Featured :: Bridal Guide

So it's been a long time since I have had the time to really get back into blogging. With a crazy new job, business work, and just life I have been WAY behind. But I wanted to share a favorite that was featured as part of the Bridal Guides Memorial Day Engagement Shoot Special. Thanks again to Sarah + Ben! Enjoy and Happy Memorial Day!

Featured :: Done Brilliantly: The Blog of Two Bright

I have had the pleasure to be featured last Friday on Done Brilliantly which is the blog of an amazing site Two Bright Lights which is an online publicity platform. It is a great tool for photographers since it helps us submit our photos to a variety of sites without a ton of hassle. I know that this post is a little late but life has been crazy with my new job. I hope you all enjoy their take on Ashley and Andrews Engagement. Enjoy more pictures of this amazing couple!

Featured :: Fresh Squeezed Weddings

Yesterday I had the honor of being featured on Fresh Squeezed Weddings. I am truly honored to be featured and am so happy Sarah + Ben's DC Engagement shoot can be shared with others. Courtney Tibbet is a San Diego Wedding Planner and owner of Fresh Squeezed Weddings. I love her view on taking engagement pictures " If you love your city, instead of heading to some of the more obvious choices (generic beach, meadow,or park), why not try seeking out places that will obviously show where you are upon first glance?" Thank you Two Bright Lights, Courtney and enjoy the other wonderful posts at Fresh Squeezed Weddings!

Featured :: Adore by Chole

Yesterday I had the pleasure of being featured on Adore by Chloe a UK wedding blog. I love Chloe's take on Ashley and Andrews engagement shoot as a fun "date" they went on. I truly believe you have to have fun during your engagement shoot to Ashley and Andrew totally make the "we're on a fun date" look easy. Congratulations to you two, check out Adore by Chloe and enjoy the feature!

Sneak Peek :: Ashley + Andrew Engagement Shoot

This past weekend I had the pleasure to shoot Ashley and Andrew in Old Town Alexandria. We had amazing weather and so much fun I cannot wait to show off the rest of their photos! Enjoy!

Sarah + Ben :: DC Engagement

I have so many great things to say about this couple! On a sunny, warm day in September Sarah and Ben met me at the Washington Monument. We roamed around DC as they told me about how they meet, where they work, and what they do for fun! My mom came along for the ride and even got asked if she was selling the flowers we were using and Ben's sandals. What an adorable couple to work with and I wish them a lifetime of happiness. I am so happy to finally share these photos they truly remind me of what a great city we live in and the great people who live in it! 

 ** All Photos Copyright of Kristina Dorough Events and Photography **

Sneak Peek: Sarah + Ben Washington DC Engagement Shoot

I cannot wait to share this amazing couples engagement pictures with you {and them}! They are both so sweet and kind and their love truly showed in all their photos! Here is one of my favorites so far that captures that DC spirit!

Photo By Kristina Dorough Photography

Rain Rain Don't Go Away

Everyone dreads rain on their wedding day or day of pictures, but you can get some great, cute pictures and have a great time in the rain. Don't worry about a cloudy rainy day, take advantage of it! Below are some great pictures for rainy day inspiration!

Pictures From:
http://www.weddingstylebykalynjohnson.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/d9ff3e19666d179537f25e10280faf54.jpg
http://www.elizabethannedesigns.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/lorilee8.jpg
http://onefineday.typepad.com/.a/6a00d835173e8b69e201157149ba58970b-500wi
http://daily.wedshare.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/engagement-session-in-rain-marisa-and-trey-15.jpg
http://www.christanp.com/images/engagement-photos/naomi-andrew-san-luis-obipo-engagement-photos_2.jpg
http://daily.wedshare.com/2010/01/26/rainy-day-wedding-fashion-rain-boots-part-1-2934.html
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/4268257022_2e49278488_o.jpg

Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend

Diamonds really are a girls best friend, but there are many choices when it comes to diamonds. There are different cuts, shapes, clarity and color. It is important to know what you are looking at when it comes to diamonds and what you really want! Many companies that sell rings will be able to talk you through the different variances of diamonds, but here is some great information to know before you go into a store to look or buy a ring. Guys, it is also important for you to know what you are buying when it comes to any diamond ring, earrings or necklace. As a person with very strong opinions, it may be best to talk to your girlfriends mother, sister or friends to try and get the exact cut she wants. The worst thing you can do is get a diamond your future wife hates!

Here is a great explanation of the different diamond shapes from http://engagementrings.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Diamond_Shapes

Emerald: The emerald shape features a rectangular diamond with trimmed corners. Flaws may be more obvious in this shape and clarity is critical because it has fewer facets to reflect light and hide minor defects. Emerald shapes are popularly set with multiple side stones to provide balance to the elongated shape.

