Studio Snapshots

the life and times of Allegra’s Studio

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

I am thankful for so many blessings in this life.

First and foremost, life and good health because without those, the rest becomes much more difficult.

Secondly, my family who help give my life meaning and my friends who help me enjoy it.

Thirdly, the privileges of being a US citizen and enjoying the liberties we have.

And lastly, but not least, you, my amazing clients and awesome fans!  What I do would not be possible without your love and support!

Have a fantastical, fabulous, phenomenal, Thanksgiving Day!

 

Thankful for Thanksgiving Sale

 

I AM thankful for so many blessings in my life this year especially my amazing clients!  I’ll have a special blog post on Thursday to share but even more important, I want to give my clients something to be thankful for as well!  Coming Friday only, I am having a blow out 50% off sale!!  That’s 50% off prints, 50% off canvases, 50% everything available online (does not include albums – sorry!)  This sale is good for any 2011 wedding or portrait session*, is not applicable to any prior orders, and you must be prepared to place your order when you pay.  If your gallery has expired, it will be reinstated for the weekend but the 50% off is ONLY GOOD FOR FRIDAY!!

* (please note portraits will only include images that were ordered prior to November 2011 or kept for portfolio – does NOT include collections – everything is a la carte)

 

 

Lindsay and Alan’s wedding at Oak Ridge Estate is posted!

 

credits

venue: Oak Ridge Estate
caterer: April Farmer
floral: Blue Ridge Floral
DJ: Wendell Witt
band: The Ruckus
cake: Billie’s Cakes

How did you choose your venue?

A woman I work with, Nancy, helps with weddings at Oak Ridge Estates. She suggested I go take a look, and we put the deposit down that day. It was the first place we looked at- it just felt right!

wedding at Oak Ridge Estate

How did the two of you meet?

Alan & I met at a summer camp for at risk youth in Lynchburg. We were both counselors there, but went to separate high schools. We hit it off right away and were high school sweat hearts from then on.

groom and ring bearer

mother of the bride

What was your favorite moment during the day?

I loved getting ready with my bridesmaids, you rarely have moments like that. Also, walking down the aisle and seeing Alan for the first time. He had been guessing what my dress looked like for so long, I was excited for him to see it! Also, Alan delivered flowers upstairs to me that he had bought the morning of with a card explaining how excited he was for the wedding. It was so sweet and thoughtful. Seeing everyone gathered in one place that we all cared about was probably the best part though, that may never happen again!

emotional bride

bride prep

MOB crys

celebrating the bride

Tell us about your dress and other accessories!

My dress was gorgeous- hand beaded and couture. When I walked into Becky’s Bridal (Buena Vista) it was standing in the center of the store. It was the first dress I tried on. I tried on one more, a different style, to make sure it was what I wanted. We bought it that day as well. It was quite a princess dress! The shoes were called “poof” shoes, although they were hidden they were one of my favorite parts.

beaded bodice

birdcage veil

gorgeous wedding shoes

What detail did you like best about your day?

It is so hard to pick one detail. I would say seeing everyone so dressed up, and the bridesmaids with their bouquets. The flower girl and ring bearer were priceless, they could not have been cuter. Also, my dress of course!

oak ridge front hall

flower girl and ring bearer

getting ready to walk down the aisle

MOB sees FOB and bride

ceremony at oak ridge

married

married hug

sunset kiss

Describe your decor and how you chose it!

Our decor was simple- our plan was to keep the wedding classic and elegant. Everything was black & white. The tables had white linens with black bird cage like pieces on them that held candles. All of the flowers were done by Amy Webb out of Afton, VA. The house itself was enough of a decoration, we just added small touches to enhance the look.

bridal bouquet

mr and mrs

Tell us about your food!

Our food was catered by April , we had quite a spread. There was a carving station, fondue fountains (chocolate and cheese), and much more. Our cake was done by Billy’s Cakes in Altavista, VA. It was orange spice and the top was red velvet (we wanted red velvet, but also orange spice to fit the fall atmosphere). The outside was black and white, beautiful!

wedding cake

kids dancing

dress

moon rising

What’s next on your calender as a couple?

We just bought a house, so we will continue to work on that and make it our own. We plan to have children, but not for a few years!

exit

Enjoy more images on the slideshow

and log into the full gallery at the end of the show or at this link (password required)

 

In Honor of our Veterans

 

with gratitude and thanks to all our veterans for their service.

Thank you Daddy.

veteran

 

Lindsay and Scott’s wedding in Annapolis is posted!

