Polished & Pretty Wedding Hair

Every weekend brings with it the behind the scenes lead in to the big event, the wedding. Among those smaller events that are must do's for the brides is getting their hair done. We've seen it done in home, at the salon and increasingly rarely at their own hands. I'm certainly no hair stylist but I know who I love---

Your Wedding ‘Do

-by my favorite and most wonderful stylist Mary Schejbal

You’ve set the date, reserved the venue, booked your photographer, got the perfect dress… let’s see, what else? Oh! So how are you going to wear your hair? Of course since I am a hairstylist this question is of utmost importance. I find it curious that what I often hear is “I don’t want to look different that I do everyday.” Come on now! This is the biggest event you will ever plan, you’ll be wearing the most gorgeous dress, the day is all about you- so let’s send you in there looking like you, but the best you ever! Your hair is your crowing glory, so give it the attention it deserves.

Call your stylist now or get a referral and make an appointment for a consultation. If you are like most brides you will be closely involved with your stylist for up to a year in advance of your big day. It is a good idea to take a picture of your dress with you, your headpiece if you will be wearing one, and perhaps some pictures of wedding ‘dos that you like. This is when you and your stylist can decide whether you need to grow your hair, try a new style, or perhaps you will venture into a new haircolor. It is best if making big changes to do them well in advance of the big day. That way you have plenty of time to adjust to your new look, or maybe to change the new color that you thought you would LOVE, but don’t!

What about your wedding party, Moms’ and Grandmothers? Will they be getting their hair done as well? If you want everyone to be done ‘in house’ book these appointments as soon as possible. The most convenient, but costly choice is to have your stylist come to you. As long as there are enough mirrors and electrical outlets, hair can be done anywhere. Again, whatever you decide, these arrangements need to be made well in advance, particularly if you will be booking out an entire day.

I have found that most brides will be comfortable with one or two practice runs. Your stylist can get a good idea of what you want, and you can feel confident of what your look will be on your wedding day and that you have it perfected. An exception to this rule will be the bride who is not truly sure of the look she wants. She may need to try five different styles before she can feel truly comfortable. Bring a camera with you and have pictures taken of the front, sides, and back of your hairstyle. This is a great reference for you and your stylist who may make a few sketches as well.

It is usually a given that a bride will have done a consultation and practice her new hairstyle, but what about your bridesmaids? If anyone in your wedding party is very particular about her style for the day I strongly advise her to take the time to have a practice run. If she is out of town, this can be more challenging, but with showers and such, there is usually sometime that she will be in the local area. Unless your bridesmaids have had a practice run, it is a good idea for them to have an idea of the look they would like to have, and to be flexible! Very often they might be meeting the stylist for the first time and they need to trust that your stylist wants everyone to look great.

One of my brides arrived significantly late for her appointment the day of her wedding. I was extremely stressed because I still had to do all of her bridesmaids myself and was left very little time to do them. I had to get all these girls to the church on time! On that day the bride came in and apologized for being late saying “Just make me beautiful, I don’t really care what they look like, it’s all about me!” Of course she was not entirely serious, but she made me laugh. I was able to make everyone beautiful but compromises had to be made because of the late arrival. Be on time for your appointment!

My best advice to brides is that you try to sleep the night before and in the morning enjoy being surrounded by all of your girls. You can relax knowing that your hard work for the day will pay off and head off to the salon. Put yourself in the practiced hands of your stylist and trust that your wedding ‘do will truly be your crowning glory.

Mary Schejbal has been creating beautiful hair for her clients for 26 years. She’s a former salon owner and has received extensive training in Las Vegas and Beverly Hills.

Chrissie & Chris

Was it April 12th really? The weather was COLD COLD COLD........ but the wedding we were privileged to photograph last Saturday was HOT!

Chrissie and Chris tied the knot at St. Anthony's of Padua with a gorgeous reception at Windows on Washington---- with a stop on the field at the Stadium along the way. We had a wonderful time despite the somewhat chilly temps.

Not only was the wedding breathtakingly beautiful but we were blessed to be part of a wedding dream team! Thanks to Mary Ann at St. Anthony's for her calm professionalism, Patti the phenom wedding planner from All Dressed In White, the pro's at Best Transportation, a yummy cake from Truffe's, lovely flowers from Rich West, and last but not least incredible videography from the energetic team at Switzer Film. You just couldn't have asked for more!

If you would like to view the fantastic slideshow of a collection of Chrissie and Chris's wedding day images---

Please, click HERE!

Need me today?