Pear: This shape is also referred to as a teardrop diamond. Although pear or teardrop diamonds are popular as pendants and earrings, they are also considered an excellent choice for engagement rings. Because of the unbalanced shape, they are not usually set with elaborate accent stones, though a sleek pear shape can create the illusion of slimmer fingers.

Heart: The heart-shaped diamond is considered more of a novelty and isn't commonly used for engagement rings. A heart shape is more popular for pendants and earrings, but can be found in selected engagement rings, particularly in gemstone rings. The cut can be difficult to make, so you'll want to examine this diamond thoroughly before you purchase it to locate hidden flaws

Marquise: Elegant and traditional, the marquise is a slim oval shape with tapered, pointed ends. The center stone is usually set parallel to the finger, and it is frequently enhanced with small accent stones along either side. This shape is extremely popular for bridal sets.

Radiant: This square-shaped diamond has barely trimmed corners to enhance its brilliance, making it essentially a square version of an emerald shape but with a blend of facets usually found in round stones. It can be hard to find however, and is not commonly used for engagement rings because of its scarcity.

Princess: The princess diamond is also square, but the corners are not trimmed. It is a very popular diamond for engagement rings, particularly rings with three or more stones using a princess gem as the center stone. This can be a less expensive shape of diamond because it follows the stone's natural crystalline shape and may be easier to cut. Color is an important  characteristic of princess stones because lower-quality color is more visible at the stone's corners.

Round: Traditional solitaire engagement rings have remained the most popular choice for many couples over the decades, and most involve round diamonds. Round diamonds are incredibly versatile and can be found in prong and channel settings, with or without accent stones, and in a variety of unique engagement rings and bridal sets.

Oval: The oval shape is frequently used with other stones in a detailed setting where it may be flanked by smaller diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, etc. Women with small fingers and hands sometimes choose this cut as a solitaire because it blends nicely with the length of a finger rather than standing out as a stronger focal point.

Asscher: This pristine cut is a square with deeply trimmed edges. As a trademarked design, Asschers are rare and very sought-after for their remarkable depth and beauty. Couples interested in this unique shape should take care to choose only authorized dealers to guarantee a worthwhile purchase.

Cushion: Gently rounded like a pillow or cushion, this smooth shape is reminiscent of vintage or antique designs. Cushion shapes are relatively rare and are often set off as solitaires rather than being incorporated into elaborate settings.

Good luck choosing the right diamond for you! Everyone's style is different and you need to choose a diamond shape you like and that complements your finger! Remember Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend!

Pictures From: http://easydiamondguide.com/diamond-ring-shapes/

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

With some places in the United States already receiving snow... it only seemed necessary to begin looking at the wonder that is a winter wedding. Just because it is snowy and cold outside does not mean you need to sacrifice your creativity or love for the outdoors. I love the softness and innocence of winter... the crisp whites, browns and greens of the evergreen tress. If you have ever seen the show "friends" you know about the amazing winter wedding of Phoebe (I watched that episode last night... no wonder i cannot get it off my mind). If you don't want to have an outdoor wedding and reception do you wedding pictures or engagement pictures outside in the snow. They look gorgeous! Engagement pictures by Alyssa Ann Photography.

If you are thinking about having an outdoor winter snowy wedding you can really use any kind of colors you want. Go for softer colors for a more romantic and soft feel or bold colors that pop. Make sure you and all your guests have good coats and use heaters around the tent our ceremony location. Also have fun... Use the snow in creative ways and don't let it damper the wedding but make it more lively and interesting. Here are some great pictures I love of winter weddings... Also don't plan a winter snowy wedding in a place you know will probably not have snow. These types of weddings make better sense in an area that gets a lot of snow and knows how to effectively deal with it!

Photos From:

http://www.jessicaclaire.net/

http://www.charlottegeary.com/

http://robinroemer.com/

http://grazierphotography.blogspot.com/

http://www.oncewed.com/7754/diy-wedding/reception-tables/diy-kitschy-winter-table/

http://frostyweddings.blogspot.com/

http://www.mydreamwedding.ca/

http://www.tristalerit.com/

http://www.thingsfestive.com/

Free (Or Fairly Cheap) Parking

Although winter is right around the corner and outdoor weddings are not the best choice... it is a good idea to set dates for 2011 spring, summer and fall weddings (or 2012). There are so many national and city parks in every state! These parks are gorgeous for ceremonies and even can have a reception space. In DC there are some great places where you can see the sites and still have a beautiful park view! Depending on you location the park may be free or very cheap to rent out for the ceremony and/or reception. Although there are some parks that may not be suitable for a wedding, some parks are perfect.

