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Editorial Interview: Rustic Wedding Chic

21 Feb Filed Under: Editorial Interviews, Lauren

Rustic, country weddings are always a favorite among brides, and where better to look for dreamy, rustic inspiration than Rustic Wedding Chic?  Rustic Wedding Chic inspires brides daily with fabulous real wedding features, DIY projects, tips for couples, and other helpful articles.  We were thrilled to be able to talk to editor Maggie Lord about her blog and about the new Rustic Wedding Chic book, which will be coming out later this year. Read on to find out what defines a rustic wedding, and how yours can be featured on this fabulous blog!

Introducing Maggie Lord of Rustic Wedding Chic

Tell us about yourself! How did you get started as an editor?

I started Rustic Wedding Chic back in 2009 at the same time that I was planning my own wedding. I was extremely addicted to the wedding blogs, but at the time there were no major wedding blog dedicated exclusively to the rustic or country style. I would find myself wading through endless numbers of weddings online in hopes of coming across just one wedding rustic in style, it was this frustration that really spurred me on to create Rustic Wedding Chic.

At the same time I was asked to create a capsule collection of rustic wedding goods for an online retailer, Whispering Pines Catalog, so I felt like I had my finger on the pulse of what the rustic and country brides were looking for. Now 3 years later Rustic Wedding Chic has become the number one wedding blog for brides planning a rustic, country or vintage style wedding.

How would you describe the style of Rustic Wedding Chic? What elements or details do you think make a wedding “rustic?”

The beauty of a rustic wedding is that they can take on any shape that fits the bride and groom, and they come in all different styles and price ranges. I have really started to understand that couples and wedding enthusiasts use the term rustic as an umbrella term to encapsulate country, vintage style, backyard, mountain, lakeside and vineyard style weddings. A rustic wedding can take place anywhere from the mountains of Aspen, to a barn in Vermont to an urban loft in Brooklyn – the style is all what you make of it.

What advice do you have for photographers who would like to be featured on Rustic Wedding Chic?

90% of our readers are brides who are in the active phases of planning their wedding, so they are looking for ideas that they can take away and use in their own wedding. I think all of our readers love to see shots of the overall decor, the wedding location and then closer detail shots of the elements that make that wedding unique like the table decor, the invitations, the cake and the centerpieces. We love to feature weddings from all across the country and try to feature as many different style couples as possible. We work really hard to make sure that the couples featured on the blog reflect the vast diversity of our community of readers.

Tell us about your new book project! What made you decide to start a book?

The idea for a Rustic Wedding Chic book came from the readers themselves when they started asking for an expansive, more permanent collection of our most popular features. In addition to our blog, the book acts as something that can be touch and turned to when planning a wedding. Rustic Wedding Chic has become the authority on the rustic, farm, country style wedding and with a strong and dedicated readership we felt like it was the right time to expand our inspiration capabilities. I brought the idea to Gibbs Smith Publishing back in September and the project really moved quickly after that.

What kinds of content will the book feature?

The book is over 160 pages and features real rustic weddings from a variety of different locations across the country along with inspiration shoots, advice & guidance (a extremely popular feature on our blog called Ask Maggie), tips from the wedding pros, and a “Get The Look” section. We also list our favorite resources and vendors.

What  was the process of creating a book like? How is it different from blogging?

There is no doubt about it that creating a book is really hard work and my hat goes off to all editors who work in the print world all the time. Unlike blogging where you can make changes, add or delete a photo as time goes on, in a print publication there is just not the same flexibility. You have to get things like the style and layout right the first time. I really have enjoyed both mediums and am looking forward to adding more books to our collection of work but I will always really stay true to the day to day of  blogging that started things for me.

When can we pick up a copy?

The Rustic Wedding Chic book will be out in all major bookstores and available for online purchase in late summer / early fall.

Who or what inspires you?

Right now I find inspiration for the countless emails I get from brides who are seeking my advice and input for their wedding – it is the community of rustic brides that keep me working hard. The other major avenue of inspiration for me is the wedding photographers who turn out beautiful pictures and capture the cherished fleeting moments at a wedding that will forever live on thanks to their artistic ability.

What was your favorite feature submitted through Two Bright Lights?

Two Bright Lights was a game changer for me. I used to have to track down all of the vendors that were used at a wedding and that created an endless exchange of emails back and forth – with Two Bright Lights I have all of the info at my fingertips and it offers me the ability to go back and look at a set of pictures several times as I am trying to craft the story around that wedding. Working on the book meant that I had to keep track of over 350 photos and which photographer they belonged to, without Two Bright Lights my job as an editor and writer would be 10 times harder.

Thanks to Maggie for taking the time to interview with us. Be sure to check out her blog, and submit your photos via Two Bright Lights!

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Filed Under: Editorial Interviews, Lauren

Editorial Interview: Featuring Somewhere Splendid

5 Jan Filed Under: Community, Editorial Interviews, Natalia

Have you recently thrown or photographed a party of any kind that was filled with to-die-for details? Do you like creative crafts for the home or a party? Then Somewhere Splendid is the blog for you! Somewhere Splendid began on August 11, 2010 after Maddy Hague and her husband purchased their first home in St. Paul, Minnesota. This lifestyle blog covers home renovation and decor, entertaining, and cooking. Maddy, the primary author, designed and coded the entire layout. We are so excited to feature her today!

Featuring Maddy Hague of Somewhere Splendid

Somewhere Splendidlogo, yellowTell us a little about yourself! How did you get started as an editor?

I was an editor already! I also write the wedding blog the Inspired Bride. I knew that once my husband and I owned a home, I’d want to expand my blogging to cover more “nesting” areas – including cooking, general entertaining, home decor, and crafting – so it was always back of mind. We purchased a cute midcentury house in the Twin Cities, Minnesota last year, and Somewhere Splendid was born a month after we closed!

How would you describe the style of Somewhere Splendid?

I would say our approach is styled and contemporary. I work full time as an art director, so aesthetics and presentation are really important to me, from the way an event is set up to the way it is photographed. I like fresh visual looks and ideas – the more surprised I am by a product or a shoot, the more likely I am to feature it.

