by Jen Hart | Bohemian Brides, Real Weddings
Now, I’ve come across a good many photographers who are light crazy, meaning…there snaps are always clear and crisp and more often than not heavily posed in order to make the most of LIGHT, LIGHT, LIGHT. Haley Nord is not one of those, in fact, her use of shadow and her ability to capture the magic in situations of natural shadow and just about any light is no less than inspiring.
Looking through a portfolio of her shots of happy couples with their friends and family, it’s hard to believe that these are just ordinary people and not seasoned fashion models being paid megabucks to look awesome. This is a wedding photographer that Dreamers and Lovers just couldn’t pass up recommending.
Haley’s had a camera in her hand since she was a teenager but it was on leaving school that she started to realize that this was the path she wanted to follow for the rest of her life. Editorial and fashion photography emblazoned itself upon her heart, she fell in love with her ability to manifest mood and drama with no more than a camera and an understanding of light. I say ‘no more than’ but really, Haley’s understanding of light is clearly a God given talent, her wedding work is quite extraordinary…
Her motto of ‘fear is a liar’ shines through in her work, with images that are real and glorious, she manages to communicate the beauty in angles and scenarios that the ‘traditional wedding photographer’ would, perhaps, walk away from. The result is that raw bohemian enchantment that D&L brides were born for.
The only advice she has for brides when she’s on the job, ‘breath in, sink in, relax!
Haley maintains that it was no specific event, which triggered her to embrace the wedding photography industry. She sincerely finds joy in documenting that which is sacred and dear to the parties involved…she’s touching lives and she loves that. The only advice she has for brides when she’s on the job, ‘breath in, sink in, relax!’
It’s clear that Haley’s no stranger to love and she may even be something of a serious, die-hard romantic. Reading through Haley’s unmistakably boho website, www.haleynordphotography.com, I discovered that her beloved boyfriend is behind her every step of the way and that she credits him with teaching her how to find the beauty in life’s ‘little things.’
One of the other things, which make Haley such a perfect boho wedding photographer, is her preference for story-driven, editorial style work. She’s no fan of posting one photo at a time, for Haley it’s about seed…to a bud…to a rose…to a windstorm of stunning petals and a very, very happy ending! She wants people not just to see but also FEEL the story from start to finish and she gets it right every single time.
Haley’s photographic stories exude the feelings of the people captured in them; she’s not shy about getting close and personal, about getting real. For the couples who’ve left compliments on her website, they can hardly express their joy at being able to truly relive those moments, so much feeling has she captured in her work.
Haley’s style is really a mixture of just letting things unfold, anticipating moments and influencing outcomes
Haley’s style is really a mixture of just letting things unfold, anticipating moments and influencing outcomes. She’s more hands-on during formal shoots but beyond that she manages to create that million dollar editorial quality out of just about anything that happens during the day. There are artists who’ve inspired her during her life but not all of them are photographers…to name a few, Stevie Nicks, Theo Gosselin, Cormac McCarthy and Wong Kar-wai, specifically his film, “In the mood for love.”
Like many ‘meant to be’ photographers, Haley has a soft spot for shooting on film and because she, herself, learned in film, she always encourages others to experiment with it…in order to capture the extraordinary scenes she does at weddings though, she always shoots digital.
…that time a particular mother of the bride approached her to say thank you for showing her daughter how beautiful she is, not in a superficial way but for real
We’ve no doubt Haley receives plenty of heartfelt thank-you’s and compliments on her outstanding and inspired work but one that’s definitely stuck in her mind is the time a particular mother of the bride approached her to say thank you for showing her daughter how beautiful she is, not in a superficial way but for real. Haley says she’s never felt more flattered in her life because she always aims to show people the little beautiful things about themselves.
