Erin + David | Wedding Hair Updo

This lovely bride has soft, thin, fine hair but wanted lots of volume, so I added a hairpiece braid as well as a hidden hairpiece, both made of human hair, to create all the volume she desired for her perfect wedding hairstyle.

Event Planner: Chad Biggs Event Planning & Design | Photography: Julie Livingston Photography | Makeup: Julie Robbins

May Day Stylized Shoot | Beautiful Romantic Hairstyles

Everyone knows hot, humid days can wreak havoc on your hair. This fun, May Day style shoot was on just such a day, and the models needed two options: a soft wave downstyle and a more sophisticated upstyle.

Two models with distinctly different hair are good examples of one option for humid day hairstyles: a beautiful braid. On the model with curly blondehair, for example, I did a mermaid braid, which took advantage of any possible frizz caused by the humidity. The black-haired model, on the other hand, had heavy and somewhat straighter hair, so a braided upstyle was the better option in her case.

This was an all day shoot, and their hair stayed all day, looking just as beautiful at the end of the day as at the beginning, demonstrating that these would be perfect hair style options for any outdoor event.

Photography: Casey Rose Photography | Event Planning: C&D Events | Makeup: RAI Makeup Artistry | Bridesmaid Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid | Cake: Details Cake Design | Rentals: Greenhouse Picker Sisters | Dress: Traditions by Anna | Invitations: The Oblique Pen | Jewelry: Kendra Scott, Other Vendors: Indie Film Lab

Voted Best of B&B Vendor in 2017

It was an honor to be chosen by my peers for the Best of Borrowed and Blue award. According to B&B, their "awards reveal who’s truly the best of the best in the 'I do' biz...." I am excited to have received the Best of B&B 2017 Bronze Medal award.

Homemade Bride | Style Shoot | Chapel in the Woods

It was so great working with this group of individuals! They are truly talented, and it was a joy to have my work featured in Homemade Bride! This styled shoot was assembled to demonstrate several different options for bridal hair. The brunette has more of a pulled to the side look whereas the blonde has more of a modern up-do. For more information check out all the featured vendors listed below:

Confectinate Cakes: Laura McMillan | Nieto Photography | Red Bridge Photography |North Raleigh Florist | Chapel in the Woods | Wedding Hair by Liz | The Makeup Addict | Savvi Formal Wear| Moon and Lola | Models: Joe Kolousek and Danni Breezie

Homemade Bride:

http://homemade-bride.com/magazine/

Kristin + Jordan | The Love Between A Bride and Her Flower Girl | May 20, 2017 | Rose Hill Plantation

Everyone knows a wedding is about the love between a bride a groom, but the love between Kristin and her flower girl was an experience I'll remember forever.

 It only took a moment for me to realize how special Kristin was and once we got to talking at her trial, I truly got a glimpse of what an amazing person she really is.  Here is Kristin's story of how she and Jana, her flower girl, met and became life long friends. 

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In the fall of 2012, I went off to college at Liberty University in Lynchburg. Having a heart for special needs children, I was searching for a way to volunteer and help someone who was physically unable. I volunteered with the special needs program at Thomas Road Baptist church on Wednesday nights and that is where I met Jana Moon. Jana instantly became one of the most special people I have ever met. Jana was a 10-year-old girl who had cerebral palsy. She was in a wheel chair and no way to talk or move. Her smile and sweet spirit was something I was so blessed to experience every time I was with her.

A year had gone by and I had spent every Wednesday night as her aide at church. I will never forget the night Jana was able to tell me something for the first time. I knew Jana was bright; I just needed a way to find out what she was thinking. I wrote down the alphabet in her journal during a Wednesday night session. Jana took her fingers and traced over the letters for the first time to tell me what she wanted to say. Jana pointed to these letters in this order, I-L-O-V-E-Y-O-U.  Tears streamed down my face, as I could not believe me what I had just saw. We then had a way of communicating to each other. (Needless to say, talking to each other became a huge distraction during the sermon.) For my entire 4 years at Liberty, every Wednesday night I was there with her and even some weekends I would go see her.  I watched Jana experience so many changes, surgeries, and physical challenges throughout the years. We had a bond that was like nothing I had ever experienced.

