Winter Cometh

Good gravy---- sounds like Mother Nature is getting ready to slam St. Louis with quite a bit of measurable snow! At this point the weatherfolk say about 8 inches, as we know, they are notorious liars--- so we shall see!

The up-side of course is that we will be having a lot of fun tomorrow shooting some snow engagement photos! We always have such a great time with our engaged couples, especially when the snowball fights break out. And they do!

For those of you in the BBP family that have asked about Bobbi's sweet little boy dog Prince, and how his boo boo is, I'm happy to report that he is almost completely healed. The duclaw is growing back, the fur is returning and he is gong to make a complete recovery. Don't get me wrong, he still plays his injury for all it is worth!

He is about the sweetest, best natured dog in the world!

Hana on the other hand makes up for her teensy stature by being the feisty one. She'd rather be in the dishwasher licking the silverware if the truth be told----- you can't trust that dog for a moment!

If you are in the St. Louis area, get ready for winter! Stay warm and safe!

Seasons of Happiness

Is there a specific season of happiness? A time in the life of the average human where happiness wanes, or comes to the forefront?

The Today Show presented a report this morning that said that we are happiest when we are very young, or in our more golden years. That the late 30's and 40's are not happy times. Youth brings happiness of its' own and in our later years we have learned how to make ourselves happy. The middle years seem to be those (according to Today) when the 'stuff' of life simply gets in our way, we don't know quite what is necessary in our life and what can be jettisoned away. Life seems to be about chasing the career, the things, the associated "stuff". Youth brings quite naturally the happy flush of fresh, new, sweet happiness. The golden years allow us to focus on the people and things that we know are best for us--- i.e. make us happy.

An interesting fact was that the happiest people in the world seem to be those who live in a colder climate! Go figure!

Here at BBP we are enormously blessed to be able to work with generally happy people! Especially our wedding clients who generously share with us one of the happiest days of their lives. Being able to share in unabashed joy and near complete happiness makes us all happier by association---- thanks for that shared glow!

It is 13 degrees F. today------- and I have to say, I'm not very happy about it!

Close the Windows

Another great wedding show has ended--- the close of the St. Louis Bride show (aka Wedding Connection) at Windows On Washington, held yesterday. The bonus was that the day was absolutely gorgeous and the couples and many of their parents could get downtown in above average temperatures. We were tucked in between two of our favorite vendors, Millenium DJ's and Video and The Cakery. Add to that the great brides that we met (along with more than a few Mom's at the helm) it was a great day!

I actually started booking appointments for consultations for brides we met at the show last night and it goes without saying that we'd love to see YOU in the studio as well.

Last night after a day on my feet on the concrete floor and nearly endless talking I was pooped! It's funny, I even dreamed of brides! You know how dreams are so funny and mixed up, well one of our great brides Chrissie was in my dream along with Carey one of our past brides Mom. Don't ask me why they were together in a car driving to Florida or why in the world I had the dream to begin with, other than the fact we saw Chrissie at the show yesterday. I hope it means that Florida is in my future? And next time I'd like to add dreams of cupcakes into the mix!

Now, who has a nice honeymoon I can tag along on.......................................................???? At the very least I may absolutely have to pop into The Cupcakery in the Central West End. Since gazing at cake all day yesterday I have an inescapable craving for one of their completely yummy Tuxedo cupcakes. Oh yeah!

Happy Monday!

Love is Green?

This is shaping up to be the year of GREEN is many ways, even those who live on Planet Earth and never gave a thought to what they could do to live green are doing so in many ways.

Click HERE for a trip to see more............................. it must be Friday!

Satisfaction

It happens all the time, you know the old saying that "if I had a quarter for every time I heard that, I'd be rich"?????? Well rich might be a bit of an exaggeration, but the amount would be considerable! We do hear frequently that someone has had a less than happy relationship with their wedding photographer and that they either were not pleased with their photos after the wedding, or that the day itself was stressful or unpleasant. It's such a sad story and one we hate to hear!