CREDITS: All photos here are by Haley Nord. The second and third photo, is of real bride Beth wearing the Dreamers & Lovers Azalea dress and Cindy veil.
by Jen Hart | Bohemian Brides, Real Weddings, Wedding Photographers We Love
Untameable Tessa Tadlock: Boho Wedding Photographer, Grover Beach, CA
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Let’s face it…we’re not all photogenic. Some of us couldn’t look pretty in a pose even if you paid us a million. We’d end up feeling awkward, tense and possibly looking a little ridiculous. So…why is it that every one of Tessa Tadlock’s brides looks like she belongs in a magazine? There’s a secret to Tessa’s success, talent.
Wedding photographers, the good ones, don’t attempt to create something out of nothing.
Wedding photographers, the good ones, don’t attempt to create something out of nothing.
They eavesdrop on real life, capturing moments that are beautiful on their own, real moments of love, family and happiness. When that avenue’s temporarily exhausted, they need to step in and create ‘real’ situations out of the love that’s already there…that’s what Tessa does.
It’s no easy task, a wedding photographer has to know the clients, know the venue, know the timetable and be someone who makes people feel comfortable, feel free and feel at home.
Looking at Tessa Tadlock’s portfolio of blissful boho images that capture not only tender moments of love and laughter but also perfect landscapes and moody vibes…it seems Tessa does all of that and more, catching a shared joke, making the most of the light shining through the trees, anticipating a gust of wind and using it.
Tessa is a Grover Beach, CA, based wedding photographer who shares an office with her inspiration, boyfriend and wedding videographer, Jimmy (jfinnmedia.com). It was Jimmy who started the fire in Tessa when he told her he was thinking of becoming a wedding photographer. Although she’d never thought about it before, she found herself overcome with jealousy at the notion of someone doing it before her and went out to buy herself a camera.
it was Jimmy who’d gotten her past her worries, told her not to care what people think, that everyone starts somewhere
She didn’t use it for 6 months…concerned about what people would think of this sudden decision but when she finally did do her first shoot it was much like love at first sight. Butterflies in the stomach and a feeling that this was going to be forever. And it was Jimmy who’d gotten her past her worries, told her not to care what people think, that everyone starts somewhere. He’d told her not to let anyone get in the way of something that could become her passion. That’s exactly what it did.
Tessa’s a ball of joy who’d be an asset, I think, at any party…her exuberance overflows from the page when she writes, in a fountain of exclamation marks, words like loooovvvveee!!!! Bohoooooo!!!! and sooooo grateful!!! Gratefulness is Tessa’s motto in work and play, which are actually the same thing for her, she’s living her deepest passion.
“Have fun and roll with the punches, no matter what happens-cause something always happens! Remember that this day will end and you’ll be married to your best friend. You’ve put in so much work to make this day come together, now it’s time to enjoy it!”
Tessa is clearly obsessed with boho and it shows in every image. Her work is the epitome of what you’d look for in a boho photographer, unapologetic, natural. And that’s what Tessa asks her clients to be when she photographs them, just themselves. “Have fun and roll with the punches, no matter what happens-cause something always happens! Remember that this day will end and you’ll be married to your best friend. You’ve put in so much work to make this day come together, now it’s time to enjoy it!”
You’d have to describe 24 year old Tessa’s photographic style the same way you’d describe boho, adventurous…free-spirited and romantic. She favors emotion over perfection and she loves to capture her couples’ true personalities in beautiful outdoor locations. Judging by this portfolio, Tessa never falls short of doing what she sets out to do.
When asked about her MO, Tessa says she does a mix of blending in or eavesdropping and creating situations. So it’s kinda like telling someone to pose but keeping the situation dynamic so that they never feel awkward or silly or in the air. She poses people in a way that gets them laughing, interacting with each other and livinnngggg. Also, Tessa shoots everything digital so that she can shoot wherever and as much as she wants, as fast as she wants.
Becoming friends with her clients is one of Tessa’s favorite aspects of the job. One of the most rewarding experiences she’s had on the job happened when the same wedding party booked her for photographs and her man for video without knowing that the two were connected. After shooting the engagement session Tessa and her BF hit it off like a house on fire with the clients and they remain friends to this day, with backpacking adventures, game nights and actual airplane flights to visit each other.