How about a little birthday self promotion???? :) If you need me today, I am not in. What is a birthday for if not taking the day off? Add to that the fact that my girls are in town for my birthday (yay!) and the sky is blue, daffodils are blooming, trees are glorious and the day is fantastic.

So----------- I know you need me, I really do. And I'll get there, I promise. Just not today! Bobbi is (as always) hard on the job however!

Tomorrow is the sure to be gorgeous wedding of Chrissie and Chris, we can't wait! And I WILL be back to it!

Erica and Jeff

That IS a bit of spring in back of Erica and Jeff! We recently saw this great couple for their spring engagement session because Jeff was in town for the day and because their wedding is quickly approaching time had run out to wait further for spring flowers. You would never know it by the photo above but it was COLD that day! Mother Nature did cooperate by showing off the beautiful forsythia bush, there were a few daffodils around too.

So, just why is spring so late this year? Will we go from cold and rainy straight into the heat of summer? I hope not.

THE KNOT BEST OF WEDDINGS 2008 MAGAZINE

Bobbi Brinkman Photography recognized in

THE KNOT BEST OF WEDDINGS 2008 MAGAZINE!

We are proud to announce some very big news today! We are honored, pleased and actually quite thrilled to have made "The Knot 2008 Best of Weddings" list! Being in the industry, of course we were aware of such a list, but because we are not advertisers with the magazine, it came as a total surprise to us and in many ways it does make it all the sweeter! We've always said that we have the best brides in the world, and of course this makes it official. Our biggest thanks go out to brides in the St. Louis area who voted to make us part of this list, the "creme de la creme" according to The Knot.

We also extend our warmest congratulations to other area vendors who also made the list this year. It is always a pleasure to work with such wonderful and caring professionals week in and week out.

The Knot conducted its second annual survey of over 20,000 recent brides to capture detailed feedback on every business that couples hired for their wedding celebration. The newlyweds were asked to rate their vendors on multiple criteria, from creativity to professionalism, and to comment on their experiences. The resulting ratings—and detailed feedback—were aggregated by the editors of The Knot to create this one-of-a-kind publication highlighting the best wedding resources in each region according to local brides.

Saint Louis newlyweds contributed their raves and reviews on the area’s wedding professionals. The newlyweds were asked to rate their vendors on multiple criteria, from creativity to professionalism, and to comment on their experiences. The resulting ratings—and detailed feedback—were aggregated by the editors of The Knot to create this one-of-a-kind publication highlighting the best wedding resources in each region according to local brides. The survey was administered by Harris Interactive.

The issue is currently on newstands everywhere bridal magazines are sold.

Sharing Erin & Ross

We recently spent time with Erin and Ross for their first engagement session. Cute red boat, cute coordinating outfits! We were even blessed to meet Ross's Mom and Dad in town from Texas. Doesn't it look lovely?

NOT!!!!!!!!!!

It was absolutely freezing, cold, gray and threatening to rain. Again. It has been a rather yukky spring here in St. Louis although you would never know it by looking at the great photo above!

BBP loves to feature the wedding blogs of our great couples and Erin and Ross have one you can see as well!

Here's hoping that the weatherfolk is right and the gray and chilly weather will give way to a weekend featuring some sun and nice temperatures!

Baby on Board!

It seems as if last years' brides have been very creative lately! Creating babies that is! Perhaps it is a statement about the cold winter? We are always THRILLED to hear that our wonderful couples are having BBP babies----- maternity sessions, newborn photos, watching babies grow--- WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!

The fabulous Keri and her handsome husband Jeremy are going to welcome their first bundle of joy in October! Keri tells us that mornings are not her finest hour, but that shall pass!

I can remember when I was expecting my first child----- oh the morning sickness was absolutely terrible, I was hospitalized twice! That baby is all grown up now with 3 handsome little boys of her own and I nursed her through her first trimester as well. Thankfully, morning sickness doesn't last forever!

Congratulations Keri and Jeremy------ our warmest blessings go out to you and your extended families!

Christina & Ron

The day might have been gray and chilly----- the raindrops might have shown up for a brief period during location photography---- spring might have been a seemingly distant dream on Saturday, BUT what an absolutely beautiful and near perfect celebration of life and love!

Christina and Ron have been planning their wedding for some time and when the big day finally came it was enjoyed by all, including their wonderful family and fun friends. (Did I mention fun?) The wedding was held at St. Jerome's in Troy Illinois and the lovely reception was held at Bellecourt Place in Belleville. The food was excellent and the band Boom entertained the revelers. A favorite touch was that Ron made wine for everyone to take home, complete with custom labels. His vintners touch created Pinot Noir and Gewurtztramier------ I confess to having a bottle of the Pinot and can't wait to taste it!

