LISA LING pictures here with her beautiful baby girl
more of photos of this lovely family featured in US WEEKLY

xoxoxoxo – elizabeth

styling by GINNY BRANCH 

florals by AMY OSABA

props by BLUE EYED YONDER

hair & makeup by
ERIN SKIPLEY & CLAUDIA MEJERLE

]]> http://www.kissthegroom.com/2013/05/utterly-engaged-cover/feed/ 0 http://www.kissthegroom.com/2013/05/11994/ http://www.kissthegroom.com/2013/05/11994/#comments Sat, 04 May 2013 05:38:03 +0000 elizabeth http://www.kissthegroom.com/?p=11994 “thirst drove me down to the water
where i drank the moon’s reflection”
RUMI

i recently photographed a BEAUTIFUL LOOKBOOK for
RUCHE’s lovely & very affordable VINTAGE inspired wedding gowns

this dress really caught my eye because i thought it’d be perfect DRESS
to wear as a guest to a wedding or to a brunch with family or date night
with you favorite person – it is feminine &  oh so flattering -so simply


HOW TO ENTER CONTEST:

1) pick your favorite image from the RUCHE
LOOKBOOK i photographed “Forever & A Day”
and share it on INSTAGRAM

2) your caption must include @shopruche & @elizabethmessina

3) add hashtags #RucheBridal & #ElizabethMessina

we will pick the lucky winner of this pretty RUCHE DRESS soon – xoxo

it is hard to put into words all of the incredible beauty & inspiration that was tucked into a few precious days at the SEA ISLAND RESORT in GEORGIA – from the stunning FLORALS by the insanely talented AMY OSABA to the stunning FASHION & SET styling by the ever gracious GINNY BRANCH to the truck load of treasure from BLUE EYED YONDER – it was literally my DREAMS coming to life before my eyes….

the attendees were embraced by SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY that embraced us at every turn at SEA ISLAND RESORT – they learned & created side by side with each other & with ME – they finger painted with WAX from incredible artist, encaustics master & book maker LEAH MACDONALD -

they sat with MARTHA STEWART WEDDINGS photo editor, SHIRA SAVADA & soaked up her insights on publishing & got a bit of her fantastic sense of humor along the way…they enjoyed treasures from BENEFIT COSMETICS, WILEY VANETINE, ARTIFACT UPRISING, VELVET RAPTOR, MONKEYS ALWAYS LOOK, CUPCAKE VINEYARDS, CACAO, FUJI FILM, PRETTY PLUM SUGAR, TIBI, RUCHE, YOU SMELL all tucked into beautiful custom made totes by the one & only WEDDING CHICKS – & our staff wore handmade aprons by ICE MILK APRONS -

Tthey photographed stunning fashion by CLAIRE PETTIBONE, TWIGS & HONEY, CHELSEA ROSE BRIDAL, THE SENTIMENTALIST, and IVY & ASTER which hung beautifully from the frames of five stunning models KAREN, SARAH, JESSICA, GINA & ANNA…whose beautiful hair & makeup were carefully tended to by ERIN SKIPLEY & CLAUDIA MEJERLE

then we dined on scrumptious SEA ISLAND RESORT meals while lovely LA TAVOLA linens covered the tables – as a handmade chalkbroard sign by SOUTHERN SPROUT sat beside us & LOVE LETTERS & such were artfully written by incredible calligrapher MAYBELLE -we laughed, we cried – it was everything i LOVE about collaboration – the end result was much bigger than all of the parts -

i think the thing that truly touched my heart the most was the incredible group of people that came to A LOVELY WORKSHOP to learn from me & my fantastic group of collaborators…all of the attendees brought something special to our group…they are all ARTISTS & it was a pleasure to share time with each & every one of them -

please take a moment & explore the creative work &
websites of the 2013 LOVELY WORKSHOP attendees

MARISA HOLMES
LINDSAY MADDEN
GREER GATTUSO
DANIEL PEREZ
KATHERINE EMERY
TRICIA WHITMER
LIZ ROBERTS
JULIE PAISLEY
RABIAH KHWAJA
VERONICA RAMIREZ
NICOLE MASON
KELLY SAUER
JESSICA MORRISY
SERENA SEVERTSON
TIFFANY BENDER
LAUREN ROSENAU
REBECCA STANLEY
SARAH PIRKRYL
GINA MOORE

you can ENTER to WIN me (ELIZABETH MESSINA) as your wedding
photographer & ALISON EVENTS as your wedding planner by joining
PINTEREST & entering CUPCAKE VINEYARDS – LOVE DELICIOUSLY
contest – i am so thrilled to be part of this extaordinary GIVEAWAY

_______________________________________

so today i thought i’d share some of ALSION’s best wedding tips
if you are getting married & are feeling a little lucky ENTER NOW

ALISON WEDDING TIPS

1. Keep it local: Spring is an amazing time of year no matter the location your wedding or event is taking place. Using fresh, seasonal and local items. These items such as herbs, fruits and vegetables can be used as a theme throughout your catering menus, a fresh spring on your place card or as a favor for guests to take home.

2. Use the warm weather to take advantage of the area your event is taking place: Provide your guests with information via your website or welcome packet including: Hiking Trails, water activities like kayaking in the russian river, cooking classes at a local resturant that practices farm to table meals, or wine tasting

3. Keep the palate simple: most outdoor venues will have whatever plants/flowers surround the area in bloom. use the landscape around you to enhance the look and feel of the wedding while keeping the table top clean, crisp and simple. This also saves  bit of money! You can even see if the venue will allow you to hand pick blooms, fruits or veggies straight from the property.

4. Pitch a tent. Spring is the best time to have an outdoor tented event. The weather in some areas can still get a little chilly in the evening so having a tent adds a a great sense of space, keeps things formal and acts as a just incase to keep your mind at ease.

5. Special Touches: Provide pashminas or throw blankets for your guests to use later in the evening if the wether cools down and also use these on lounge pieces or the backs of chairs for an added touch of decor!

__________________________________________

in celebration of CUPCAKE VINEYARDS amazing
LOVE DELICIOUSLY CONTEST  - ALISON HOTCHKISS & I are
giving away a copy of our books to a lucky someone – simply leave
a comment HERE  for a chance to win a copy of:

THE LUMINOUS PORTRAIT &
ALL THE ESSENTIALS WEDDING PLANNER
____________________________________________

& if you are engaged be sure to ENTER
the LOVE DELICIOUSLY CONTEST to win ME

as your photographer & ALISON as your planner

good luck to all – xoxo