You’ll recognize her by her sarcasm, her infectious smile and the fact that her lipstick is always on regardless of dress code or atmospheric conditions
Tessa has a tendency to emit a high pitched squealing of delight whenever things are going well at a wedding.
You’ll recognize her by her sarcasm, her infectious smile and the fact that her lipstick is always on regardless of dress code or atmospheric conditions. Tessa says lipstick stops folk from thinking she’s 16 and also makes her feel like she’s got her life together. Which she does anyway, blessings Tessa!
Bohemian Wedding Dresses featured here are: Dreamers & Lovers Aurora Dress, Catherine Dress and the Julia Dress
Check out more of Tessa’s work at www.tessatadlock.com
by Jen Hart | Bohemian Brides, Real Weddings
Sadie And Joel Love Story + Chic Bohemian Wedding
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How She Became a Part of the Gang of Guys
The story of how Sadie and Joel got together is really cute, to say the least. They’d met at the age of 11 when they attended the same church and they grew up seeing each other across a room full of students. Conveniently, Joel has his birthday on Valentine’s Day and when that day came in 2015, Joel’s buddy decided to have a little fun…or maybe Joel was behind it all along, we’ll never know.
His friend told Sadie it would be great if she could join them because the whole Gang was going out for his birthday celebration. Little did Sadie know she was the only girl they’d invited (awkward) and it was, she later discovered, completely intentional.
Finally no more silent acknowledgement from across a crowded room, after that they were on speaking terms, plus more. So, one year when Joel was on Spring break and Sadie was set to leave on a trip the following week, they decided to spend a Saturday together. He picked her up after lunch and they spent the rest of the day discovering new coffee shops, picking through old records and scouring the shelves of quaint treasure trove libraries.
The Proposal
It was getting close to sunset when Joel announced that they should find a park to settle down in and read for a bit. They soon found a lovely park to stop at but Joel seemed put off by he abundance of activity, bubble kids and basketball players. They made their way to a second park which, annoyingly, was just as crowded. Joel seemed slightly frantic when he pulled up at a nearby field, pulling out the blanket and announcing: “This will do!”
After reading quietly for a short while he pulled out a scrap book with chronologically highlighted milestones and special moments in their relationship in it for her to look through. When she made it to the second last page, she found an arrow and the words: “The Next Chapter,” scrawled there and on flipping the page she found four Polaroids that Joel had taken of himself holding signs that said: “Will you marry me?” As if that was not enough, when she looked up, he was on one knee, ready to ask her in person.
Finding the Wedding Dress
As for the dress, finding Dreamers & Lovers wasn’t too difficult because back when the couple had been dating, Sadie had happened upon an Instagram picture of one of their laid back gowns and had made a mental note of how beautiful it was…just in case she’s be needing a similar one down the road. A year passed and there she was, looking like a bohemian princess in the exquisite Lisa boho wedding dress.
Planning a Wedding in 2.5 Months
The biggest challenge for Sadie was the fact that she was in her last year of college, had just started a new job and had only 2.5 months to plan. Yet, in spite of the crunch factor, she still recommends a short engagement.
Sadie says that she was concerned with burdening people by asking for help but soon realized that her friends and family actually wanted nothing more than to be a part of the planning process. Sadie was blessed to have friends and family members who ended up making her vendor list and making the day of her dreams possible, hairdresser, florist, coordinator, photographer and baker!
Sadie and Joel invited 40 people to the ceremony, just their immediate family, and 175 to the reception.
The Vows
Some scriptural readings were done during the ceremony and then the couple read their own, self-written vows. Sadie’s favorite line from Joel’s was: “I vow to love you every day for the rest of our lives, unconditionally, no matter how you change or what life brings our way.” Her favorite line from her own vows was: “Here and now, I choose you, forever, until death do us part.”
