So This is Bliss :: A Northwest Wedding Blog by Luxe Event Productions: July 2009

{Engagement Session} By :: Caroline Tran

One of our {Luxe NW 7} ,Gina Emerson, shared this beauty of a blog with me the other day...and here I share it with you...for engagement session inspiration. Gina is so right, the way Caroline uses light in her work is very cool and her technique is so good; I knew as soon as I saw this set I just had to share. {Enjoy.}

This sequence below is striking. I must replicate this one...

...and this one...heck ALL OF THEM. Gosh I love her light usage. Keen, isn't it?

See her blog and the rest of this set, as this one was Part II. There is wonderful Part I also...Go! Go see it...you'll like it.

{Real NW Wedding} Urban, Vintage and Oh So Chic :: Photographed by Soul Mates Photography :: Part II

Ok I have to admit this is by far my favorite wedding we have featured. It is right up my alley. Umm, the faux fur runner is to die for. I think I need one!

Little wooden carved lapel pin is the perfect touch to this retro fete. Antlers and carved woods placed around the room and printed on anything that would boast this clever idea made this event a memorable experience for all. This idea screams uniqueness and class.

Perfect canapes and cocktail for their admiring guests were catered by Culinary Artistry.

Visit Soul Mates blog and see more of this vintage revival.

Lovin it! Yep...just lovin' it. Thanks Melissa, your skill is inspirational.

{Luxe Style} Nautical & Nice :: Navy & White Inspiration Board

With all the beachy themed bridal shoots and engagement sessions I couldn’t help but be inspired to create a nautical themed board with a little Hamptons edge.

Colors: Nautical navy, crisp clean cotton white and a touch of red and green for accent
Energy: Breezy, Hampton's vacation

In this Nautical & Nice board ::

Top Left: Seashells on display from Pottery Barn, seaworthy table scape from Hampton Weddings, couple in love and smootching on the beach from Brides, real weddings, tailored white suite from Men's Wearhouse and boutonniere and map invite from Brides.

Middle: Invites and floral all from Brides.

Bottom: Lil' tiny sailor inspired shoe photo by Meghan Aileen Photography, perfect seascape setting and beachy event design found on Green Wedding Shoes.Even found the perfect nautical inspired honeymoon swim suit for you to sport while you're out to sea...found on Daily Mail. Or how about this adorable jumper and sail boat inspired accesories found on Student Charade.

{Real NW Wedding} Urban, Vintage and Oh So Chic :: Photographed by Soul Mates Photography :: Part I

When I was speaking to Melissa of Soul Mates Photography, during our little phone interview the other day, I was telling her of our concept and strategic plans for Luxe and how we wanted Luxe to just scream Portland.

The Luxe vision is simple we want everything we do to encompass a bespoke, urban-chic and somewhat contemporary and yet retro feel. So totally P-town in a nut shell. Tattoo’d brides and flea markets to roses and fur; Luxe and So this is Bliss dreams of becoming the NW’s favorite lil’ ole inspiration launch pad for today’s modern lil’ celebration planner. As I explained this to her she knew exactly the wedding I would love, and boy was she right. So right!

I am obsessed with this session I bring you today of Jodi & Gil’s nuptials. Their photo shoot, captured in the industrial neighborhoods of Southeast Portland, is inspiring and very very creative. Jodi and Gil are the all encompassing classic retro inspired couple.

Take a look at part 1.

First, just look at her fascinator she got from Esty.com. If anyone has seen my own wedding you'll know I love feathers. The red flower coupled with her crimson sultry lips flourish with passion. Very complimentary I might add.

Beautiful detail shot with the cherry umbrella. Using the city as a backdrop is a great idea and pulls out some of that Portland charm we love so much.

The best part about this industrial setting is that the contrast between fine couture style and grunge just doesn't make since which is exactly why it looks so breath taking together.

The backdrop of the old weathered garage door actually looks really great in the colored shot. Love the weathered metal, again the opposites here are what make this session so dang hot.

Yes! Yes! And Yes! I am in love...

Go ahead sit a spell...take another look. You know you want to. So urban-chic Melissa -we likey...and you knew we would. Remember seeing Jodi in the Secret Session offer Melissa shared with us the other day?

{Sneak Peek at the Week Ahead}

Thought I'd share a little teaser of what's to come this week.

