Saturday, September 26, 2009

Boudoir Photography

For one of my wedding gifts to Ben, I had boudoir photographs done. I'd heard of this company on a morning radio show I listen to on my way to work. They are called the Boudoir Divas, and are all women photographers, shooting women's boudoir. (I don't think there is such a thing as men's boudoir......that would be a little weird. Although Ben keeps joking he's going to do some for me.)

My photographer was Crystal. She was amazing. When I booked, I talked with their Client Concierge and she gave me the scoop on everything I might need for the shoot. She also sent an email with all sorts of tips and tricks for better photos.

I was to bring in 3 outfits to be photographed in, and choose 3 different types of backgrounds from the ones they offer.

My first outfit was my Mets jersey, paired with bright orange boyshort, undies that say "Property of Coach Gravenkamp" on the booty. I loved this outfit, and many of my best pictured are from these. The second was a racy, black lace, thong.

And the third was a gift from Sara and Nicole, and something I'd seen at Victoria's Secret, loved, and almost bought myself. What can I say? My friends know what I like! It was an adorable navy & cream, pinstripe bra and matching skirted thong w/garter. For this one I wore red high heels. It was very pin-up girl (something Ben really likes) *He keeps saying he wants another tattoo, and this one being an old-time pin-up girl.......and I keep saying NO!

I was really nervous the week leading up to the shoot. I watched what I ate, exfoliated, moisturized, and tried to look my very best. Sara offered to come with me, and help with my hair, and although we both thought it might be a little weird to see me half-naked, I was happy to have her there.

The day of the shoot, I went to the salon for Sara to do my hair, and then we rode over to the studio together. As I walked up the stairs to the studio, they had a cute little sign saying "Welcome Anna", and I was greeted the moment I walked in the door. We were taken into a little consultation room, where we talked about the shoot, and had a glass of champagne, before making our way to the studio.

We started in the first outfit, which was a little more coverage than the other 2. Within minutes I was perfectly comfortable. My photographer Crystal was talking to me so normally I could have been dressed in a ski jacket! She was great, and never said, "look sexy", or anything else that would have sounded cheesy.

She gave me easy tips on how take a picture without smiling (and not look mad or confused). I always smile in pictures and at first it was hard not to, but then started to happen a little easier. By the end of the shoot, I was loving it!

My favorite photo ended up being one in a traditional pin-up girl pose, with my pin-up girl outfit. Sara had added a few pin-curls to my hair in between outfit changes. Little did we know, that would inspire my wedding day hair style!

For any woman about to get married, this is a perfect gift for your soon-to-be husband. It also is kind of empowering. These photos highlight all of your best assets, and make you look incredible. Why not capture that in something fun, a little sexy, and a great reminder of how hot you really are!

No photos this time! Those are just for my husband!

Here we go!

Wedding pictures are finally in!! I'm so excited, although very anxious to see the video which will come a little later. Our photographers were wonderful! Most of the time, you had no idea they were there. I love all the candid shots from the wedding. We had an amazing time, and it was so much fun reliving the moments through the pictures.

Now I'll pick back up on the blogging for the day of the wedding!

Last I blogged, we were leaving the house (around noon) and heading to the hotel to finish getting ready.

When we arrived at the hotel, we checked in and saw some friends who were checking in at the same time, and our photographers! Us girls went up to the room, and we found out the boys were busy playing whiffle ball, and not getting ready at this point.
Sara started doing my hair, and it went super smooth. She took one time to pin everything in place, and it was perfect! Of my wedding day look, my favorite was my hair. It was slightly traditional with a funky edge to it! I had two hair pieces. One was a rhinestone comb that we paired with the veil for the ceremony. It was perfect! And Sara is amazing! Not only did she finish my hair, and her own, she also did our flower girl, Shea's, hair.Then we had lunch delivered by Sara's boyfriend, and Nicole's husband. *Ben was the lunch guy the day of Nicole's wedding, so these boys were returning the favor.

After a quick lunch, which I forced myself to eat, because of the butterflies in my stomach, we started the process of getting into the dress. The photographers stepped outside for a moment, while I slipped the dress on. Then the photos started as my mom began the slow process of lacing up the dress. Nicole helped my mom out, and had her hands up the back of my dressed straightening the lining, when she poked me right in the butt.......of course photographers were right there for it all!
Lauren helped my with my jewelry, Nicole with my shoes and garter. Like I blogged before, I had 2 pairs of shoes for the wedding. The first was a delicate white pair, for the ceremony. I was so happy they finally got my size in. Although beautiful, I was so thankful I had my other pair. But we'll come back to that!Krista did the honor of delivering my wedding gifts to Ben, while we were finishing up at the room. The first of my wedding gifts to Ben, was something I bought almost 2 months before we were even engaged. Ben is a huge New York Mets baseball fan. The month before the wedding we even made the trip out to see a game at the new stadium (Citi Field). Ben had been to a game in the old Shea stadium and was pretty bummed to see it torn down. So, I found cuff links that were made out of seats from Shea stadium. It gave the exact section and seat number. Now he will forever have a piece of Shea Stadium, and the team he loves so much!
My second gift was boudoir photos that I had taken back in June. I had an album made, and with the album, the place also gives you a greeting card, with one of your images on the front. I loved them. I'll blog about my fun experience with the photos a little later. So Ben opens the card (I heard this from him, and my sister), and thinks it's awesome. The pic on the front was just the cleavage of a girl in a Mets jersey, with an engagement ring that looked a whole lot like mine. Ben proceeded to show it to all his groomsmen, thinking it was so cool that I was able to find something like that. So then he starts to open the cover of the album, when Krista reminds him he might want to open it in private, and he sees a pic and realizes that that card was ME!! He immediately takes the card back from his groomsmen (who have now all seen a little bit more of me) and puts the album away to take a look at later!

