Day 1170 – Accomplishing Goals

Posted on September 23, 2012 by 365 days of marriage

I haven’t done a post like this in a while…340 days to be exact! So, I think I’m due! 🙂

Ok, so you know I run here and there….and it seems like my running isn’t so good and I have to re-train every year before the Susan G. Komen Race. BUT, this year, is different! I haven’t been running super regularly…but I’ve been doing small workouts almost every day. I realized how much it’s helped when I attempted to do a run today… 🙂 I was VERY happy.

Not my fastest pace, but the fact that I could just go out and run 3.11 was pretty sweet. 🙂

Day 1167 – Guest Post – Linda Montuori of Fine Florals by Linda – Wedding Florist in Bel Air, Maryland

Posted on September 20, 2012 by 365 days of marriage

Today’s post comes from Linda Montuori of Fine Florals by Linda. I met Linda at a bridal show at K&B Bridals several years ago. I’ve worked with her on several weddings and her work always blows me away. Her flowers are so beautiful, you don’t want to touch them. She is an amazing woman and I am thankful to know her.

Here’s Linda!!

What is one thing that would surprise most brides about your business?
A lot of people think it’s a glamorous job, but it’s very physical and dirty. Processing flowers properly requires making sure the buckets are disinfected each time, cutting the flowers and putting them into proper solutions and refrigerating them at the right time. I keep my flowers “drinking” for 24 hrs before I start designing with them.

Walk us through what a bride will typically experience working with you.
I like to meet with brides after they have selected their dresses. The color of the bridal attendant’s dress sets the color scheme for the wedding.

What is your favorite thing about weddings?
The Flowers! I also love the excitement in the bride’s voice when I talk to her a few days before the wedding.

What sets Fine Florals apart from other florists?
I specialize in weddings and events only. Therefore, my focus is specifically on “my brides” that’s how I refer to them. I never skimp, I have a tendency to give more than what a bride is paying for. I work mostly on referrals and therefore, everything must be 100% perfect when it leaves my shop.

Since this is a blog more about marriage than the wedding day, what is one piece of advice you’d give to future brides and grooms?
Keep your spouse at the very top of your list!

If you could go back and change one thing about your wedding, what would it be?
I would have today’s flower designs and I would have a burlap/vintage wedding.

If you got married while you were working in the wedding industry, did you make a change in your business based on what you went through?
I had no idea 25 years ago, when I got married, that wedding design would be my passion one day.

Would you like to offer any special deals on your post?
$100 off package ($1000 minimum purchase for discount).

Don’t wait! Contact Linda now!

florist

Day 1159 – Playing in the Studio and Jennilyn’s Musings on Prayer

Posted on September 12, 2012 by 365 days of marriage

Tonight we were taking some test shots for a headshot session we have tomorrow. It was a lot of fun! 🙂 Here’s a few of the ones we got…

That last one if my fav. 🙂

Ok! Bret had to take the week off from musings, so I’m filling in!

I wanted to muse on some things I’ve been learning about prayer. One of my obvious prayers is for more work. The past year hasn’t given me as much work as I would have liked. I realized that during the times that it was slow, I learned a lot. It really prepared me for what I would be going through during the busy times. And it got me thinking…I think God does answer our prayers but it’s not always in our time frame or the way we expect. I think part of what really helps you grow isn’t so much when the prayer is answered, but learning to trust that God will use lots of things to make it come true. It’s the old “pray for patience” prayer and then God puts you in a ton of situations where your patience is tested.

Short musings today, but hey….What experiences have you had with prayer?

Day 1156 – One Year as a Full-Time Wedding Photographer Down, How Did It Go??

Posted on September 9, 2012 by 365 days of marriage

Today marks the anniversary of my last day working another job and my first day as a full-time wedding photographer. What a year it’s been!

I photographed so many wonderful moments and people since that day. I’ve been on lots of great adventures. I’ve been able to drop everything and meet with a friend when they needed someone (this is one of my favorite benefits). I’ve had high points and really low points. I have learned SO much it’s ridiculous. The biggest theme of the last year has been – God is in control, God does things differently than I do and the sooner I learn that, the happier I’ll be.

I could go on for hours about all the awesome things, but if you’ve been reading the blog for any amount of time, you’ve already heard about them! So, since pictures say more than I ever could. Here’s a few of my favorite moments from this year.

Day 793 – Leaving on a Jet Plane

Day 846 – Second Shooting With Shawna

Day 854 – Baltimore Maryland Wedding Photographers – Tilton Wedding

Day 920 – Road Trip Adventures

Day 1042 – Enchanted Forest Styled Wedding Shoot

Day 1057 – Hiking Old Rag and My First Backpacking Trip!

Day 1058 – My First Night in the Shenandoah Back Country

Day 1067 – Trip to DC

Day 1092 – Lessons Learned from Stedman Graham (Oprah’s Man)

Day 1107 – Bel Air Maryland Engagement Session

Day 1121 – 61 and a Half Years of Marriage

Day 1149 – The Best Day We’ve Had So Far

Day 1140 – Favorite Vendors – Hair Design by Abby – Bel Air, Maryland Hair and Makeup Artist

Posted on August 24, 2012 by 365 days of marriage

Abby of Hair Design by Abby has become my favorite hair and makeup artist! She has also become my go-to hair dresser! Even though I only get haircuts…no colorings or anything fancy…she’s amazing every time!!!

Here’s a few shots from the style shoot where she did CRAZY hair and makeup!