William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Library was the perfect summer backdrop for Kate and Kyle to tie the knot. A marriage ceremony on the back lawn of the library followed by dancing into the night in the Great Hall made for one enchanted evening. If you’ve followed my blog for long, you know that I am a HUGE fan of the details – the fashion, food, flowers that go into making a wedding day unique to the couple. My partnership with Heather Owens - Belle Vie Artistry- it is a great match for us – she captures what she loves on the big day – the people, and I capture my favorite things – the details. Here is a glimpse into all those months of decisions over the details Kate and Kyle made that came to fruition to make their big day a bright summer celebration.
The Dress
The Shoes:
Kate chose these Kate Spade Purple Satin wonders
And of course the necessary accessories
The Pearls
The Rings
The Shades
And the mini-Fans!
(given that it was unseasonably H-O-T for mid June, these were a fantastic idea and counted as the brides “something blue”
The Bride & Groom
The Wedding Team
The Flowers
Phil Cato’s About Vase outdid themselves with these vibrant, happy arrangements of gerbera daises, roses, and fruit.
The Food
The Cakes ( with a side of gelato – yum!)
Of all the many decisions this couple made along the way, it is obvious choosing each other was the best decision of all.
Kate and Kyle, Thank you so much for giving Heather and me the opportunity to be part of your big day. We wish you a lifetime of laughs and love together.
To see this enchanting event through Heather’s lens, click on over to her blog, Heather Owens Photography.
Saturday was the celebration of nuptials of Kyle & Kate. It was a glorious event. Belle Vie Artistry ( The joint venture between Heather Owens and me) had the privilege of shooting the happy (hot) day. Despite the heat, it was fun and we can’t wait to show you the shots of just how much fun it was. We snapped a few bridals of Kate a few weeks ago. These are a few from my lens. I must say Kate is the epitome of the Belle Vie Bride Heather and I imagined: elegant, classic, easy going, and all around FUN. Kate, we so appreciate you giving us the honor of capturing this beautiful moment in your life.
There is nothing more beautiful than to see one woman helping another. I met cute “Katey-Kat” ,as she is sometimes called, through my friend Kerri. They are cousins with an extraordinary relationship. Kerri , the rough and tumble, wee bit older, wise one, has taken on the role of BIG sister. Kerri gives sage advice on school, career, life, and even (to Katlyn’s dismay) boys. Katlyn in return is the perfect “little sister”. She provides laughs, love, nuture, and carries herself with dignity and grace far beyond her years. Together they sharpen each other…and its quite fun as a bystander to see how beautiful this modern family relationship works.
We actually shot these photos back in March. Katlyn requested I hold off on the blog until she could give them to Kerri as a Mother’s Day gift. See – Isn’t she a sweetheart? I love when a girl is honestly beautiful inside and out. Katelyn made her gift presentation last night so now I have the “ok” to share with you.
Thanks ladies for letting me spend the day with you and for showing me…we can’t always choose our family – but what a blessing it is when we can choose to make family our friends.
I’ve always been a hat girl. My first memories of Easter finery included a hat. Every year, we would shop for the dress, the shoes, AND a hat.
“When my Mother first dressed me in a hat as if I were a Lady, I owned the title.” – unknown
We attended a rather formal church where such accoutrements were not out of the norm. I wore them each Easter well into my twenties. I now attend a less formal church. Flip flops and jeans are acceptable for worship. Hats – well – that just may be TOO over the top. Still, I’m mad for a beautiful hat. They are the epitome of a lady. I often think of Eliza in My Fair Lady or Vivian in Pretty Woman how they were transformed with the right hat. Iconic pictures of Jackie O and Grace Kelly are of them in simple pillbox designs. Thankfully the new tradition of the First Lady’s Tea held at the Govenor’s Mansion each spring has given me new reason to find a fine piece of millinery. I was over the moon when my friend asked if I wanted to be part of the planning committee this year.
The event was held on a gorgeous spring day. Lady Grey Tea, Orange Blossom, and blueberry tea were accompanied with an array of tea sandwiches, tea cakes, and tarts. My wee contribution to the day was creating the “Forage through the Foliage” Garden Hunt that encouraged our younger ladies to explore the wonderous grounds our Govenor’s mansion: a family garden, a vegetable garden, the par terre garden blooming with roses, and the herb garden. Great fun was had by all ages. And I must say that although the roses in the garden were in full bloom, they paled in comparison to the beauty of the ladies in attendence in their gorgeous hats. 
As for my hat, it was pink, ribboned, rose’d, and poofed. It is girly and I. love. it. So, for those flip flop wearing folks at my church, grace to you, my friends. I hope you’ll return the grace – I’ll be the one in the hat.
The Food
Of all the many decisions this couple made along the way, it is obvious choosing each other was the best decision of all.
