ALLIE AND CHAD'S WEDDING SNEAK PEAK | CHATTANOOGA WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

This has been the busiest weekend in a long time, we had an e-session and a wedding in the same day. But for us nothing is impossible, we had the e-session first and then we went running to do the wedding. Here is a sneak peak of this beautiful and fun wedding we did this past weekend. Enjoy it!

E-SESSION SNEAK PEAK | CHATTANOOGA WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

Wow! what a weekend. Love a weekend like this, we were so busy e-session and weddings in the same day! We had such a good time regardless of the weather, Yes the weather was not to friendly this Saturday it was raining and cold. But for us nothing is impossible we still had an awesome e-session. so I'm going to share a Sneak Peak of some of our images from the e-session. Hope you enjoy it like we did! 

Joe and Tricia | CHATTANOOGA ENGAGEMENT PHOTOGRAPERS

These two were just plain silly... I'm not kidding...  There were toppled over 18 wheeler trailers and they were acting like they were lifting them with their fingers, there where wooden stakes and they were acting like they were stabbing each other, dancing and just being plain silly.  Totally fun and full of energy...   You guys will see below.  Maybe in another post we'll show you the silly outtakes.      

Also we are very excited to begin our first wedding season together!  If you guys book a wedding with us you will get 25 free save the dates from your engagement session!  They are unique to us so NO OTHER photographer has them and we will make you a custom one if you like.

Vendor of the Month (Sweet Art Cakes) | CHATTANOOGA WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

We are so excited to be bringing you this months vendor of the month Becky with Sweet Art Cakes...  We had been checking out loads of bakeries trying to decide which one we wanted to feature.  Well I (Bridget) stumbled across Becky on Facebook and fell in love with her cakes.  I mean if you just take a look you will see what I mean.  

Just look at the cake she created for the Big Hearts Bash back in February for the Extreme Home Makeover here in Rossville.  The work that goes into her cakes are evident and I must say I am very excited to share with you her work.  Take a few minutes to check out her interview.  She answers some very important questions you as a bride or just someone looking for a cake should know.  Make sure you check out her Website, Awesome Wedding Blog and Like her on Facebook!  Make sure you tell her that we sent you!

1. Name/Company Name:  Becky White/Sweet Art Cakes

2. How did you get started in your industry? Why? Inspiration.  I started making birthday cakes about 10 years ago for my children.  I could never seem to find the right cake for their party; I usually wanted something more unique than the bakeries had to offer.  I just jumped right in and starting learning to make these unique cakes, and I’m proud to be completely self taught.  It grew from there into more celebration cakes and soon decided this was something I wanted to pursue as a business.   I have always loved weddings and wanted to be a part of the wedding industry, having studied floral design and even considered being an event coordinator at one time.  But being artistic and really loving to bake, I found my niche in decorating and it was a natural progression from birthday cakes to weddings.  I think it was always meant to be.

3. What do you feel sets you apart from the competition?  I really focus on two things: first is providing a great tasting cake!  It is truly important to me that it tastes as great as it looks and I’ve really perfected my recipes into cakes I am proud to offer.  The second is personal service.  When you book a cake with Sweet Art Cakes, it will be me who guides you and your ideas into creating the design, bakes the cake, decorates it and then delivers it.  You will know exactly who is creating the perfect cake for you, start to finish, and that nothing can get lost in translation from one person to another. The cake is a big part of your wedding and you should know the person you are putting your trust in.     

4. What is your most requested item or design?  I occasionally get the request for a non-traditional design, but most modern brides are going for an elegant and sleek look.  They tend to add fun colors with ribbon and flowers, and square tiers are very popular, but keep classic elements such as scrolls and dots.  The brides’ cakes are stylish and modern just like they are themselves.  We can always add in the fun and outrageous groom’s cake!  Brides love to suprise the Groom with a fantastic cake, so I tend to do 3D or theme cakes for the groom that really show their interests and hobbies.  

5. How much time in advanced does a client need to contact you for your
services?  I recommend 6-8 weeks at least for a wedding, although I have been known to book wedding with 2 weeks or less if I’m not already booked..  Spring and Summer Saturdays book quickly and sometimes 6 months to 1 year in advance.  In order to devote my attention to your cakes, I won’t book several weddings for the same day.  I really suggest that as soon as you have certain details such as the date and the venue planned out, start inquiring about the cake so that you are guaranteed a spot on the calendar.

  
6. What is your average price for a simple wedding or event cake?  I really try to be accessible to everyone; those on a tight budget and those who are really going all out with planning the “platinum wedding”.  Most of the cakes I provide are within $2.50-$3.50 per serving, and I don’t nickel and dime the brides by charging extra for each element.  A typical 3 tier cake for 100 people is probably going to be under $350, including delivery.

7. What do you look for in clients?  I think most of them really know what their style is, so I look for those who will tell me what they are looking for and really give some input as to what the cake should look like.   I love designing the cakes based on what they want, I never want to push my designs onto them because the wedding is really about the bride and groom and their personalities.  A little creative freedom is nice, but the cake should be about them, not me. 

8. What do you need to know from your clients to help you make the
experience the best for them?  I usually start with basics such as the type of event, theme, colors and guest count.  Then move on to their ideas and expectations for the cake.  If they want simple and pretty, they get it.  If they want to really “wow” everyone, I can help them do that, too.

9. How long have you been in business?  I started Sweet Art Cakes in 2008, so I’ve been in business for 3 years now.

10. What is one cake that you have created that sticks out in your mind the
most?  I was invited to donate a showpiece cake for the Big Hearts Bash in February.  This was a fundraiser event for the Sharrock family; the deserving recipients of the new home via the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.  The event was held at The Car Barn in Chattanooga, and I was truly honored to make the cake, attend the event and witness a great outpouring of generosity from the community. 

