Archive for the ‘weddings’ Category

i love the sea (have we talked about this before?) and i am currently wrapping up edits on a coastal winter wedding. as a wedding photographer, i’ve been lucky to have had the opportunity to shoot some pretty awesome weddings near or overlooking the water – wedding venues such as the Harvard University owned CRI Rowing new modern Boathouse on the Charles River in Boston, the famed Hammond Castle in Gloucester, the newly built Duxbury Bay Maritime overlooking the bay, the Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation in Waltham, MA, Cohasset’s historic 1704 Red Lion Inn. a few of my coastal weddings for 2010 include the White Elephant Hotel on Nantucket Island and Newport, Rhode Island Oceancliff Hotel.

many of my clients who have seaside or island weddings go with a navy or nautical theme. i am currently wrapping up edits on a wedding that was carefully decorated with a classic New England navy blue color theme. below are some photos of a wedding cake with a blue ribbon from the world renowned wedding bakery Konditor Meister.

This particular cake was a round, four tier wedding cake, covered in light ivory buttercream frosting with a wide navy ribbon overlaying a narrow champagne ribbon at the bottom of each layer and swiss dots decorating the entire cake. The top and bottom layer was carrot cake with cream cheese filling, the second layer was chocolate cake with oreo filling, and the third layer was gold cake with Grand Marnier filing and fresh strawberries. Are you hungry yet?

konditor meister wedding cake in white and navyNantucket coastal new england style wedding cake

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chinese wedding favors

March 7, 2010

last night i photographed another chinese wedding. i love documenting traditions such as the tea ceremony and the li shi money in the red envelope. the double happiness symbol was present throughout the day, adorning the door to the wedding ceremony as well as in front of the bride and groom during the actual ceremony. the bride and groom gave me a wedding favor before i wrapped up shooting. it was a small tea strainer / tea infuser shaped like a house. a tea house, get it?! if you are looking for a cute high quality wedding favor that is good for any wedding including chinese weddings, these rock!  you can buy the tea house tea infuser with its own little drip tray here.

chinese tea house wedding favor ideacomments

over the last few years, i have noticed a trend in couples offering an array of sweets at wedding receptions. i have seen everything from chocolate fondue, fruit tables, color coordinated candy buffets with jars, scoops and even little chinese food containers, along with cupcakes arranged on a tiered stand to replicate the look (and sometimes even replace) a wedding cake. there are many cupcake bakeries popping up in nearly every major city, as well as wedding cake bakeries offering cupcakes now. for candy, there are online candy suppliers, wholesale stores like costco and BJ’s, and even local shops that offer handmade candies and baked goods. i have even seen some wedding planners and day of coordinators are starting to offer candy bar setup including jar and supply rental. check with your venue or caterer to see if they will assist in setup and breakdown of your candy buffet as well. often, the venue coordinator and servers are busy with their normal routine, so friends, family members of hired coordinators can set up the candy station if you plan in advance. for jars, you can find apothecary jars or canister jars sometimes on sale at discount department stores. the container store is another good resource. craft stores and etsy are a great place to find DIY elements for a candy station including ribbons, labels, and even blocks to provide varying elevations for a unique visual array of jars.

candy buffet boxes chinese food containerswedding candy buffet colors and inspiration for DIY ideasblue candy bar at a wedding including jars and paper decorationscupcakes desserts and sweets at weddingscup cakes at a downtown wedding

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who loves the ocean? (i do!)

February 26, 2010

destination wedding photography search

last night i was on a call discussing a wedding day time line with a bride and groom. during our conversation, i was looking out the window and saw all the snow and it made me wish that summer would hurry up and get here. not long after the call, my heat went out. i wanted to be warm! it made me start thinking about the upcoming destination weddings. below is an early morning photo i took simply because i enjoyed how the rustic boat provided visual contrast to the idyllic turquoise caribbean sea.