You can view the slideshow of their wedding celebration HERE!

Chip and Chrissy Featured as Y98 WOW

Chip and Chrissy are featured as the Y98 Wedding of the Week LAST week and to be honest with you I just flat dropped the ball on it! Which is ridiculous because Chrissy and Chip are a very fab couple and we just love them to pieces!!!!

You can still read their love story HERE

It's raining again in St. Louis, stay safe and dry! And---- while you are at it, remind me that spring IS coming and that it will soon be a departure from cold and gray????? I'm so ready for spring!

Spring Portrait Sessions

One of our most popular series of sessions is now in full bloom (as far as schedules filling up quickly goes)! Hopefully Mother Nature will bless us with her presence and again make this a wonderful and colorful time to celebrate you and your family and preserve a memory.

• April 5th and 6th: Spring Flowers in Forest Park
• April 19th and 20th: Spring in Lafayette Square Park

These weekends have a few sessions remaining, but are sure to book up soon! You asked and we listened, we are also scheduling these spring sessions during the week and we can be pretty flexible especially during the day. So----- if you want to avoid the wedding party crowds on the weekends, book your session for a weekday. Remember these sessions are by appointment only, call the studio at 314.361.9899 to get your session on the schedule.

As always, we will look forward to seeing many of you for this annual event. Thank you for the privilege to document this time in your busy lives.

Happy Easter!

HAPPY EASTER!

It is SNOWING today here in St. Louis! Snow! We all send wishes for your Easter to be wonderful, no matter what the weather.

Remember----- eat chocolate!

Meet Kate!

We are always completely honored at BBP when we're allowed to photograph sessions for a new baby, especially starting with the maternity session and then meeting the baby. Yesterday we met baby Kate, and she is just the sweetest little girl you've ever seen! We were enchanted! Her Mom Christina and dad Pat are wonderful, the sum total is a wonderful family!

You can view the slideshow HERE!

Power Vows

In the current issue of Vogue is a 10 page (TEN PAGE!) spread featuring the wedding of Lauren Davis and Andres Santo Domingo---- i.e. the jet set baby! The article begins with their first kiss atop the Eiffel Tower and to the wedding at the Casa Conde de Pestagua---- Cartagena. The bride wore Ricci and her mother wore Herrera--- a horse drawn carriage took Lauren and her father to the church for their vows. What follows in the shiny pages of Vogue is a beautiful bride and a handsome groom and a wedding that encompasses T.H.E. destination wedding. The quote that ends the article is "I don't know what anyone could do to top Lauren and Andres's wedding-- except get married on the moon". Sigh. 500 guests folks, half a thousand and they start with cocktails under trees, mango trees to be precise.

Your father might not have helped build the Poland Springs water brand and your education might not have been quite so private shishi----- and perhaps your dress does not look like the estimated $200,000 gown of 120 meters of gauze and another 120 meters of silk tulle----- but the wedding is lots of fun to read about.

From there to guilty pleasure I ask-------------------- so have you SEEN "My Big Fat Redneck Wedding??????????" Oh my. No Baru Beach luncheons there.

Julie & Angelo

How thrilling when one of our favorite people in the world (never mind great past bride and grooms!) is featured as the Y98 wedding of the week at STLToday! This couple is down to earth, caring, sharing, and just plain GREAT!

Their story is too good to be missed, so check it out: HERE

Erin & Ross

It's official----- Erin and Ross have joined the BBP Wedding Family and we couldn't be happier! They will be celebrating their wedding with a reception and the St. Louis Zoo and we always love to get a little 'wild' there! It promises to be a wonderful wedding for a terrific couple--- welcome to you both!

And Happy St. Patrick's Day to all! I'll be in search of good corned beef and cabbage somewhere around town where it isn't too crowded. My normally favorite haunt for such delicacies is in Dogtown and with the parade today getting in to eat will be near impossible. Not just a tough search for a good Irish Pub not knee deep in revelers but more rain for St. Louis. My spring clothes are still piled on the bed in the guest room, the winter clothes are still firmly entrenched in the closet.

Regardless, enjoy this day when we all enjoy the wearin' o' the green!

Mike and Michelle

Another GREAT love story on the website at STL Today! Click the small Y98 wedding of the week pick to read their story----- it is really romantic!


We love Mike and Michelle, and both of their extended families, they always make us smile!!

