Bella Rose Photography Blog

July 13, 2010 - 05:26 PM

posted by Lisa | filed under: Events, Photojournalism, Rehearsal Dinner, weddings

It is always a great experience to photograph the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner before one of my client's weddings because it gives me a chance to get to know the couple, their families and the bridal party a little better before the actual wedding day. The rehearsal is always exciting because everyone is anxiously anticipating the wedding the next day. Robin and Garan's wedding rehearsal was no exception. You could feel the excitement in the air, and everyone was ready to celebrate and have fun together. The rehearsal took place at the Washington Duke Inn and the dinner was at the Parizade restaurant in Durham.

March 15, 2010 - 03:41 AM

Haute Hat Show!

posted by Lisa | filed under: Events, Fashion, Fun, Modeling Portfolio

The glamorous 'Haute Hat Show' was the 'grown up' equivalent of playing dress up. All of the models were dressed in sophisticated 'little black dresses' with jewels, gloves, boas, high heels and of course, fantastic hats! I felt like I had gone back in time and we were witnessing a modeling show from the 1940's with models that stepped out of Vogue magazine.
Jan Wutkowski of aMuse! has been creating custom-made hats since 1995 when she studied hat making in Melbourne, Australia. She now resides in Wilmington, North Carolina and has a charming little store. Aside from creating hats, veils and headpieces, Jan has an extensive collection of vintage jewelry, gloves, handbags and other pretty things. It was so exciting to photograph this show and I absolutely loved every minute!

The talented, Dessert Divas, made a cake inspired by one of the hats in the show. They chose a dramatic large brimmed hat and recreated it in frosting! The beautiful model, Elena, modeled the hat with the cake for me! So glamorous!

Amanda DeLeon, (fashion designer), Rebekah Hinkle, (The Dessert Divas), Jan Wutkowski, (aMuse!), Deborah Place, (The Dessert Divas), Lisa Brown, (Bella Rose Photography), Jennifer Mattis, (The Dessert Divas), Jess James, (Style Girl).

Jennifer, Rebekah, Jess, Amanda, Elena, & Lisa enjoying the delicious cake!

March 15, 2010 - 03:14 AM

Orton's Secret Garden Wedding and Event Show!

posted by Lisa | filed under: Events, News, weddings

I have always loved the story, 'The Secret Garden' by Frances Hodgson Burnett. The idea of an enchanted garden, hidden by overgrown vines that comes to life with the care and love given by a little misplaced girl always captivated me as a child. When I was invited to participate in Orton's Secret Garden wedding show, I was immediately intrigued. I was even more excited when I heard that the idea for the show was for each vendor to display their work in a creative manner that would really showcase the possibilities of the site. And I was thrilled to be able to display my photography in the quaint historic chapel with the beautiful flowers and decor by Wendy of A Beautiful Event. I designed imagery to hang in the windows of the church using photos from previous weddings and bridal portraits taken at Orton Plantation. To keep with the 'secret garden' theme, I attached vintage keys to the ribbons and designed ornate, vintage style frames for my photography. We also had the a beautiful dress on display by Fountaine Bridals, gorgeous veils and accessories by aMuse! and fantastic violin music by Maura Kropk e. It was absolutely dreamy! To me, there is just something mysterious and enchanted about Orton Plantation and it is the perfect place for your own 'secret garden' wedding. And just like the book, a little bird came inside the chapel on the day of the show.

Jan Wutkowski, aMuse, Maura Kropke, violinist, Lisa Brown, Bella Rose Photography, Wendy Wright and assistant from A Beautiful Event, and Lindsay Blyth and assistant of Fountaine Bridal.

Jennifer and Rebekah of the Dessert Divas with Jan Wutkowski of aMuse!

Lindsay, Rebekah, Lisa, Deborah, Jennifer, Jess and Jan

My assistant Jill and I at the show!

Jess James with Cindy and Ron Pickett, owners of the Dudley Mansion.

It was a pretty day, but still very cold! I think it was a high of 52 degrees!

Jess James doing her job well- looking stylish!

