{Summer of Love} Unique Engagement Gifts

Wedding and engagement parties are the best way to celebrate the happy couple before their big day. For many couples, close friends or family will throw them a fabulous party within a couple months of making the annoucement to get hitched. I'm celebrating a close friends engagement this week and this started me on the path to find a perfect gift. There are many personalized gifts and sentimental gifts out there. Take time to find a gift that is different than a gift found on a wedding gift registry. This gift can be small or large. Remember to save the blender for the bridal shower but a wine set is sweet for the engagement party.

Check out some fun ideas I found below. Gifts are optional but you can also bring a nice card to share your sweetest wishes with them.

Romantics Love Personalized Pillow Cases via engagementgiftsonline.com



Artistic Couples via engagementgiftsonline.com

Homemaker Today via gifts.com

 

 

Wine Enthusiasts via gifts.com

 

Eco-Friendly/ Natural Foods Lover via gifts.com

{Back 2 Wedding Basics} Fashion and E-Sessions

Recently, Michelle Myers of Shelly Love Photography met with my styling session couple Ashley and Eric. Their photo session displayed the fun, artistic and sassy side of fashion photojournalism.

Michelle Myers and I love working together to bring the most out of each engagement session for our wedding couples.

For Ashley and Eric, these pictures pave the way for their wedding in the spring of 2011.

For more information about styling sessions, contact Valerie with Blueprint Affairs today valerie@blueprintaffairs.com.

Visit Shelly Love Photography to view more photos of her high quality work.

NEW Styling Engagement Sessions

Blueprint Affairs is proud to announce NEW engagement styling sessions with Shelly Love Photography. Michelle Myers, owner of Shelly Love Photography brings fashion and photojournalism to every shot. Together, we take your ordinary engagement session and meet ahead of time to create a session of your dreams, making photography personalized even before your wedding day. This includes deciding on the perfect session location, time, and prop items to create a unique styling session made for just you.

Fun and Unique
Photos from this unique session are used by most couples to send announcements of their engagement, save the date announcements, wedding day décor, and even holiday greeting cards.

Preparation
In addition to wedding and event planning, this one hour session is here to assist the bride and groom in preparing for their photo engagement session. Many couples are unsure what to wear, bring, or even what to expect on this special photo day with your photographer. We make this day easy and stress-free by getting you prepared for your first official photos with your loved one.

That is why Blueprint Affairs offers this one hour engagement styling session at just $65.00.

However, if you are a client of Shelly Love Photography, we will offer this session at no cost to you.

Get Started
In addition, as a client of Shelly Love Photography, we offer an additional savings of $350 off our full-service wedding planning package, or $200 off our day-of-wedding coordinator package, a total savings of over 15%.

To learn more about booking your engagement styling session, contact Valerie at Blueprint Affairs 623-215-8657. Learn more about Shelly Love Photography by visiting http://www.shellylovephotography.com/

Visit our preferred vendor’s page on http://www.blueprintaffairs.com/

A Mom's Role for the Groom

BLUEman: The Male Perspective

Mother’s Day is a chance to thank your mom for all she has done in your life. Growing up, my mom would often make my lunch before she would shuffle each of my brothers and sisters off to school.

She was always that support factor no matter what trouble I was getting into as well.

But did you know that your mom can play an important role in your own wedding? It’s true.

When you hit the dance floor after your wedding, one of the optional dances is the mother-son dance. This is a chance for your mom to dance with you in the spotlight.

But before that, she is escorted down the aisle at the beginning of your ceremony, most likely just before you make your way to the front. And during the ceremony, your mom, along with the mom of your bride, could get involved by helping to light the candles that you and your bride will use to light the unity candle.

But let’s rewind to way before the wedding day.

You’ve just got engaged. Your mom will cheerfully spread the news with all her family and friends. She should also reach out to the bride’s mom to express her happiness.

When it comes time to put together your invite list, your mom can be there to help you narrow down your choices on your side of the family, you’re A and B list for example. She will most likely have all the addresses you need to ensure the invites get to where they need to go.

When it’s time for the bridal shower, your mom should attend and bring a gift as well.

Once you and your bride are registered, your mom will most likely spread the word to your side of the family so that you get what you asked for.

The two moms will typically consult with one another on their wedding day outfits as well.

Traditionally, the rehearsal dinner is the groom’s responsibility. So your mom will most likely be there to make sure the restaurant of choice delivers on their promise so that you have a great party the night before your wedding.

You can see that your mom can play an important part in your wedding, much like she has all your life. Hopefully, you let her know how much she meant to you, yesterday, on Mother’s Day! But if not, make sure you do so now.

See you next Monday!

Destination Love || Engagement Sessions

Fromage! This also means “cheese” in French. My best friend travels the world and brought back that fun translation she said each picture taken in France. Just like any great vacation needs great pictures to detail the journey, your wedding will begin a journey for many years to come. Every photographer provides the option for any budget to include an engagement session to capture those special moments before you become husband and wife. Take advantage of this time to find a place that tells a story about you as a couple, says Photographer, Marcia Mauskopf of Marcia – The Art of Photography. Marcia recommends taking a trip out to Congress Street in Tucson for those couples of artistic nature or the graffiti walls downtown for a modern spin on photography.

Dress Essentials

Not sure what to wear? Talk to your photographer about your perfect location to document your engaged life before married life. Whites and stonewashed denim fit the Tempe Town Lake backdrop whereas; black would best suit your graffiti walls of downtown. Bring a few different shirts or outfits to change. Don’t worry, you can change on location and ideally create a photo mix by changing up the scenery.

New Best Friend

Your photographer will soon know every favorite look or as some say “sides” that you will want on display for all to see. Make friends with your photographer by getting started ASAP on your engagement session. This will help you feel comfortable being the object of the lens for hours on your wedding day. Marcia says that trust is the single most important component to successful wedding photography. I have to agree that if you feel comfortable each shot will look relaxed and more natural. Pick a picture perfect setting closer to sunset for the most dramatic look with unforgettable shots. Have fun and play to the camera!

How to use Engagement Photos

Talk to your photographer about their photo packages. You will want print versions of your pictures now or later. Add coffee table photo books to your package. Other items to consider include photo charm bracelets, purses, make-up bags, and matted prints suited for signatures during your reception. You may also want to create a picture table for your reception area that highlights a few best photos of you along with other framed pictures of your parents. This makes a great montage table for all your guests to see.