Melissa and Ken: An Engagement Story

Yesterday we had the pleasure of interviewing Andi Grant Photography in our "Monday Meeting" blog series...so today we thought it was only right to share a great engagement session of one of our Spring clients shot by the one and only Andi.

Ken and Melissa are a super fun couple! They have been dating for nearly a decade, and have traveled the nation following each other to be supportive spouses for their career endeavors. We are beyond ecstatic that they have chosen Virginia Beach as their home. We are looking forward to their gorgeous Bay Creek Wedding right around the corner. What do you think? 

Monday Meeting: Andi Grant Photography

We're excited to be back with our Monday Meetings!  We know you missed us so we have put together awesome interviews and samples of work from some of our favorite vendors here in Hampton Roads and beyond!  Our featured vendor this Monday is Andi Grant Photography. She specializes in capturing engagement, wedding and beloved memories.

What was the biggest challenge in transitioning from a career as a 911 dispatcher to photography? 

Leaving 911 was all good, the only challenge I found was working too much.   In my first 2 years in business I didn't take days off and working 10 hours a day was the norm and on days that I was "taking off" I would only work 4 hours, you know for my birthday or Christmas.  I had to discipline myself to allow myself me time and to make that happen I became more proficient in my work.  I still work a lot, but I'm trying to keep it closer to 40 hours a week instead of 70.  

 What is your favorite moment to capture during the wedding or engagement?

I have several favorites.  It's often found in those quiet moments when the couple isn't aware of anyone else around them and you can see the love in their eyes and feel their embrace....I love love...Oh and sometimes I catch that during their first dance, if they let the surroundings melt away and focus on each other...It's a great sight to behold.  I also love when they turn around after their ceremony and get ready to walk down the aisle that's always a fun moment for them, the "We did it" moment.

On your website, your photography style is described as having a “spunky vibe,” what makes you describe your photography in this way?

I don't think it's our photography that has the spunky vibe, but actually Zoë and I are the spunky ones.  We are high energy and are always having a lot of fun with our couples.  Our photography is best described as fresh, clean and beautiful.  We take a lot of pride in knowing just how to pose and interact with our couples so that they look and feel amazing when it's all said and done.  

What advice would you give couples in choosing the right photographer?

Good photography is probably a larger investment than couples initially anticipated. Because of this It's important to get some recommendations from their planner and friends. I suggest they look around and really figure out what they love and don't like about the different photographers in the area. It's so important that they find a photographer who matches their personality and who's work they absolutely adore.  It's not enough to think their photos are ok, not for something this important. They need to be sure they LOVE their style and that they think they would be a good fit.  A lot of us photographers are flexible, I can lean towards the more photojournalistic or the more artistic if that's what my clients want but I'm not overly traditional so I wouldn't be a good match for the couple who is looking for that kind of photographer.  There are so many amazing photographers in the area so I recommend they take their time, set up meetings and find one that fits their personality as well as their budget. Tricky part is you can't take too much time because the well sought after photographer's book about 9-12 months in advance, sometimes longer so if there is a photographer you love don't wait to set up that meeting, and really that goes for all the great vendors you want to work with.

 What was the theme of your favorite wedding you have photographed?

I loved the gorgeous nautical wedding I shot in Key West, but the most creative wedding we photographed in 2011 was our Alice in Wonderland themed wedding in North Carolina, it was an intimate wedding with so many great details.

Signature Drink Saturday: Blackberry Sage Cooler

This deep purple non-alocholic signature drink could be great for any summer wedding! I think I love the color and the floating blackberries the most! If a drink can be gorgeous...this certainly is! 

Source: scalingbackblog.com via Antonia "Missy" on Pinterest

http://scalingbackblog.com/post/9336405396/blackberry-sage-cooler

Getting to know Team ACE: Check out where the magic happens!

    Hi!  My name is Katie, I am one of the Antonia Christianson Events interns.  We feel like our studio is a magical place with lots of aha! moments.   Here at Antonia Christianson Events, we see our staff as fairies (making everything behind the scenes happen) and our clients as Kings and Queens.  Below are pictures of our studio to give our clients and readers a glimpse of  where the magic happens.  With lots of hard work and a little bit of fairy dust, we strive to make our client's dreams come true and celebrate them living happily ever after. A Special Thank You to Ashley Barnett of Jarnett Photography for these awesome studio pics. 