What types of submissions are you looking for through Two Bright Lights? What kind of images and information should the photographer (or crafter or other creative pro) include in their submission?

I look for anything that is not a wedding or engagement shoot. I’m open to bridal showers, but otherwise I leave all the matrimony-focused entertaining for the Inspired Bride. I love to see baby showers, kids’ and adults’ birthdays, and holiday entertaining. I tend to avoid too many “people” shots for Somewhere Splendid; I’m more focused on the details that our readers can be inspired by. I love to get credits for all the vendors as well as the sources (whether it is an Etsy shop or local store) so that if there’s a detail a reader is particularly loving, she (or he!) knows who they can contact to get the same or a similar item or look.

What advice do you have for someone who wants to be featured in your publication? What makes a submission stand out?

First and foremost, the event should be exclusive to our blog; though I’ll publish it if a vendor has posted pictures on their own blog, I prefer to be the first one to bring it live if possible.  A high quality of craft in the photography and styling is important, and I love to see great care taken in documenting all the details of the event. From my point of view, there’s no such thing as “too many detail shots” – I can edit the photos down to make a great story, so I’d love to see everything you’ve got!
As I mentioned before, I love being surprised by details that are original or have a “wow” factor to them. They don’t have to be a big splashy backdrop or something similar; I can be just as impressed by an interesting new take on the drink stirrer. Fun and exciting themes that are well-executed are also a huge bonus!

What is your favorite part of being an editor? What is the biggest challenge?

Being a blogger, you have the opportunity to meet so many incredibly talented and creative people. It’s a really great community you find yourself in, and I’ve made a lot of great friends as a result of it.

The biggest challenge is definitely coming up with regular, fresh content. The biggest disappointment is to receive an amazing submission, only to find out the person who sent the images in also sent it to four other people at the same time and you’ve already been beaten to the punch. It’s really important to establish great relationships with bloggers whose sites you really admire and would like to be featured on, and things like that can leave sour tastes in our mouths. Submit one media outlet at a time – if you know you’ve got really great content, someone will definitely snap it up, so there’s no reason to go overboard and send your shoot to multiple people at the same time.

What is something that your readers don’t know about you?

A lot of my personality goes into Somewhere Splendid because the subject just happens to be more personal than IB – it talks about my home, and my life, so I do share quite a bit there. I guess one big thing about my husband and myself that you wouldn’t know from the blogs is that despite our love of great design and hipster music, we’re complete and total nerds. Playing video games, in particular, is a big weakness of ours as well as our favorite bit of bonding time. We’re different types of gamers, but we always find common ground. For example, I might be playing the Sims on my Mac while helping him “spot” people on the opposite team while he’s playing Call of Duty online. Slightly embarrassing, right?

Who or what inspires you?

I’m inspired by all aspects of great art and design. Obviously, as a graphic designer myself, that’s a huge part of where my inspiration comes from. But I’m also absolutely in awe of the work of architects Richard Neutra and Donald Wexler, the work of photographers Annie Liebowitz and Diane Arbus, the mobiles of Alexander Calder and the paintings of Mark Rothko.

Thanks to Maddy for interviewing with us! Log on to Two Bright Lights today and submit your party and decor albums to Somewhere Splendid!

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Filed Under: Community, Editorial Interviews, Natalia

Editor Interview: Featuring The Wedding Yentas

30 Dec Filed Under: Community, Editorial Interviews, Education, Natalia

Get to know the Editors

Are you looking for fresh ideas and the latest trends in Jewish weddings? Then look no further than the Wedding Yentas! The Wedding Yentas is an online community of brides, grooms, vendors, and well, yentas, who come to learn and dish all about weddings. We chatted with Alison Friedman about her website, and whether you’re involved in a traditional Jewish wedding, an interfaith wedding, or even a Jew-ish wedding, this is the online place for you — a wedding havurah, if you will.

Featuring Alison Friedman of The Wedding Yentas

Wedding YentasLogo

Tell us a little about yourself. How did you get started as an editor?

I’ve always loved weddings! Even before planning my own wedding in 2008, I was that girl whose Barbies were constantly getting married and I’d play wedding with friends at recess in school. I’m a sappy romantic and knew that after my first date with my now-husband, it would be reasonable to start dreaming of our wedding. So naturally, I enjoyed the fairly easy and stress-free process of planning my spring nuptials and even though I was engaged for 17 months, I still wasn’t “over” all things wedding! Cue The Wedding Yentas! With a background in journalism and marketing, writing about Jewish weddings seemed like a natural fit since there wasn’t a varied amount of online resources for Jewish brides and grooms. 

How would you describe the style of The Wedding Yentas? What do you look for in the weddings you feature?

The Wedding Yentas is a Jewish wedding planning blog that should be a warm and inviting place for brides and grooms to gain inspiration and learn information. The writing style is like girlfriends dishing over coffee and the usability should feel fun and chic. The Wedding Yentas aims to provide answers for couples who have Jewish wedding-specific questions, but also appeal to the unaffiliated bride because so many traditions and ideas can cross over to any culture or heritage. The Wedding Yentas looks for warm and beautiful Jewish weddings that can range from interfaith to modern and mainstream to orthodox. The Wedding Yentas also looks for weddings that are just Jew-ish – a couple traditions tossed in without a lot of religion. I’m basically looking for the warm-fuzzies that Jewish weddings often emit. 

How has using Two Bright Lights changed the way you review submissions?

I am able to delight my eyes viewing so many more photos than I could review if images were just sent to me via email. I can really get an idea of the style of wedding that’s submitted and organize my Real Weddings queue in an efficient and organized method. I absolutely love that I have discovered fabulous photographers I would not have otherwise known about and developed sweet little online friendships with wedding professionals who collaborate with The Wedding Yentas. Isn’t the Internet grand?

What are your most common reasons for not accepting a submission?