The Wedding Vendors Who Created Magic
Since Sadie used to work as a florist’s assistant and knew the florist well, all she had to do was tell her the colors and theme and she ran with it. She knocked it out of the park with simple yet stunning white roses, baby’s breath and eucalyptus. Also one of Sadie’s favorite features on the day was the huge floral wreath positioned as an altar. It rounded everything off and made it look so beautiful.
Cake was French Vanilla Cupcakes with Buttercream and everything was enjoyed on tables that Sadie felt were decorated to absolute perfection.
Next on the cards for this sweet couple, Joel is prepping for grad school and Sadie is now working full time. Little ones are definitely in their future but they’re going to wait to get settled first. We wish them all the best of life and love!
The Lisa has been featured several times on a variety of brides, see a few of them here and another here
Photographer: rayannmarie.com
by Jen Hart | Bohemian Brides, Bohemian Wedding Dresses, California Wedding, Real Weddings
This laid-back southern girl with a love for all things boho marries her love in a chilled out Palm Springs wedding. She was one of the most ‘anti-wedding dress’ bride we had the pleasure of meeting. She wanted no frills, no fluff, and nothing too ‘wedding-y’…She first tried on the Annabel caftan and was hooked, and then she tried on the Agnes and fell in love. She felt the Agnes Simple Lace Wedding Dress was more appropriate for her ceremony, but knew that the Caftan had her name and heart on it, so she wore that to her reception. She added custom elements to her Amber gown, as she wanted to make it more ‘Jennie” and naturally more bohemian…the long fitted sleeves were just the perfect pairing on her dress. Just stunning!!
Jennie’s a Southern girl…with a blues and rock and roll soul (especially if the music’s live and something she can dance to). She moved to Hermosa Beach from Louisiana in 2007 and chilling at Boogaloo bar, she felt she’d found a little bit of that Southern style. Of course, the rather attractive barman didn’t hurt either and Jennie soon became something of a regular
Jennie’s a Southern girl…with a blues and rock and roll soul (especially if the music’s live and something she can dance to). She moved to Hermosa Beach from Louisiana in 2007 and chilling at Boogaloo bar, she felt she’d found a little bit of that Southern style. Of course, the rather attractive barman didn’t hurt either and Jennie soon became something of a regular. Needless to say, the two of them were friendly, even though they both had to pretend not to be into each other for the next two years or so. At long last though, they started dating and the rest, as they say, is history.
Aaron and Jennie were born two weeks apart, in the same year, so they are both Aries. With a handful of friends in tow, they made their way to Las Vegas to celebrate their 30th birthday in style…Jennie flew in from Dallas, where she had been working, while the rest of the crew popped in from LA. The first thing that seemed to be a little out of the ordinary was the fact that, on arrival at the hotel, the crew was nowhere to be seen: only Aaron was there, he’d decided they should have a private birthday dinner together before the party got started in earnest.
Jennie really started to wonder when she was taken up to the Eiffel Tower Restuarant and offered the best seat in the house…sure enough, midnight came and there was Aaron, down on on knee, proposing.
Anyone who knows the couple will know that the whole set up was pretty out of the ordinary for them: but that’s what’s so great, the uniqueness of it made it even more unforgettable. On top of that, they got to spend the rest of the weekend celebrating Las Vegas style with all of their best friends.
In spite of their two and a half year engagement, planning started for Jennie almost immediately…through the first year she used Pinterest to source photos of the sort of dress she hoped to find, she spend many a night obsessing over the Annabel gown but had no idea that Dreamers and Lovers (and Annabel) was right around the corner from where she lived. When she finally found out, she was overjoyed and what’s more…she ended up buying not one but two gorgeous, laid-back Dreamers and Lovers boho wedding dresses (I suppose she just couldn’t make up her mind!)
