With so many unique wedding traditions out there, there is always something sweet about a classic bridal portrait session. A Southern tradition, a bridal portrait session is camera time with just the bride and her wedding gown. These portraits typically are placed on a canvas or in a large frame to be hung at the wedding reception and then in the bride's parents' home. For a more modern twist, grooms are now being involved as well as day-after-the-wedding portrait sessions for a more casual and laid back approach.



BENEFITS OF A BRIDAL PORTRAIT SESSION

* Calmed nerves. Some brides need to see it to believe it, and bridal portraits can help soothe any anxieties about wearing a lavish gown, being put in a spotlight for an entire day, or even just being glammed up.

* Stronger connection with your photographer. Not all of us are comfortable in front of a professional lens (myself included!), and so any extra camera time can allow your photographer to get to know you as a bride and how you move and interact with your gown. A wedding gown is not an everyday wardrobe (sadly to many of us who love us some wedding gowns) and the structure and weight can feel foreign to many women. And since your wedding photographer will be one of your closest vendors on the day of, let them know how you're feeling about being bridal ready.



* Extra portrait time. If your wedding day schedule is crammed and stretched for time, this gives you some peace of mind that you'll still get priceless portraits. And if you choose to have your groom involved, even better! No worrying about only have 10 minutes with your photographer on the day of. Trust me, your photog will appreciate having much more time with you two! When creativity has no time restrictions, that's when some amazing magic happens!

* Perfect time for a makeup and hair trial. Let that styling serve a second purpose and get some mileage out of that beautiful professional look! Book a bridal portrait along with your beauty trials so you can really see the entire look together. On the fence about your hair for the big day? Then you'll certainly know after seeing your bridal portraits.




QUICK TIPS FOR A MEMORABLE BRIDAL SESSION

* Book your session at least 3 months before your wedding day. You'll likely have your wedding gown, you'll have plenty of time to get your prints/albums/canvases back from your photographer's professional print labs, and you'll still have the memories fresh.

* Consider bringing in some of your wedding day details into the session. Do you have engraved spoons with your date? Or a reception sign with your new last name? Your session will go seamlessly with your wedding when you tie in the theme.

* Choose a location that you are in love with. If your wedding was too large to be at a certain venue, look into seeing if they allow portrait sessions. Sentimental over your family's home and land? It could be such a sweet tribute to such a special moment in your life to host your session there.

Many thanks to real bride Amanda (Potter) Miller and Grant and Deb Perry for sending these beautiful bridal portraits in for an informative post! To make her bridal portraits personal, Amanda said was that her flower bouquet was put together with her mother and aunts at the Williamsburg Pottery. The white ribbon was the ribbon from her grandmother's wedding bouquet, also used in her mother's bouquet, and now hers. The purple ribbon was something new-- a new tradition for her family's next bride. :)

VENDOR CREDITS:
Venue: Hermitage Museum and Gardens // Photography: Grant & Deb Photographers // Bridal Gown: James Clifford Collection from Ava Clara Couture Bridal // Hair and Make-up: Shane's Salon and Day Spa // Flowers: DIY by Family

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Happs: n. a quirky term for "happenings" or could be a silly shortening of "happy."
(We'll let you take your pick.)

We've seen some exciting local stuff that is in the works or was announced this month, and with Christmas almost here, it's great to hear the uplifting news! To the brides and grooms out there, this winter season is when most of us wedding vendors start prepping and changing things over to the 2014 wedding season as well as spend some hard-earned quality time with our loved ones. And during that time, local small businesses are doing some pretty amazing things... here are just some of those happs!


Roost Flowers and Bluebird's Garage-- United!
Tidewater and Tulle's vendor fam, Becky of Roost Flowers, and Mary of Bluebird's Garage are coming together to share a storefront location in Virginia Beach. I mean, really, a roost AND a bird... it's just a perfectly beautiful thing. :) They will be opening in January 2014.

Maya Couture on Main
Maya Couture is opening up a second location in Suffolk in January 2014! You can see the before and after photos on their Facebook page and on Instagram. The name isn't just a clever flow of words, it's right on Main Street!

The 2013 Wayside Event Professionals Holiday Party
Another vendor fam member Bit of Ivory Photography gave the visual scoop on one of the well-loved vendor holiday events of the season on her business blog. Virginia Beach's "Wayside Wedding Village" always knows how to bring the community together!

RSVP Stationery is Moving
Speaking of Wayside, RSVP Stationery is moving from one side of Virginia Beach to another-- to Wayside Village! They'll be nestled in between vendor fam Antonia Christianson Events and Boardwalk Photo Booth Company during the week of January 6th, 2014.

Snapqube and Other Local Vendors Coming Together
To better serve engaged couples, like-minded wedding vendors in Chesapeake are coming together! Tidewater and Tulle vendor fam member Snapqube, Dustin Lewis Images, MorLina Events, Botanique Events, and Waterford Event Rentals are opening up a brick-and-mortar location in the heart of Greenbrier. You can expect their open house celebrations on January 21, 2014.


Know something else that's going on in the Hampton Roads wedding industry for next month's LWH edition? Please send an email to chelsea@tidewaterandtulle.com. Disclaimer: Announcements and news will be posted at the discretion of the editor and its overall benefit to the wedding community as a whole. All news is welcome, but priority is given to Tidewater and Tulle Vendor Fam members. For sponsored posts and paid event announcements, please email for advertising rates.

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