**On a side note; When we were in NY, I made him leave a Mets store we were in, so I could buy something. So he thought it was that card, in actuality it was a #1 Husband Mets keychain.

At this point the boys are finishing getting ready, with the photographers and the girls and dad are heading down to the limo to be transported to The Rivermill. On our way to the limo, we stopped in the lobby to wait for Krista. The lobby was crowded with beep ball players from all over the world. They were in town for a huge annual Beep Ball tournament. (*Beep ball is baseball for the blind. The ball beeps so they know when the pitch is coming.)

Our limo driver came in and was telling us that the beep ball players from Taiwan were outside and fascinated with how big the car was. They'd never seen (or felt) a car that big before, and wondered who was riding in it. The limo driver told them it was for a wedding, and that the bride would be coming out soon.
Krista finally made it to the lobby and we started making our way out. As the lobby doors opened, the beep ball players had lined up on both sides of the door and were singing da-dun-da-da, da-dun-da-da. It was awesome! I couldn't help but laugh. They all crowded around for a picture before we jumped in the limo.Everything was super smooth and no stress......I just wish our videographer had been downstairs to capture the beep ball player serenade.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Thankful Thursdays


We've been incredibly busy these last couple of weeks, and thankfully so. I've been anxiously awaiting our wedding photos and they are finally beginning to be posted. I've got a lot to be thankful for this week.... and here's the list!
*My awesome dad, who had a Birthday, and turned 58 on Monday! He's an incredibly Dad and I feel super lucky to have him so much a part of my life!

*My job. Even though I am annoyed like you wouldn't believe (my students this year are crazy), I have a job that pays the bills. I also am lucky enough to be at a school that offers extra opportunities to get paid. Working a Saturday morning for "Saturday Scholars" is an easy way to make a little extra money!

*Taking fun classes at the community college, like pilates, screen printing, and dance......and then being able to count them towards moving over on the pay scale! I'm moving up this month, and I couldn't have needed it more!

*Amazing wedding gifts. I love cooking more than I ever have before. Incredible pots & pans, knives, and my favorite.......the rice cooker! Ben loves it too.

*My husband who always does the dishes when I cook dinner. If I cook, I don't have to clean! Totally loving this deal right now!

*Cooler weather! I'm finally getting through a night in our condo without sweating my butt off!

*Personalized thank you cards! They've arrived, look great, and we've written tons. (If you haven't gotten yours yet.....it's on its way. So many to write, so little time.)

*FINALLY getting rid of our sofas (the second set). They have been taking up space in our extra bedroom and garage and we had a buyer take them away today!

*Wedding photos from the photographers!!! They've just started posting them. Already have 313 of them posted and we aren't even to the ceremony yet! Go check them out at here at Anika London!

*It's Thursday! Which means tomorrow is Friday and our last day of work this week! I also get to see my Uncle Wayne & Aunt Kathy this weekend when I take Sara & Nick to LAX for their Maui getaway and friend's wedding.

Stay tuned for more wedding blogs as the photos start coming in from the photographer! So many great photos, and wonderful memories to go along with each of them!

Friday, September 4, 2009

Wedding Blogging!

I've been holding out on blogging anymore about wedding details, hoping that we would be getting our wedding photos from the photographer. I'd like to document the day with pics, because pics are just way more fun!

So bear with me, and we should have some good photos in another week or two!

Here's a photo to get you through, taken by Sister-in-Law Carol!

Thankful Thursdays

I'm a little late, but to be fair, I was at school and then sitting in a car for 8 hours (most of which I was driving) for my Thursday.

Here are the things I am thankful for on this belated Thursday.

*My wonderful HUSBAND (still a little weird to say it) who can be such a turd, but I love him to death. He was not looking forward to our long drive, just a month after we did the last one.

*My new family the Gravenkamps who act as though I've been a part of the family forever.

*My new S-I-L Andrea and her family who are willing to dog sit our crazy pups for the weekend.

*My grandma & grandpa for watching Lola this weekend while I'm busy doing fun things.

*Being able to go to a wedding, and not worry about a thing. I had so much fun at my wedding, but there was so much going on and I didn't want to miss a thing.

*Tracy's wedding! Weddings are so fun and I don't have to spend all day getting ready! :)

*Seeing my family after only a month without them.

*Going wedding dress shopping with my little sister and all the important women in her life!

*That our wedding might officially be legal this week. Had a little mishap, but got it cleared up.

*Krista & James' engagement party on Sunday!

* Having a day off work! This is going to be a long school year!