Our "every idea book you could ever need" and fun props corner :)

Showing off one of our Best of Weddings award from The Knot and Missy's adorable muscle men. 

Oh you know, displaying fun wedding collages and wedding dresses is normal at our studio.
(Thanks Ava Clara for the gown!)

..And the "any props you will ever need for any event corner" and photo collages of two of our very own team members!

Where all the ideas come to life..on the magical thinking couch!

Missy's magical thinking spot!  Check out the cute wedding props, client photos and her precious boys

Look at all of our client's beautiful engagement and wedding annoucements :) (and our intern desk!) Where Team ACE is hard at work!

So much love in this magical office :) Wouldn't you love to come hang out with the wedding fairies everyday?

Beautiful chair ties!  Even where Missy's fairies sit is perfect :)

Yum! Love everything about this cake from the detail down to the colors and cake box.
(this is one of two studio cakes) Thank you Emily Patti or PattiCakes!

Fun accessories to events!

Everything in this studio is wedding related, even our marketing programs..can you tell we're obsessed with making everything pretty? 

2011: A Year In Review!

Eric and Amber: Contemporary Art Center of Virginia, Trivium Studio

What an amazing year for weddings! 2011 was definitely a year of gorgeous events full of fun clients and of course lots of LOVE! Below are many of our clients from our last wedding season...these pictures are some of our favorites (and some of our photographers favorites). Each year while picking these favorite client pictures I reminisce on all of the couples that have allowed us to guide them through the most memorable time in life...I truly feel honored day after day, weekend after weekend, to do what I do. 

To all of our clients that allow us to spend this time with you, Thank You. While your dreams are coming true, mine are too. 

Caitlin and Kyle: Private Home, Rob Korb for Dana Duncan Photography

Chaz and Emily: Duke University, Trivium Studio

Kristen and Jeffrey: Bay Creek Resort, Tracey Sanders Photography

Michelle and Josh: Lighthouse on the Cove, Andi Grant Photography

Virginia and Erich: Williamsburg Inn, Eleise Theuer Photography

Stefanie and Andrew: Norfolk Yacht Club, David Abel Photography
(This wedding was featured on the Smitten Magazine Blog)

William and Amanda: Lesner Inn, Trivium Studio 

Vinny and Christine: Chrysler Museum of Art, Hayne Photographers

Damien and Jenn: Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center, David Schwartz Photography

Ashley and John: Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center, Kathryn Whitworth Photography

Tori and Ryan: Cypress Point Country Club, Trivium Studio
(This wedding was featured on the Wedding Chicks Blog)
(Their engagement session was featured on the Wedding Chicks Blog)

Rachel and Nick: Mariners Museum, Womble Photography

Tricia and Vince: Bay Creek Resort, Trivium Studio

Beth and Chuck: Williamsburg Lodge, Eleise Theuer Photography

Lauren and Loren: Steinhilbers Restaurant: Trivium Studio

Lauren and Loren: Sheraton Oceanfront, Trivium Studio

Judy and Andrew: Chrysler Museum of Art, Trivium Studio

Christina and Jason: Lesner Inn, Katie Nesbitt Photography
(This wedding was featured on Hostess with the Mostess)

Melanie and Austin: Princess Anne Country Club, David Schwartz Photography

Virginia and Mark: Marriott Waterside, Keith Cephus Photography

Jodi and Matt: Chrysler Museum of Art, David Schwartz Photography

Brandon and Jesse: Chrysler Museum of Art, Dustin Lewis Images 

Stacey and Bobby: Ohef Sholom Temple, Justin Hankins Photography

Signature Drink Saturday: Instant Margaritas

We haven't posted a "Signature Drink" in quite some time...but I saw this on my favorite site (Pinterest) and thought it was perfect for holiday parties! Instant Margaritas!! Just pour Tequila over frozen lime sorbet (in a salted rim glass)...and Voila! Instant Holiday (or summertime) Yumminess.

Source: realsimple.com via Kendall on Pinterest