Congratulations Danielle!

We couldn't wait to share the Big News!

Most of our BBP Wedding Family, local St. Louis Wedding Vendors, and St. Louis wedding and family photographers as well as those from all over the world know BBP Staffer Danielle. Known to most of us as "Nell" and loved by all.

Our Nell was hired in the Rockwood School District as a first grade teacher! Teachers are finding it difficult to secure excellent positions around town for sure. Because Nell's previous school had such a drop in enrollment classes were cut and well............. you know what that means. We were all on pins and needles waiting for something to come along.

Congrats Nell------- and congrats to your new school!! That school, your new students and their families are the luckiest people in the world!!!

Peering Into The Summer

That is what we all feel like----- peering into the summer (and the balance of the year)!

Over the weekend someone commented that they felt as if the 4th of July meant the summer was halfway over. They're sort of right, I mean although summer has just started after the 4th happens the whole thing sort of skids away!!!

We are looking forward to a great summer with great weddings to capture with "Images from the Heart..." as well as lots of wonderful families to photograph as well.

Have a fantastic day, hope your preparing for a super weekend!

Kristin & Eben--Wedding Day Finally Here

Looks like we'll all have ample opportunity today to practice how to handle STL heat and humidity. The short two day break of the sticky stuff has given way to more HOT stuff. Hotter still will be Kristin & Eben's wedding day.

We met this great couple through clients of ours (actually a Whole Gang that we've had the opportunity to share Big Days with)----- and we know without a doubt that this day will be nothing short of outstanding, heat and humidity notwithstanding.

Today maybe we'll all be remembering chillier days of engagement sessions past!

Dog Days of Weddings

And by "Dog Days" I don't mean bow wow!

Every year we're faced with good old super humid high 90's to triple digits heat here in St. Louis---- and I always issue the same ideas/suggestions to help beat the heat (or keep it at bay somewhat). Just a few tried and true things to consider:

1. Dear Groom, Please order an extra tuxedo shirt. The cost will make you cranky perhaps but when you have a fresh crisp shirt to slip into at the reception you will be so happy!!
2. Purchase cheapie washcloths from a big box store. Wet them thoroughly, wring them out and fold or roll. Slip each into a zippy bag and place in the freezer. On your wedding day put these washcloths into the cooler that will go onto your limo. Blissful relief.
3. Paper fans or even little battery powered fans are nice to bring on location. Although limos are air-conditioned the term may be relative. Trolleys are notoriously hotter than a Sunday flapjack.
4. Blotters for drippy makeup for the ladies are a must!
5. Bring LOTS of water for everyone going on location. LOTS.
6. Instead of salty snacks, some cool fruit is a nice touch (leave the drippy red strawberries and grapes at home please!)

We will take care of you during the heat (you know we will)--- but remember to try and keep good humor, after all the heat is what it is and you might as well roll with it. Don't try to rush, keep hydrated, blot the droplets and SMILE!

Summer is definitely HERE for a while. Let's enjoy it shall we? It beats the cold white stuff in my book!

WUW- Wish Upon a Wedding

Bobbi Brinkman Photography is very proud to be involved in the St. Louis chapter of WUW, Wish Upon a Wedding. Bobbi sits on the Medical Outreach Committee. From time to time we'll let you know how you can donate to this wonderful organization.

"the world’s first nonprofit wedding wish granting organization, Wish Upon a Wedding provides weddings at destinations across the United States for individuals facing life-threatening illness. It is a chance for couples to enjoy a very special day, without any thoughts of existing health issues, while surrounded by their closest family and friends.

By celebrating the courage & spirit of these couples, we help create lasting memories that will be cherished for years to come. It is our hope that others facing similar situations will find hope, strength, and the promise of eternal love.

Officially launched in January of 2010, Wish Upon a Wedding currently has over a dozen chapters to serve Wish Applicants. We service couples residing in or wishing to get married within 300 miles of any one of our chapter locations. "

Here locally, Wish Upon a Wedding involves some of the finest vendors in St. Louis, everything is not only the best of the best in terms of service but also in terms of really great people!

We look forward to the first WUW wedding that will be granted as a wish here in STL. It certainly is all part of what we say all the time................ count your blessings and pass one on!

The video is from the recent WUW St. Louis Launch party.

Wish Upon a Wedding from GEBBS on Vimeo.