If a wedding doesn’t have any Jewish elements or is not a Jewish wedding, I cannot accept the submission for The Wedding Yentas. I always make sure to let photographers know why their wedding wasn’t accepted and invite them to continue submitting Jewish weddings as they arise. I love featuring all kinds of Jewish weddings from all over the country.

Tell us about a typical day in the life of a wedding editor. What is your favorite part? Your least favorite?

Every day, I come up with new ideas and topics for articles and photos. My best ideas come to me while I’m driving or in the shower, believe it or not! I also love to interview current or recent brides to find out about popular trends in their areas and to discover exactly what they want to see due to what they feel is lacking on other wedding blog sites. I love to review wedding photos and format them for publication. I’m developing new templates for displaying photos and inspiration boards since I know those are super helpful for sparking ideas. My least favorite part is waiting! I am too excited and impatient to wait for information that completes posts for Real Weddings. Since I need a list of vendors and a blurb about the couple to complement their wedding photos, I often have to wait for this additional information. Twiddling my thumbs when all I want to do is show the world a gorgeous wedding is not easy for me! But, as always, these weddings are worth the wait because they’re lovely!

What was the memorable wedding you’ve personally attended? What made is so special?

I’ve been lucky enough to attend fabulous weddings of my fabulous friends! One of my girlfriends had a beautiful and intimate wedding with a handful of friends and immediate family. The style was dark and romantic and so full of love. It was a unique wedding guest experience for me because I felt that I wasn’t just attending the wedding. I was literally part of it. I was lucky enough to be at another friend’s wedding at a gorgeous luxurious hotel in San Francisco. The festive atmosphere that included a couple hundred friends and family was full of personal touches like a giant layered cookie instead of traditional cake due to the couple’s love for cookies. I also loved that the dinner was served in the same place as the ceremony and that the bride and groom ate in the chuppah with their immediate families. Both weddings were so different, but both remain such happy memories for me as a guest and best friend. 

Who or what inspires you?

I’m inspired by a cornucopia of crafty, stylish, and classic women. Martha — yes, that one — inspires me to be crafty when I would otherwise feel inadequate at tackling DIY projects. Zooey Deschanel’s style inspires me, not only when it comes to fashion, but in her whimsical manner of communicating and representing herself. And when it comes to Kate Middleton, I’m another tally on her fan list because I admire her natural beauty, classy demeanor, and, let’s face it, she had a pretty nice fairytale wedding. For a blog that addresses a niche topic such as Jewish wedding planning, I get inspiration from my summers away at sleep away camp where I explored a Jewish identity. My own Jewish family and ancestors who represent what it means to be a modern Jewish woman have also propelled me to create the organic community that’s found in The Wedding Yentas. And I certainly couldn’t be inspired to love weddings without my husband, Bryan, who represents love to me, and our 4-month-old daughter, Madelyn, who is the product of such love. What can I say? I love love! I know, cheesy, but it’s true!

Which submission from Two Bright Lights featured in your publication was your favorite?

Oooo this is so hard! This is like asking me who I think is cuter: my baby or my dog! Every wedding I’ve published on The Wedding Yentas is special and unique because it’s a wedding for a completely special and unique couple! I really enjoyed the photos and details by Gwendolyn Tundermann in this Florida wedding, and B &G Photography in this California wedding. I’ll be honest: I’m a sucker for good shoe shots, a hearty step on the glass followed by a sweet kiss, and a joyous documentation of the just-married couple celebrating high up in the chairs during the Hora dance.

Thanks to Alison for interviewing with us! Log on to Two Bright Lights today and submit your Jewish Weddings to the Wedding Yentas!

 

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Filed Under: Community, Editorial Interviews, Education, Natalia

Editor Interview: Featuring Heart Love Weddings

6 Oct Filed Under: Editorial Interviews, Education, Lauren

Have you been having trouble finding bWed  Exclusive on Two Bright Lights? Never fear! This sweet, inspirational blog has undergone a fabulous makeover, and is now requesting submissions as the new and improved Heart Love Weddings! We talked to the wonderful Alexandra Beauregard about her rebranded blog, and found out what kind of submissions you can submit to make her heart melt!

Introducing Alexandra Beauregard of  Heart Love Weddings

Tell us a little about yourself. How did you get started as an editor?

I fell into it. Everyone says that, but it’s the honest to goodness truth. I’m not a wedding planner or other wedding pro with a blog, I’m not even a bride (yet) blogging about my wedding planning process. I am a wedding blogger, pure and simple.

I’ve been in love with weddings since I was 6. I’ve been a writer for almost as long. It’s always been my passion, writing. And when I stumbled upon wedding blogs about three years ago, I was obsessedfascinated! And as I oohed and ahhed over the details and incredible photography, I found myself wondering about the story behind the smiles and laughter shared between the bridal couple. I knew I couldn’t be the only one. I started my blog with the intention of telling the couple’s love story alongside the details and photographs of their wedding day. And, what do you know, I was right. Heart Love Weddings has evolved into a love story wedding blog filled with real life love stories and so much more!

How would you describe the style of Heart Love Weddings? What makes your publication stand out?

Heart Love Weddings is devoted to love stories. I love personal details that tell a couple’s story in an authentic way! Whether it be a whirlwind romance culminating in an extravagant affair or the journey of high school sweethearts who hand-craft every detail themselves, each bride and groom has a brilliant story to tell. And I love seeing those details come to life on wedding day. In our pages, you will find true love, laughter and happily ever after.

We love your new blog design! Can you tell us about the process of rebranding? How did you decide on the new design?

What a process it was! Challenging and amazing are the two words I can use to best describe the longer-than-I-expected process. Rebranding your business is nothing to take lightly. You have to be 100% committed to tearing apart every aspect of your business (down to the bare bones) and building everything back up piece by piece.

Ours started with a name change. Our previous name, bWed Exclusive, just did not fit our focus, the direction I wanted to take the blog, or the future of my business. Heart Love Weddings was born just a few days after I started my rebranding journey. It just fit. It fit me (the heart behind the blog), our niche (the love stories), and our main purpose (weddings). Working with Lara Casey and Emily Ley of Making Brands Happen to craft my brand, and with Cathy Olson of Love-Inspired was the best thing I could have ever done. They took my hopes, dreams, and really awful sketches and turned them into my new reality.