March 11, 2010 - 10:32 PM

A Happy Affair Bridal Show!

posted by Lisa | filed under: Bridal Portraits, Events, News, weddings

The Happy Affair Bridal Show at North Ridge Country Club was a great event. We were positioned in the lobby area of the club so that couples could have a spontaneous 'mini engagement session' in front of the fireplace when they arrived for the show. Then couples entered into the main ballroom to meet with other vendors and to hear the speaker, Stacie Francombe. Stacie is the Get Married Founder and President. She hosts a weekly television show on WeTV and also publishes a beautiful magazine. The focus of the show and magazine are to discuss current trends in the wedding industry. Here are a few of the trends Stacie mentioned in her presentation:

1. Non-linear aisle: Brides are personalizing the procession by altering the traditional aisle with a circle or a triangular double aisle, enabling the couple to enter from multiple spots with a central meeting point. Stephanie Davis, Get Married magazine editor-in-chief and new bride, wedded lake-side on a circular dock from which she and her groom entered. "Our family no longer has two sides, so everyone sat together and, as an added bonus, there wasn't a bad seat in the house!"

2. Comfort foods with a kick: Chef Wolfgang Puck believes that comfort foods have become more popular in the current economy. Think burgers, pizza, ribs, pot pie, and risotto--but comfort does not have to mean pedestrian. "Upgrade ingredients and prepare them with great expertise. Serve hors d'oeuvres like Kobe burgers, wild mushroom risotto, smoked salmon pizzas, slow-braised short ribs or a simple chicken pot pie with lobster," advises Puck.

3. Gifting techie gadgetry: Registries and wedding gifts have increasingly become more high tech. Brides want electronic recipe finders, books and charging plates, and matching his-and-hers PDA cases--all examples of great gadgets for the couple as well as thank-you gifts for parents and the wedding party.

4. Texture-inspired invitations: Top bridal designer Monique Lhuillier shares inspirations and details from her various collections: "A lot of fabric details from the dresses translate into the invitations. We use techniques of embossing to mimic textures and incorporate the same colors from the gowns into the invitations." Look for details you would see on the runway on your wedding invitations.

5. Old, new, borrowed and cobalt blue: From hints of blue in bridal fashion to saturated color throughout the wedding decor, "blues will be the most requested color in 2010," said Shane Murray of The Wedding Report. Bright cobalt blue is a hot hue for 2010, offering fresh, bold and atmospheric twist on the bluesy tradition.

6. Wear-again bridesmaid dresses: The urban legend of wearing a bridesmaids dress by choice after the wedding is a reality with the new silhouettes that mirror what is happening on the runway. Gorgeous and glamorous dresses with drop waists, bubble skirts and ruffles add an additional sense of style for bridesmaids to wear--and wear again.

7. Three-dimensional save-the-dates: Inform your friends and family of your wedding day with a twist. Three-dimensional elements on the save-the-dates, like a paper umbrella (signifying a destination wedding), adds character, humor and relevance.

8. Old Hollywood glam, for men!: A return to Cary Grant's sense of style is making a comeback this year for grooms, looking charming and dapper in a white tuxedo with black-rimmed lapels. This cool old-school look brings back the sharp-looking vest and nostalgic pocket watch.

9. Blogger brides abound: Now more than ever, Get Married is seeing brides enjoy sharing snippets of surprises, ideas and images throughout their wedding planning experience. Personal blogs offer a space for brides to share, gather inspirations and explore. Check out Get Married's robust and newly designed wedding blog.

10. Personalized plus: From the décor designs and inspirational invites to a great gifts and super-fab favors, Get Married is observing brides' aspiration for distinctly personalized wedding details. Designing invitations, save-the-dates and thank-you cards and adding monograms to guest books, aisle runners and gifts (like cosmetic and travel bags) offers a hint of personal bridal style. An assortment of personalized décor, invitations, gifts and favors are available a www.shop.getmarried.com.

March 10, 2010 - 01:53 PM

Photos featured in Metro Magazine

posted by Lisa | filed under: Events, Magazine Features, News

Here are a few photos that are currently featured in the Raleigh Metro Magazine from my coverage of the Triangle Wine Experience. What a fun night!

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February 22, 2010 - 05:42 PM

A Happy Affair ~ Bridal Show!

posted by Lisa | filed under: Engagement, Events, Fashion, News, weddings

Triangle Bridal Association

Bella Rose Photography
will be featured at:

A Happy Affair
North Ridge Country Club
6612 Falls of Neuse Road
Raleigh
Thursday, the 25th of February
4:30pm - 8:30pm

Don't miss this! Stacie Francombe, Get Married Media Founder and President, will present inspiring ideas and fantastic finds to help you personalize your wedding and create a truly memorable day. Get Married Media offers brides-to-be a wealth of wedding tips through Get Married magazine, GetMarried.com, the WeTV television hit series Get Married - and just for you - a live presentation at the Triangle Bridal Association's A Happy Affair.

