We are raising $$$$$ for SOS!!! Balance Boudoir Giveaway!

I personally can't think of anything better then wine, sexy photos and helping out other women! 

All of October, as part of Breast Cancer Awareness month, Balance Boudoir/Up-Do's For I Do's is working with the good folks at the Wine Bin to raise money for SOS ~ Survivors Offering Support. 

SOS is an all volunteer organization of Breast Cancer survivors who have dedicated a portion of their time to help recently diagnosed women through the ordeal of treatment and recovery. Each volunteer/mentor must complete a four step training process that begins at the hospital where doctors brief them on treatment options and the pathology of the disease. In addition, volunteers/mentors are required to obtain two releases from doctors stating they are emotionally prepared to support a newly diagnosed patient. The local SOS organization supports Howard County General Hospital (HCGH), The Center for Breast Care and the dedicated and gifted doctors and nurses who practice there. Each year more than 125 women undergo breast cancer surgery at HCGH. This program is supported by a grant from the Susan G. Komen Maryland Affiliate.

Donating a boudoir shoot to this important cause couldn't be a better answer in helping to raise money for SOS. Stop by the Wine Bin and make a bid in our silent auction for the shoot - you'll get the complete treatment: hair and make-up provided by Up-Do's For I Do's as well as gorgeous, sexy rock star photos of yourself photographed by Rissa Miller with Balance Photography! And the entire amount raised will go to SOS! This is a shoot normally sold for $285.00 - and SOS will do a lot of good for women in need with those funds. 

Come see us at the Wine Bin on Thursday October 29th from 6p.m. to 8p.m.  So stop by, meet the photographer - as well as the hair and makeup artists that will make you into a supermodel at your shoot. 

Oh - there's more too! 

*Classical guitarist Christopher Dunn will be performing live all evening

*Parfections Chocolatier will be showing off their new line of sensuous truffles 

*The Wine Bin will be hosting a "Meet the Wine Maker" event the same night with  Spencer Graham of Elizabeth Spencer Wines, who will be tasting through his Napa Valley Wines and signing bottles 

*The Wine Bin also has 200 wines under $20 and are featuring two bottles this month that directly support breast cancer research

 8390 Main Street, Historic Ellicott City, Maryland  21043 

Free parking is available adjacent to the building and there is plenty of on-street parking as well. Oh - and the Wine Bin itself is incredible - they have about 500 different bottles on site, including organic wines. They have 200 wines under $20 and are featuring two bottles this month that directly support breast cancer research!

Tell your friends about it!

Hair and Make-Up Artistry above by our own Amy Coleman! 

Busy Busy Weekend!!!

Congrats to all of our brides this past weekend! We were able to work with several of our favorite vendors!!! I saw Wendy at my first wedding and then Vanessa later in the afternoon. Erica and Danielle met up with Don at the Peabody....Don is so speedy and totally fulfills the excitement of seeing photos immediately! I always love to see his sneak peaks! Here are a few photos from Meredith's wedding yesterday (which I admittedly stole off his blog)!!! Looks like the wedding was a huge success despite all the traffic from the Baltimore Marathon. I know we were all sitting downtown sweating while we sat and sat and sat for hours trying to get to our brides! Luckily, we completed all of our up-do's on time and in pure perfection! 

Let it Rain....

Last weekend we had plenty of rain! Most brides are so upset when they look out the window and see thunderstorms headed their way! However, I have to admit that I absolutely love photos with umbrellas!! I think it adds a fun and unique element to the wedding. Belen and Lori headed over to the Eastern Shore to help Tiffany and her girls get ready! Here are just a few shots from their big day! To see more, head over to D.Bryant's Blog! 

We LOVE our brides!!!

We love when our past brides send us photos and praises!!! Thanks Jaime! It was great to be a part of your big day!

I just wanted to say that Erica was wonderful! Not only did I love my hair and makeup, but we had a great morning laughing and telling stories with my officiant (one of my best friends, who was in the room with us).  Erica was professional, friendly, and very talented!  Just wanted to say thank you to you and Erica for all of your help! ~ Jaime

Congrats Stacy and Todd (Thanks Jen Lowe)

Belen and Cara headed over to BWI to help Stacy and her girls get ready for her big day on September 19th. The incredible Jen Lowe snapped some gorgeous shots of the magical day. As usual, I am a blog/photo stealer and pulled these from Jen's blog. Be sure to head over there for the full details of the big day. Here is just a little taste of what Jen captured. 

Cara's artist palette!

Stacy and her girls! I think this is such a sweet picture!!!

Love the flowers in her hair! Congrats Stacy and Todd. Thanks for having Up-Do's be a part of your day!

Charm City Bride

Ever need some local inspiration??? I came across this fantastic blog! CHARM CITY BRIDE 

I was intrigued and decided to email the founder and Editor-In-Chief Lauren Wenchel. She gave me some insight on how she started this fabulous blog. A friend was getting married and after researching Baltimore and its vendors Lauren found that she never came across that perfect Baltimore Wedding website. So in March 2009, Charm City Bride was created. She introduces up and coming vendors who provide great service as well as announcing local discounts, promotions and give-aways from Baltimore's best. I also love how she introduces Real Weddings with stories from Brides. In addition to the real life stories and photos, she displays inspiration boards for various themes and color combinations! Check it out! 

3 Weddings in a Row

Wow! Three weekends in a row we get to work with the famous D.Bryant!!! Since I am a stalker (and a friend on Facebook) I get to see his work immediately! Wow! He captured each of these pretty brides in their own unique gorgeous way! 

I helped Kate and her girls get ready for the big day on Sunday September 6th! We had a blast in the Presidential Suite at the Loews Hotel in Annapolis! I barely saw Don and Jill as I was leaving the ladies! Love Kate's birdcage veil! Perfectness! 

On Saturday September 12th, Danielle and I headed over to Kent Island to help Allison and her girls get ready for her big day! We have NEVER laughed so hard! My cheeks were sore from smiling and laughing! While Allison was entertaining herself, we couldn't be more amused by bridesmaid Tee. If anyone remembers Full House, Tee performed for us (and the night before with a back-up band) Uncle Jeese's "Forever". Incredible. I have to get it for my iPod.  Thanks Allison (and supermodel Tee) for a fabulous time! Your wedding is one to remember! 

ps- A secret to getting Allison's locks~ we pinned extensions in just to last for the wedding day! This gave her a little length and more fullness! 

I also received the sweetest note from Allison's Momma:

Dear Ashley and Danielle,

Thank you so much for doing the hair make-up for Allison and Andy's wedding. It was such a fun and relaxing way to spend the afternoon. The girls and I were all thrilled with our hair (even after we got wind blown)! Lauren was getting her haircut yesterday and a bridal party was there and she said they were soooo stressed out! Having you come to us was a much better plan. And you got to be entertained by Tee! Anyway thanks again for making us all so beautiful!

~Barbara

The last wedding in our streak was Samantha! Erica, Amy and Danielle headed to BWI to help her large party of 12 ladies get ready! They whipped up some fancy hairstyles and flawless faces all within 4 hours! Again, I've stolen some pics from Don's blog! He has more pics so be sure to check him out as well!