What do you look for in submissions? What advice do you have for photographers who would like to submit to you?

Each wedding must have irresistible details, stunning photography, and an enchanting love story. When it comes to photographs, we look for a happy medium between detail and bride and groom shots.

We happily accept engagement, proposal and love shoots, as well as boudoir, inspiration and styled shoots, and real details like engagement parties or showers. For each of these types of shoots, we like to get a little Behind the Lens insight from the photographer(s) as well.

Advice: We love when a photographer includes a little snippet of the couple’s love story. We get that much more excited for when the couple fills out and returns our Love Story Questionnaire. We appreciate any help from the photographer in getting that filled out and returned to us as quickly as possible (with as many details as possible – the more the better!). And vendors. A completed vendor list is crucial as we like to ensure everyone receives credit where credit is due.

What was the memorable wedding you’ve personally attended?  What made is so special?

I didn’t exactly attend the most memorable wedding I can think of. I was six and on vacation with my family at South Seas Island Resort in Captiva, Florida. We were walking the beach at sunset and happened upon the most gorgeous wedding I have ever seen. I remember every single detail. The bride wore a strapless dress with no shoes (because you just can’t walk the beach in high heels). The groom wore a simple white button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. They said their vows in a heart made of seashells and candles, surrounded by only their close friends and family. And as the sun set, the groom took his new bride by the hand. He led her right into the waves, spun her once, dipped her back, and kissed her like he would for the next fifty years. My heart does somersaults just thinking about it. It’s my vision for my wedding someday.

Who or what inspires you?

Honestly, this is going to sound funny, but a blank sheet of paper fires me up like nobody’s business. There’s something about that never-been-touched-by-pen blankness that gets me going. Each new sheet of paper or notebook is a new adventure, idea, hope, dream, story, etc. for me to develop and craft. It’s the best feeling in the world for me to know that I can create something from nothing.

Which submission from Two Bright Lights featured in your publication was your favorite?

I tried to pick one favorite, I really, really did. But I failed. My heart is torn between these two because the love stories truly did come to life in every heart-pounding detail. This classic vintage garden wedding is what dreams are made of! The florals, the dresses, the DIY cake stand made by the groom’s own two hands. Sigh. And this purple and yellow rustic vintage wedding - I have no words to describe my love for it. The poem he wrote for her when he proposed, how they used that in every aspect of their wedding, and the retelling of their first dance. My pupils become little hearts just thinking about it.

 

Log on to Two Bright Lights today and submit to Heart Love Weddings! Plus check out Alexandra’s blog on Facebook and Twitter.

 

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Filed Under: Editorial Interviews, Education, Lauren

Editorial Interview: Featuring Every Last Detail

22 Sep Filed Under: Community, Editorial Interviews

Always wondered which details to include in your Real Wedding submissions? Who better to ask than Lauren Grove of Every Last Detail? Every Last Detail is a fresh, modern blog designed to help brides avoid mistakes in planning their dream wedding, and focuses on sharing sound advice and beautiful, inspiring details.  In our recent interview, Lauren shared her experiences of becoming a wedding editor, her advice for photographers, and her list of must-have detail shots!

Featuring Lauren Grove of Every Last Detail!

Tell us a little about yourself. How did you get started as an editor?

I actually, like most people, kind of “fell into” the wedding industry.  After my May 2009 wedding, I realized that there were so many things that I would have done differently  if I had known better. I decided to start a little blog to just share my own wedding experience, with the intent of helping brides and hoping to prevent them from making the same mistakes that I did.

I ended up taking a wedding planning course to learn more about weddings and the way things “should” be, which then eventually led me to start working with a local company. I was able to see all of the ins and outs of weddings from the “other” side. In November 2009, I launched Every Last Detail, using my experience being a recent bride and working “behind-the-scenes” in the wedding industry to educate brides! Almost 2 years later, educating brides through Every Last Detail is now my full-time job!

How would you describe the style of Every Last Detail? What is your goal as an editor?

I would say that Every Last Detail has a modern style, appealing to the modern bride who wants to know as much as she can about planning her wedding. My goal as an editor is of course to provide inspiration to brides, but to make sure that it’s realistic and achievable for them. In the same token, my goal is also to educate brides about the ins and outs of planning their weddings, as well as the benefits of using wedding professionals to help them bring their wedding inspiration to life.

What kinds of submissions do you accept on Every Last Detail? What makes a submission stand out?

I accept weddings, inspiration shoots, and occasionally engagement sessions. Details are of course my focus. For weddings, I look for details in each “area” of the wedding. Accessories, the ceremony, and then of course the reception- flowers, favors, escort cards, etc etc. I love inspiration shoots, just as long as they’re real and achievable by brides, and of course have excellent details as well.

If you were to give photographers a checklist of must-have detail shots and photos to include in their submissions, what would be on the list?

Love this, since it’s what I’m all about! Accessories (specifically shoes or anything unique), wedding dress, paper products, ceremony decor, bouquet shots, bout shots, bridesmaids & groomsmen (not too many though), bride and groom, escort cards/seating display, favors, centerpieces, menus, cake, full table shots, full room shots, rings, and any other unique details!

Your blog is full of great advice for future brides for avoiding mistakes when planning their wedding. What do you think are the most common mistakes vendors make when working with brides?

The most common mistake that I see vendors make when working with brides is that they forget why they’re working with them- it’s their wedding. We all know that brides want to feel special, and every bride deserves to be made to feel that way by her vendors. Brides want their wedding to be perfect, and every bride is different depending on her personality. Just keep it in mind that even though for you it may be the ten millionth email with the same question, she’s excitedly waiting on your response because she wants you to help her have an amazing wedding!

When did you first join Two Bright Lights? How has it changed the way you review submissions?