Here in St. Louis today it is supposed to be near 70! We will not think about the wet snow in the forecast this weekend one bit! Instead we will revel in the day. We have a mid-day meeting at a local restaurant and with any luck we might walk to and from in order to find some time to really enjoy one of the great days of early spring.

All of us here at BBP hope that you have the opportunity to enjoy the day as well! Now go on..... get out there!

Wedding Crafting in your Future???

Spring and Summer Wedding Crafting? Almost every bride does at least SOMETHING crafty-- what do you have on YOUR list? And most importantly, what IS it? You know we want to know all the details!

Ordering online is almost the best way to go these days with all of the local craft stores either being so very picked over or when you have hard to find items------ check out Crafts Etc., and get shopping! The pic below is 'hot' in case you already have your credit card in your hand!



Now, get shopping!

Amy & Jason are featured!

We love it when our gorgeous brides and handsome grooms are featured on the St. Louis Today/St. Louis Best Bridal website in all their glory! And of course, we love Amy and Jason--- they are really a special couple!

In case you missed the article/feature,

Amy and Jason Garner

By Nancy Larson

03/06/2008

(Photo by Bobbi Brinkman Photography)

It was Valentine’s Day 2003 when Amy Deibel and Jason Garner had their first date—to see the film How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. Their choice of movie would hardly seem to bode well for romance, but, as it turned out, there were no losers that night. And it wasn’t long before they each won each other’s hearts.

Friends since 2000, Amy and Jason met as students while working at the front desk of Maryville University Athletic Department. Even though they earned only minimum wage, they got maximum benefits not only in meeting each other, but also in sports celebrity encounters. Watching Albert Pujols at batting practice and seeing other Cardinals players compete in a game of pick-up basketball were just two of the unexpected experiences they enjoyed together.

It was during a winter vacation with friends in Hawaii that their friendship turned to romance. While ringing in the New Year of 2003 on the shores of Waikiki Beach, the pair realized the extent of their true feelings.

“I think that our Hawaii trip was the turning point in our relationship,” Amy said, remembering that time. “We got to spend a week together on the beach with our friends and really got to know each other on a more personal level.”

More than three years and several vacations later, Jason asked Amy to meet for dinner with some co-workers at Maggiano’s Little Italy in Richmond Heights. But when Amy got there, only Jason was waiting for her.

“I really wasn't sure what was going on because we had a conversation about getting married, but he said it would be sometime down the road,” Amy said.

After dinner, Jason blindfolded Amy and drove her to a magical place where roses bathed in candlelight hung from the ceiling. Now not blindfolded any longer, Amy saw that each rose bore a phase such as, “I love you because I am a better person now” and “I love you because you are beautiful, smart and fun to be around,” leading her ever closer to an yet unknown destination.

The last message instructed her to turn around, whereupon she found Jason down on one knee.

“Will you marry me?” he asked. “Yes,” she replied, after which he revealed they were in the Sherwood Forest-themed room at the Cheshire Inn and Lodge.

A little more than one year later, on July 20, 2007, 130 guests looked on as Amy and Jason tied the knot at St. Anthony’s of Padua. The wedding party consisted of brothers, sisters and a few close friends as attendants.
“All the hard work and time that our families and we put into the planning turned into a truly magnificent occasion,” Jason said. “I could not have asked for a more beautiful day, ceremony or bride.”

Following a reception at Windows Off Washington, the newlyweds honeymooned in romantic Italy. Shortly after their return, the couple moved to Chicago.

Their immediate future involves exploring the Windy City and furthering their careers while fulfilling two other very important roles: that of uncle and aunt to their 16 nieces and nephews.

Calling All Brides!

Attention all brides! Darcy Miller of Martha Stewart Brides fame and the excellent wedding blog "The Brides Guide" will be in town Sunday! The tour has been getting great buzz and is sure to be a time of information and fun---- and I understand that there will be cake tasting as well! How bad can that be????

The Details:

Sunday, March 9 12 – 2pm
Macy’s at St. Louis Galleria
1550 St. Louis Galleria
Home Store, 3rd Floor
St. Louis, Missouri
RSVP: 314.726.1810 ext. 3205

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep--- On Today

In case you did not catch the very well done story yesterday about Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep on the Today Show, the link follows. (click the Today logo)

As most of our blog readers know, Bobbi is the area coordinator for Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep and is very involved in this incredible non-profit group focused on babies who have a very short term on this planet, and their families.

Thanks to Carey T. and Jen B. for providing blankets and caps respectively so that we can share them when Bobbi does an angel session.

It IS all about the love!

