{Purple + Gray + Yellow Inspiration} Habesha Garden Romance Styling Shoot at Meridian Hill Park!

  In 2013 I had the opportunity to plan and coordinate over ten weddings, twenty special events and my very first styling shoot! This shoot was inspired by my love for gardens and the 2013 trend of outdoor weddings that was very popular among couples everywhere so what better place than Meridian Hill Park.

A couple of months ago I had the idea to do the "Garden Romance" Styling Shoot with some great vendors at Meridian Hill Park, a structured urban park located in the Washington, D.C. neighborhood of Columbia Heights. The place is filled with beautiful areas like a cascading fountain, overlooking ledges, gorgeous landscape and much more! I wanted to photograph a young Ethiopian couple so my team and I enlisted in the talents of up and coming models, Alem & Samuel who were great to work with!

Our amazing stylist, Erica Joi from Distinctiv Style knew my color palette and vision and found the perfect bridal boutique in Old Town Alexandria named Ellie's Bridal to pick out a stunning long & lace gown which was very popular all over the bridal salons last year. The gown was also accompanied by long, traditional veil, which we also saw popular with our Favored Brides! The groom's attire was from Savvy Formalwear who has also dressed some of my past clients with great attention to detail and I think they hit the mark with this modern light gray suit and vest combination. The purple tie and handkerchief were the perfect palette addition to finish the look.

Creative Team:

• Bride & Groom Models – Alem Kifle & Samuel Zeleke
• Photography – Damion Miller Photography
• Venue – Meridian Hill Park
• Shoot Styling & Florals - Favored by Yodit Events
• Jewelry & Attire Styling - Distinctiv Style
• Wedding Gown & Veil – Ellie's Bridal Boutique in Old Town Alexandria, VA
• Groom’s Attire – Savvi Formalwear by Sarno & Son Tuxedos
• Makeup - Makeup by Fifi
• Hair - Yene Damtew

#FavoredFriday Blog Post: Airplanes & Trains Styled Shoot from Tunji Sarumi Photography

I came across some gorgeous images from a styled shoot from last week's #Favored Spotlight Vendor, Photographer Tunji Sarumi. It seems to be a very small world because I know the dapper gentlemen in the shoot & fell in love with all of Leanne and Mekdim (a real married couple). You can see their engagement photos here and their wedding and traditional here and here. also shot by Tunji Sarumi Photography. The shoot was styled and planned by J Garner Events and shot at Fort Meade Flying Activity Club. Ready to take flight and fall in love!

Source: Tunji Sarumi Studios

Chris + Jay Ell's Engagement Photos: Norfolk...Where It All Began!

 

Its always special witnessing the happiness of a dear friend. And today is no different as I share the gorgeous engagement photos and love story of Chris and Jay Ell (my college gal pal who I adore)! Last night the couple unveiled their much anticipated wedding website and it goes without saying these two were meant for each other! Im also excited to be in their bridal party of close friends & family.

The couple pays homage to Norfolk, Virginia, the city where they both were raised and eventually locked eyes first as they attended Poplar Halls Elementary School. How cute right? But this isn't your average local girl meets local boy and become an item...right away!

As they grew up, their distance became greater, and interactions even less. Chris attended and graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University while Jay Ell joined myself and most of her bridesmaids at George Mason University! After four years of great memories at George Mason Jay Ell headed back to Norfolk in order to plan for graduate school in Richmond at VCU, Chris' Alma Mater. But as fate would have it months later, the two rekindled their friendship which grew into a serious relationship and will become a holy matrimony in the presence of God, their family, and friends on October 19th 2013. 

Love you guys and cant wait to celebrate your beautiful new beginning as one!

Photo Credit: Brandon Mitchell Photography 

Favored Intern’s Corner: The Intern Experience

Hey! So this is my very first blogging week as a FAVORED intern! Whoop! I’m excited to say that I have successfully completed my first month! *insert brief Harlem Shake here* Upon applying, I wasn’t sure what to expect but I have learned so much in a short period of time.

Yodit has been amazing, showing me everything from how to style a photo shoot to establishing the foundation of a business. I’m learning not only what it takes to be successful in this business but how to be successful PERIOD. Can you believe that my interview was a photo shoot…talk about pressure! Thankfully I didn’t embarrass myself and I was able to show that I am not completely useless lol. We were able to complete seven looks in seven hours which had the potential to be a stressful day, but everyone was so helpful and efficient that it didn’t even feel like work. I met some incredibly talented female entrepreneurs (which are all on our FAVORED list here) that I am excited to work with in the future.  Our first official event will be the launch party and I can’t wait to share with you everything else I learn here, so stay tuned!