Unique Wedding Jewelry | Shaviq Designs
Phone: 612-860-2193 
Great Bridal Party Jewelry | St. Paul Wedding Photos
Just like with the bridesmaids dresses you select, the chances of your favorite ladies wearing the jewelry that matches so perfectly to their dress after your wedding day is slim to none. From what most bridesmaids have told me, it’s more like “not going to happen”. So as a great bride and friend, you can do them a favor a buy them something that they will wear again.
Wedding day styles are changing; no more does it have to be matchy-match and colored rhinestones. You can be super creative with your bridesmaids’ jewelry and they will thank you for it for years to come.
I met an amazing artist when I was in South Dakota last year and fell in love with her store, her style and her product. This is the perfect place to look for that unique touch you want, the wearability your ladies want and a way to get one more “WOW” on you wedding day. Shawn and Shaviq is an amazing artist and a great person as well. She has a whole store of one of a kind pieces (I think they are all pieces of art) and will work with you on what you would like to see incorporated into your custom pieces. I had to buy a waterfall necklace while I was there; I get compliments on it every time I wear it. In fact, I have started buying more tops just so I have more things to wear it with.
Look at Shaviq’s site or “like” them on Facebook and stay in touch with her. That way you will get constant updates about her newest pieces and remember, you bridesmaids are your friends, give them a gift they really will wear again!
Posted in Blog, Great Ideas, wedding photography, wedding tips
Tagged St Paul MN wedding photography, wedding photography, wedding photos
Spring Portrait Special | St Paul Childrens Photography
This time of year we are thinking spring; green grass, birds chirping and we start seeing animals out and about again. On Saturday April 9th, from 10:00am to 3:00pm, there will be live bunnies in the studio. This is one of my favorite specials I have- and it’s completely selfish! I LOVE seeing little kids’ faces light up when they see the live bunnies and they get to have their photos taken with them, it is just TOO cute! This special is a one day special and space is limited so call now to schedule your appointment! 612.860.2193
5 Tips For Selecting The Best Wedding Photographer For You | St. Paul Wedding Photography
That’s right, I am going to answer that age old question “How do I pick the best wedding photographer for me?”. The hard part about this question is that depending on who you ask, everyone will give you a different answer-so here are my answers.
So far in my life, I have worked with over 500 brides; met with them, helped them through their photography choices and ultimately, answered this question.
5. Make sure you are asking questions and getting answers. Because every wedding photographer does things very differently, this is really important. This does not mean that you have to love every answer or that every photographer is meant for you, but ask the questions and expect answers.
4. I may not be like by many of my colleagues for saying this, but I am going to anyway….don’t break the bank, find a photographer that is in your price range. That being said, your wedding photography is going to be the only thing you have left over after your day is done so don’t skimp on it but be reasonable as well. If your budget says $1500, don’t spend $5000. Being married is hard enough (trust me on this one, I have a great marriage but it is work) without starting out massively in debt. Keep looking, you will find a photographer that you love within your budget.
3. Like what you see; what you see is what you will get. As wedding photographers we love what we do and we all have our own style and do things our own way, so make sure you like what you are seeing in our work. If you don’t like it, and trust me you will know if you don’t, then keep looking. Photographers are always (or should be) open to suggestions, but you can’t expect them to photograph a wedding like “that guy” or completely change their style.
2. Follow your gut. I believe in “womens intuition” (sorry guys, I am sure you have it too but I am not a guy) so follow your gut. I think this applies to all aspects of your wedding; when you find your dress you WILL know; it will just feel right. When you find your shoes, jewelry, flowers etc., you will just know. Most importantly, when you found your fiance you knew right? At some point, you decided “yep, this one’s it”-follow that same feeling with your wedding photographer. If it feels right, it usually is. And the MOST important tip……here it is…..
1. Make sure you like them. I know, seems simple right? It really is as simple as that, you want to like the photographer that will be with you for many, many hours on such a special day. They are going to be interacting with you, your friends and your family members so make sure you like them. Do you want to spend your wedding day with someone you don’t like? No way!! You want to have fun and enjoy yourself so make sure you do and select a wedding photographer that you really enjoy talking to and feel comfortable with.
Hutchinson Wedding Expo
This weekend I am going back to my hometown of Hutchinson MN, to participate in their Wedding Expo. This is the first time that I will be participating in the expo and am really looking forward to it. After being part of the wedding industry for over fifteen years in the Twin Cities I feel like I really know what the brides here want. I am curious to see what the trends are in smaller, more rural areas.
The wedding expo gives each vendor the opportunity to be part of the “Grand Prize” drawing at the end and I will be donating a gift certificate for an engagement session and a 3×3 mini book. The mini books are a great size to carry in your purse or give as gifts. They are also magnetic so you can stick them almost anywhere.
In addition to being part of the Grand Prize giveaway, I will also having drawings for other free stuff, who doesn’t love free stuff right? I will be giving away a variety of different things to qualifying brides; parent albums, signature guest books and few 30 minute massages at My Inspiration Salon and Spa.
If you happen to be in the neighborhood and want to stop by to see my booth, inquire about my services or heck, just say ‘hi’, feel free. The expo runs from 12:00-4:00 on Sunday, January 30th at the Event Center in Hutchinson.
lmj {originals} announces a new website
Hi all, and welcome to the new lmj {originals} website, blog, portfolio, etc. This new website has been in the works since last summer. I started working with my web designer/friend/scrabble date Adam, and told him what I was looking for and he created a fantastic site for me. He listened to what I wanted, and what I didn’t want and in the end I am beyond pleased with my new site.
The new site is comprised of portraits that for the most part, have been created over the course of the past year. As I was selecting images for the site, which is harder than it sounds, it was like a year book of 2010. I looked at all the families I photographed, the high school seniors that I worked with and the weddings I photographed. It helped me see where I have come in a few short months. In January 2010 I did not have as much as a thought of a studio and at the end of the year, I have a great studio, awesome clients and excitement about the upcoming year.
I want to thank all of my clients for a great year, my friends for their ears to chew when I had an idea (good or bad) and most of all my husband. Without Chris, none of this would be possible. He was the one that told me “don’t worry about working or doing anything until NOT doing something hurts you every day; that is how you know what you should be doing”. I still remember the day in the car when I told him I wanted to open my own photography studio. He was quiet for a minute, looked at me and said “OK, go for it. If that is what you want to do, then do it. You will be great!”.
Keep an eye on the new site for new specials this year and more updates as the weeks come. This ‘blogging’ thing may be difficult to keep up on and to punctuate correctly (I use too many commas and exclamation points!!) but I am going to keep at it! (see, they start already!)