destination wedding resorts

below is a photo of a destination wedding ceremony that i took while i was in the water. i didn’t actually mean to get in the water, it just sort of happened but once i got wet, i decided it was okay to be knee deep to get the shot.having a destination wedding at an ocean location

this wedding was also on the ocean however to get the same angle, there was more sand to walk on and i didn’t have to go swimming for the photo. the couple used a chuppah but even for non jewish beach wedding ceremonies, brides often will use a wedding canopy or arch, made out of things borrowed from nature. in addition to bamboo trunks, i have seen four potted plants in the place of a chuppah. for fabric to create the canopy, some of the more interesting ones i have seen have incorporated simple solid colors or color combinations including aqua, celery, citrus themed with yellow, green and orange, navy and celery, and navy and pink.

if you are thinking about having a wedding, one thing to note is that not all beaches are private beaches. some of my favorite beaches to have wedding ceremonies on are jetties beach in nantucket and seven mile beach in jamaica. when dealing with public beaches, you can sometimes have an unannounced guest at your wedding :)

on of my brides put these DIY decorations together which work perfectly for destination weddings. Sand, beach glass, shells, and river rocks along with candles work great for this type of decor.

many wedding resorts are now creating signature cocktails for their brides and grooms.

ever since i photographed sam and angela’s wedding, i fell in love with the event space. for those of you who have been working with gallery 1028, you probably already know the the possibilities this venue has to offer. below, as part of my vendor spotlight, i am introducing you to one of my favorite wedding venues in more depth, including an interview with Katie Hall.

I recently photographed for Gallery 1028. A fabulous atmosphere was created for the event by PJ Acosta at Studio AG (Alice’s Garden). Also knownw as Alice’s Garden, they are a full service, luxury floral and decor design center that has been serving such prestigious clients as Van Cleef & Arpels, Conde Nast Publications, and HBO for over 13 years. Studio AG creates unique environments from table design for intimate private events to muti-media stage sets for televised awards programs, from sleek lounge settings to original art installations. The possibilities are limitless.

All images below are by Heather Parker Photography.

Gallery 1028 is in a warehouse district with plenty of unique exterior surroundings, perfect for unique bridal photo shoots on your wedding day. Inside the venue, the large amount of bricks and wood create a moody atmosphere. From a photography perspective, because there is no white ceiling to bounce light off, it can be a challenging space for a photographer. With the right experience and quality lenses, successfully lit photos can be had even in a dark venue. Another shot taken in dark lighting can be seen here.

gallery 1028 by heather parker in chicago
When you walk inside, there is a nice sized room suitable for a lobby area or coat check.gallery 1028 by heather parker
If your guest list is around 135 people, a separate mid-size room (below) from the main dining area can be used for your wedding ceremony. For larger wedding ceremonies the giant main room is suitable, and can be flipped over to a dining setup while guests enjoy cocktail hour in the mid-size room.wedding ceremony space
The main room has a rustic array of exposed brickwork and beams along with truly raw floors.loft warehouse wedding venue in chicago gallery 1028
Below, you can see a sampling of vignette setups that were created by PJ from Studio A. G. chicago wedding venue warehouse

While I have seen Gallery 1028 function great without additional lighting, renting chandeliers adds a touch of elegance to any event.
chicago chandeliers by studio AG
For a photo of a real wedding setup, click here.
Below, PJ created a far from ordinary wedding reception setup using bold pink hues. I have seen similar color schemes popular for Indian weddings, Chinese weddings and many other cultural and creative weddings. I personally love fuchsia, red, orange all all sorts of vivid colors.pink red floral and napkin design color at weddingfloral and dinner table setting design by studio AG chicago Alice's Garden
If pink is not your thing, there are also a lot of fun opportunities to decorate with blue, aqua, green, and yellow. Complimenting bright colors with black & white is very popular this year.animal print zebra linens for a wedding with blue accent napkins theme ideasIn addition to a round table setup, a modern alternative is using a rectangular reception table.purple fushia wedding decor by luxury event designer Studio AG, photo by Heather Parker

Vendor Spotlight: Gallery 1028

Introduce yourself:
Katie Hall Jasinski, Venue Manager, Gallery 1028
1028 Hooker Street Chicago, IL on Goose Island (312) 239-2328
http://www.gallery-1028.com

Gallery 1028 is one of my favorite venues. As far as I know, its the only place in Chicago where you can have an island wedding (since its on Goose Island of course)! What are some unique things about the space?
We’re one of Chicago’s best kept secrets….Our open, loft, older feel and style are what is trendy in unique weddings now.  Plus our space can hold both ceremonies & receptions in separate rooms, big bonus!

