a nod to the "little guys" (or should i say gals?)

the wedding industry is a $86 billion a year industry. with that lil' stunner of a statistic its easy to see why so many brides get lost in the fuss of it all and planning wedding takes a turn from what really matters and becomes more of a factory churning out generic decisions.

when jason and i began planning our wedding i may not have known what i wanted everyone to wear or whether or not we would serve cake, but i did know i didn't want to lose focus on what this all was really about - us and the incredible journey we are about to embark on, together. and one way that has helped me keep focus is turning away from the big-businesses and using local vendors.

here they are...

engagement photos
tess smith photography

tess is an impressive and amazing mother of three. her love and passion for life is apparent in every photo she takes.  my heart melts with every sneak peak she posts to facebook (which is quite often, she is pretty popular) as she has the ability to capture the tiniest glint in an eye, a shrug of a shoulder, a gleam of a smile which makes each picture so personal and so so special.

*please don't judge her from the above photo it's not her fault we can't take a picture.
**also, her sweet and adoring dedication from her family keeps her from doing time consuming weddings, but don't worry - i have someone great for that too. keep on reading...

invitations
lil' owl graphics

well, i can't show you them yet, but trust me when i say they are stunning. like tess, jen is a mother who appreciates the little things in life and this enthusiasm for love and life comes shows in her work which is always on the right side of special. she is patient, kind, and a pleasure to work with.

and she doesn't just do design - she knits. she knits the cutest hats i'm pretty sure that have ever been made.

veil
mila rose designs

i! know!

she is adorable.

and that veil... don't even get me started. i can not wait to put that bad boy on my head!

and melissa doesn't just do custom and/or bridal work. she makes also makes the sweetest of headband, clips, and other lil' accessories that make getting ready pretty fun! if you're not lucky enough to live near several of the stores across the country that carry her work, you can pick a little something up from her etsy shop.

photographer
full bloom photography

kayla had me as soon as i clicked on her website and the most darling of love songs started to play. "i'm in the mood for love..." is the perfect setting to look over her adorable and heartfelt pictures which like tess's, capture the sweetest of moments with just the right splash or artistic flair.  i can not wait to see what she has in store for us come may. oh and kayla is also a bride so besides running her own gig she is also planning her very own big day; check out her vendor recommendations here.

*also, this couple (as seen on kayla's blog ) is ridiculously bad ass. me and my pink/gold wedding are extremely intimidated.