I became engaged the summer of my junior year of college. Moving forward with wedding plans I knew I would get married the summer after I graduated. I decided that there’s no one I would rather have to walk the aisle before me in white than sweet Jana. The ceremony would be outside and with Jana’s condition I was unsure if it was possible for her. I asked her mom and she was thrilled at the thought. So, I got a gift and a card and asked Jana to be my flower girl and explained to her what she would do. She was so excited to wear a dress and be at my wedding! I also asked her younger sister, Aleah to help assist Jana throw flowers out of the basket. That semester, we looked for the perfect white dress for Jana. Jana has her own style and would let me know if it was ‘the dress.’ Eventually we found the perfect dress for Jana and she was smiling from ear to ear and dancing in her chair. It is one of those moments, I will never forget.

Her whole family traveled three hours back to my hometown to make it for this special occasion.  The day of the wedding, Jana was all dolled up, which she loves to be. Her hair was fixed up just like she wanted by the wedding hair dressers and her make up was flawless. Her dress was stunning and she was wearing the biggest smile I have ever seen. Jana was strolled down the aisle by her mother and sister by her side to help her toss the flowers. Though I was not able to see this moment, I have heard this moment had grown men in tears. Though we didn’t think Jana would be able to toss flowers, she managed to pick up flowers and toss the flowers down the aisle.

The rest of the night she danced and danced with so many people. She even was pushed into the middle of the dance floor for a dance off.  Nearing to the end of the reception, her mother put her in the van because she knew seeing my new husband and I leave would be too much for Jana to bear. I knew my wedding would be a farewell in a way for us, because I had graduated from Liberty moved away from Lynchburg. Seeing her having the time of her life and walk before me is one of my favorite parts of my wedding day! She lit up that day with her smile and the same sweet spirit that I saw from the first time I met her.

Jana is truly a remarkable child. Though her body may be limited, Jana’s strength is through her personality and her willingness to never give up makes her one of the strongest people I have met.  Four years ago, I went to help a special need child when she is the one who helped me. She helps me to in so many ways and she is one of my lifelong friends.

Written by Kristin Lyles. 

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Check out the beautiful video from Kristin and Jordan's wedding at Rose Hill Plantation

Vintage Carousel Wedding | Style Shoot | Merry Hill

I was asked by Amy Plant-Purdue from Plume Events to participate in her style shoot this past April. It is exciting to see it featured in Fab You Bliss blog post today! Amy explains her inspiration for this shoot below. 

"The inspiration for this shoot came to me, as almost all of my best and most creative ideas do, in the middle of the night. I awoke with a vision of the beautiful historic carousel I used to visit as a child at a park in Raleigh, North Carolina. The carousel features detailed scroll work and a menagerie of hand-carved wooden animals, including a lion, ostriches, rabbits, and even pigs. I knew I wanted the inspiration to be subtle, so little nods to the carousel can be found in the details planned by my vintage rental and event-planning company, Plume Events. Jenna DiPrima of DiPrima Photography and I knew we wanted the shoot to be soft, romantic, and full of light, so I used those ideas and added in the whimsy of the carousel. Some of my favorite details were the real vintage carousel ticket, the cotton candy cake topper, and the vintage animal figurines placed on soft beds of moss in glass cupcake stands at each place setting. The maypole, with its ribbon streamers and floral topper and the bridesmaids frolicking around it, was another fun way we brought the feel of the carousel to life.  

The beautiful cherry blossoms, overgrown wisteria, and lush grounds of Merry Hill provided the fantastic, romantic setting, and the peacocks and mini donkeys that roam the lawn were reminiscent of the exotic animals on the carousel.  