Jennie is super happy that they waited and gave themselves a chance to really enjoy their engagement, without planning stress and time constraints: after all, you only get to be a fiance once in your life so you should savor it. Because they gave themselves ample time they ended up with every venue and vendor that they had hoped for, plus no hectic last minute rush. Jennie knows that stressing during engagement time is not worth the negativity it can introduce to your relationship.
So, the couple invited 130 guests and 99 of their nearest and dearest ended up attending…but the number was just perfect. Aaron and Jennie paid for everything, so finances were a little tricky to manage during planning, although in the end everything worked out just right and was exactly the way they’d hoped it would be. They created an incredible atmosphere, surrounded by greenery in Palm Springs at a lush estate. The atmosphere was probably Jennie’s favorite thing about the wedding!
The couple had one of their best friends act as officiant, because they aren’t religious he opted to tell funny stories about the two of them instead of doing readings: he’s known them for the full 8 years they’ve been together. The couple also wrote their own vows, which ended up being overwhelmingly emotional for Jennie (I love this story). Aaron’s vows described the first time they saw each other and he literally compared it to love at first sight…this was the coolest and sweetest thing for Jennie, who’d spent two years thinking that he just saw her as a friend, more or less! She’d had no idea he felt that way from the get go!
Another favorite was the photobus (from sdphotobus.com), it’s a refurbished VW bus that doubles as a photo-booth, so they have unique and hilarious memories to add to their photo collection. They also had all the palm trees lit up in different colors, which created an absolutely awesome vibe.
Jennie loves nothing more than succulents (except Aaron, obviously) and so her flowers were bright, colorful and succulent heavy. Apparently her bouquet actually weighed more than she does but nonetheless she was 100% happy and her florist absolutely killed it!
Not really ones for tradition, the couple opted for an ice cream sandwich cart instead of the usual wedding cake. The flavors were out of this world and the addition of home made cookies made the idea a huge hit with both the guests and the couple.
The reception really went off with a bang when the entire party jumped into the swimming pool!
What does the future hold for this shining couple? Right now they’re just savoring their journey as newlyweds…with no plans for children at the moment, they know that it will happen if and when it happens. They love to travel, still dig their live music and don’t plan to stop loving life anytime soon. We wish them all the best of a lifetime filled with laughter…
To see other brides wearing the Agnes, take a look at this wedding
by Jen Hart | Bohemian Brides, Real Weddings
Looking at wedding pics of these two lovebirds’ day, I’m reminded of just why it is that we love boho. A. Ryan and Laura met while attending a Sign Language Interpreting Program at college in North Carolina. Ryan was a few years ahead of her and, as fate would have it, he ended up grading her video projects. Finally, a program event put them in the same place at the same time and while they locked eyes for a rather extended moment, they didn’t share a word. The wheel, however, was a-turning and a year later, they went out on their first date. They were absolutely inseparable from that date onward and because of that, they mark that day every year as their true anniversary.
Laura was taken totally by surprise as she turned to find Ryan down on one knee
Sharing a great love for the outdoors, the couple packed up one day and headed off into the mountains for a quiet weekend away. En-route to the cabin they decided they had time to do a little impromptu exploration of Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Admiring the pristine view from Clingman’s Dome, they decided to walk along a small portion of the Appalachian Trail…a trail they plan to return to one day to experience the full length of it. When, at one point, the couple decided to stop for a photo op…Laura was taken totally by surprise as she turned to find Ryan down on one knee. And that, of course, was that.
Now, Laura is what you’d have to call ‘extremely picky’ when it comes to dresses. Her prom dress had to be specially made for her and as you’d expect, having the perfect wedding dress was even more of a big deal…Laura knew it would be a challenge. Which is why it was such a pleasure for her when she typed ‘boho wedding dress’ into the search panel and bam! up popped Dreamers and Lovers. Laura fell instantly in love and knew she’d be ordering her dress from the D&L site. Trying dresses on at home turned out to be a really fun experience and she was impressed by how simple it was to add little details, like sleeves, to her gown with D&L.
