:Felt Bowties:

Supplies

scissors  (free-already have)

felt   ($.29 per sheet)  —–>  I’m thinking I could have made 4 total bow ties with one sheet.

hot glue gun  (free- already have)

alligator clip  (I used a bobby pin since I failed to remember to purchase this item but I imagine they are fairly cheap)

Estimated total= most likely under $1

I honestly spent a total of 5 min or less (wasn’t consecutive due to tending to a little one) so don’t judge my pictures or the fact that the final result picture includes a shirt Titan already wore this week…..  :)  (It was the only shirt that would look good with grey!!!)

Step 1: Pretty obvious….but it is important that you keep your line STRAIGHT as you cut!!!

Step 2:  This little piece is to wrap all the way around (may I suggest this be just a bit longer than mine (barely wrapped all the way around)

Step 3:  Yay hot glue time!  Fold over the two ends of the single long strip and glue!

Step 4:  Pinch the sides together creating a cute pleat.

Step 5:  Take that little piece I said should be longer and glue one end and wrap it around the cinched piece and glue on the other side as well for a polished look.

Step 6:  This would be where your alligator clip came in (please ignore the bobby pin)  glue some felt to it and then attach to the back of the tie you just created.

And viola!  I promise it looks much cuter in person and with better lighting and pictures….. boo for trying to do a project in 5 minutes!

I know I know bad lighting but hey maybe Titan will be a stud at church this weekend?  :)  I guess that depends on if I can get that shirt washed!  he he he

Thanks for viewing feel free to try this out and email me your pictures!!!

Enjoy!

-erika

Jessica Kersey from Finishing Touch Event Design was their awesome coordinator!!!

Videography provided by James Michael Smith

Florals were purchased from Flowerama (Bentonville) and arranged by the mother of the groom

Catered by the Event Group

Cake was created by the talented Shelby Lynn’s Cake Shoppe

They danced to the tunes of DJ Derrick

And Pinnacle Limo Services provided them a pretty sweet ride from the ceremony to the reception

Let’s see those pictures!!!  We’ll start you off with all the pretty details.

I loved this shot of all the hands helping her get her dress on

Donnally captured this shot great!  I imagine Alan and his really great brother were having a little heart to heart right before the ceremony!

Of course if there’s a wedding on a gameday you’d expect the groomsmen to be picking up the highlights on their phones!

Jon took the guys outside for some group shots and I just love this one……look close!

Alan looks like he’s concentrating before the big reveal at their first look.

Amber’s already emotional.

I’m so glad I was able to capture this moment.  Having a first look has many benefits but as simple as it may be calming each other down before hand is one of them.  Amber and Alan decided to exchange their personal vows during their first look and the traditional vows would be exchanged at the ceremony.  What a great personal touch!

You’re looking at Mr. and Mrs. Nichols!

We headed outside to catch the last of the pretty light right at sunset.  Alan looks so happy with his beautiful bride!

Jon caught this shot for us.  The ambient  lighting and the movement is lovely.

Just another reason I recommend hiring two shooters on your wedding day…..while Jon captured the photo above I was able to sneak in and catch what is probably my favorite shot of the night from a completely different angle!

Love it!

Their guests send them off to celebrate on their honeymoon!

Congratulations Amber and Alan!

Enjoy!

-erika

First off this week I was able to catch Titan’s first smile at me!  Love that feeling!

Next we got another dog (unfortunately Rock -the white boxer- had to go bc he just wouldn’t listen to us everytime we needed him to and with a new baby that worries me).  Her name is Winnie.  She already listens pretty well and she’s a beautiful doggie!  Her and Ellie get along so well too!  Ellie sits just outside Winnie’s pen to keep her company!

Last night I had the opportunity to capture Danielle and Justin’s big day!  They were so beautiful inside and out and it’s so wonderful to be able to attend a wedding where you can just feel the love radiate from the bride and groom.  Justin is such a sweetie to his new bride!  I wish you two MANY happy and glorious years together!

And finally some shots from our weekly Sunday gathering at the in-laws house……..  Meet Titan’s Godparents.  Will and Tracy (TW’s sister).  They love Titan so much!  We’re excited to know they would take care of Titan at the drop of a hat for us!  We love you guys!

Titan seems to think Aunt Tracy was a good pick too!

Grandpa kept poking him in the belly so I got him back per special request from Titan…..

They usually play a round of cards every week too, I’m not a huge card fan so I usually sit that one out.  Now count me in when we play board games!

TW picked up my camera and I always get all nervous and embarrassed when it’s my turn in front!!!  Glad though to have a picture with my baby boy!

And finally Uncle Luke and his girlfriend were nice enough to make everyone some dessert!

Enjoy!

-erika

One of the most popular questions I get is what to wear……hence I’ve created a whole link just for you guys up there!  But that’s not enough, I’d like to take it a bit further and show you what some good examples are!

Fall is coming up and I know everyone wants to have their family portrait made this time of year, hurry and book quickly since those beautiful fall leaves come and go so quickly so does my availability between senior sessions and family sessions and everything in between!