Even the pattern in the vintage chairs, the vintage china salad plates, and the custom scalloped table runner provided by Plume Events and the fun, modern take on damask in the invitations and programs designed by The Fabled Papery mimicked the intricate details of the vintage carousel.  

The dapper groom and ring bearer fit right in with the vintage feel with their gray suspenders, while the bride’s modern gown and the combination of long and short bridesmaid dresses and a stylish jumpsuit in a range of pastel hues from ASOS made the fashion both fun and relevant for the bride with modern tastes. The relaxed and romantic hairstyles were styled by Wedding Hair by Liz, and the fresh, natural makeup look was created by Adriana Lopez.

For the flowers, Plume Events chose soft, feminine roses, peonies, and ranunculus and wrapped the bouquets and boutonniere in a lush dusty pink velvet ribbon. The flower arrangements were created in assorted vintage clear glass vases and containers to keep the look light and fresh."
 

Styling, Coordination, Florals, & Vintage Rentals: Plume Event (Facebook) 
Photography: DiPrima Photography (Facebook | Instagram | Twitter)
Venue: Merry Hill
Tabletop: CE Rental
Bridal & Bridesmaid Fashion: ASO
Makeup: Adriana Lopez  @a.lomakeupartist

Jewels: Gemma Jewels

www.gemmajewelsshop.com

Instagram: @gemmajewelsshop

Facebook: https://facebook.com/gemmajewelsshop

Twitter: @gemmajewelsshop

Cake: Main Street Cake Shoppe

www.mainstreetcakeshoppe.com

Instagram: @mainstreetcakeshoppe

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mainstreetcakeshoppe

Twitter: @mainstcakeshppe

Ring Bearer Outfit: SageNThymeDesigns

http://www.sagenthymedesigns.com/

Paper: The Fabled Papery

http://www.fabledpapery.com.au/

Instagram: @fabledpapery

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fabledPapery/

Khanh & Hai | Engagement Shoot

Here is a sneak peek of one of our August brides' recent engagement shoots. We think that Khanh and her fiancé Hai look absolutely stunning!

The one with Hai and I on the grass was after two hours, and my hair and makeup still looked fantastic!! - Khanh

We love having chances like this to get to know our brides before the big day. Khanh is such a sweet girl! We are honored that we get to be a part of her upcoming special day--we are so looking forward to their wedding in August! 

Photographer: Richard Barlow / Makeup: Julie Robbins / Hair: Wedding Hair by Liz / Venue: JC Raulston Arboretum 

Seasons Style Shoots

Over the last few months, I have had the exciting opportunity to work with some fabulous vendors to create a series of styled bridal shoots for each of the four seasons. Together, we've created our "Boho Style Shoot", "Winter Wonderland Style Shoot" and, most recently, " Spring Blossom Style Shoot." With summer so quickly passing us by, we are hard at work planning our next shoot, name TBA. 

Just yesterday I spoke with the new owner of The Wagner House, who also happens to own My Girlfriend's Place Glamour Studio in Clayton. These locations will serve as the venue and where we will be getting the models ready. Things are coming together!

It has been a privilege to work with Caroline Z Photography on the Season Style Shoots. I love working with all the vendors--they are always so exciting and fun! 

Be on the lookout for the fourth installment of our Seasons style shoots later this summer! 

Here's a look at the other Seasons, starting with the most recent.

Spring Blossom Style Shoot

Photographer: Caroline Z Photography / Model: Courtney Fashionista / Model: Charlie Spivey / Makeup Artist: Onloktion Makeup / Hair Stylist: Wedding Hair by Liz / Cake Design: Confectionate Cakes / Caterer: Simply Sundaes / Floral Designer: North Raleigh Florist / Apparel: Savvi Formalwear and Bridal / Jewelry: Sabika Jewelry - Sarah Butler / Venue: WRAL Azalea Gardens  

Winter Wonderland Style Shoot

Photographer: Caroline Z Photography / Model: Courtney Fashionista / Makeup Artist: Onloktion Makeup / Hair Stylist: Wedding Hair by Liz / Cake Design: Confectionate Cakes / Floral Designer: North Raleigh Florist / Event Designer: A Paradigm Shift Event / Apparel: Savvi Formalwear and Bridal / Caterer: The Freezing Pointe / Jewelry: Sabika Jewelry - Sarah Butler / Venue: The Garden on Millbrook  

 

Hadeer | Engagement Shoot

Can't you just feel the love and joy radiating from this photo?

