic much like Janie’s expertly executed bouquet color palettes.  My favorite detail would have to be the border of completely hand-painted cardstock in lovely shades of pink and red!