Hall of Gowns
Dessert Tasting
Inspiration Library
Complimentary Photo
Meet Triangle Experts
Musical Moods
Get Personal with Get Married Media

Bella Rose Photography has 10 FREE Tickets and 12 coupons for $5 off the ticket price. Contact Lisa for more info!
919-744-0682

Meet the Triangle's most reputable wedding professionals. As part of the Triangle Bridal Association, members are quality-oriented wedding experts subscribing to a Code of Ethics, dedicated to honesty, integrity and a commitment to professionalism. They know their reputation is on the line with every wedding, including yours.

February 22, 2010 - 05:22 PM

Orton Plantation's Secret Garden Wedding and Event Gathering!

posted by Lisa | filed under: Events, News, weddings

I am very excited to announce that Bella Rose Photography will be featured at the Orton Plantation Secret Garden Wedding and Event Gathering on Sunday, February 28th from 11am to 4pm! Orton Plantation has four amazing locations for weddings and events on the property. Several new locations have recently been added! All four locations will be showcased with wedding decor, each with a different color scheme and theme. Bella Rose Photography will be displayed in the beautiful historic Luola's Chapel, so be sure and stop by to say 'hello!'

February 14, 2010 - 05:11 PM

Happy Valentines Day!

posted by Lisa | filed under: Events, Fun

Happy Valentines Day to all of you Lovebirds out there!

February 10, 2010 - 06:10 PM

The Triangle Wine Experience

posted by Lisa | filed under: Events

This past weekend was the fabulous Triangle Wine Experience event. The event is hosted by the International Special Events Society, an association of great people that I am really excited to be a part of. The photographers in the group volunteered to photograph the event for a slide show that played during the evening.

Here is an excellent description of the event by Carol Klenke, President, Greater Triangle NC Chapter of ISES:

"The first weekend in February is the date for our chapter's annual fundraiser, the Triangle Wine Experience Gala. I am grateful to so many of you for donating products, expertise and time to help with the continued success our clients at Frankie Lemmon have come to expect. Not only is this our chapter fundraiser but it is also their fundraiser allowing them to operate their school for disabled children, right here in Raleigh."
"The Triangle Wine Experience 2010, Hollywood & Vine! What an amazing night! We transformed an empty warehouse off Discovery Drive into 2 great hot spots. Upon entering the warehouse through a raised tent into a "Speakeasy", the guests were treated to 7 of the Triangle's hottest caterers preparing delicious appetizers and 42 of the country's leading wine makers were on site to offer tastings of their wines. All of this was set in a room dressed in reds and blacks with gobos and red accents. Hot hot hot! Once it was time for the live Auction to begin our guests entered into the second phase of the evening, Hollywood Glamour!!! 54 tables were dressed and decorated with beautiful linens, candles and candelabras topped with floral arrangements. 18' black velour pipe and drape dressed the walls and a classic Hollywood themed back drop dressed the stage where Marvelous Mark once again was on site to dazzle the guests until long after midnight!"

February 2, 2010 - 04:43 PM

Weddings Magazine ~ Rehearsal Dinner Photo Shoot

posted by Lisa | filed under: Commercial Shoot, Events, Fun, News, magazine features, weddings

This past fall, I had the opportunity to shoot a feature for the Weddings Magazine in Raleigh. The feature was a rehearsal dinner staged at the 1705 Prime Catering and Events restaurant. The lovely table was decorated beautifully in pinks, and deep red colors with a gorgeous platinum and black table linen by Classic Party Rentals. I loved the modern submerged arrangements artfully designed by Michael with Fleurtations Weddings.
The very cool and modern cake was by Swank Cake Designs and the seating chart, table numbers and favors were provided by Maria Scheel. I think have a harpist at any event just makes the atmosphere elegant. The harpist is the very talented Laura Byrne and the whole look was orchestrated by Kara with A Southern Soirre. It was such a fun experience to see the work of so many amazing people. Here are a few of my favorites and then you will see how it all turned out in the actual magazine spread!

Here are few rare shots of me 'in action' taken by my assistant Jill. Usually at weddings we are working so fast that it is almost impossible to think of taking an action shot, but on a shoot like this we are able to take it a little easier and enjoy the creative process!