Gone to the Dogs

It snowed---- and snowed----- and snowed. Bobbi took some shots of the snow, and the dogs in the snow of course.

Above is little girl dog Hana in the backyard. Check out that poor little snow covered dog! Where is a wee little dog supposed to do their business? Bobbi reports that she had to shovel an area on the grass for the dogs. I'm sure the neighbors thought that anyone shoveling the lawn was pretty crazy.

It's enough to make dogs howl, all that snow!

The view from South City showed drifts that were burying the steps leading up to historic houses. Check out the size of those snowflakes!

If you are digging out today, be safe. I can remember when I lived in Minneapolis MANY years ago. On one of the last and late snowfalls of the season something in me just snapped and instead of shoveling with that pretty red Toro snowblower, I backed the car out of the driveway and drove up and down up and down up and down until that 8 inches of snow was neatly compacted into a pancake of icy snow that promised not to melt until June.

More snow on the way this Friday, keep smiling and know that spring WILL come! Won't it?

Welcome Mona & Ryan

Nothing gives us greater pleasure than to welcome another bride and groom to the wedding family at Bobbi Brinkman Photography! On this gray, cold day it seems especially warm and happy to welcome Mona and Ryan! Mona came in to see us with her friend Ami and the two of them were bubbly and enthusiastic and just plain fun! Knowing that this bride is such a sweetheart certainly adds to our excitement about her wedding day! She also (as most of our brides do) booked our choice of premier vendors so we can rest assured knowing that her day will not only be beautiful, but run as smoothly as can be. To photograph the look of surprise on a bride's face is almost never a good thing. Well---- you know what I mean! :)

It was almost 80 degrees here in St. Louis yesterday, a gorgeous day! I even got out in the yard and attended to some leaf removal, a bit of light clean up in anticipation for the spring that surely must be on the way. Today however is the start of that payback for believing that winter was done. The temp will be falling on this gloomy Monday, and sleet and freezing rain will be happening throughout the day and into the evening. As if that weren't bad enough the weatherfolk tell us that tomorrow will bring heavy snow, up to ten inches? Say it ain't so!

Regardless---- happy Monday!

WedFog Article Revisited

After my post last Friday about my article for WedFog, I was pleased to see that they posted a blurb about it on their blog. Pretty great I say! NOT as great as the weather is going to be today however, SEVENTY Degrees--- WOO HOO! I think spring might well and truly be on the way. We will not discuss the weather that shall follow. The WedFog blog blurb:

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Sweet & Innocent Bridal Makeup

My daily internet stumble landed me on the following YouTube video I knew our readers would find interesting.

For more on wedding day makeup be sure to read our article by St. Louis Wedding photographer Tina Kim of Bobbi Brinkman Photography who has this to say.

Expensive is not always best. Oh sure, we love the cosmetics in the shiny black containers with the big white "C"....... or many other of the shishi brands. But they are not always best. If you already use the pricier brands, great, no need to stop now! If you don't, don't feel like you must. The most important thing is HOW you look with your makeup style, NOT the name of the brand itself.

posted by WedFogThursday, February 28, 2008

Paint and Years....

Excuse me........... I've been painting. One of the things (gifts?) I bring to the BBP studio is my talent and desire to paint, stencil, faux paint, etc. I've been planning the walls for some time and they have been a rather slow work in progress. Just yesterday I finished the stripe down one of the walls, it looks so great! The color is "Fudge Bar" but that is just an all out lie! If your fudge bar looked like that color you would not eat it. So I'd say it is more like a toffee-ish brown, lighter than milk chocolate even. Trust me, it looks great. Then came the fleur d'lis...... wonderful! I hand-cut a stencil, which took far more time than I wanted it too and made me realize yet again, I need a raise!

Regardless, I'm pooped so what should make me smile than yet more fun from the web! :)
What year do YOU belong in???

You're fun loving, romantic, and more than a little innocent. See you at the drive in!

What Year Do You Belong In?

1959? Oh for pete's sake!!! If that doesn't make me feel like a dinosaur, I don't know what does?
I guess I should get back to painting...........

Kelly & Greg

The day might be very chilly, gray and wintery with a mix of snow and rain but all of us at BBP are feeling warm and wonderful as we welcome Kelly & Greg to the wedding family! Kelly is one of our many out of town brides, she currently lives in Englewood Colorado and will get married in Lake St. Louis this May.

We're absolutely thrilled to have you both and look forward to a long relationship!

Second Annual Red Carpet Dish

Last night was the Academy Awards in Hollywood, that means it must be time for the annual dishing of the Red Carpet!! Red dresses were the big buzz on the red carpet, it's my favorite color so I loved them all. Well, almost all.