At BBP we believe that wedding photography should be unobtrusive but helpful, capturing a once in a lifetime day with professionalism, kindness, and adding to the joy of the day while creating an atmosphere of peace. I'd have to say that many of our brides and grooms don't realize some of the 'drama' behind the scenes as we work with other wedding professionals to make things smooth.

Our best advice when choosing wedding professionals is not to skimp----- go with experience, personality, and quality. It's one of the reasons we keep a short list of wedding vendors that we love to work with, who will contribute to the day their own high level of service and commitment. It is not a stretch by any sense that frequently when you skimp on important elements of your wedding you end up either paying more in the end to 'fix' the problem, or you're left with deep regrets. Never a good thing!!

Here at Bobbi Brinkman Photography, we get many rave reviews and the one below arrived recently. We were at once tickled and pleased so I thought I'd pass it along:

"I just wanted to stop by and say how wonderful you and Bobbi are!!! My friend Donna, that I work with (I know you remember who I'm talking about), her daughter got married and their photographer sucked!! She is at lunch complaining and a bunch of other women are all complaining about how awful their photographers were. All I had to say was that you guys were wonderful!!!! I was the only one in the room that was completely satisfied with my wedding photographer!!! I just wanted to stop by and let you all know how great you are and that you made my wedding day stress-free and wonderful!!!" -Melissa

Thanks Melissa! And to all of our wedding family old, new and soon to be-------- thanks for the opportunity to work together, for building great relationships, and for allowing us the greatest honor in the world, to capture your special moments with "Images from the Heart..."

Angel Blankets

Our warmest THANK YOU's go to Carey T., the Mother of one of our brides!!! Carey, sent the sweetest package to the studio yesterday! Inside were sweet little blankets for our Angel Sessions. The sessions happen because Bobbi is the Regional Coordinator for "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep", an organization that offers bereavement photography for infants. Normally we think of birth as being such a time of joy "But there is another aspect of pregnancy and birth. There is an unexpected place in this journey where some families may find themselves. When a baby dies, a world is turned upside down. There is confusion, sadness, fear, and uncertainty that cannot be explained. There is sorrow where there should have been joy. During this time, it might be impossible for families to know what they might need in order to heal in the future. This is the place where the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation gently provides a helping hand and a healing heart. For families overcome by grief and pain, the idea of photographing their baby may not immediately occur to them. Offering gentle and beautiful photography services in a compassionate and sensitive manner is the heart of this organization. The soft, gentle heirloom photographs of these beautiful babies are an important part of the healing process. They allow families to honor and cherish their babies, and share the spirits of their lives."

Thank you so very much Carey! Your generosity and love will be a part of healing. It has been amazing to me how often the phone has rung over the past few months for calls to photograph these Angel Sessions. I mistakenly thought that this did not happen very much in our country, and certainly not as often as it does. It is just completely heartbreaking. As a studio we are honored and blessed to be a part of an organization such as NILMDTS and to help these families in crisis in some small amount.

If you would like to join Carry in helping, we can always use small bonnets, booties and bereavement blankets to give to the families we meet during Angel Sessions. They can be sewn, knit, or crocheted. The hospitals ask that they be of soft pastel colors. You can send them to the studio at:
Bobbi Brinkman Photography
1709 A Park Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63104

Our next (scheduled) Angel Session is on Monday, please hold the family in your thoughts and prayers.

Welcome Renee & Mark

We are very happy to add Renee and Mark to the wedding family at BBP! Welcome! Renee is an elementary school teacher and Mark is a financial planner. They are quite funny---- love their pets---- fitness buffs--- and involved in their church. Did I mention funny?

We're so lucky to have a group of really wonderful wedding clients, our brides and grooms and their families are cherished friends and we love them all.

It is threatening to get extremely cold this weekend, bundle up and stay warm!!!!