I was part of it from the very beginning and it’s been awesome to see it change and grow over the last year and a half or so! It has completely changed the way I review submissions. It’s an integral part of my day- the site is up in my browser at all times. TBL has become my preferred method of submission. Honestly, when I receive submissions that aren’t through Two Bright Lights, they take me forever to get to! Having Two Bright Lights, I can just and see my whole list of submissions and weddings to be featured. It has made receiving and reviewing submissions SO much better! :)

Which submission from Two Bright Lights featured in your publication was your favorite?

I’m still loving a wedding that I featured at the beginning of the year. Check it out: Part 1 and Part 2

 

Thanks to Lauren for her amazing insight! Be sure to check out Every Last Detail on Facebook and Twitter, and submit to them via Two Bright Lights!

 

 

 

 

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Editorial Interview with Baby Lifestyles

1 Sep Filed Under: Community, Design Elements, Editorial Interviews, Industry Insider, Inspiration, TBL Updates

Two Bright Lights is ready for babies!! We are so excited about the expansion into new categories – now photographers can upload, share and submit all sorts of events including everything related to babies. And we have some fabulous new editorial partners who are thrilled to check out, accept, and feature your work. And today we are thrilled to feature….

Lauren Halperin of Baby Lifestyles

 

Baby Lifestyles seems to cover everything babies, from nursery design to celebrity babies to real baby showers. Could you tell us a bit more about your editorial style and the types of images you hope Two Bright Lights users submit to you?

While Baby Lifestyles does cover current events and celebrity headlines, our main focus is on the moments in baby’s life that parents want to remember. Images illustrate these moments in their truest form, which is why we feel photography plays such an important part in baby’s life. Baby showers and birthday parties play a huge role in the editorial content of Baby Lifestyles.

We love images that showcase ideas of décor, style, themed parties, and original interpretations of celebrations. It’s on these occasions that parents often hire professional photographers to capture the details of their day and provide gorgeous pictures for our readers. Nurseries are very special to parents as they work diligently on their creation. While parents are pregnant and nesting, the nursery room gives them something tangible to focus on while they patiently wait for a new life to come into their world. Nurseries are often changed after a few years as babies transition to toddlers, so taking pictures of nurseries both while creating them and finished becomes important to parents for remembering the space their baby first occupied.

Image and Design Courtesy of Dawn of Designing Dawn

We’re so happy to announce the addition of maternity photography and newborn sessions to Baby Lifestyles. These are special times in the lives of parents which are truly captured through the lens of a camera. We are actively seeking beautiful and touching photography that illustrates the emotions of parents expecting a baby, and those incredible shots of newborns in wonder of everything around them.

Why did you start Baby Lifestyles?

After I sold my last print publication, I wanted to do something solely online. After I was married, I had entered that phase in my life where all my friends seemed to get pregnant at the same time. Baby Lifestyles originally started as a way for me to communicate trends to my friends about what celebrities and other moms were doing for their baby showers, how they were decorating their nurseries, and what products were trendy.

How would you describe Baby Lifestyles in a few words?

Baby Lifestyles is an online magazine and website for parents looking celebrate their baby’s world.

Could you tell us about your upcoming issue of Baby Lifestyle Magazine? What are you most excited about? When is your next issue coming out?

OUR CURRENT ISSUE: The August/ September issue of Baby Lifestyles was about celebrating baby in the summer time. We featured several parties that were outdoor events in the sunshine, with bright colors, and beautiful details.


OUR NEXT ISSUE: As we approach the October/ November issue and the December/ January issue, we are finding ourselves turn towards the change of seasons and holidays. While each issue does not have a ‘theme’, we do try to incorporate editorial that encompasses the time of year.

Baby Lifestyles Magazine is geared towards parties and nurseries taken by professional photographers as opposed to amateurs. The magazine itself was started as professional photographers started sending in their work of birthday parties, nurseries, baby showers, tutorials, etc. When we saw the caliber of photography far surpassed that of parent submissions, we wanted to give these pictures a place to be showcased.

Baby websites, blogs, etc. seem to be exploding online. It seems to be not only a growing category for photographers to shoot, but also for editors to cover. Why do you think that is? How do you see Baby Lifestyles fitting into this market?

Interesting fact, in 2009, there were more babies born than in any year of the post World War II baby boom. In the past five years, there has been more than 10 million babies born. With lots of websites and blogs devoted to babies, they are only following the trend accordingly. When I launched Baby Lifestyles the one thing I wanted to set it apart was that we would not include anything medically related. Many others out there (and I won’t name names) focus on the medical issues surrounding baby and pregnancy. Baby Lifestyles is about celebrating the fun of having a baby. If you ask any parent what they hope for their expected baby, they’ll tell you “I don’t care as long as it’s healthy.” Probe a little past that, and parents have big dreams!

What is your favorite part of being an editor of Baby Lifestyles?

The baby industry is an amazing world to be a part of. From designers and manufacturers, to party planners and photographers, everyone has a smile on their face when thinking about their adorable, tiny clients. Being an editor allows you to spot trends across the board and share them with parents who are so excited to see the next hot thing. It’s so great to reveal ideas with parents who will implement them for their own lives and that of their children, knowing that you are helping them create memories they will have forever in the process.

What makes baby related submissions do you absolutely love? What makes a stellar submission for you? What is one mistake that photographers make when they submit to you?

We love submissions that illustrate details clearly and uniquely. A great submission is all about the photography. Take a nursery submission, for example, where most include a submission of where the crib is placed. It’s amazing the difference details can make, whether it’s displaying the crib bedding pattern, or giving us a baby’s eye view of the mobile.

Photography submissions that stick out are ones that are creative in their individuality. Whether that means an incredible birthday party with vivid party details, the way tiny fingers are curled up on a newborn’s hand, a picturesque background where a maternity shoot is taking place, a floral centerpiece at a baby shower table, or a family heirloom on a nursery shelf, bright, clear colorful details shown in interesting ways get our attention.

We’re also getting submissions from planners and stylists where they stage parties for us and hire photographers to do stunning shoots. This Red Riding Hood party was one such one. The photography gives the entire setting a fairy tale, dreamy feel to it.

