Guest Blog // Kay English Photography - Fall Wedding

Fall is pretty much just around the corner here in Alabama. That means pumpkins, changing leaves, crisp mornings, and cozy nights in front of the fire with a wool blanket. Alright, I am obsessed, if you can't tell. 

Autumn is a beautiful time to get married and the decorating can be so much fun! I was searching Pinterest (go figure) for great fall wedding inspirations and I came across Kay English Photography. She is a wedding photographer based in New Jersey and WOW, they are beautiful! And of course I fell in love with her post about Fall wedding.

Kay English Photography

In her blog she mentions that "Fall weddings are the new Spring weddings." I could not agree more. Maybe it is just my obsession with the season that makes me biased, but I believe that Fall is the new Spring. Yes, Spring bring the new life and the pretty pinks, but Fall is accompanied by the rustic colors and the sense of new beginnings. 

Decorating for a Fall wedding is exciting. The burlap (which seems to always be popular), the sunflowers, gold, lace, and wood are all used frequently in rustic Fall weddings. 

The Fall color pallets are probably my absolute favorite. Have fun with it. Combine the reds with the browns and pinks. The pop of color against a white wedding dress is breathtaking. Sage, gold, and deep purple are also gorgeous. 

     

She talks about the importance of a centerpiece for a Fall wedding. Don't be timid. Go big or go home! The centerpiece is usually the first thing your guests will see when they walk in to the reception. Make it a statement. 

Have fun with the planning and decorating. Fall brings so much organic aspects. Use the pumpkins, the acorns, and even the fallen leaves to draw inspiration! 

This last picture is my favorite! I love the incorporation of the pumpkin candy corn! 

Happy Fall Y'all!

Tourists Scams // How to Avoid

When traveling you MUST be careful and observant of your surroundings, because you may fall victim to one of the many tourist scams.

Fake Police: A street merchant may put something on your wrist or around your neck, then when you try to give it back, they complain that you are trying to steal it. A uniform policeman-- who is fake–happens to be passing and threatens to arrest you if you do not pay. Be very careful when shopping on the streets of foreign countries, because this happens more than you would think!

Fake Valuables: A vendor may try to sell you a "designer purse" or a "diamond necklace" at a fraction of the going price. These are all scams. While many people will travel JUST to buy the knock-off products, just be careful.

Distraction Theft: Someone may distract you (ask you for directions, help with map...) while an accomplice picks your pocket or goes through your bags. There are dozens of variations of this so be cautious.

Taxi Tricks: When you jump in a cab and ask to go to a specific location, the driver tells you that it is "closed" but offers to take you to a "better" one. At best, the new place is a long trip and will cost you more money.

The Fake "Gift": A street musician hands you what appears to be a "free" CD, asking yo to listen to their music, and after you have it in your hands and are walking away, demands payments even after you try to return it.

Photo Finagling: Someone will offer to take a picture of you and your family with YOUR camera. They then run off with your camera. Be very careful with people walking up and offering to do this!

Fake Friends: You meet a group of friendly locals at a bar or cafe and join them. After a while they leave to use restroom or make a phone call and never return. You are stuck with their bill.


While there are many people who could actually be wanting to help you take a picture and there may be that street musician who wants to give out free music for FREE with no strings attached. But you have to be careful no matter where you travel!

Best Spring Vacations of 2014

This winter has been the longest, coldest and straight up most stubborn winter I have ever experienced. I have been stranded in a snow storm in my car for 9 hours, had co-workers spend the night at work due to snow and have been on house arrest due to the snow. So please no more snow.

Today marks the first day of spring and I hope it stays this nice! I am headed to Seagrove, Florida today for a long weekend vacation and our friend spring has never come at a better time.

Winter is over (fingers crossed), which means it is time to dig out those suitcases from the back of your closet, dust off the passports and start planning a perfect spring escape!

This year has some great popular (and not so popular) "hot" locations.

On the top of that list is the U.S. Virgin Islands. Every April, St. Thomas offers the best remedy for winter blues - Carnival. I have never been to the U.S. Virgin Islands but they are known as "America's Caribbean Paradise". With its food fair, festive parades and ornate costumes, this island-wide party is one of the best in the Caribbean, and it's certifiable fun for all. Also, with the peak season over, airfare and hotel rates see a significant drop.