Of course everyone knows about central park in NYC, but it is truly beautiful and has many great places for a wedding ceremony! Central park does run some fees for using it, but if you live in NY or Jersey this may be the perfect choice for your wedding. In Washington, DC you have the National Mall, Constitution Gardens, George Washington Memorial, and other memorial parks (http://www.nps.gov/nacc). This places are also amazing for engagement photos! Also... a wedding on the tidal basin near the Jefferson memorial in late March or early April would be amazing with the cherry blossoms! When you think of parks you may not think of the beach, but there are some great beaches that are covered by the National Parks or may just be a public beach. Like I have said a million times it is always important to look into all your venue options, you may just be surprised at what you find!

There are so many options around your area so look at different parks and memorial parks. There are also some great national houses and places that are frequently used for weddings! I love the idea of having more than one engagement picture shoot. In DC why not go to the memorials, a park, and a local location you love? With a good planner and vision you can make any place a beautiful wedding location.

Photos Courtesy of:  

www.hollandphotoarts.wordpress.com

www.Dayofdreams.com

www.paulrutherford.net

 www.elizabethsolaka.com

www.valdorama.com

www.wengphotography.com

www.walkinnewyork.blogspot.com

Robgreer Photography

www.visitingdc.com

www.ultimatebeachweddings.com

What Did the Fridge Say to the Magnet? Stick It To Me

So there is a little refrigerator humor for everyone today! Sorry I am not humorous enough to come up with a catchy title... but regardless this is a great product for you to use in many different occasions. Magnet announcements/save the dates! These have become popular and will continue to be popular, but I cannot get enough of them. These great magnets can cost as little or as much as you want and can be customized as much as you want as well. Most people put wedding or birthday/party announcements/invitations/save the dates on the fridge anyways, why not make it easier for them to remember your important date. Many places allow you to use a photo of the couple (engagement photos) or birthday boy/girl or expecting mother...I just keep on thinking of new ways to use the magnets!



Film Strip Magnet

I love this idea along with more fancy announcement or something else in writing with more information. People love getting magnets as well (or at least I do) because I love hanging pictures up on the fridge or anything else important. Like I said you can make them as expensive or inexpensive as you want! Do a little research and look at many different wedding company sites to compare prices and designs you like the best. You may also be able to find a place around you that does announcement/save the date magnets to have them customized just the way you want it.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE using these magnets as birthday invites or any other invite for any other occasion! They are super adorable as a baby shower invite or wedding shower invite as well since it is an easy way to remember the date and there are so many creative and fun designs you can do with those themes. Maybe I have gone off the deep end with the magnet announcement idea but I think this is so cute and really cheap compared to some invites you may get. It also doubles as a party gift! 

Here are some great sites to find the announcement/save the date magnets!

http://www.magnets.com/Wedding_c_334.html 

http://www.magnetstreet.com/

www.zazzle.com (look around the site great things)

The Knot has a great selection...

http://weddingshop.theknot.com/weddingwarehouse/SubCategory.aspx?scId=Unique%20Favors(KnotShop)&sscId=Personalized%20Magnets(KnotShop)&cId=Favors(KnotShop)

Riding the Waves

Here in Washington, D.C. the weather was beautiful and it was the perfect Labor Day weekend for a wedding. Sunny with a few fluffy white clouds, but still in the high 70's. I myself enjoyed the weekend on a boat and walking around National Harbor in Maryland. While there, I realized how amazing a wedding on a boat (or at least really close to the water) would be. Although a boat wedding seems expensive it could still be reasonably priced and you could still have your reception on land or vice verse (ceremony on land, reception on a boat). if you don't want to have the ceremony or wedding on a boat, think about having the rehearsal dinner on a boat cruise or taking your engagement photos on a boat where you can share those amazing views with everyone.

I have personally never been to a wedding on a boat, but I know that they do have them in many cities where there is a river or lake surrounding the city or skyline. You do have to look into what the company offers in terms of allowing outside vendors, food, entertainment and price. Most places provide many things for the wedding so that you do not have to worry about it and also allow you to still make important decisions. Research does need to be done, like with any wedding or event.

If you have an aversion to water... please do not have a wedding on a boat! If you love being outside and on the water like I do, it is a great option to look at when choosing venues. You normally get to see some great sites and skylines and still pay around the same price. You do need to have a back-up plan in case of really bad weather, like any outdoor wedding, but most boats have dining etc. indoors so it can still work out.

There are so many options if you do not want to be on a boat like doing something at a hotel on a harbor or right on the beach. Do what you like and where you feel most comfortable. Take into consideration all your options and definitely look at pricing and other options that company's give you.

I hope everyone had a great Labor Day weekend!

Pictures from: odysseycruises.com and elizamagazine.com/blog/?cat=1417 (Love on a Boat Post)