Laura, when asked about her favorite vendor, actually assured us that it was, in fact, Dreamers and Lovers because EVERYONE at the wedding had something to say about how gorgeous she looked and how unique the dress was. Not just that, she was utterly comfortable throughout the day and when it came to take the dress off at the end of the night, she didn’t even want to. She also praised her photographers, Connection Photography, for making the beauty of that dress and that perfect day shine through so truly.
So, the event was planned for 90 guests but in fact, there were 92…two special friends were not about to be left out of their humans’ special day. Jobey, a black miniature labradoodle, was Best Dog and Breck, a boxer/hound mix, was Dog of Honor! They looked scrumptious and adorable and can be seen in most of the pics right there, by their owners’ sides.
I promise I will try to leave the light on for you when you’re coming home late from work
The couple’s vows were self written, Laura recalled her favorite line from Ryan’s vows: “I promise I will try to leave the light on for you when you’re coming home late from work.” She said that it might not seem like much but it’s those small things that really mean the most. The reading was something both fun and beautiful:
An Awesome Book of Love:
If I was a dinosaur and you were a jet
There’s a good chance that we’d have never met.
If I was a river and you were the sky
If I was down low and you were up high
Or if I was an apple and you were a Sunday
If you were a Wednesday and I was a Monday
If you were spring seasons and I was the fall
We might never have gotten together at all
But we aren’t all of those things
You’re you and I’m me
And we’re together as together can be
And you know I’m aglow with a smile on my face
When I wonder what magic you’ll make of this place
Of this town, of this world,
You’ll transform your surroundings
That sprit inside you is truly astounding
And when I’m beside you
I’m leaping and bounding
So proud I can hardly contain my heart pounding
I love you
I love you in so many ways
Over thousands of years
Over billions of days…
The wedding cake was the most delicious Naked Vegan Cake they could ever have imagined…the top and bottom layer were chocolate with raspberry icing and the middle layer was vanilla with blueberry icing…yuuuurm!!!
Laura’s advice to future brides is simple and concise…don’t stress, the only thing that’s important is that you’re surrounded by wonderful people to celebrate an even more wonderful moment with your best friend.
And as for what’s next on the cards for this beautifully boho couple…enjoying each moment they have together, every day…for the rest of their lives and more! Much love, you two and may your lives be filled with wholesome goodness, just the right balance of adventure and all the cuddles you can cope with!
VENDOR CREDIT
Photographer: Connection Photography
Wedding Dress: Modified Catherine Dress : Front Slit Added + Long Sleeves
by Jen Hart | Bohemian Brides, Real Weddings
A Pretty Chill Poem (Written for this Chilled-out Bride & Groom)
I think our friends would say we’re not the sort to fight or fuss
that the terms ‘laid back’ and ‘bohemian’ would go further to describe us
I spent a full day calling around, to order the perfect wedding cake
you kissed me and said “ but babe, that’s all the sweetness I need, for heaven’s sake”
I was worried about booking a venue where we could look out over sea and sky
you said, either way, it’ll never compare to the beauty of just looking in your eye
In a rush to get a tan on my skin, you said i needn’t go so far
that to you my skin was like the universe, each beauty spot a star
You told me I needn’t get my hair done up, especially for the occasion
you prefer it wild like white waves breaking, your own little stretch of ocean
fretting about losing that extra pound you advised me to take a breath
insisting there’s something rather blissful about an extra handful of flesh
When i asked what you thought about my shoe selection, you just smiled and took my hand
you said a boho girl like me’s better of with just the soft earth on which to stand
When I finally stepped into the aisle, in my simple wedding dress
praying that I hadn’t done just that little too little to impress
All it took to ease my nerves was a single glance at you
That smile on your face told me I’d done everything that I’d needed to
Later you said: that’s right and I wouldn’t have had it any other way
you in that boho wedding dress, you took my breath away
PHOTOGRAPHY all by India Earl
Dress worn by Olga : Lisa Backless Dress
