Parts are parts? 

Do you remember the commercial where the disgruntled, messy chickens were flying down the road in an old beat up car? They wanted to become Foster Farm chickens…you know…the excellent chickens. Those goofy birds finally got it – you can fluff them up all you want but they are still messy, skinny ole birds!!

Flowers are not just flowers! They have so many variables to them, so many grades. I remember when guys would come into the flower shop asking for a dozen long stem roses. Little did they know, a long stem rose is really only a second grade rose. Roses come in many lengths and with each come different head sizes. The longer the rose stem, the bigger, fuller and prettier a rose head can be. For example, a rose can be purchased in 40, 50, 60, 70 and even 80 centimeters. The “long stem” rose is about a 50 cm rose so you can see there are usually three sizes that are bigger and fuller. The other grading system is medium, long, fancy and extra fancy. So, you can see the “long stem” rose isn’t really such a big deal!! I usually explain this to my brides by making another comparison – take for example jeans. You can buy a pair from Walmart for say $15.00 and you can buy  a pair of Miss Me for $100.00 (yes, I know there are a lot that are even more expensive) Now, they are both jeans….both have two legs, both are denim, both have pockets, both have a zipper, both can be worn to the movies but you sure wouldn’t say they are the same!! Well, the same can be said for flowers ….just because someone says…I can make a bridal bouquet of all red roses for $100.00 doesn’t mean there is going to be any comparison to a spectacular high grade rose. On the surface it’s easy to be fooled but get the two in front of you and I assure you, you’ll pick the better one! The problem lies in a bride and her mom picking out that one of a kind bouquet not knowing the right questions to ask. You see, a florist never says, “Well, it will be made with 36 Ecuadorian, 70 to 80 cm all white roses. The variety will be Polar Star.” They just say, “It will be an all white rose bouquet.”  Then they can show up with whatever they want much to your chagrin! Now, you might say “I don’t even want roses” well, ALL flowers are selected and graded. There are florist grade and supermarket grade. There are always variables to each and every flower.

That leads me on another topic….colors are not just colors! Red is not just red, there is red to the orange side and red to the blue side! For example, tomatoes and blood red – you can imagine there are lots of shades of red in between. White can be to the yellow side or green, purple can be to the pink or blue sides! All the colors are not the  same….all the varieties are not the same…all the qualities are not the same….Parts are not parts in chickens or flowers!

Fake flowers are just that….FAKE!

To many times a bride gets her hopes up on a particular flower that maybe she saw in a local craft shop. She’ll come in with a few plastic or silk flowers and think we can provide her with them in real flowers only to be disappointed. In the days of Google images, it’s so easy to see if the flowers you prefer come in the colors you want. Check it out…it’s a great tool!

Magazines and blogs are giving brides unrealistic visions of color! To many times the editor or blogger is enhancing the color to “make it prettier” or more with today’s trend. Some (of course not AlexM…lol) photographers are “color correcting” and this changes the color as well as the expectation of the bride.

Brides….did you know that the groom has responsibility in paying for some of the flowers? Grooms and/or their parents are responsible to pay for the brides bouquet, the portrait bouquet, all the men’s boutonnieres and the mother’s and grandmother’s corsages or posy’s. Ask the florist to separate  the flower totals and make two copies of the contract so one can be presented to the groom. It will take you out of the equation and give credence to asking them to pay for their part.

When consulting with a florist, make sure you find one that has pictures of their own work and will guide you through the decision making process. I do my best to make sure to capture each and every brides vision of their day as each is as unique and special as every bride. So much of the time I see a bride come in for her last meeting with me and she’s exhausted and “just can’t wait for it to be over with!” Remember to ask for help, hire the very best professionals, let go of a few of the decisions and take time to relax and enjoy the best day of your life!

Wishing you a happily ever after!
Barbara | La Tee Da

Didn’t I tell you she was awesome?
Still wanna see more?  Take a look at all the “La Tee Da Weddings” I’ve photographed the past few years.

OK… What do these 4 weddings have in common BESIDES having booked a good looking and uber talented photographer?

Give up?

Ashley, Megan, Carrie, & Melissa all were smart enough to have Vanessa McKellar Productions at their weddings.  I encourage brides every chance I get to have a good videographer at their weddings.  Some listen and take the plunge, some don’t and regret it later.  I know from talking to these brides that they will never regret the choice they made.  Take a look at the trailers Vanessa & Brent put together for these weddings.  (AND THESE ARE JUST THE TRAILERS!!!!  Imagine getting to have a whole movie about your wedding day.) Seriously ladies, call her and book her right now. 903-894-6078

OH, and if you wanna see plain ol’ boring pictures from the weddings pick a bride and click here name.
Ashley, Megan, Carrie, & Melissa

Best. Bridesmaids. Ever.

Lauren & Blain were married at The Belgium House in Longview, TX.  Fantastic place.  Book them now. (903.660.0125)

Is it just me or does that custom AlexM Photography guest book look AMAZING!!!

Cakes by Edible Art.  Tasty, delicious, and attractive.  Book them now. (903.234.2114)

This is the cake topper that Lauren’s grandparents used.  57 years ago.  Not bad.

Remember that time Lauren & Blaine had a First Look and birds chirped and magic happened?
My favorite two First Look moments.
1. Watching them hold hands in their own flirty way
2. Blaine complimenting and noticing all the details in her dress

One of the great things about The Belgium House is they also offer flowers.  These were perfect.  Like I said, call and book them. (903.660.0125)

I love this shot of Lauren creeping on her wedding guests while her sister creeps on her.

Remember those grandparents who have been married 57 years?  They got to cut and eat some cake too.
DJ Daddy Co kept everyone dancing.  While you are booking all your other vendors you should go ahead and call him too. (903.918.4555)
I love the groomsman showing modesty and respecting women….

kinda.

Lauren and a “few” of her Texas Tech Alpha Phi Sorority Sisters.
 Thanks EVERYONE for a fantastic evening.  You were too much fun.