Another location that is gaining popularity this spring is Vancouver. The weather is gorgeous and sunny in the springtime. Vancouver has numerous festivals every spring, so it is a perfect getaway for music lovers. Vancouver's peak season is summer so April is a perfect time to vacation since the tourist level is low. The downtown is full of healthy dining options, high-fashion boutiques and is surrounded by both beaches and mountains. It s nicknamed "North Hollywood". 

Amsterdam in the spring is also a perfect getaway. The snow has melted and the beautiful flowers are starting to bloom along the canals. They also have a flower festival, so what better way to kick start spring than to attend a flower festival in Amsterdam! Amsterdam is full of outdoor events and parties, so there is never a dull moment. March and April are the best times to travel here and you come in contact with fewer tourists. The temperature is mild, if not a bit chilly, but very nice nonetheless. 

Ah, Paris. One of my absolute places in the world. Spring in Paris is known to be one of the best experiences. The flowering tress, the wonderful weather and sitting outside drinking a cup of Parisian coffee with a warm french baguette. Sounds like a dream. The streets are filled with local vendors selling vegetables, clothes, bread and much more. The ambiance alone should be a reason to visit Paris in spring. 

Bermuda is also a location that I loved. I have only been once, but that was enough for me to fall in love. Right now is the perfect time to scoop up great deals to travel to Bermuda. Lower rates right now will let you truly experience Bermuda. Bermuda has some of the clearest waters I have ever seen and it is WARM! If you love to golf, the upscale island has gorgeous greens to play on. 

Traveling in the U.S. this Spring is also an option. Charleston, Orlando, San Antonio and Washington D.C. are all on my list. I have traveled to all of these places and highly recommend them. 

You honestly cannot go wrong with a trip to Charleston. In spring the city glows. The gorgeous cobblestone walkways and moss covered trees are a welcoming site to visitors. The weather allows you to walk around and enjoy the outdoor patio seating and local cafes. This is the place to truly experience the south - and that says a lot since I live in Alabama, the home of the true south!

Orlando is every child's dream during spring and summer. Why? Because that is where Disney World is, of course! What better time to go to Disney than in spring when the weather is not too hot and the tourists have not swarmed yet. This means no hour long wait in the lines at Magic Kingdom! Travel to Orlando this spring and let your inner child free!

As a southerner, I know how HOT it is in the summer down here. Alabama gets pretty miserably hot, but nothing compared to summer in Texas. So if you want to visit San Antonio, go in the spring. The weather is beautiful. Walking around and touring the Alamo, grabbing a bite to eat at the River Walk and catching a show at SeaWorld make San Antonio a definite spring hot spot this year! Try to go before the end of April, because once May and June hit, the weather is no longer bearable for extended periods of time. 

One of my favorite things about spring is seeing the cherry trees bloom at my parent's house and around my little neighborhood. Washington D.C is famous for having a gorgeous array of thousands of blooming cherry trees in the spring. A sight not to miss! The weather is at a constant 60-70 degrees in the spring! Talk about perfect! The city is full of energy and excitement, which are the ingredients for a wonderful vacation! 

Choosing the Right Invitation

A wedding invitation can say more than you imagine. I love getting wedding invitations in the mail or even looking at the ones my friends receive. Some are so elegant and beautiful, while others are simple and very casual. An invitation can speak volumes. A well-crafted invitation gives even more meaning and significance to any event.

 

The type of paper you use can showcase that your ceremony will be rustic (a more textured paper is a likely route) or if you choose to have a more formal wedding, your paper should reflect that decision, so a sturdy card stock would work!

 

 

Your font and printing choices let your guests know what your wedding will be like and gives them a first glimpse into your big day. Font can speak to your guests. For a more traditional wedding, a Bickham style font is suggested.  

 

 

For a casual, maybe outdoor barn wedding, Carolyna would be perfect.

 

A popular style wedding this year is a modern wedding. A great font for a modern invitation would be Mr. Eaves. That even sounds modern!

 

Letterpressed invitations are my personal favorite. They are beautiful and delicate. The font and designs are indented into the paper. Letterpressed invitations can be used for all types of weddings!

 

 

Kempis Press is a great place to find letterpressed invitations. Kempis Press is a small letterpress shop located in downtown Birmingham, Alabama. They use the finest papers, writing and typography. Kempis Press also designs and produces fine stationery and announcements. Utilizing the highest quality papers and binding techniques combined with a unique approach to design. Every piece of their work is hand cranked on a letterpress, so every piece is special.

 

Stunning letterpress invitations:

 

 

 

 Words become more intimate and meaningful when they are conveyed upon beautiful paper and surrounded by graceful impressions.