Now booking for mid Sept and Oct.  Please contact me at erikadotson@gmail.com to book your session!  I’m trying to schedule sessions on Mon, Tues, Wed, Thur.  let me know if you need a weekend date and we’ll try to work something out!

Below is an example for a family of five, but could be adapted for a couple session as well.  You can see the color palette below.  Using accessories is a great way to add individuality to each family member.  Maybe a grey scarf for mom?  What about some cute ruffly socks for little sister?  Or could you see dad in a fedora?!?!?  :)

Copyright Erika Dotson Photography

Please leave some feedback.  Let me know if there’s something you’d like to see.

Enjoy!

-erika

I just love how happy they are in this shot!!!  Exactly how they should be after leaving the temple!

I love how John steals one from Cristy to show off for the camera!  :)  Shots like this make me smile!

Beautiful couple at a beautiful temple!

This is definitely my favorite shot of the day!

I just love the lighting in this little nook!  The warm glow from those doors is amazing!

Here’s the famous cupcakes!  All of John’s sister in laws spent the entire day creating these beautiful little cupcakes so I had to give them justice and feature them on the blog!

So who would have thought this old rusty chair that I spotted outside would make the perfect backdrop for Cristy’s bouquet?

Or how about a tree stump to provide such a detailed ring shot?

I love how happy everyone is in this photo as the couple enjoys their first dance together.

This image is priceless to me…..it’s as if John has had a moment to really stop and think as he holds his new wife close.  I can see so much love and care for her here.

Let’s end with this playful shot of dad and son making sure they “get” the new couple as they make their get a way!

Enjoy!

-erika

These ice lanterns are a total do it yourself project for anyone planning a winter wedding!  How cute!!!

You need two buckets, one smaller then the other.

Some greens, I love to use olive branches.

Fill the biggest bucket half full with water.

Place the smaller bucket inside it and place some rocks or something heavy to keep in in place.

Add more water, the water level should be to the top.

Add your branches to the sides of the bucket.

Use some tape to keep the small bucket in the middle of the big one.

Now set the whole thing outside to freeze.

Once its frozen, remove the small bucket first and then the large one.

You now have a beautiful ice lantern.

Place a votive candle inside and voila, the party can start.

What a cute idea!  And just for all you brides, details like this make your wedding rock that much harder!!!  Photographers love little details!

I love how they pulled these centerpieces together!  I usually get stuck in that rut that these centerpieces things have to be super fancy, but these are totally cute and another DIY!!!!

Steps for a Full Wrap Treatment
Step 1:Measure paper around the vase. Leave about 1″ on the neck for a ribbon treatment.
Step 2:Cut the paper. Adhere one edge of the paper to the glass with glue dots. Wrap the other side around and secure with more glue dots.
Step 3:Cover the top rough edges with a grosgrain ribbon.

Steps for a Middle Band Treatment
Step 1:Measure paper around the vase.
Step 2:Cut first band to measure 5″, second to measure 3.5″.
Step 3:Stick first wrap to the vessel with glue dots. Layer on the 3″ band,again using glue dots.
Step 4:Top it off with ribbon treatment.

Anything personalized is super cute but these are adorable.  If you planned on a wedding in the summer and thought of these fans think how much your guests would love to have this keepsake!!!

I saw these at Forever 21 and instantly thought they would be perfect for a stylish bride!!!

This idea struck me as an important one for all couples planning a wedding.  I like to ask “what is your photography budget”, and I usually get this response “well we really haven’t thought about it” or “we don’t really have one”.  My first piece of advice for you is make one!!!  It will be the most important thing you do to keep your wedding costs down and be able to get what you actually want.  Wedding expenditures add up and quickly but if you are prepared with a budget that will help.  Also it’s a great idea to start budgeting together as a couple, since now you’ll probably have some sort of a joint account.  This website isn’t just geared toward weddings either but it’s a great way to keep track of what you are saving!  Be sure to check it out smartypig.com

Enjoy!

-erika

More to come on Kelly and Adam’s awesomeness!!!!

Enjoy!

-erika

First off the information on how to download these table numbers and menus is here.

I love this wedding timeline!!!!

What a cute idea for wedding favors or really for any reason!  Check out info to download the template here.

I am so pumped!  All the time I get brides that want to do their own flowers, which honestly usually this scares me, mostly because the only place to get flowers in bulk around here is Sam’s Club so they usually all end up being the same do it yourself flowers.  But wait I’ve found a super cool awesome website for anyone interested in doing their own flowers!!  If you are one of those people I recommend you take a look at this webpage really quick though!  It will help you determine if you really are a DIY flower bride.  Now as for the rest of you.  They sell their flowers in a Grand Box which includes several flowers to create many bouquets.  Here are a few of my favorite wedding flowers.

And finally a Save the Date download!  Aren’t these super cute!!! Check it out here!

Please leave some comment love so I know if I should continue with Monday’s Favorites!

Enjoy

-erika