Allyson & Spencer's Day

Another very (that bears repeating.... VERY) hot day in St. Louis---- but it is going to be beautiful as Allyson and Spencer get married. We're looking forward to spending the day with this great couple, their families and friends.

Warm Day. Big Smiles. Lots of Laughs. Katie + Steven. What can I say, it was great to just hang around their happy-happy!

Enjoy the short Sneak Peek!

We Love Chicago

Of course we do! What's not to love?

From a recent BBP trip:

The best deep dish EVER from the Silo, and........

The Tiffany Man, outside the store on Michigan wearing a Blackhawks jersey. Good ON those Hawks anyway, didn't they do Chicago proud?????

Hope your weekend is fabulous whether you are participating in the Komen or enjoying all STL has to offer!

Retro vs. Vintage

I had the most interesting question yesterday and have spent time since then trying to deliver an accurate answer. That differs of course by the answer I believe might be true and as much as I do try to cling to the reality, my truth is not always the accurate truth..... most times, but not always! :) (Don't let that get around!)

Retro: "of or designating the style of an earlier time"

Vintage: "the class of a dated object with reference to era of production or use"

I'm not sure the "official" dictionary answer gives a clear direction. After all retro is not just clothing, nor is vintage. For our purposes we can say that they both are styles that give a nod or pay homage to style(s) of an earlier time. Most things vintage and retro are considered neither before a production date in the mid-century. (Hence Mid Century Modern).

Many brides, grooms and/or their wedding parties include a little or a lot of vintage/retro elements. Think "something old"--- almost always a family piece or at least a nod to tradition by use of an element that is by style or age vintage/retro.

Popular vernacular has "retro" being more modern, perhaps closer to mid-century, brighter, happier, edgier. Vintage then brings to mind softer, paler, even 'older' than "retro".

Whatever you call the style or the elements, this look is not only here to stay (classic as it were) but increasing in popularity right down to menus, and cakes--- far beyond the style of the bride or groom themselves.

Sometimes, a photo can be made to look vintage when the event itself was not especially so.

If you are a bride, how will you choose to use vintage/retro elements in your wedding? Does use of certain selected items reflect your personal style 'outside' of your wedding?

Definitely food for (more) thought!

BBP Welcomes Sarah & Brian!

It was a hot wedding Saturday, no doubt about it. Katie and Steven were married on a day of high heat and humidity--- and everyone was not only stoic but wonderful! Photos of their special day to come, of course!

Today, on this overcast and ready to storm (again) Tuesday, we have the opportunity to welcome Sarah and Brian to the wedding family here at Bobbi Brinkman Photography! To the future bride and groom as well as their families we'd like to say that we are very much looking forward to getting to know you better, sharing laughs, solving problems that may come down the wedding planning highway, and most of all to your wedding day! Welcome Sarah & Brian, we're honored to have you and can't wait to photograph your wedding with "Images from the Heart..."

Brenley & Todd

We're in the mood for a celebratory toast! Welcome to the BBP Wedding Family Brenley & Todd! Working with the two of you and your families is surely to be a joy!

To Match or Not to Match

Matching colors of the wedding, i.e. matching the bridesmaids dresses and wedding colors in the accessories (vest, boutonnieres and pocket square) of the grooms and groomsmen occurs in about 95% of weddings. The trend? NOT matching but either coordinating colors or going with something totally different. The most frequently used theme is to use a neutral color such as white, or gray on the male side of the house, but there are weddings out there going with something totally different. It will be interesting to see how brides move forward with this idea, whether it is embraced and used as a fresh new look----- or if matching colors continues and edge out the rebels. What do you think? Matchy Matchy? Or rogue?

Or what about the offbeat idea first seen in the last couple of years where the groomsmen as well as the bridesmaids wore all completely different things? Using a broad color scheme (light pastels, a color such as brown, or a pattern)---- and the visual effect was non-matching but coordinated in a quirky way? The only constant is say, a white shirt.

We love the idea of individuality but the bride and groom do have to consider:

• the formality of their wedding
• their location
• their individual personality

It seems that if you go non-matching, there must be some common thread (no pun intended), whether it be the tie or other accessory. Keeping something exact keeps the whole thing looking intentional rather than like a messy hodgepodge.

And lastly----- to remember that those photos really DO last forever.