You pretty much have to start off with George Clooney who always looks really and truly great. Grooms....... you should look this good when you are George's age. No kidding

© 2008- WENN

Below is Clooney with his girlfriend Sarah Larson. What's up with that? My other eyebrow raised when I saw her dress, pretty blah if you ask me. Which you didn't.

© 2008- WENN

John travolta and his wife Kelly Preston looked very new Hollywood, didn't they??? He always looks great, much of that being his nice guy persona of course. Kelly looked fabulous in that dress, she was a standout if for no other reason the color of her dress----wow!

© 2008- WENN

Renee Zellweger. Ahem. The dress was okay----- although I found it a bit blah with all of the strong colors and designer vavoom on the red carpet. And she was just too doggone thin, wayyyyy to thin. Yes, I do believe there is such a thing! What really got me was the hair. What WAS she thinking? Mussy has it's place, many of the stars had hair that was definitely far from hair spray perfect! She just didn't make it work, just my opinion -- I could be wrong!

© 2008- AMPAS

Marion Cotillard wore one of my favorite dresses of the evening, she was magnificent! Her mermaid dress was by Jean Paul Gaultier Couture, truly lovely. To my way of thinking, she wore the dress not the other way around. Old Hollywood with a fresh new spin.

© 2008- AMPAS

Heidi Klum in Galliano------ what a gorgeous dress! Her hair was stunning, the gown was wonderful, she just looked really great! She and hubby Seal looked absolutely fabulous on the red carpet----- regal even! Heidi is donating her dress and you can enter to win it HERE.

© 2008- Getty

What can you say about Katherine Heigle? Beautiful, charming, bubbly, adorable! Her (also) red dress was Escada and magnificent. No newlywed weight gain for her!

© 2008- Getty

If you don't lovelove love loooooooooooove Diablo Cody and HER story, you are sleeping at the wheel! Nevermind that she is a former stripper, nevermind that eye popping tattoo, her earrings were tres chic and that leopard dress? Only Diablo could have pulled it off. (We won't mention that walking up the stairs to the stage as well as exiting after accepting her award was less than glamorous--- yikes!) Once again, talent rules and being less than the 'normal' beauty can indeed work. (Note to Nell: No, you can't have this tattoo. I'm serious.)


© 2008- WENN

And our own red carpet bride? Karyn of course! That's Karyn below with her new husband Darin. Why get married in a white gown when you can be resplendent in a blue Nicole Miller cocktail dress? Absolutely! We were all very excited that they are the Y98 wedding of the week featured on the St. Louis Best Bridal website, you can read their story HERE.

More Wedding Day Makeup

Since we're sort of in the wedding makeup groove after the last post about my article for WedFog, it seemed a great time to bring a great YouTube video from Brides Magazine, UK and Chanel.

Enjoy!

WedFog Article

I'm really quite pleased to have an article published in WedFog, a directory of wedding photographers around the country +, along with some very useful information for brides and grooms.

If you would like to read the article, and take a look around WedFog in case it is new to you, follow THIS LINK.

St. Louisans............. hang in there! Day Two of ice and snow and gray and cold can only make us remember all the more that spring will come.

(definitely not soon enough, but that's beside the point)

Eclipsing Leopard

The total lunar eclipse last night was absolutely magical! Here in St. Louis, the skies were clear and the viewing was quite perfect. I kept popping outside, the sight of me in my flannel nightgown and fur coat was more than likely a sight and a half--- but it was so worth it. I can't remember an eclipse that I saw more clearly and enjoyed more. Breathtaking! Bobbi reports that she did not have to go outside but could view the entire solar spectacle by looking out her dining room window where she had an onobstructed view of splendor! She futz's that she didn't have the lens she really wanted for the shot above, but I think it is quite nice. May I assure you that it is a whole heckuva lot finer than the photo taken with my camera phone! :)

Speaking of splendor, there is just nothing more spendiferous than new shoes.

Leopard flats......... c'mon! Way too cute. Well maybe big ole' heels might be cuter but you can't chase brides in those!

I won't be wearing them today that's for sure! St. Louis is crippled with nasty ice today and quite frankly I think I'll work from home in my jammies. It seems only fair!

Be safe out there, and when all else fails, buy cute shoes.

Grooms 2 Smile

We have wonderful clients, outstanding brides but we don't say nearly often enough that we love our grooms too!

They might start out our relationship together with less than enthusiastic responses for having their photo taken, but by the time we get to the wedding day------ they are fully on board!