I have seen Gallery 1028 presented with elegant sophistication and as a chic modern space. What are some popular trends at Gallery 1028 with brides and grooms this year?
Making it “their own” really.  From shabby chic to less is more with candles to a colorful moroccan theme, it’s all been done.  Our space absorbs all colors really well.  A bonus at our space is the ability to hang things in our timber loft ceilings.   From lighting to projectors to chandeliers to lanterns, it makes each event unique to the overall look.

More images from a recent event at Gallery 1028

Gallery 1028 Wedding and Event Photography by Heather Parker Photography

the only thing i know about the sport of football is that it is a bunch of beefy men in shiny spandex rolling around getting grass stains. with that being said, this is my congratulatory post to new orleans saints for winning the super bowl. new orleans is a such a vibrant city which i admire so much. if you ever have a chance to visit, you’ve got to. even in a short visit, a trip down to NOLA leaves you feeling like you have left the country.

yellow mustang and bunny mask!

they know how to party, during mardi gras and year round, constantly.okay sometimes they need to take a break.they’ve got cute water meter covers, seriously!NOLA uses mules instead of horses for tourist carriage rides since they tolerate heat better.cafe du monde is bustling 24 hours a day. this shot was taken past your bedtime.restoration is ongoing. the transformation is incredible.and because new orleans is for loversmany brides and grooms choose to have their wedding in the Big Easy, like this wedding in jackson square right out front of st. louis cathedralthe second line parades for weddings and the second line umbrella / parasol along with the handkerchiefs are a tradition popular in NOLA there are so many unique details everywhere you look. i loved the wrought iron fences throughout the city.every time i visit new orleans i make it a point to take the free ferry over to algiers to catch a glimpse of the skyline

happy groundhog day! they’re saying six more weeks of winter. am i going to be able to stand it? i was catching up with laura sangster the other day who is one of the most popular destination wedding planners for the caribbean and we corresponded about the nature of wedding photography and destination weddings. “what is the trend in destination wedding photography?” i wondered. coming from an experienced planner laura noted, “the hotel photographers can not compare to a private photographer. period. i think the trend is towards budgeting more for a photographer than ever before.” she always has great advice ranging from featuring resorts on her blog to even compiling and shifting through the mis-information that abounds online in regards to international marriage license requirements. i have already pointed my destination wedding couples to her blog because it really is a go-to resource. i decided that it would be a good idea to introduce Laura to my readers. in these cold winter months, destination wedding requests couldn’t be more plentiful. Laura has helped over a hundred happy brides and grooms plan their dream weddings acting as a liaison between the foreign cultural traditions and customs in relation to weddings and the United States based brides.

Introduce yourself:
Laura Sangster | www.CaribbeanJourney.com | 866-236-1924
Destination Wedding Blog

Twitter @CaribbeanTrips
Caribbean Weddings on Facebook

How did you get started selling Destination Weddings?

When I decided to become a travel consultant, I knew I wanted to specialize in the Caribbean. I am very passionate about the region… about the stress free feeling one has when in paradise, so it was an easy choice for me. The Caribbean is synonymous with romance and soon my engaged clients began asking me to help arrange the travel for their destination weddings. Over the years, my involvement has swelled from simply booking airfare + hotel for wedding guests to helping brides find the perfect location for their dream wedding and being a full time sounding board for my brides on everything from local customs, reception menus, goodie bags and more.

What did you learn from planning your own Destination Wedding?

So much! The knowledge I gained from planning and hosting my own destination wedding at The Rockhouse Hotel in Negril, Jamaica for 120 guests, is invaluable. The most difficult part is finding the perfect location. I seriously considered 11 places and it took a few excruciating months to finalize our decision. I also learned how important it is to book your destination wedding photographer for the morning after your wedding too, put the dress back on and take advantage of the a.m. lighting for a few more photos. This is a growing trend!

