Wedding Details {Black and White Wedding}

{all above images from ClaryPhoto see our wedding blog post here}

We just celebrated our second anniversary so I thought I would finally post some of my favorite detail shots from the wedding!  Many of the items in these photos are projects that I DIY'd such as ring bearer pillows, pinwheels, candy bar ribbons for jars, damask cardbox, and photobooth tickets.  Several of the other projects I created and had printed elsewhere were the "sugar bar" window cling, drink stir sticks, "B" cake topper, and dinner menus.

Then we had several fabulous vendors that made other items happen such as Slice of Lime Design for all of our paper goods and Exclusive Events, Inc. for our reception lighting, paper lanterns, white lounge area and decals on the columns.  I especially love our programs from Slice of Lime Design.  They are tiered and have the custom damask design flowing from one page to the next...does that sound right?  I do not know about how it sounds but it turned out fantastic! Slice of Lime Design also created our reception cards that included a poem that I wrote and probably had help from Emily from Slice of Lime Design...it's been so long I cannot even remember!  Anyway, the poem was about the candy bar, the photo booth, and the late night snack that we were serving at 10:00pm.  I will look for a photo that shows it better for another post.

A few other details were each of the bridesmaids bouquets were wrapped with a different black and white ribbon and had a vintage bow broach.  We had red balloons and paper parasols for photos, and my something blue was turquoise ribbon sewn onto the crinoline of my dress.  I also wore the antique wedding ring in the ring detail shots that belonged to my husband's grandma.  She was unable to attend so I wore the ring so she could be there in spirit.  Hmmmm.....I am trying to think of any other special details...would have probably been a good idea to have posted this 2 years ago! Oh yeah, I made my jewelry {chandelier crystal earrings and bracelet} and also made bracelets out of crystals for the bridesmaids.

Not sure if I have previously posted this, but here was our vendor line up for the day!
Photography: ClaryPhoto-Clary Pfeiffer Photography {blog}
Videography: Archway Media (I still have not selected my music so no video yet...)
Paper Goods: Slice of Lime Design
Florist: RW Designs
Wedding Coordinator: Proposing Dreams
Ceremony: St. Ambrose on the hill
Reception: Windows On Washington {8th floor}
Lighting and Decor: Exclusive Events, Inc.
Extras: Photobooth Stl 
Cake: The Cakery 
Rehearsal Dinner: Spink Pavillion Missouri Botanical Gardens
Transportation: A Perfect Touch
Make-up: Holly Speakes
Wedding Dress: Priscilla of Boston Vineyard Collection, Town and Country Bridal

I think that is it!

cute and stylish search...still looking!

Just when I think I have it all narrowed down, and maybe able to make a decision in my search for a dslr camera bag...I am back at square one!

This search has been exhausting.  I like to try on and touch handbags.  See how the zippers work, make sure that it seems like it will work for me. Unfortunately this is not the reality for the "cute and stylish handbag style meets dslr bag" selection that resides exclusively online.

Her name was Lola....Lola remained top in my mind since my search became less intense around March.  Off and on, I would admire Lola and think about if I was ready to make a commitment.

{epiphanie bags Lola}

So the biggest reason why I did not just go ahead and purchase, was that I was hesitant about the price.  I know that the bag would need to last me a long while...and I just was not sure!

The I decide...okay, time to bite the bullet and just go ahead and do it.  I did one last search for "cute and stylish camera bags" and came across this post by Veralana Photography. This post opened my eyes to some new fabulous bags by Jo Totes.

{Jo Totes}

Instantly I was drawn to the Rose bag....ultimately I decided this was THE bag...I was going for it.  I was torn between the marigold and the teal.  

 {Jo Totes}

While popular opinion was to go with the marigold, I was unsure.  Shocking, I know. Look at that adorable houndstooth fabric inside! A perk that they both have it! Yesterday I decided to just go for it! Decided...then went to purchase....SOLD OUT!  So I thought maybe it was fate and I was meant to have the other color....guess what!? SOLD OUT too...so maybe it was just not meant to be at all.

I need a new laptop bag too, but I do not have the energy to search for that! 

cute & stylish search continues

I blogged about my search for cute and stylish camera bags recently.  I have been receiving some slack from Chris about not using my DSLR enough, so it is time to search some more and make a decision.

I still love the Epiphanie bags. But through some communication with the company, found out that they will release new styles this summer.  If you know me, you know that I like to weigh all of my options and not make a decision until I am positive that I will be completely satisfied with my choice.  If you know me, then you also know that I can be incredibly indecisive.  So there you go.  Making a choice about where to go for dinner is usually equally difficult, let alone choose a bag for my camera. SO the prospect of potentially liking a new bag coming out this summer more, keeps me from committing at this moment. Also, I am concerned that Belle may be too bright and so am liking Lola more. Here is a review of  the Lola bag.  These bags will not ship until March probably...but I have waited this long!

Here are some new bags I found since my last search. 

 

{Kelly Moore}

So here is the Kelly Moore bag. Cute, right? Love that they come in 7 different colors. If you click this link, you can watch a video of the bag in action.  Kinda cool.  Actually made me realize that this is not what I am looking for though. More of a messenger style and less like what I am envisioning.

Some others to consider...

{The Joy Bag}

Another messenger, so it does not make it on the short list.

{Jo Totes}

Jo Totes are one of the lesser expensive bags that I have found, but a little too plain for what I am thinking I want.

 {*emera}

*emera now makes a quilted bag! Love that it can hold a laptop!!!  And that this one zips! The other *emera bags do not zip.

The search will continue...I am not completely satisfied....yet!

Cute & Stylish Camera Bag

I am looking for a camera bag...one that is cute and stylish and does not scream "I AM A CAMERA BAG"!  I did not see this as a being a difficult task until I started to search for one.  Seriously, why are there not more options for women?

After about a week of Google searches, I have finally found some.

So just as a reminder, I am going for the non-camera bag looking bag...

I found a few Etsy sellers that make camera bags. At first, I thought this was the perfect solution...I pick the fabric, and in a few weeks it will arrive on my door step.  Then I remembered how impatient I am. Nonetheless, this post may help others so here are some of my favorites from Etsy.

{Etsy Shop Janine King Designs}

{Etsy Shop GypsyRoseHandbags}

There are so many fabric choices if you go the Etsy route.  The prices are reasonable too for a custom bag, and it appears that all your gear is adequately protected. 

Somewhere along my search I came across *emera.  These bags remind me of  "Kate Spade meets camera bag".

{*emera}

I really love "The Print".

{The Print via *emera}

Is this bag not channeling Kate Spade? Well maybe Kate 9 years ago or so.

I also came across Jill-e bags.  I do not love these bags, and they are more than I would want to spend for a medium/large camera bag.  I will share one that I kinda like...

{Medium Bone Leather Camera Bag via Jill-e}

I need to include The Shootsac in this review of stylish camera bags.  My understanding of this bag is that it is for photo sessions and not to store your gear all the time.  More for pros doing quick lens changes. So while I love the fashionable covers that this bag offers, I need something else right now.

{The Shootsac}

{The Shootsac}

The bags I was most excited to find are from epiphanie. I love the turquoise bag and the red bag.  They even have contrasting liners which I think is super chic!

{via Shutter Sisters}

{via epiphanie}

Belle and Lola are my fave's right now...there are new bags coming out next year from Epiphanie...I do not know that I can wait that long!

inside of Belle

inside of Lola

Doesn't everything look so nice and cozy inside?  I am not sure what bag I am going to order.  So many choices! What bag do you have?