Ekster Antiques Styled Shoot {Northern Virginia Wedding Photographer}

Happy Friday, Lovelies!

I am super excited about the changes happening over at my little shopJ  Slowly, this little blog is getting off the ground, the mini-sessions opened doors to me meeting so many of your beautiful faces, I’m plugging away at upgrading my website (check it out if you haven’t recently)… oh, and I was published.

WHAT?!?!  Okay, so it’s just a couple of wedding blogs, but… they’re like really cool blogs.  Yeah, I’m a little giddyJ  It’s so crazy that just a couple of years ago, I had a Canon Rebel and a crazy idea to start a business.  It’s most definitely still a parttime occupation, but I feel like I’m figuring out a little about photography, marketing, webdesign, accounting, and joint-venturing.  An active mind.  I hope to always be eager to learn more!

Well, I could not have pulled together the Ekster Antiques styled wedding shoot without the help of amazing vendors.  As I plan my own wedding, I don’t think that I could find better ladies with whom to work!  I highly recommend checking out these vendors.  Care to take a walk with me?

First stop is Ekster Antiques (http://www.eksterantiques.com/).  I hate to play favorites, but this is honestly my favorite store-- better than Anthropologie, J. Crew, Pottery Barn, and One Kings Lane.  Those of you who only know your mother’s antiquing in Goodwill-like stores, you need to get with the program.  Ekster is the stuff Pinterest is made of.  They hosted the event, and all the “stuff” you see here is Ekster.

This weekend, Ekster is open.  Since Ekster is usually only open quarterly, I’d take the opportunity to visit!  I know your first thought is that Ekster is probably too expensive-- It’s crazy good deals.  I bought a SEVEN light chandelier for something like $350.  I tried to find something similar… the closest was $600 and it was mass-produced rubbish.  More on my remodels later.  Check out a pumpkin patch and then head to Ekster this weekend!  You’ll thank meJ

Like Ekster on Facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/ekster.antiques.9?fref=ts Ekster has zillions of photos of their offerings on Facebook.

Next, we have Tiffany.  Ahhh, the beautiful Tiffany.  For years, I watched men swoon over Tiffany, but recently, a lucky guy caught Tiffany's attention and heart.  Tiffany recently opened her own make up shop: MakeUp by Tiffany M (http://www.facebook.com/tiffmmakeup?fref=ts) Like her on Facebook!  I highly recommend her if you’re looking for makeup for an event.

Then we have the flowers… wow!  Anthomanic (http://www.anthomanic.com/) put together the flowers, and they were amazing!  We’ve all seen the “normal” flower arrangements… Honestly, I just thought I would throw together some flowers for my own wedding, but from the moment I picked up the flowers for our shoot at Anthomanic, I KNEW that I needed Anthomanic’s flowers at my wedding.  They can incorporate succulents, a clawfoot tub full of giant orchids... the crazy stuff that takes your wedding or event to the next level.

Friend Anthomanic on Facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Anthomanic/129172837143184?fref=ts

Then there was the cake.  Hasna with Sugar Lips Confectionery (http://www.sugarlipscon.com/) designed the cake.  Hasna is a stay a home mom that recently started a cake business.  Her cakes are amazing, and she’s trying all kinds of quirky, new things.  Honestly, save her information for your kids next birthday, husband’s, your wedding, whatever.

Check out Sugar Lips Confectionery on Facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sugar-Lips-Confectionery/183766115025018

For the drinks, I was helped out by Lindsay of the Well Fed Hospitality Group. http://wellfedgroup.com/  It’s a restaurant consulting group that recently started “pop up” dinners.  This is the coolest idea, especially for a date night.  Lindsay’s partner is a chef at a top DC restaurant, and they host one-night, multi-course dinners-- pop up.  Kind of like the country fair of five-star cuisine:)  The last one was a Julia Child themed dinner--- umm, too cute! And now I drool.

Follow them on Facebook for details on their next dinner! http://www.facebook.com/WellFedGroup?fref=ts

And last but not least, we need a shout out to The Dandelion Patch.  There are a number of store locations in the DC area.  I have one right around the corner in Reston Town Center.  Check out all the creative options online! http://www.thedandelionpatch.com/locations/reston-town-center/

Here’s their Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/thedandelionpatch?fref=ts

I’m so excited that Tutto Bella and Bayside Bride decided to feature this shootJ  We’ll be featured by a few others as well.  These vendors were positively amazing.  Check them out, bookmark them, and you’ll thank me for it later!