 

credits

coordinator: La Londe Events, what a DIFFERENCE a good planner makes!
ceremony: First Presbyterian Church of Annapolis
venue and catering: Governor Calvert House
florist: Fantastic Flowers
DJ: DJ Chris 410.551.5025
Cake: Shockley’s Sweet Shoppe
hair and make up: Up Dos for I Dos
assistant photographer: Cindy Alderton

How did you meet?

We were both in 3rd Company at the Naval Academy.

wedding rings and military cover

First Presbyterian Church of Annapolis

bride getting ready

wedding papparazzi

wedding bands

First Presbyterian Church of Annapolis

laughing couple

What did you like best about your wedding day?

It was exciting to have so many friends and family meet each other as we celebrated.

Military Exit from Church

After speaking with a potential client this week, I thought I would be sure to post this image.  I don’t normally show what I call the standard formal stuff but you should know that I pretty much always capture some version of this image.  I call it the mom shot – the image that moms want for their piano top silver frames and for the newspaper.  In general, we spend about 20-30 minutes on ALL the group images either before or after the ceremony – your choice!  I want you to be able to get to your party without worrying about missing an important family group!  Of course, the formals list is always in your hands – more groups?  Sure!  Fewer?  That’s great too!

mom shot

I do like to have a wee bit of time to get the romantic stuff. :)

annapolis couple

What was your favorite moment during the day?

Getting heckled during our first dance…

hecklers during the first dance

and continuing the party at McGarvey’s in downtown Annapolis!

more fun at the after party

some of the fun details from the wedding include amazing flowers

beautiful flowers

and delicious bonbons!

sweets instead of cake

What’s next on your calender as a couple?

We’re looking forward to a honeymoon in Italy!

click on the FACEplace collage below to see full size!

FACEplace Station

and enjoy the slideshow with even more images.  Link to the full gallery can be found here (password required).

 

Carla and Chris – Sneak Peek of their DC wedding at St. Columba Church and B Smith’s Reception

 

I love a bride who loves snow. That is all. :)

dad sees bride for first time

wedding couple in front of capitol

kiss in front onf the capitol

union station wedding couple kiss

 

Hope and Randall sneak peek engagement session

 

Zoolander anyone?

 

Engagement Session at UVA

 

A sneak peek for Whitney and Johnathon!  I can’t wait for their wedding in 2012!

lovely laugh

fall color on campus

embrace

excited twirl

 

Christie and Evan’s wedding in Richmond is posted!

 

credits

rehearsal dinner: Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens (blog post coming later this week!)

coordinator: McBride Events, Jennifer and her staff rocked!
ceremony: Beth Ahabah
venue: Commonwealth Club
florist: White House Flowers
ceremony music: Molly Sharp
reception band: No Soul
cake: Kalico Kitchen
hair and make up: Mango

How did you meet?

We met through a mutual friend who went from kindergarten – 12th grade with Christie and then went to medical school at Vanderbilt with Evan.  We were friends for years first – but once we saw the light, we knew we’d found “IT.”

engaged couple

I will be posting Christie’s bridal session at a later date but here’s a little preview

blue ridge mountain bride

She got ready at her parent’s home…

bride getting ready

mom putting on veil

dad watches bride get ready

bridal silhouette

flower girl

The groom finished up his preparations at the home as well!

groom's sister helps him tie his tie

father of the groom

mother of the groom

What was your favorite moment during the day?

We were filled with joy all day long!  We loved our first moment together – and we could barely take the smiles off our faces for a second after that. From a beautiful, joy-filled ceremony to a fun reception, filled with our family and friends and lots of dancing!

first look

bride and groom first look

and thank you to Christie’s sister, Elizabeth – I photographed her wedding back in 2003!

then

Elizabeth and Ryan (with their daughter) now

alumnae wedding couple

beth ahabah

Ketubah signing

ketubah signing

ready to get married!

father of the bride

jewish wedding ceremony rituals

jewish wedding ceremony

married!

The stunning ballroom at the Commonwealth Club with florals by Tracy White of White House Flowers

commonwealth club

first dance

wedding couple dip

the horah!

horah!

rose petal exit

What nest for you as a couple?

Evan is taking Christie on a surprise “mini-moon” the weekend after the wedding.  We leave today and I still don’t know where we’re heading – he’s packing for me.  All I know is I can take our sweet puppy, Nash!!! 

final kiss

View lots more on the slideshow

and see the entire gallery at this link. (password required)

 

 

Lindsay and Alan are married at Oak Ridge Estate!

 

What an amazing day!  I knew I loved October and days like this one are one reason why!  Congratulations to Lindsay and Alan who shared this amazing day with me, their family and friends at Oak Ridge Estate.

oak ridge estate

oak ridge estate white oak

and just for Alan

wedding couple with pumpkins