A Life Well Lived- Marty Hendin

Bobbi was very privileged yesterday to attend the funeral of Marty Hendin, V.P. of the St. Louis Cardinals organization. This man who was larger than life will truly be missed in this community. The amount of work that he did for charities was incredible, and amazingly many people were not fully aware of his giving heart. One of the speakers mentioned that it is the measure of a life well lived not only by the love you have in your heart for others but by the love that others have for you. By the thousands of people who paid their respects yesterday it is evident that Marty Hendin was well loved.

As we often say here at BBP, live each day to the fullest, count your blessings and pass one on.

Unveiled Photos

St. Louis Magazine has photos online from last Sunday's "Unveiled" event if you'd like to go peek. The gowns don't seem to be listed in the order they came down the aisle but I'm sure you will enjoy viewing them in all of their glory! (Click on "Unveiled", above)

It's a wonderful treat to see gowns from Vera Wang, Reem Acra (my favorite) the always chic Carolina Herrera, Amsale, Kenneth Pool, Christo's, Monique Lhuillier, and Ulla-Maija--- even on a website!

Stay warm! Winter is back with a vengeance!

Unveiled Brides

What an extraordinary bridal show was delivered Sunday by St. Louis Magazine! "Unveiled" was spectacular from the second the doors were opened at Noon until the last gasp of the event at 3 p.m. I knew that our brides were in for a special treat as soon as we were finished with the BBP booth and I could walk around a bit. The Chase Park Plaza absolutely sparkled throughout with the show stopper being the incredible display of desserts in the "winter wonderland". Mountains of fabulous desserts, displayed beautifully among glass blocks and lovely wintery elements----- fruit tarts, some lovely green pyramidical delight that I did not eat but wish I did, chocolate mousses and cakes and little pastries and even some sort of chocolately delight in a wee glass cup with a "chili raspberry" on the top. C'mon------- it was heaven. The brides and their guests were treated to champagne upon arrival and the passed h'ors d'ouevres were incredible---- small caesar salads, mini ahi, wee canapes, shrimp, bacon wrapped scallops and many other delights---- YUM! The vendors were a small and elite group, perfect for those glorious brides!

If we met you at the Chase, thanks for stopping at the table, it was an absolute delight! Here on the blog you will find slideshows of our wonderful brides if you walk 'backwards' through the blog. I will keep Bobbi busy getting all of you on the schedule!

The highlight for me (outside of the food, what can I say) was the fashion show of spectacular wedding gowns from Saks. UNBELIEVABLE!!!! I adored the ones from Carolina Herrera, but then I love all of her creations. One went down the runway that had details of black and white ribbon-like trim that was unique and fabulous. And the strapless lace dress with the detachable skirt???? WOW!! Vera Wang dresses are always show stoppers, incredible, fashion forward yet timeless, and just very Wang. My favorites were, as usual, Reem Acra's truly beautiful gowns. Frothy, lacy, elegant, edgy, ladylike, and fun all sort of rolled up in one. For me the favorite of the show featured a back that was illusion, embroidered with the same elements elsewhere on the gown, and the most beautifully cut back I've seen in a long time. There were other breathtaking gowns on the runway but those were, for me, notable.


Now of course it is time to unpack----- and settle in to meet more wonderful brides. I love wedding show season!!!!!

Wedding Cake Friday

For those of you craving my recipe for carrot cake, I'm more than happy to pass it on. I still call it "Wedding Carrot Cake" but you can call it anything you like! I've now developed an intense desire for this yummy cake myself---- you know what I'll be blowing the diet with this weekend!

Wedding Carrot Cake

2 1/2 cups finely grated carrot (I use the fine shredding attachment of the Cuisinart)
1 1/2 cups pecan pieces (don't buy the whole ones for this recipe)
1 cup canned shredded pineapple (drained with the excess liquid blotted off)
3/4 cup shredded coconut (I use the store brand, it is dryer than the premium brand)
2 cups all purpose flour (measure carefully)
2 teaspoons good quality cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
½ teaspoon allspice
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups oil (I use canola)
4 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cups sugar
Powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Prepare two 10 inch cake pans by lining with parchment paper, butter well and use powdered sugar to coat. Tap out excess sugar.