We tell our brides that when it comes to getting their fiance to enjoy being photographed, we do have a few tips:

• try to have more than one engagement session scheduled
• let him choose his own 'look'--- unless it is holey cut-off jeans and a nasty t-shirt!
• work around HIS schedule
• let him pick his favorite photos from the session and have a few made for his desk and/or wallet
• make sure that the sessions are FUN
• How about a destination? We always suggest coming to see us and then going to one of the great local restaurants or pubs in the area
• do not be afraid to mention that the studio is located a few doors down from Square One Brewery! Beer is a great equalizer!
  

I don't know why it is that women like having their photos taken more than guys... but it just is. Regardless, we love our grooms and always enjoy the fact that by the time we arrive at the wedding day, it is all......... well, it is a piece of cake! :)

The wedding show last Sunday at the Hilton Frontenac was great and we enjoyed meeting lots of brides and grooms very much! It was especially nice to meet Lucie, the new Editor as she is just a hoot! Thanks so much to all of you who stopped to chat, we're looking forward to meeting you in the studio very soon---- I promise it will be a lot more relaxing!

Bridal Show Weekend

We're all thinking about the weekend because it is a Big Bridal Show Weekend! Sunday will find us at the Hilton in Frontenac for the show there and we are looking forward to it!

Brides----- don't miss this one, the Hilton is always an excellent show venue and Best Bridal does an excellent job as well.

If you are coming to the show, please stop by and say hello! We'll have some new goodies to show and share!

Until then----- enjoy the rest of the Valentine's Day chocolates (assuming there are any leftovers!) and stretch that lovin' feelin' right into the weekend.

The photo above is of Katie and her bridesmaids----- she is just so sweet! She makes me think of all of our recent brides who enjoyed their first MARRIED Valentine's Day yesterday. How great is that??????? Ladies, I hope there was jewelry and chocolate!

Thanks as well to all of the calls and emails that keep coming in expressing concern and offering prayers for Bobbi's Mom. She is doing very well and quite frankly is pretty darn feisty to hear it told! I think that when a patient gets feisty (read cranky) that means that they must be feeling much better! (Not that it makes it easier for the family, that's for sure!)

Happy Valentine's Day

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

On the day we ring all the bells and blow all the whistles for LOVE----- we send a virtual yummy to all of our clients past, present and future! May your day (today and all) be filled with love in abundance!

For all of our wonderful clients who have emailed and called asking about Bobbi's Mom, thank you so much, they both appreciate it. Jeanetta is recovering nicely and resting comfortably. The hardest thing will be to keep her in the Queenly state to which she has become more than a little accustomed!

Little Things

It is certainly the little bits of life that make things perk along---- or big things depending on how you look at it. Living a good quality of life with the relative absence of pain is at the top of the list. Bobbi's Mom Jeanetta is in the hospital recovering from knee replacement surgery---- or a revisiting of her first double replacement to be more accurate. She had been having quite a bit of pain and trouble getting around. As many of our clients know Jeanetta is very vital and active, lives alone and loves to get out as much as possible and even looks forward to mowing her own lawn! The time had come to take care of the pain.

She has come through her surgery successfully and is now working towards recovery and will be in the hospital for a few more days.

Obviously Bobbi is with her Mother at the hospital as well as trying to get some work accomplished in between. If you need to contact BBP please be understanding if it takes us a tiny bit more time to get back to you.

Get Better Soon Jeanetta!

Colleen & Scott

The BBP Wedding Family has grown again! Colleen and Scott. we warmly welcome you into our happy band of brides, grooms and their extended families---- we are so pleased to have you and are so very much looking forward to capturing your wedding with "Images from the Heart..." The time will absolutely fly until next January! Our winter brides will tell you that they all seem to have a bit of unfair time thief because of the holidays. But then again, there isn't a bride out there that will tell you how quickly the time rushes by when you are planning your wedding.

Y'know, Valentine's Day is COMING!!!!! And soon! I have a little treat for you....


Homemade Toasted Coconut Haystacks! YUM! And the best part is that they are easy peasy. There is nothing like making a delicious little treat with your own hands for your Valentine, friends and family. I have to say, they are not QUITE as good as the ones from that shishi store in town ---- but they are pretty close!

