Trash the Dress with Megan LaBarbera

Well we all know of the newest wedding photography phenomenon sweeping the nation, right? The trash the dress session is about as cool as it gets! So when I had the opportunity to "Trash the Dress" (ok not my actual wedding dress, but still), I jumped at the chance to work with Megan LaBarbera She is young, hip, and cool, and I should also mention superbly talented!

My actual wedding dress is sitting in a spare closet at home, boxed, cleaned and preserved, so I knew that wouldn't be an option. Quite honestly, it wasn't the right dress for the shoot anyway, it was grand, regal, and completely glam, perfect for my ballroom wedding, but not right for what I had in mind here.

So fall began with the search for the "perfect" TTD dress. It had to be sexy and flowy, fall perfectly no matter how I moved, and give me the freedom to try different things without feeling restrained. So what else than to turn to EBAY! It took a while but I found the perfect dress, sadly it was many sizes too big. I thought, "it's ok, it isn't like it is my wedding!" Off I went to this sweet little italian lady seamstress in the center of Milford. Despite the fact that she couldn't understand why I was already married, but still needed my dress altered, she worked her magic, insisted that she take it in, and up, just about everywhere, and unlike the bride I truly was in my day, I picked it up 20 hours before I would wear it, without even the thought to try it on. It fit! It was perfect!

That Sunday morning, I ran up to West Hartford, where the Fabulous Naomi Martinez and her lovely assistant Yazmin squeezed me in and "did me up". My make-up rocked, fake eyelashes and all, and my hair was wild, completely over the top, and just as I had wanted. Off I raced, down the highway, chasing the fabulous light I knew Megan wanted to catch so badly, (I too for selfish reasons, it was 39 degrees out!)

I begged my hubby to come along, insisted he would have fun and we would get some great pictures together, which we absolutely did!

Here are a few of my absolute favorites, all courtesy of Megan LaBarbera but swing over to Megan's blog to see more!

If this is something you have ever considered doing, but just haven't, I highly recommend it! It was so liberating! I will never forget the experience and love the pictures I have to visually remember it by as well!

For anyone who is still searching for that perfect photographer for you, I highly recommend checking Megan out! She totally rocks!

First wedding of the year!

After two months off for Talia and four for me due to the newest addition on our family, we were very excited to get back into the swing of things. Congratulations to Leslie and Christopher, Esq. and Esq., respectively, on their fabulous winter wedding!

Leslie and Chris were married on Saturday, January 5th at the Newtown Meeting House, which is truly the quintessential New England chapel and such a cozy and darling place in which to say one's vows. Her gals wore blue dresses and carried callas. Early on, Leslie fell in love with snowflakes and with the help of Jane from Just For You Weddings, executed her theme perfectly. Hanging the snowflakes (Pottery Barn via Ebay, I had to ask!) on the doors of Newtown Meeting House made such a statement and really set off the theme of her wedding.

The inside was decorated delightfully with a custom runner, huricanes lining the aisle and votives flickerly softly in the windows. I really loved how Leslie decorated the unity candle table with a custom linen, it had a great effect! Millennium Music provided the ceremony music and played beautifully.

Post ceremony, all the guests were handed lighted wands and they waved them into the night sky as the newlyweds made their grand exit. Sadly, I don't have a photo to post, but it was indeed a sight to see!

Following the ceremony, the reception took place at The Fox Hill Inn, where guests were treated to an extensive cocktail hour menu, a four course meal and a yummy dessert table. Men in Black from Boston played some great sets and kept the party dancing all night long. They even assisted the bridal party in belting out a few favorite tunes!

The Inn was decorated as a winter wonderland with branchy arrangements adorned with snowflakes and hanging tea lights. We overheard many of the guests remarking on how gorgeous everything was. Amanda Taylor of A Taylored Picture was the photographer and we are very much looking forward to her photos of everything!

The entrance arrangement truly made a statement in the intimate foyer of the Inn. .

and the centerpieces were equally magnificant on the tables, especially with the lights dimmed.

Each place setting was complete with a snowflake wine stopper and menu.

Some other fun details! In particular, the snowflake jewel in each bouquet was really the cat's meow.

Congrats again and best wishes for a wonderful life! We loved working with you!

xoxo -

Lindsay & Talia