In the preheated oven, gently toast the pecans for about 5 or 6 minutes. Don't over-toast. Let them cool and then coarsely chop. Using a large mixing bowl combine the carrots, drained pineapple, and In a large mixing bowl, toss together the carrots, pecans, pineapple, and coconut with 1/2 cup of the flour. Make sure that everything is nicely coated with the flour.

Sift together the spices, salt, soda and last 1 ½ cups of flour in a sifter or through a mesh strainer.

If you have a stand mixer, use the whip attachment. Otherwise, try not to over-beat the dry ingredients. Mix the eggs and sugar until light yellow and fluffy and slowly add the oil. Fold in the combined dry ingredients. Add to the bowl with the carrot and pineapple mixture. Very gently combine and pour the batter evenly into prepared cake pans.

Bake the cakes about 1 to 1 ¼ hours, rotating once in the oven. Cool on a rack, turn out of the pans and remove the parchment paper.

Sour Cream Frosting:

• 2 ½ cups of powdered sugar
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• Pinch of salt

Beat all ingredients on low until combined and then at high speed until light and fluffy. Let me add that I've used a cream cheese frosting and only iced the top and between the layers and it was divine as well.

We're preparing for "Unveiled" this Sunday, but of course I think I might now have to bake a carrot cake. Sheesh!

Prep Day

Unbelievably, we've just taken down the last booth at a bridal show and gotten everything set to rights again and it is time to think about doing it again. I hate it when that happens and quite frankly don't understand why the fairies can't come and just take care of it all. My project over the next couple of days is to finish up the tres cute handouts. Along with everything else of course! We are getting most excited to meet the "Unveiled" attendees this weekend at the Chase. Are you coming? If so, please stop by the booth and say hi! I hear rumors that the show is now a sellout so if you need tickets you'll have to be creative.

My beloved Martha (no, I'm not ashamed to admit that!!!) was on the Today Show this morning talking about her new book, "Martha Stewart's Wedding Cakes". WOW, what a book! The photos are absolutely stunning, I think it is a must have for any bride who is setting out on the cake decision road. Of course, every baker of good repute in this town (and any other) would more than likely tell you to leave the book at home when coming in to view and taste their cakes. Martha's book does have a zillion recipes, types of cakes and fillings and frostings and embellishments---it is quite an accomplishment.

It makes me think of my wedding cake from many moons ago. I baked my own (and would have made Martha proud!) for a home wedding for 75 people. It took me two days to make that cake! It was really quite pretty, the cake itself was a carrot cake from a recipe that has remained one of my favorites over the years. It was frosted with a traditional cream cheese frosting and piped simply with a frou frou tip of some sort and decorated with lovely fresh pink roses and ferns. I had purchased a kit to make the cake three tiered and carefully set to work installing platforms and dowels, a feat of engineering. Well, there is a reason that I am not an engineer because by the end of the evening that cake was beginning to list to the right! It still makes me smile that I baked my own cake and that everyone enjoyed it so much.

Two cakes from the past years with BBP live on in my memory and you know me, I love my wedding cake! Having the opportunity to nibble on cakey goodness almost every weekend has (in my mind) made me somewhat of a cake gourmet! I know what I like! Many of the cakes are just, well cakes. They are pretty and definitely reflect the wedding dress or reception venue--- but the taste is just fairly average. There are a couple of standouts however that now every cake is measured against! Yum.

So........................ what kind of cake are YOU having?

Monday Musings

The big two day bridal show at America's Center is (as they say in Hawaii) PAU. Finished. Finito. And I can't speak for anyone else but I am pooped! We met--- and spoke--- with a lot of brides this past weekend, and if you were one of them---- we were happy to have made your acquaintance and welcome to the blog family!

