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When: SuperBowl Sunday February 7 2010 3-5 pm

Where:  Vintage Villas 4209 Eck Lane, AUSTIN
Discount: $5 at the door or Free when you pre-register online and use FREETIX
More info: http://www.weddingsunveiledaustin.com/

Thanks Crystal.  If anyone has an event they want to announce please contact me, and I’ll share it with the world.

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I had only one requirement when assembling this list. They had to make a 8×10 inch 20 page album. It didn’t matter if the pages were rigid or flexible, or what kind of printing process they used. I then contacted each of these companies directly, and got a catalog and price list. Then I ordered them by price – The Blurb came in at less than $50, and La Vie will run you deep into the 4-figure range. (I’ve actually seen a LaVie, and it is a beautiful handcraftedJapanese work of art).

Blurb
WHCC
Forebeyon
Graphistudio
Zookbinders
Art Leather
Vision Art
Leather Craftsmen – I’ve been using LC for years – check out these wedding album pictures.
Luxeo
Kiss
Fineao
Renaissance
Asuka
Cypress
White Glove
CotureBook
Queensberry
La Vie

I personally feel that a professionally designed wedding album is the best way to preserve and showcase your wedding pictures. You don’t need any batteries, or computer screens to look at them when they are professionally printed and bound in a beautiful leather volume. But beware, it takes time to design, print, and bind a wedding book. It’s a process you shouldn’t rush. I don’t.

Over the next year, I plan on ordering one book from each of these companies – and then making a blog post about the book. If you are a rep for one of these companies (or you want your company added) drop me a line, and let’s talk.

I’ve assembled this list of professional wedding album companies. If you want a beautiful book with your wedding photos, check out this list, and then talk with your photographer to see if they use one of these companies.  And if you have a CD of your wedding pictures, and want an album designed, let’s talk.

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Between January 11 and Feb 13, 2010 PPC is offering  up to 50% off your wedding rental.  Contact them directly for all the details on this great offer.

When: Between January 11 and Feb 13, 2010

Where:  PREMIERE PARTY CENTRAL
Discount: up to 50% off select linen styles
More info: http://www.austinpartycentral.com/

Thanks Kristi.  If anyone has an event they want to announce please contact me, and I’ll share it with the world.

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Today I’m showing off the Leather Craftsman 3500 series flush mount wedding album.

What is a flush mount wedding album?  I’m glad you asked.  It’s a book where the pages are mounted flush to the page.  It is a more modern style wedding book, unlike the older versions where the picture was glued behind a paper frame in the album.  This style of flush mounting gives a cleaner look, in my opinion.  When you choose a flush mount album, the entire page is a single photo, so you can use a design program to style the image, and make designs, or multiple images on the same page.  Personally, I like to put only a few images on each page, that way the pictures are bigger, and clearer, and easier to see.

Take a look at the photos below to see the craftsmanship and quality.  It takes a long time to design and manufacture these books, so if you choose this style please be patient.  I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

This LC wedding album is 8 inches tall, 10 inches long and covered in distressed brown leather

This is a flush mount album spine. Notice how the images are mounted flush to the page, and the pages lie flat when the wedding album is fully open.

This Leather Craftsman Wedding Album is imprinted with gold lettering in the bottom right corner.

Why do I need 3 wedding albums? One large one for you, and two smaller ones for each set of parents.

I prefer to do a simple wedding album design, featuring large images. Yes, this means few pictures per page, but the images are bigger, so you can see them better.

Each Leather Craftsman Wedding Album is hand made.

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Of course I always include a few formal bridal poses, but mostly I want you to feel super comfortable both in your gown the camera.  For most girls, the bridal session is the first time you are wearing your gown out in public (I’m not counting all the times you have gone to the salon for fittings), and I want to make sure everything goes great, and you get photos you and your mother will love.

I usually start with a few of the very stiff, traditional poses, both from the front and the back.  These are the standard southern bridal portraits.  We find a great location with amazing light, and a pleasant background, then pose you for a full-length shot straight on, where you are holding your bouquet, and your veil (if you have one) flows over your shoulders.  I get these done first, because its a safe shot, every mom expects one, and you are probably a bit tense.

Then, we start to have fun – we will try some other poses, scenes, and ideas.  I like to mix it up, and have some fun, and encourage you to bring props like cowboy boots.  One time, the bride even brought yellow Rubbermaid gloves to wear – you know, the kind you use when you are washing dishes.

Since your wedding gown usually isn’t ready months before your wedding date, the bridal session is scheduled very close to the actual wedding.  I require a minimum of 3 weeks before so I can get you a framed 11×16 portrait (included with every session) to display at your wedding.  Generally I try to schedule sessions on a weekday afternoon – that’s when the locations are less crowded, but I’m always able to work with your schedule.  The bridal sessions usually last about an hour, and you are welcome to bring your mom, or best friend.  Immediately after the bridals, I get the files processed and scanned, and present the proofs to you in a super-secret password protected gallery.  Because I’m working so quickly to get them processed, I don’t have time to photoshop them all.  They are proofs.  I ask you to pick your favorite shot, and then I’ll do the work on it and send it of for enlargement.

And when it’s all over, you will get all the bridal pictures on the disc of wedding photos that I give to you after your wedding.   So if you want to see more samples, or sign up for a stand-alone bridal session, please contact me, and I’ll get right back to you with a rate sheet and even more details.

PS:  This is a beautiful 2-piece Monique Lhuillier gown with a bow, and parasol.

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When: One full week starting Monday, February 8, 2010

Where:  Marquee Event Group
Discount: 50% off select linen styles
More info: http://www.marqueelinens.com/linenevent10.html

Thanks Laura.  If anyone has an event they want to announce please contact me, and I’ll share it with the world.

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When: Sunday Jan. 24, 2010

Where: Fire Lake Event Center
Cost: FREE – the best price
More info: http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs025/1101941036139/archive/1102959482548.html

Thanks Steve.  If anyone has an event they want to announce please contact me, and I’ll share it with the world.

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When: Tuesday Feb. 9, 2010
Where: AT&T Hotel & Conference Center
Cost: $55
More info: rsvp@awec.org

Thanks Jessica.  If anyone has an event they want to announce please contact me, and I’ll share it with the world.

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Why?  The Food!

Dan knows how to cook.  Not only does he do high-end catering in Austin, but as he says “I love to to upscale Fajitas, too”.  Now, my regular readers know that I’m a life-long vegetarian, but Dan doesn’t disappoint in that department, either.  Here’s the Menu (with the Veggie items in bold):

• Beef Carpacchio
• Trio of Goat Cheese in Endive Cups
• Braised Short Ribs in Yorkshire Pudding
• Smoked Parsnip Soup Shooters
• Tons of Imported and Local Cheeses
• Beer and Wine to wash it all down

The dessert table was decorated with a 4-tiered wedding cake, tons of bite sized treats, and golden pomanders hanging from the ceiling

Austin Wedding planner extraordinary Cortney Zieky of BZ events

Roast Morels & Oysters on Polenta with Micro Greens

Erin Collins of Clink Events talks with Kristen, one of the owners of Royal Fig

Chef Dan Stacey's Workspace

Royal Fig Catering Open House

The dessert table was decorated with a 4-tiered wedding cake, tons of bite sized treats, and golden pomanders hanging from the ceiling

Cooking up a storm at the Royal Fig Grand Reopening

Everyone was having a great time at the Royal Fig open House

In addition to great food and company there were a few other wedding vendors in attendance:

Stardust Pastry

Rojo Pictures

DJ Chris Hanson

Uptown Valet

Premiere Party Central

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