It's been a delight to work with Hadeer--she is sweet, fun, and outgoing. She is adorable!

We had the privilege of getting her ready for her engagement photo shoot. And we are so looking forward to styling her hair for her upcoming engagement ceremony--it will be such a special occasion with all her family and friends surrounding the happy couple. We are honored that we get to be a part of that experience, and we are anxiously awaiting the announcement of her wedding date! 

We think she is just the cutest. Doesn't she look so beautiful? 

Photographer: Amber Elizabeth Photography / Makeup Artist: Makeup by Aline / Hair Stylist: Shannon from Wedding Hair by Liz / Venue: Jordan Lake

Erin and Joe | Wedding

Joe and Erin met over Memorial Day weekend in 2001, on the patio of The Brass Pelican, the all-time best dive bar in existence (or at least in North Topsail Beach, NC). At the time, they were living five hours apart from each other (he in Washington, DC, and she in Durham, NC), but they knew there was something very special between them. For the next year, they drove to see each other on the weekends. And then, they got the chance to move to Boston together for two years of grad school (yay, no more long distance!). Exactly three years--and countless adventures--later, Joe proposed to Erin on the same beach that they walked together the night they met! -  from their wedding website.

The girls got ready at The Loft on Front. It was a gorgeous space, with its mix of modern and vintage, and everyone was friendly and accommodating. The exposed brick, and large windows and mirrors made it a perfect place to get ready for such a special day. I can't wait to go back for another event! The makeup was done by Lauren Tedino. She did great work, and was so nice and easy to work with. The girls all looked gorgeous!

We are thrilled to share that Erin & Joe's wedding was featured on the Southern Weddings blog. Check it out here! 

The stunning photography was done by A.J. Dunlap Photography. They are always professional, and their quality of work is superb. The photos they produce are full of light, warmth, and emotion. They certainly know how to capture those memories that will be treasured forever!

It was truly a joy and honor to be able to be a part of Erin and Joe's special day. The best part is hearing about the experience from the brides's perspective. Erin wrote us to say this:

I just got married at the end of May, and Liz did my hair, along with the hair of my 11 bridesmaids and 3 moms (I know, that's a lot of people)! I cannot say enough great things about this lady! Aware of the large task at hand, she planned ahead and enlisted assistants for the day of, and then got communication going with the bridesmaids to make sure she knew what to expect in terms of their hair/type/lengths/etc. and the styles they were wanting. I can't express enough how great Liz did with managing her time to get all of the girls done in time, and she did so with ease and a positive and encouraging attitude (seriously, she is so fun to talk to, keeping the wedding day nerves at bay)! And she really can produce almost any style, evidenced by the wide range of styles that my bridesmaids and I wanted--braids, volume, curls, up, down, chignon, you name it. And even though she is a planner and is very organized, she also has the ability to "go with the flow": I thought I wanted a french twist, which was what she styled during my hair trial, but afterward, ad time went on, I started to second-guess my choice because I thought it didn't feel like "me" (not at all because it wasn't well executed--it was a perfect french twist). I then emailed her a couple of weeks before the wedding, apologizing profusely and feeling terrible for switching things up so late in the game, to which she replied, "Not a problem :)!" And that was that--she did my hair on the fly the day of, and it was beautiful! Liz really is top-notch--grab her ahead of time if you can--you won't be disappointed. Thank you Liz! :)

Erin and Joe, we wish you a lifetime of happiness!