What is the single most important piece of advice you share with your Brides?

To relax!!! It is important to remember that most suppliers a Bride will come in contact with when planning a Caribbean Wedding are based in the islands and they work on “island time”. This translates to longer than desired turn arounds on rate quotes and questions. I try to convince my Brides to see the beauty in their more relaxed way of doing business because there really is nothing we can do to speed up the process. As a travel consultant, it is my job to stay on top of the process and make sure none of the delays cause us to lose reservation space.

What is the biggest trend you are seeing for 2010 Destination Weddings?

For 2010 I am seeing the trend away from seashell themed weddings and the move towards simple, chic, and elegant. One of the more frustrating aspects of planning my own wedding was the difficulty I had in finding favors and décor that met my taste. Everything available at that time (2004/2005) seemed to be “made in china” with a hot glue gun. I didn’t know about Etsy.com and being a business owner, I had limited time to tap my own creative resources. For 2010, I am seeing more resorts offering a wider variety of wedding package themes. One big change for 2010 is the newly formed partnership of Martha Stewart Weddings and Sandals Resorts. Their joint wedding packages are very impressive.

so many people have heard of the tourist destination of martha’s vineyard, but i’m going to tell you all about one of my favorite places: nantucket. a short ferry trip and an even shorter cessna ride from the continent lies a sand bar called nantucket. long ago, the little island was the world’s leading whaling port but when that industry came to a halt, many left the island. local historic district commission ensures architectural preservation and development is done with the strictest care to preserve the history and character of the island. what makes they “grey lady” extra special is that most of the homes and buildings on island date back from before the civil war. total time warp! cobblestone streets and dirt roads dotted with white cedar shingle cottages… a picturesque harbor, shell-paved walks, lighthouses and expansive nature preserves and golf courses…. oh i almost forgot: dolphins in the sunset at madaket beach…  all this makes “ACK” one of the most desirable places to live, vacation, and have a destination wedding.

as with many island towns, nantucket’s population soars in the summertime and has become a very popular location for destination weddings.

nantucket isn’t as hectic as martha’s vineyard is in the summer, and is far less saturated with tourists. there’s no traffic lights on island and year round, its quite peaceful. if you get seasick from ferries and you can’t stomach the idea of hopping on a 10 passenger prop plane (and telling them your weight), you might be out of luck. if you do happen to make it on island, you can rent a car or bicycle easily. if you rent a scooter (not really a moped) do be careful because inexperienced riders on winding dirt roads not only annoy the locals but can be an unsafe combo.

as far as resources for nantucket weddings, there are quite a lot, whether you choose to use island resources or bring your own from the mainland. as far as theme and decorating goes, there are blogs and wedding planners to help. some popular elements nantucket lightship baskets, sailor knots, star fish and seashells, hydrangeas, and a nautical / navy color theme are all very popular design ideas to add to a nantucket event. when planning your island wedding, give yourself extra time and book far in advance since warm months on the island give way to wedding venues and accommodations, inns, and hotels booking up fast for your out of town guests. since weather is unpredictable on nantucket, always have a backup plan in store in case of inclement weather. one thing to note though is that so many mornings on nantucket start out very grey just due to the fog rolling over the island and the clouds often pass for a sunny day.

on island there are a few popular areas for weddings including looking right in town and east over in siasconset (also known simply as ’sconset). below you will find my not so big list of resources for nantucket weddings