10 1/2. Please tell us anything else you would like for everyone to know.
(i.e. tips, location, websites, facebooks, any press, twitter, blogs, etc.)   

Although located in Dayton, my studio is convenient to Chattanooga, Cleveland, and the surrounding areas so I cover a wide range in which I am able to deliver to.  Also, it is a short drive for clients to come in person for a consult.

 In addition to the website www.SweetArtByBecky.com  I have a Facebook page that I update with new photos weekly and love the feedback and comments from customers and fans, it is really great to be able to interact with them. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sweet-Art-Cakes/103313271807

 I’ve also recently started a blog which will focus on weddings and hopefully pass some ideas and money saving tips on to Chattanooga area brides.  www.SavetheDateGuide.Blogspot.com

Free "Save the Date" Cards when you book your wedding | CHATTANOOGA WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

When you book with Modern Star Photography, you will receive the first 25 "Save the Date" cards for free!! Send us an e-mail to info@modernstarphotography.com to book yours now!! We are filling up the Calendar really fast!  

Below are a few samples of our custom cards we offer for save the dates.  These were created by us and no one else offer these designs!  

Cheap and Easy Ways to Wow your guests | CHATTANOOGA EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY

Hey guys so I'm happy to bring to you guys a PDF Guide of Cheap and Easy ways to WOW your guests.... This is an 11 page guide filled with loads of info that you will find helpful!  Who doesn't want to find cheap and/or Free ways to stun your guests on your event day?  Hopefully this gives you a little push with saving money and making a great event!

Brandon and Hanxu E-Session | CHATTANOOGA ENGAGEMENT PHOTOGRAPHY

This is Brandon and Hanxu and they are one of the cutest couples ever.  I'm (Bridget) not just saying that because it is my family, but because it's true!  If you can't tell they have some of the most fun being silly...  Brandon and Hanxu met few years ago in college while Hanxu was a Foreign Exchange student from China.  Yes Hanxu is actually from Bejing China and she has a master's in Business and Brandon is working on his Master's in Computer Science.  It's such a sweet love story and maybe we'll tell you more when we finally get up the wedding photos.  P.S. Brandon is my Little brother and I'm well about 2 years older than him, but everyone thinks differently lol!  Plus some say he's my twin lol!

QUINCEAÑERA TREND OF THE MONTH l CHATTANOOGA PHOTOGRAPHY

Quinceanera is a coming of age party that is organized in many Latin American households, when a girl turns 15. The party is supposed to symbolize the transition of a girl to a woman. A Quinceanera ceremony is comparable to weddings in the way they are organized, and are similar in grandeur with ceremonies being organized in the church, followed by a party afterward. The dance that the girl celebrating her Quinceanera, dances with her father, is an important tradition of the ceremony, as are the gifts that the young woman receives. The way a girl presents herself at her Quinceanera is of paramount importance, and is the reason why dresses for the occasion are considered to be as unique and special as wedding gowns. With the importance placed on the girl's looks, another part that comes under scrutiny is the hairstyle that she sports. This is where good Quinceanera hairstyles come into play, making it one of the key aspects of the girl's look and appearance.

With many girls giving the traditional Quinceanera ceremony a miss, the variety of Quinceanera hairstyles that you can opt for have also opened up. Earlier, most girls had a tendency to opt for an updo hairstyle which was the perfect solution for someone looking for Quinceanera hairstyles for long hair, because of the sophisticated, elegant and more importantly, grown up look that updos give a girl. here are some examples of hair styles for you fiesta de Quince años.

Wedding Trend (Flowers) | CHATTANOOGA WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

For this months trend I want to talk about flowers.  Maria is right after all spring is right around the corner and what better to discuss then flowers!

The floral aspect of your wedding will probably be one of the biggest and most expensive parts of your wedding.      Picking out your flowers can be a difficult decision and one that requires some thought.  The list below offers the most popular flowers used in weddings as well as a few of our personal favorites.

Lily/Calla Lily: Available Year Round | Meaning: Magnificent Beauty

Carnation: Available Year Round | Meaning: Love, Devotion (Bridget's Fave)

http://www.pdbloom.com/

Dahlia: Available Late July- Mid October | Meaning: Elegance and Dignity

Chrysanthemum: Available Year Round | Meaning: Wealth, Abundance, Truth

Hydrangea: Year Round | Meaning: Gratefulness

Gerber Daisies: Available Year Round | Meaning: Beauty (Bridget and Maria's Fave)

http://peartreeevents.blogspot.com/2009/10/diy-decorative-votives.html

Orchid: Year Round | Meaning: Love and Beauty

http://www.sieberstudio.com

Peony: Available late April- Early July little availability in November and December | Meaning: Good Fortune Happy Marriage

Ranaculus: October to May | Meaning Radiant Charm (Bridget's Fave)

Roses: Available Year Round | Meaning: Love, Joy, Beauty (Garden Rose Bridget's Fave)

Sunflower: Available Year Round | Meaning Warmth and Adoration

http://www.imagesofstylebymonica.com/

Tulips: Available November-May | Meaning: Love and Passion (Maria's Fave)

Hope this helps you in deciding your main flower for your wedding.  Picking your favorite flower will help guide you in building your bouquet, center pieces and other wedding decor.  Note that many of these flowers are year round, but many are not.  It's best to determine your flower choice after your wedding date is set as it could be expensive to get a flower that is out of season.  If you do not have a flower that you love why not choose based on the meaning of the flower?