Toasted Coconut Haystacks

• 1 bag Angel Flake Coconut
• 1 bag good quality chocolate chips--- I used semi sweet
• Gulf Wax (available near the canning section)
• parchment paper

On a large, flat baking dish lined with aluminum foil, sprinkle the coconut in a thin layer. Broil about 8 inches away from the element and WATCH CLOSELY. Toss the coconut as soon as it begins to brown. This takes a bit of time to keep moving the coconut so it does not burn, and all of it gets nice and lightly brown and crisp. You want it to crisp up but not get completely brown through, it should have crunch but still have a nice coconutty taste. Let cool.

In a double-boiler, place the chocolate chips and just slightly less than 1/4 of a sheet of the paraffin. Let it melt together over the simmering water. Remove the chocolate from the hot water and let it sit for just a few minutes until it just begins to thicken a bit. Add in the coconut and stir carefully, incorporating all of the chocolate.

Using two spoons or a tiny ice cream scoop (sprayed with cooking spray) drop the candy onto parchment paper.

Allow to set up (if you can) and it is ready to taste!

ENJOY----- and start getting ready for the day we celebrate LOVE, it is 5 days away!

Almost time----

Thursday------ can you believe it? I don't know what happened to the week, much less that the first week of February is gone!

So, in honor of Thursday, at the end of the first week of February------ when my desk is piled high and I should be doing something, I'm taking a moment to read my beloved Blog roll (which I adore, I am a blog freak and have a very eclectic list) I found the following quiz. Now, I don't usually participate in this sort of thing........... it must mean that it is cold and gray and I'm tired. Or something. But because I am in the mood to procrastinate I thought I'd take everyone at the studio today down with me! :)

What time am I? Besides wishing that it were time to be home in my jammies watching tv, hanging out and eating pepperoni pizza with extra cheese? Well see below!


You are the moment when the last bell rings and school lets out for the day. You are resistant to schedules and obligations, so you love feeling like you're in control of your life again. You are the very moment when the second hand hits the 12, and the halls fill with noise and motion. Even if your after-school time is packed with activities, lessons, or a job, somehow, you just feel freer in the late afternoon than you do earlier in the day. Maybe it's all that blue sky and afternoon sunshine? Nah -- even on rainy days, 3:15 is always a beautiful time.

I don't think that sounds much like me actually -- unless you figure that I really am at my best when it's quiet and I'm knitting! Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh................

20% of the people who took this quiz got the same evaluation.

This was how Bobbi clocked in (ha) for the What Time Are You Quiz:

You are breakfasty, like a pile of pancakes on a Sunday morning that have just the right amount of syrup, so every bite is sweet perfection and not a soppy mess. You are a glass of orange juice that's cool, refreshing, and not overly pulpy. You are the time of day that's just right for turning the pages of a newspaper, flipping through channels, or clicking around online to get a sense of how the world changed during the night. You don't want to stumble sleepily through life, so you make a real effort to wake your brain up and get it thinking. You feel inspired to accomplish things (whether it's checking something off your to-do list or changing the world), but there's plenty of time for making things happen later in the day. First, pancakes.
She's pretty driven and intense-------- so the inspired to accomplish things certainly clicks. And if you have ever dined with her, you know she is pretty persnickety.

Danielle's time of day is 11:59........... lunchtime, how appropriate! :)



You are late-sleepy relaxation, the half-awake moment when you realize it's morning, but you don't have to get up, because there's no place you have to be. You are that cozy spot under the covers where everything feels temporarily perfect, even if you know you'll eventually have to wiggle out and start the day. Maybe you're the artistic type, who doesn't function well on a normal schedule. Sleep's important to you, and you like the freedom of sleeping as late as you want (especially since that is closely related to the freedom to stay up as late as you want). You like to roll out of bed, put on some comfy clothes, and get a laid back start to the day. If not everything on your list gets accomplished, no worries. Your only priority is having no priorities – you just want to take things at a slow, mellow pace.
Definitely the artsy fartsy type but slow and mellow? I don't think so!!! No one is busier and runs a tighter ship than Nell does!!


Personally, I think it is almost time for lunch! Time to call a few brides, Time to get some work done.

What time are you?????

Karyn & Darin

What a joyful kickoff to the 2008 wedding season in St. Louis! We were absolutely blessed to photograph the wedding of Karyn & Darin Saturday night. Karyn and her great kids have been in front of Bobbi's lens since the kids were very small and it gave us enormous pleasure to have been part of her marriage to Darin--- who is as it turns out, a wonderful man. We all wish them every joy and blessing!

The wedding was an intimate gathering of family with their children standing up for them, it was very touching. After the ceremony at the Whittemore House, they were joined by friends to enjoy cocktails and h'ors d'oeuvres provided by Catering St. Louis.

To view a slideshow of Karyn and Darin's beautiful event CLICK HERE.