ceremony venues and nantucket beach information

First Congregational Church 62 Center Street (508) 228-0950
St Paul’s Episcopal Church 20 Fair Street (508) 228-0916‎ (stone church famed for its Tiffany & Co. stained glass windows, somewhat strict rules for marriage)
South Chruch / Unitarian Universalist Church 11 Orange Street (508) 228-7597
Shirat Ha Yam Jewish services at the Unitarian Church
United Methodist Church 3 Liberty Street (508) 228-1882
St Mary’s Our Lady of the Isle 3 Federal Street (508) 228-0100‎ (i believe you have to be a member)
First Baptist Church 1 Summer Street (508) 228-4930
Union Chapel 18 New Street (508) 257-6616‎ (over in ‘Sconset)
Beach Wedding Ceremonies – while beaches are public property you still need to contact the Board Of Selectmen, i love Jetties Beach
Brant Point light is a very popular location for wedding ceremonies as well
Altar Rock is the second highest point on the island and also a favorite location
Catherine Stover is the Town Clerk and a Justice of the Peace
Wedding venues and rehearsal dinner locations
Nantucket Whaling Museum check out the rooftop observation deck!
Brotherhood of Theves about 50 seated or 100 for passed h’orderves
Catering
A Taste of Nantucket Kimberly Reed (offers planning services as well)
Flowers
Flowers on Chestnut (508-228-6007) Michael Molinar
Wedding Photographer
Wedding Planners, Consultant and misc. resources
Caroline Sallee of ACKtivities
Dress Pressing/Ironing on ACK Roni Roberts Pressed for Time
Music
Gifts, Favors, and Decor
Blue Beetle Nantucket on Main for monogrammed bags and other personalized goodies
Beach Glass on straight wharf, lots of glass and jewelry
Aunt Leah’s Fudge opens back up in april i think
Salons on Nantucket
R.J. Miller Salons 508-228-4672
Andrea Marie Salon for bridal styling 508-228-0042
Tresses & The Day Spa 508-228-0024 (hair, makeup, spray tanning)
The Calming Room (makeup and spray tanning) 508-325-8920
Darya Salon & Spa 508-228-0550
if anyone has any questions about nantucket i can try to help. email me directly through the contact section on my website, or simply post a comment.

for those of you who have met me to discuss wedding photography, you know how i always rave about style matters. here is where i explain my praise for them. have been to a ton of weddings and i know which djs get the crowd going without being annoying. spencer and the djs that are part of his company don’t mess up, they send the wedding guests to the dance floor without fail, and tend to play a cooler versions of recognizable songs and mixing in an appropriate amount of unique tracks. if spencer isn’t available on your wedding or event, don’t fret for even a moment. i have heard several of the other djs that work for style matters and the party is just as fun. when the party is fun, it makes my life easier because lets be honest, its more fun as a wedding photographer taking creative photos during a wedding reception when the dance floor is packed. i have had a chance to get to know the style matters crew, at weddings at gallery 1028, zed 451, the narnia estate, just to name a few. i am spotlighting spencer in an online blog interview below:

1. Introduce yourself:

Hello, my name is Spencer Lokken.  I’m a member of the Orchard Lounge DJ collective and I run Style Matters DJs (www.stylemattersdjs.com).

2. How did you get started?

Like a lot of people in their twenties, I wasn’t happy with my where my career was going.  I never had a healthy relationship with corporate America.  Despite a solid work ethic and proven track record, I left my job every day feeling unsatisfied, unchallenged, and uninspired.  Almost six years ago, intrigued by the wonders of Craigslist, I created a post offering my DJ services to people throwing high-end private events.  I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit, but at the time, I certainly didn’t have any hopes of creating a full-fledged company.  I just did it to keep from going crazy in my cubicle.  As my pop once put it, I quit working for the man and became the man.  Best decision I’ve ever made.

3. What do you think has gotten Style Matters to be one of the most successful DJ companies in Chicago?

Raw talent, attention to detail, creativity, our organizational skills, our willingness to take a chance, and the fact that I’ve assembled a team of some of the best DJs this city has ever seen.  I’ve put my heart and soul into this, as have the DJs on my team.  I think when you watch us spin, it shows.

4. What sets you apart from your competitors?

What competitors?  Kidding.  I suppose it has a lot to do with how knowledgeable, versatile, and dedicated the DJs are.  We are constantly driven by the feeling we get at 12:01am every Saturday night.  It’s pretty special to know that we’re an integral part of a celebration that our clients will never forget.