Event Styling, Graphic Design & Printables: One Sweet Party

Photography: Karen Lisa Artistic Photograpy

 

What types of shoots will you be looking for from Two Bright Lights users?

We are actively seeking photography shoots of moments in baby’s life. This includes maternity, newborn, parties, indoor settings such as nurseries, playrooms, big kid rooms, etc., as well as special moment collages including birth photography. We recently got a beautiful shoot of a 10-month-old playing in a pumpkin patch against colorful Autumn foliage. Beautiful! With the launch of our maternity and newborn section, we’re very interested in seeing creative and different shoots!

Could you share with us some of your favorite features?

One of my favorite shoots was a newborn photography shoot which perfectly illustrated all the emotions of a mom giving birth. If photography is about capturing the emotions of a moment, this shoot definitely did that!

Images courtesy of Ciao Bella Photography

Kingston’s nursery was actually designed by his professional photographer mom. When we speak of showing off a room’s details and color, this shoot nailed it in every way.

Images Courtesy of Pink Coffee Photography

This blue, geometric nursery was another one that really stuck out at me.

Images courtesy of Four Walls and a Roof

When it comes to parties, it’s very much about the details. The best are by far the ones used in our e-glossy magazines, but online I love the Land of Sweets party for it’s incredible color palette. It was such a unique twist on the Candy Land theme and the pictures display that perfectly. Dessert buffets are the hottest things in every kind of party so getting shots of the dessert buffet are crowd pleasers in every submission.

Images courtesy of  Michelle Lee Photography

Paper decor and party styling: Sugarsticks Parties

 

Ones like this Pink Explosion party do a great job of getting the details of the dessert buffet from every angle.

Images courtesy of CJ Scott Photography

If you want to learn more about Lauren, Baby Lifestyles, and their editorial style before you submit, check out their Website or Twitter stream.

 

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Editorial Interview: Valley & Co.

25 Aug Filed Under: Community, Editorial Interviews, Lauren

Husband and wife duo Nick and Aleah Valley of Valley & Co. really know weddings! Before they started blogging, they were both already successful wedding and event planners, and their publication reflects all of the creativity and expertise that comes with working in the industry.  Now, the pair have started a new lifestyle blog, Lifestyle by Valley & Co., and are eager to accept submissions from users of Two Bright Lights! Find out more about this dynamic couple, their classic wedding publication, and their exciting new venture in this week’s editor interview.

Featuring Nick and Aleah Valley of Valley & Co.

You both started as wedding and event planners. Why did you decide to start blogging?

We started blogging several years ago to showcase some of our favorite events. Last May we formally launched our sparkling new blog, Valley & Co. as we wanted a creative outlet where we can share inspiration and ideas with our readers on a daily basis. It’s grown, and we’re continually looking for inspiration for our blog, clients, events, and weddings.

Tell us about Valley & Co! How would you describe the style of your publication?

Valley & Co. | Weddings is an extension of what we do: wedding planning and design. We love to feature creative weddings, engagement shoots, and our own work but perhaps most importantly, we share tips and knowledge we’ve found invaluable over the years. Our style is eclectic and fun, but also quite classic. We’re big proponents of stylish weddings that have a timelessly elegant flair. Personally, we love coastal nautical details as well as European designs.

What do you look for in real wedding submissions? What is your most common reason for not accepting a submission?

We look for weddings with timeless elements, sweet details, and beautiful moments captured between the couple and their loved ones. The most common reason for not accepting a submission is that it’s lacking in telling the couple’s love story and the tale of their wedding day.

How does TBL fit into your editorial process?

TBL has been a fantastic tool for our editorial process. We’re able to fine-tune requests for weddings or events that fit an aesthetic we’re currently feeling. We have connected with some talented photographers through TBL as well. It’s a great resource that makes requesting and accepting submissions a breeze.

You recently launched a new lifestyle blog, Lifestyle by Valley &Co! What types of things do you feature on this new blog? Do you accept submissions to this from TBL?

Yes! We’re thrilled at this new endeavor and we’re excited to share upcoming fall and holiday ideas with our readers! On Lifestyle we showcase recipes, home-inspired photo shoots, and entertaining at home tips. We love to feature fun parties with sweet details that our readers can pull inspiration from. We’re the lifestyle and entertaining columnists for San Diego Magazine as well, so each month our readers and readers of San Diego Magazine get to see bonus images, recipes, and tips from our monthly features. We absolutely accept submissions for Lifestyle from TBL and would love to see more!

What do you love most about working in the wedding industry?

We love making others happy and bringing joy to couples tying the knot. Creating an innovative and fresh wedding that’s a true reflection of our couples makes us so happy. In addition, we are in an extremely wonderful and creative industry surrounded by some amazing artists. What more could we ask for?

Tells us about the most memorable wedding that you’ve planned or attended! What did you love the most about it?

We get a kick out of each and every wedding that we have the honor of planning and love when we get to attend as guests, though that doesn’t happen often! There’s a favorite moment we both have at weddings: when the happy couple and their family and friends are dancing the night away with not a care in the world. It’s pure magic and signifies the start of a new adventure into married life.

What is something that most people don’t know about each of you?

Nick still has the tie {still tied} he wore to our very first event. It’s a superstitious thing! Aleah loves {really loves} delicious cheeses and artisenal breads.

Which submission from Two Bright Lights featured on your blog is your favorite?

Ooh, good question! There are so many that we just adore, but a darling Pretty in Pink Semiahmoo wedding in Washington State sent to us from Aubrey Joy Photography has to take the cake, as we love Semiahmoo and the photography was dreamy!

Thanks to Nick and Aleah for interviewing with us! Be sure to check out Valley & Co. on Facebook and Twitter, and submit your wedding and lifestyle photography to them via Two Bright Lights!

