{ Rachel + Alex | Ritz Carlton: Key Biscayne | Miami Wedding }
Rachel + Alex were married at the Ritz Carlton, Key Biscayne on possibly the most beautiful South Florida spring day EVER. I joined forces with the wonderful Maja Hoffner to photograph their wedding for Chris Joriann Photography.
{ the bride }
Rachel’s shoes were a killer pair of glittery peeptoe Jimmy Choo‘s that I have longed to own ever since!
Before getting dressed, we photographed Rachel in her gorgeous veil (from Chic Parisien, Coral Gables) for a quick, spur-of-the-moment “bride boudoir” session to surprise her husband after the wedding.
Her earrings, designed by Phillips Frankel, were photographed on this lovely (tequila!) bottle with the light streaming through it shortly before.
Rachel’s wedding dress was a stunning creation by Lazaro, a strapless dress with a sweetheart neckline featuring ivory vintage lace over a champagne charmeuse sheath, a lace bodice with an embroidered overlay, and layers upon layers of wavy organza.
But before you can see Rachel in this gorgeous gown, we must first meet the groom, Alex, getting dressed in a nearby suite 
{ the groom }
The groom’s cufflink’s & stud’s were a gift from the bride. In case you wondered, I am told they are vintage Cartier.
{ first look }
All of a sudden, the sun lit up the trees behind Rachel in way that photographers only dream about We had her hold her veil out, “like a swan” I said, which had her giggling while looking at Alex (and I can only imagine thinking “what are these silly photographers all excited about?”)
I <3 this little series of Rachel playing with her veil in the wind
The little flowergirl had a Barbie dressed in wedding attire in her arms and called Rachel “the princess” the whole day- so sweet! Her dress was from Petit Ami.
The “honorary” ringbearer and flowergirl
As the sun went down, bridal party + family all headed inside for the ketubah signing. Rachel got a much needed moment to relax and take a breather as she melted into this exhausted (but beautiful) puddle of fluff lol!
After the ketubah signing, it was finally time for the main event!
{ ceremony }
The ceremony took place underneath the chuppah decorated with roses & orchids, with candles hanging from the top.
…husband and wife!
{ reception }
The reception space was a vision in black, white & purple, with candles, crystals, and roses & orchids adorning the space, and a swanky sitting area for guests to relax in.
The wedding cake , designed by the well-known Ana Paz Cakes, featuring Swarovski belted crystals and a wavy cascade of sugar roses & orchids down the side.
{ the first dance }
Rachel’s father made a lovely speech toasting the couple…
And everyone happily boogie-d the night away
Wedding Planner: Andi Dyal for Anje Soirees
Bouquet & Flowers: Always Flowers
Videography: Lafrance Films
{ Amy Lou Designs | The Serengeti | Lookbook Shoot }
Amy Carlino, the mastermind behind Amy Lou Designs, is a self taught jewelry designer with heaps of talent. She’s an amazing person that I’ve had the pleasure of knowing since first grade (in fact, I swear I have a photo of us hugging a giant purple dinosaur from my 8th birthday party hiding somewhere, but I digress.) I photographed her very first collection about two years ago, and with every collection since, I am even more amazed by her skill and the passion that is so evident in her work. The latest collection is no exception.
Amy Lou designs will be the featured artist at the upcoming event: “The Serengeti: A Celebration of Fashion, Art, and Culture” on April 7th at The Green Room in Ft. Lauderdale. The jewelry is inspired by the warm, lush colors and the many different cultures that inhabit the Serengeti.
A portion of the proceeds from the event will be donated to two charities: the Rare Species Conservatory Foundation and Outreach Uganda.
This show is going to be a blast! Come out meet the designer in person (and me!!!), have an amazing time, and show your support for these great charities.
What follows is a sneak, sneak peak of some of the bold, creative designs to be shown at the show on April 7th. Enjoy!
-M
For more information on Amy Lou Designs and her upcoming event please visit the designer’s:
facebook fan page, or event page.
Model: Amy Carlino of Amy Lou Designs
Makeup Artist: Vanessa Gonzalez
Location: Grassy Waters Preserve
{ Nancy + Brian | Engaged! | Riverbend Park }
Nancy and Brian are a young couple from West Palm Beach that have been together for 6 years and finally decided to tie the knot! Their wedding is planned for January 2013, and since Nancy is an expert at event planning, I am sure it will be a wedding to remember
Nancy is a fellow photographer with a love for all things vintage, lens flare and props, and Brian has a love of nature, so I was super excited to photograph the couple at the old saw mill in Riverbend Park (one of my favorite places on earth) with Nancy wearing some of her favorite vintage clothes- she also happens to be absolutely stunning!- and of course, with the newly made props I had been longing to use!
What follows are a few of my favorite images from their engagement session
-M
Location: Riverbend Park
{ Suzanne + Steve | Boca Resort & Club | Temple B’nai Israel | Boca Raton Wedding }
Photographing a wedding alongside the fabulous Joriann of Chris Joriann Photography = a great way to start the new year!
As the bride + bridal party got dressed at the beautiful Boca Resort & Club, I met up with the groom at his parents’ home in Boca Raton.
The flower girl got dressed with the help of her mom and her little monkey friend “Mimi”- so sweet! 
After various male bonding rituals (high fives, toasts and a group huddle, lol!) the groom + groomsmen headed off to the Boca Resort & Club…
…they made quite a sight (all 11 of them!)
The bride arrived, looking absolutely gorgeous!
The chuppah was a sight to behold! Each quilt-like patch was made with love by family and friends.
The ceremony began with the symbolic tradition of the bride circling her future husband 7 times before they entered the chuppah together.
- M
{ the details }
Hotel: Boca Raton Resort & Club
Ceremony + Reception: Congregation B’nai Israel
Bride’s Gown: Lazaro
Bridesmaids Dresses: Amsale
Groom’s Tuxedo: Hugo Boss
Flowergirl’s Dress: Etsy
{ Style Shoot | The Pin Up Icon | Mini Blog }
Over a glass of wine and some good conversation one night, I mentioned an idea that had been floating around in my head for awhile: a cheeky 1950′s housewife who had accidentally singed her hardworking husband’s work shirt, whoops!
My longtime friend Amy loved the idea, and quickly offered to be my “housewife” for the shoot. Off I went, searching high and low for a vintage 1950′s iron, and along the way I came up with some more ideas in the same vein as our theme, and a few others that I had been wanting to try out in a studio setting. These are the results. Enjoy!
The dress form, a true vintage, cast-iron beauty, was saved from ending up in the dump (who would throw that away?!) by a friend and fit perfectly alongside our 1950′s seamstress
The props above were also antiques: diaries and scrapbooks my grandmother kept growing up, along with quite a few beautiful love letters exchanged with my grandfather while he was stationed overseas.
After the aforementioned searching for our vintage 1950′s iron (found! at the last minute before our shoot) it seemed only fitting that we do something clever & unique with our special prop… thus, we lit it on fire! (Yes, those are real flames, not photoshop- do not try this at home!!!)
- M