I should have done this LAST week, before the show but because there are still quite a few bridal shows around the St. Louis area in the upcoming weeks. Navigating and negotiating a show requires a few skills that are nice to tuck into your survival kit:

• wear comfy shoes (it sounds simple but can't be stated enough). The concrete floors or thin carpeting over hard flooring can wear you down.
• carry a bottle of water with you, keep hydrated. You will be talking a lot too!
• Many brides bring address labels for 'giveaways' (more on that later).
• Don't be afraid to share your information! You have chosen to attend a show where professionals need to know your wedding date and other pertinents in order to best give you information in return.
• Visit the website of the particular show you are attending to familiarize yourself with the list of vendors.
  
• Visit the website of vendors that interest you and make a point to visit them at the show.
• There may possibly be vendors who are not at a particular show, they can't generally be at them ALL. Visit those websites of vendors who interest you that you are unable to meet at the show.
  
• Remember that wedding show season brings a lot of brides and a lot of bookings to most all vendors. Don't dilly dally------ your date may be snapped up by a speedier bride!
• Be nice! But that is my advice for daily living as well. Smile a lot and spread the joy that is uniquely BRIDE!

Speaking of vendors--- can I mention a vendor that we just LOVE???? Callahan's Tuxedo in South St. Louis. They're family owned and their level of service and quality is really outstanding. Because they 'do it all' in house you can be assured that it is done right. They also carry well priced bridal gowns that can be beautifully altered, and one of my favorite Callahan's offerings is their dress preservation service. I've heard from many brides that they have been unhappy with taking their dress to someone else for cleaning and preserving and have been less than thrilled. At Callahan's they do it right and generally for a lot less than other places. You can find them online at www.callahanstuxedo.com. The best reason for using them is that they are very nice people who genuinely care about your day, Ruth, Rick and their staff are the best!

We will start preparation for the next round of meeting brides, grooms and their families! Our next show is this Sunday at The Chase Park Plaza Hotel in the Central West End for "Unveiled". It is the creme de la creme of the season with the beautiful venue and the excellent vendors. Tickets are still available for this don't miss event.

For those of you getting back into the swing after a weekend of being a wedding show warrior---- wear flat shoes, organize your information, and nap if you can! :) Chocolate is a very good suggestion as well, apply chocolate!

Wedding Show Weekend

We're packing up and getting ready to greet a LOT of brides and their entourages this weekend at America's Center.

Dates

Saturday, January 5, 2008

Sunday, January 6, 2008

Location

America's Center
Downtown at 9th and Washington

Hours

Saturday, 11 am to 4 pm

Sunday, 11 am to 4 pm

We always end the weekend absolutely exhausted, talked out, with very sore feet by the time Sunday at 4 comes around! We do have a great time meeting so many people, chatting with great vendors and generally enjoying our time there.

The regular price for admission is $8.00. If you need a $2.00 off coupon for the show, CLICK HERE.

See you this weekend at the show!

Getting Ready

January 2nd and BBP is off and running! The phone has rung off the wall (or desk as the case may be) and we're very quickly getting things organized for 2008.

The big two day wedding show is this weekend at America's Center. The weather promises to be really good for getting out and about, the highway closure doesn't look like it is going to be as big an impact as the pundits had feared, and it's going to be a great weekend to do some one stop shopping for all things wedding related. Non wedding related and only slightly irritating to me is the booth that cleans rings. I say only slightly irritating because I always get my rings cleaned when we do a show with them and they sparkle for a week or so quite brightly! You can count on my hopes to sneak away from the booth and visit their location.

If you are coming to the show, please stop by and say hello----- fair warning we are always layers deep in brides but we would love to have the opportunity to meet you if you're new to BBP and hug your neck if you're already family!

Happy New Year!

It's official, 2008 has arrived!

All of us at Bobbi Brinkman Photography send our warmest wishes for a healthy, happy, wonderful New Year filled to the brim with love and laughter. We SO look forward to working with our fabulous clients, all of whom we consider as family!

Thank you all for a great 2007! We look forward to the next 12 months of 2008!