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Editor Interview: Featuring Snippet & Ink

9 Aug Filed Under: Community, Editorial Interviews, Industry Insider, Lauren

Real Wedding submissions are all about inspiring brides, and few blogs offer as much inspiration as Snippet & Ink! From soft, colorful inspiration boards to gorgeous Real Wedding features, this smart and beautiful blog knows what it takes to set the bride-to-be’s heart a-flutter.  This week, we’re featuring Snippet & Ink founder and editor Kathryn Storke to see how she turned an eye for design into a successful bridal publication.

Featuring Kathryn Storke of Snippet & Ink!

How did you get started as a wedding blogger?

I’ve always really loved weddings - my mother and her creative friends taught me an appreciation for detail and design, and weddings are a way to bring all of my favorite things together: luscious flowers, romantic dresses, perfect paper, delicious food, and love! Snippet & Ink started as a fun hobby that let me spend time with those things, and somehow turned into my full-time job.

How would you describe the style of your publication? What makes Snippet & Ink unique?

I love weddings in a variety of styles, with the common thread of simple beauty, sophistication, thoughtful details, and authenticity.

How do you choose which weddings to feature? What is the most important thing a photographer can do to improve their chances of being featured?

It’s important to me that the weddings I feature will inspire my readers – lovely details certainly, but also thoughtful stories, words of wisdom, and authentic emotion. My favorite photographers are those who are able to capture both beautiful details and true moments.

Which real wedding feature has gotten the best feedback from brides? What do you think made it so popular?

One of my most popular features was “>my own wedding.

What are your favorite photography trends? What are your least favorite?

Photos that are washed out, highly-saturated, or otherwise overly-processed don’t appeal to me as much as classic and timeless photography with lots of natural light.

We love your beautiful inspiration boards! What advice do you have for photographers and vendors for creating their own?

Edit, edit, edit! Pull all of the images together that you think might work, then start paring back – sometimes a story or look might emerge that’s different from what you originally had in mind, but it might be just as lovely.

What are your favorite hobbies outside of blogging? Would you ever consider blogging about them?

I love reading, cooking, laughing with friends – not sure I’d blog about them, just because I don’t need another reason to be on the computer.

Coffee or tea?  Find true love or 1 million dollars? End hunger or hatred? Give up your computer or your pet? Be a deep sea diver or an astronaut? Be nervous but excited or relaxed but bored? Biographies or novels? Morning or late night?

Coffee, preferably in ice cream form; True love for sure; I think if we ended hatred, we might end hunger, too; I’d rather give up my computer than my sweet kitty, Ladybird; I prefer my feet planted firmly on the ground, though I’d go snorkeling; Hmmm… relaxed boredom over nervous excitement; Nothing quite like a good novel; I keep trying to be a morning person, but I’m more likely to be up late at night.

What advice do you have for people who would like to start blogging?

Blog about something you love, and blog because you enjoy it.

Check out Kathryn’s favorite Two Bright Lights submission Facebook and Twitter, or submit to them via Two Bright Lights!

- Lauren
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Editor Interview: Featuring Destination Inspirations

28 Jul Filed Under: Community, Editorial Interviews, Industry Insider, Lauren

What makes a destination wedding unique? As a destination bride herself, Jess McCann Nana of Destination Inspirations has tons of insight!  Her blog, featuring beautiful destination weddings from around the globe, is packed with advice for the growing number of brides who are taking their weddings away from home. In her interview with us, she gives the scoop on how destination weddings have changed, what she looks for in real wedding submissions, and how you can impress destination brides!

Featuring Jess McCann Nana of Destination Inspirations

 

Destination Inspirations features gorgeous destination weddings from all over the world! What makes blogging about destination weddings different from blogging about other weddings? How does the focus of your blog change the way you might look at submissions?

Unlike other weddings, destination wedding features really focus on the location. I remember when I was planning my own destination wedding— though I loved looking at details, I wanted something that showed more of the resort, the villa, the actual location. I also always think what kind of bride I would be if I were planning a destination wedding there, how this feature would help me, and I take it from there.

What made you decide to have a destination wedding for your own wedding? How did you choose your location?

I am an overseas baby. I grew up all over the world and have always had a deep desire to travel. My husband and I knew from day one we wanted a destination wedding. We wanted more than just a few days with family and friends, who on our case had to travel from all over the world regardless. We also wanted a more intimate affair. We chose Playa del Carmen, Mexico because it was where, five years before we got engaged, we took our first vacation. We never stopped going back. My now-husband also proposed in Playa, and almost to the day a year later we said “I Do” in the very same place where it all began.

Do you think that destination brides choose vendors differently than brides planning weddings close to home? How so?

Yes; you choose the ones that have the best communication. Sometimes it can be frustrating because you’re just relying on e-mails. You look for the ones who respond quickly and, of course, who other destination brides have used. Brides close to home also look for those vendors that come highly recommended, but for these brides it’s the local florist, or the baker who made the cake for all the past family weddings. The experience for a destination bride can be based solely on internet research a lot of the time.

What do you think are the biggest destination wedding trends this year?

The biggest trend I am seeing is in brides’ dresses. In the past, I think many brides favored a fitted, simple dress for a destination wedding. Today I am seeing fuller dresses, dresses with tulle, ruffles, feathers, one shoulder, a lot more detail, and a lot more dress. I absolutely love that destination brides are no longer worrying about transporting the dress, so they are dreaming bigger. I am also seeing that destination weddings are becoming more detailed than ever. Before it was seen as a hassle to travel with décor or extra accessories. Couples now are spending a lot of money to bring cute banners, chalk boards, drink stirrers, customized cocktail napkins and even fully custom-made candy bars. It is wonderful to see that even abroad you can have all the details and wedding you dreamed of.

We think you’re Real Wedding features are gorgeous! How does Two Bright Lights fit into your submission process?

Two Bright Lights is a major part of my submissions. Right now I have full weeks of submissions that are just from Two Bright Light members. I really like that you can connect with all the vendors and all the couples. The process is just so seamless it saves my hours.

What are your most common reasons for not accepting a submission? What can photographers do to improve their chances of getting selected?

