Inspiration: Instagram

Inspiration is everywhere...even on the iPhone! Thanks to Instagram, we can snap and enhance quickly. Grateful for the photographers that have the natural talent and don't need an app but am thankful for inexperienced people like me who can capture art on my iPhone. Enjoy our past artful moments. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter to see what we are up to! 

Behind the Scenes: Vienna

 We took a chance. A really really really big chance. We did our research and we made the decision to move forward within 24 hours.  I'm not confirming or denying that having Starbucks and Chipotle within walking distance influenced that decision.

Heyyyy.... Nation's Capital! Wanna be neighbors?

 

Oooo such a before picture...

 

Papers signed, officially headed to VA....

...nothing like waiting outside the door for a set of keys...

Waiting area before...

We <3 awesome Home Depot guys that spontaneously jump into our documentation photos!

Mindy working hard :)

 

It's sooo hard to find the perfect white lampshade....

Car jammed packed...

 

All loaded up and ready to go to the third floor! 

 

It's a good thing we are awesome at hair and makeup....drawing sketches of floor plans are not our thing...

Quick shopping trip for the final touches.

Healthy snack to hold us over....

Nathaniel at Balance Photography helping wrap up our custom print job.

 

Those would be our custom lip glosses on the left side! 

 

Woo hoo...sight seeing through traffic delays! 

 

Elevator packed up once more...

Starbucks to hold us over for those long office days...

Whole Foods has a very tempting display of goodies...Yum! What a great way to reward ourselves after a busy day!

Stay tuned for the after pictures...big transformation!

Celebrate!

Happy 4th of July! 

Headed to Virginia!

Virginia is certainly for brides that need awesome hair and makeup! We are so incredibly proud to announce our expansion into Virginia. After meeting several brides from the DC/NOVA area, we saw a huge need for a second location. We have more to share but for now...here is a sneak peek of our brand new studio located in the heart of Vienna, Virginia right off of Maple Avenue! Stay tuned for  the behind the scenes photos later this week! 

Also, be sure to like our new page on Facebook! 

Balance Photography

Derecho Drama, Roadblocks and Thanking God!

After an unexpected Derecho (who even knew that was a word to describe H.E.Double Hockey Sticks), I am thankful that our brides had the weddings of their dreams (even if running on generators), our artists are safe (even without power) and the world can move forward (even if at a slower pace). This weekend was awful and not one of our team members complained. The reason our artists are on our team is just because of that. They are professional, responsible and can take charge in a difficult situation. The image below was captured by my husband on his cell phone. After we waited out the storm in our basement we weren't sure what we were going to come up to. My babies were excited about a pretend tea party at midnight but when we approached our second floor and looked out our windows, I knew God had protected us. I told my oldest daughter who is three that God was with us and she asked, "was He with us in the basement?".  I replied and told her that He is always with us and that tonight He took extra good care of us.  I couldn't be more thankful for how this weekend turned out. 

The next morning, we were up before the sun was and hubby had chainsaws ready to go. Our neighbors pulled together to clear what was our front yard. If our trees would have fallen a different way, our world may have ended. After, removing hundreds of pounds of wood from our street and driveway, hubby traveled on foot in the heat, to the two roads that allow us to leave our neighborhood. Both were blocked and looking like we weren't getting out anytime soon. After several changes of plans, a very generous mother in law and friend came to our rescue even though they would be late to an important event. They watched our babies in the heat while we wrapped up our work and new schedules for the day. We were so appreciative.  Borrowing cars, carrying DJ equipment across lawns, and sitting in traffic was totally worth making sure our brides were going to enjoy their special days.  My father in law texted constantly to check in on us even though he was hours away. He also answered his phone when hubby called at crazy hours for questions on how to handle this little disaster. After the weekend from hell, I spent yesterday in the ER.  Heat exhaustion is no joke. Drink water people! My parents cancelled their vacation to help us, my sister held my hand and commented on how pretty my nails looked even though I was hooked up to an IV and my husband did not leave my side even sleeping against the hospital wall. Even though things could have been so much worse, I am so thankful for the people that have helped me through this weekend. I'm not a complainer (I've given natural childbirth) but I'm exhausted. I'm thankful for whoever invented pedialyte. I'm thankful that we were able to help brides continue with their big day plans. I am thankful for the nice server at Red Robin who just smiled as my kids threw Sweet N Low packets and crayola crayons on the ground just so I could get a break. 

Hope the rest of our readers are safe! This weekend is one for the books! Stay safe, drink WATER and stay tuned...we are up and running! Looking forward to our upcoming weddings this weekend minus some Derecho drama! 

Real Wedding: Shannon

I pulled up to Shannon's parent's house and felt like I was visiting Cinderella after the whole fairy tale thing came true. I was escorted upstairs and was embraced by Shannon with a warm hug. Every girl that sat in my chair was adorable, pleasant and a ball of fun. I thoroughly enjoyed spending the morning with Shannon and her girls. Take the time to view the gorgeous photos she sent over. I can certainly appreciate all the hard work that went into each detail. 

First, nothing says a wedding like bridesmaids in coordinating robes (and flip flops) :) 

Shannon! Seriously? Stop being all perfect! I LOVE this shot of her hair. It's a huge risk to wear your hair completely down on the wedding day but Shannon made the perfect choice and of course prepped her hair correctly! It makes all the difference in the world when a bride follows directions of her hairstylist :) 

Breathtaking.....

Reason #1289374937 why your hair should look good from all angles.... pretty awesome side shot! 

Hayyyy...party hair still in place! Work it girl! 

Congrats Shannon and hubby! Thank you so much for inviting me to be a part of your big day!

Photos by Freed Photography. 

Real Wedding: Courtney

Courtney walks in for her trial, we whip up a style, we snap a few photos and she says, "Let me call my brother." After our phone conversation with her brother, we worked on her hair and we decided on a delicate and simple bun. I think I knew I loved her at that moment. She also told me about her disastrous trials before meeting us so she upped my confidence +5. The classic bun is so perfect for her style. We showed up to the Westin in Annapolis and bam....there she was...Courtney, her awesome bridesmaids and the SHOES! (keep reading) 

Um....amazing necklace, right? 

Magazine worthy? I think so! 

There.they.are! The most amazing shoes. I was scared to use my hairspray in the same room however I held them delicately and snapped a non-pro photo to drool over :) 

Incredible details pulled together by Charlotte Jarrett Events!

My kind of party...dress #2! 

We <3 Courtney's brother and we <3 his wedding gift to her....bling bling sparkle sparkle! 

Photos by Freed Photography