5. What is on your playlist this week?

Seven Saturdays – “Good Morning, I Love You”
Real Estate – “Fake Blues”
The XX – “VCR”
Toro Y Moi – “Blessa”
Emancipator – “Rattlesnakes”
Hot Chip – “Thieves In the Night”
Broken Bells – “The Ghost Inside”
Vampire Weekend – “I Think You’re A Contra”
Bat For Lashes – “Good Love”
Kings Of Convenience – “Mrs. Cold”

Come see what’s on all the DJs’ playlists next Friday, February 5th at Moonshine for our bi-monthly DJ showcase. Moonshine is at 1824 W. Division, Chicago near Damen & Division

full disclosure: Style Matters does not compensate me in any way. i don’t get anything except the joy of nudging you towards good resources. i don’t pay any money to be on anyone’s preferred vendor list, nor do i charge anyone to be mentioned in my blog or accept any money for mentioning anyone.

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after lea and mark hired me to photograph their new england barn wedding, i met with them for some engagement photos in downtown chicago around springtime on the lakefront. they brought their black lab to include in some of the shots and we had a blast. since meeting them and working with them, lea has passed my name on to several brides. i am always so appreciative when clients pass my name along to others. word of mouth is where i get most of my work. before i share some of lea and mark’s wedding photos, here are a handful of their engagement photos:

it was really so fun working with them during the engagement shoot, and i couldn’t wait for the wedding. after previously photographing a wedding at the barn at gibbet hill, i found that i really enjoyed non-traditional wedding venues. while i wasn’t contracted to bring a second shooter, i could tell lea was planning a very cool wedding that was going to be taking place at a historic church and a barn, so i decided to bring along another photographer to assist. i had a few phone conversations with lea before her wedding and could tell already that many well thought out details were being put into action for this wedding.  when we arrived, lea showed us that barack obama declined her wedding invitation. bummer it would have been cool to get some shots of lea dancing with the president!

during our communication over phone and email before the wedding, lea informed me that she would be wearing the groom’s grandmother’s necklace.

we talked about the couple’s wedding day time line and realized that with a church ceremony running from 4 o’clock until almost 5 o’clock, there would not be much time for any outdoor photos after the ceremony with the sun setting so early in the winter. lea and mark had a “first look” before heading a few blocks down the road to the sea for some creative photos.

its worth being a trooper and making time for outdoor photos even in the winter. this gave the bride and groom some time together during their wedding day before splitting time with all their friends and family.

while the bride and groom live in the chicago area, they brought the groom’s pastor in from nebraska to their new england wedding. while not all churches are flexible to allow use of their space with another officiant, the couple found a great church willing to allow an out of town pastor to perform the ceremony. congregational churches in this area have the sanctuary on the second floor.

when i think of new england, quaint white steepled churches are some of the first things that come to mind.

after the ceremony, everyone headed over to the historic red lion inn for the wedding reception. in a picturesque seaside town, a combination of country french and new england colonial styles provided perfect ambience in a wedding reception venue.

the barn at the red lion inn had an upstairs lofted wrap-around balcony that was used for cocktail hour.

a consistent, navy blue nautical theme was used for wedding. paper goods such as table numbers, menus, and escort cards were designed by the Etsy seller BuddyandBean.

after cocktail hour, the newlyweds descended upon the grand staircase of the barn and immediately began their scheduled first dance.

the cake was from the famed konditor meister bakery

toasts and parent dances followed.

Reception Venue: The Red Lion Inn Cohasset, MA
Church: Second Congregational Church, Cohassett, MA
Ceremony Musicians: Brian Pierce, Organ and Piano
Jeff Marani and Jennifer Fearnley, Vocalists
Pat Stout, Trumpet
Cocktail Hour Musicians: Derek Van Slyck Jazz Combo
DJ: Aaron Topfer
Photographer: Heather Parker Photography
Flowers: The Candy Jar Pembroke, MA
Hair and Makeup: Charlotte Phinney
Bridesmaid Gowns: Watters & Watters via Netbride.com
Bridal Gown and Alterations: Eva’s Bridal Orland Park, Illinois
Custom Garter: Sew Unique Garters
Wedding Cake: Konditor Meister Bakery
Limousine: Brewster Coach Quincy, MA
Invitations: Paper Elegance
Bridal Earrings, Bracelet, and Brooch: The White Aisle

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