Above :: Engagement Session Feature from: Meghan Aileen

Above :: By far our very favorite {Real NW Wedding}: Soul Mates Photography

Above :: Photo From: Red Leaf Studios, Canada (LOVE THEM!)

Above :: Inspiration Board Preview, Photo From: Daily Mail.co.uk

{Pre-Wedding Bridal Session} From I and M Photography

We got a lovely submission from Portland Oregon Wedding Photographer I and M Photography over this past weekend. I was so happy to see it, I nearly fell out off my chair when I opened the email via Black Berry while camping in Cougar Washington over the weekend. I couldn't be happier about the traction So this is Bliss is picking up. So many beautiful images and budding photographers to showcase. We hope to see much more from I and M -which stands for Ian and Maalaea...I know, I thought the same thing...BEAUTIFUL NAME! Now let us see if we can pronounce it right when we meet one day.

This delicate submission is a bridal session, pre-wedding…totally dig this idea. What a way to relax and feel pretty before the dreamy walk down the isle. And humm hello...the colors of those tequila sunrise roses my fave. Next to red you can't get any prettier than the tequila sunrise rose. The large dahlia in soon-to-be bride Tiara's hair sends a bit of whimsy to the imagination. Couple it with her vivacious and vivid bouquet and it's no wonder I and M captured such great contrast in her set.

Here’s what I and M had to say about this beautiful pre-wedding shoot:
Sunday morning we geared up early and headed for the beach. It's always uncertain what kind of weather will be in store for you out at the Oregon Coast, however luckily it was gorgeous day out at Canon Beach. Tiara looked so lovely with her amazing dress and wonderful orange roses symbolizing passion and excitement. Tiara wanted to do a bridal shoot to be able to relax, have fun, and take some great photos before her big and busy day.

Here's the stunner. I know you'll appreciate this one below. My absolute favorite shots are the ones that mix uncommon muses together to create on dynamic snap. Like this graffiti'd wall, bare feetsies and the soft chiffon of Tiara's dress.

You can see more from I and M (Ian and Maalaea) by visiting their blog. You can see more from Tiara...and Steven's engagement shoot here...Maybe I and M will share??

Thank you I and M for sharing, we love your work and the playfulness of your craft. Looking forward to seeing more...

{Delightful Seaside Engagement Session} By Sara Gray Photography

Summer is such a wonderful time of the year and a perfect time for that summer romance to blossom into an engagement.

Engagement photo sessions are so fun and most of all completely inspired by love. Over the weekend I received this set below from Portland Oregon Wedding Photographer, Sara Gray. Sara is one of our {Luxe NW 7} and we couldn’t be happier to have found her. She has a true and honest demeanor and it certainly shines through in her photos. They are just that, pure and honest. Thank you so much Sara for sharing –keep’em coming!

Callie and Ray opt’d to have their engagement shoot on the Oregon Coast in the kite flying town of Seaside. One of my favorite things about living on the West Coast is that we are so close to the Ocean; it’s just about a lazy hour or so drive to the Oregon sandy beaches. While it doesn’t get nearly as warm as the southern coastal beaches it’s still the ocean all the same. You take what you can get.

Congrats Callie & Ray –Excited to see your big day featured later this month when you tie the knot in Tacoma Washington. Can’t wait!

Callie's bare feet here are darling, quaint and casual.

I adore laughter in photos. It brings a sense of movement to the shot. Make sure when you get your session done you find the joy in the session and try hard to relax, be in love and just pretend like you are alone with the one you love. The best photos are when the photographer can capture that little window into your world.

{California Has Done it Again} My New Found Infatuation: Mel Barlow Photography

Ok, so I wanna be a photographer. My husband laughs because I am so ubiquitous, we I guess dreaming of being ubiquitous. I wish I was everything; a photographer, a graphic designer, a restaurant owner, a chef, a cake designer. However when you have so many amazing photo blogs to stalk and surf thru how could you not fall head over heels in mad love with their muse, their artistry, their talent? My new found infatuation is with Mel Barlow Photography. Her “fresh approach” is just that, refreshing, and just when I think I found a NON CALI photographer I was tricked again. Dang it. Sheesh! Do all the incredible photojournalists come from the sunny state of California? I think so…

Look at this awesome engagement session she shot in central park!