Valentines Day wedding | Styled shoot | Branches and Light

I am filled to the brim with excitement! Not only is it Valentines Day, but I finally get to share my photographs from the styled shoot for Branches and Light! The theme was a Valentines Day wedding. The couple was so sweet and, no, they are not professional models! They totally could be, though!

Caroline Joy and Nancy Ray did a beautiful job collaborating with other local vendors (listed below) to set up the shoot. Don’t you just love that they stacked benches to use as the dessert table. It was such a beautiful day and the sunlight made the desserts look delectable! Those are macaroons in the mason jars.

You can also take a gander at Caroline and Nancy’s images on the Southern Weddings blog today. I am just so thrilled that I was a part of this shoot, and it is a feature on my favorite wedding blog on this oh-so-important day for lovers everywhere.

I had so much fun gleaning information from Caroline and Nancy and my fellow photography students. I hope you enjoy my images below! Happy Valentines Day!!!

Vendors:

Designer and Stylist: Erin McLean with Erin McLean Events | Flowers: Tre Bella | Gown: Tre Bella | Cake: Ashley Cakes | Cake Stand: Sarah’s Stands | Hair and Makeup: Samantha Crowder | Jewelry: Emily Hansel Designs | Calligraphy: Juliet Jones | Venue: The Sutherland

My Valentines

I’m surrounded by my valentines on this wonderful day full of love. May you share your love with those around you! Happy Valentines Day!

The middle photo of us was taken by my daughter's preschool teacher, Joy Hall. Thanks for taking it for us, Joy!

My husband knows how to steal my heart…Krispy Kreme donuts, and shaped like hearts to boot! AND... he's taking me to Ruth's Chris and Anthropologie on Thursday! I can barely contain myself!

butterfly light catcher | Hungry Caterpillar Birthday Party

I have decided to take Sundays off from blogging my thirty photos in thirty days, but I did take the photo for day twelve yesterday (so I’m not really cheating – hehe). I just really need one day a week when I don’t touch my computer.

This week, I will be featuring a couple projects and decorations for my daughter’s third birthday, which will be a Very Hungry Caterpillar themed party.  I will blog the party next Monday, so you can see everything come together. I am so excited! I love kids parties!

This butterfly light catcher ended up being a two-day project. First, I cut two black posters into the shape of a butterfly. I used a razor knife to cut the inside shapes out. This took longer than I thought, and dinnertime/bedtime craziness ensued before we could get to the next step. Today, I ripped some strips and shapes out of different colors of tissue paper. I had McG help me tape them to one side of one of the butterfly “skeletons.” Then I taped the other “skeleton to the taped side and voilà! It looks so pretty and will greet guests as they arrive at the party.

Make it a good Monday | Inspiring Quotes | Pinterest Board

I'll let this one speak for itself. See my board here.

Saturday Morning Strawberry Pancakes | You Pick Strawberries in Kinston

I love “You Pick” strawberries, blueberries, or any fruit, really. It is a fun summertime adventure with kids (although they eat more than they contribute).  This morning, we partook in our bounty from last spring and made some pancakes covered in strawberries, strawberry syrup and whip cream. YUM!

I freeze the strawberries after rinsing them, slicing them up and sprinkling sugar on them. They turn out the best this way for either eating them cold or baking with them.