The most common reason is too many black and whites and too many couple shots. Believe me, I love black and whites as well as the couple shots, but the images need to tell the full story. Photographers should also consider when submitting a submission how their images will help a couple plan and book them for their destination wedding. Tell the story, from getting ready, to the ceremony setup, the flowers, the dresses, the smiles, the food. All those pieces put together help others say, that’s the destination wedding I want.

What was the most unique location you’ve seen for a destination wedding?

This destination wedding in Croatia. What an absolutely beautiful location. It was the first time I had ever seen a destination wedding here and I think it probably will be increasing in popularity.

What do you do when you’re not blogging?

During the day, I work in a marketing department for a direct business-to-business mail company. I am also the studio coordinator for the amazing makeup artist Jennie Fresa at the Jennie Fresa Beauty Library and social media coordinator for the bridal lingerie store, Beneath The Gown. When I am not working, I love being at any farmers market or spoiling my two French bull dogs, Angus and Boomer, and of course my husband. A typical afternoon will always involve wine, cheese, experimenting in the kitchen, and having my husband as the food tester.

Tell us something about yourself that your readers don’t know.

I have a gift for languages from living overseas; I speak French, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese. I am a huge dork who loves to eat as well as cook, film noire movies and I get defensive when people see my two frenchies and say “that’s a face only a mother could love” :)

Which submission from Two Bright Lights featured on your blog was your favorite?

A wedding on Elihu Island off the shores of Connecticut done by photographers Justin and Mary. Elihu Island is this incredible island where you can have the quintessential New England destination wedding. Picture gorgeous hydrangeas, row boats, clam bakes and fire flies. This destination wedding was just one of those ultra-sweet and dreamy affairs.

 

- Lauren
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Editorial Interview Series: Featuring Landlocked Bride

21 Jul Filed Under: Community, Editorial Interviews, Industry Insider, Lauren

With most of our Two Bright Lights team hailing from the Midwest, we can’t help but love this week’s featured editor, Brit Tucker Stewart from Landlocked Bride! A St. Louis native (like our own Siri Eklund), Brit launched Landlocked Bride to help those of us in the central US find inspiration from gorgeous Midwest and Mountain West weddings. Here’s the scoop on her fantastic blog, plus details about how she got started as an event planner and her thoughts on Green Weddings!

Brit Tucker Stewart of Landlocked Bride ____

What three adjectives best describe the style of your publication?

It’s hard to pick three adjectives to describe anything, but mostly I would say the Landlocked Bride is fresh and modern, full of inspirational punch, and not afraid to share ideas that are definitely outside the box.  While not all brides may be able to relate to some of the content, the goal is to get them thinking about ways to make their wedding unique and memorable to all parties involved.

There are so many publications out there! What makes your publication unique?

The thing that is so unique about Landlocked Bride is the fact that it fills a niche in the wedding industry.  So many blogs cater to every bride, or those in a specific geographic location.  But, the middle of the country was missing a little love and attention.  I strive to highlight beautiful Midwest and Mountain West weddings, showcase vendors, and bring light to awesome ideas being shared around the world to encourage brides (and grooms, too) that it is okay to step outside the standard wedding box and get creative and personal with their wedding.

Tell us about how Two Bright Lights fits into your editorial process?

Two Bright Lights honestly makes the submission process incredibly easy on my end as an editor.  I am able to review snippets of a wedding, find out the details and pull photos I want to incorporate into a post in a way that is much easier than reviewing a traditional e-mail.  It is so nice to have everything in one spot!

What are your most common reasons for not accepting a submission?

There are mostly two reasons:  1. There are not enough details.  As much as I hate turning away any wedding, couples want to see the details of a day that made their wedding unique.  2.  They are outside of the region I focus on.

You aimed to make your own wedding eco-friendly. Why do you think it’s important for weddings to be environmentally-conscious? Have you noticed a trend among brides towards eco-friendly weddings?

I think the most important thing is for couples to not be wasteful.  While weddings are a big celebration, brides and grooms need to remember the true root of a wedding – a marriage.  Trust me, I love pretty details.  But I also love the idea of a couple being so in love that the details are minimal and just fall into place.  If you start with that foundation – the wedding will be beautiful.  But, at the heart of it all, being eco-friendly and sustainable is a way of living for me.  It started with my parents’ compost pile growing up.  I never looked back after that.  Even the simplest of actions can help make a difference.  After all, we only have one Earth.

And, green weddings are definitely a trend.  While most couples don’t seek them out, it’s definitely a topic that comes up more often.  And, whenever I work with a couple, I ask if they have thought about it. I don’t force anything on them, but I do suggest they try incorporating at least one green element.  I rarely get any push back.  One thing is better than nothing.

What do you love most about being a wedding editor?

I love being surrounded by the love. There is truly nothing more wonderful that stumbling upon a wedding where you can absolutely tell the couple is so in love.  I think so many people forget what a wedding is about (the marriage), so it warms my heart when a wedding is filled with love and lots of details.

You also work as a wedding and event planner. Can you tell us a little about this? How did your business start?

I sort of “fell” into the industry.  I hired a day-of coordinator for my own wedding almost two years out.  She and I hit it off immediately, just like we were old friends.  After following my blog for a month or two, she asked if I would be her business partner.  I couldn’t say “no.”  The rest is literally history.  I have gone full steam ahead, and have recently taken over the business fully under my name.  She helped launch a career and passion for me that just continues to grow with every blog post I write and every wedding I work.  I am so incredibly blessed to be in this industry.

Tell us about your favorite submission!

My absolute favorite submission thus far is from a St. Louis-based photographer, Karen Hendrix.  The bride is a librarian and nutrition/public health specialist, and the groom is a nutritionist/registered dietician. The unique thing about these two (besides their love of healthy living) is their love of sustainable living.  So all of the details of the wedding were nods to their personal interests and commitment to the environment, two things that just really won me over.  I featured their wedding back in January 2011 in a three-post series. You can find the first one here.

Be sure to check out Landlocked Bride on Facebook and Twitter, and submit to them via Two Bright Lights!

 

- Lauren

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