The Scott Kelby DVD winner is...

JW Stovall!!!

Jay, if you email me your snail mail address I will get the Scott Kelby DVD right out to you.

For those of you who entered but didn't win don't fret, we'll be giving away another Scott Kelby DVD, "Photo Recipes Live: Behind the Scenes", in August.

Have a great (and safe) 4th of July.

AN IKEA WEDDING

Inspired by the wedding of Swedish Crown Princess Victoria (wed in Stockholm on June 19 2010) Ikea partnered with stylist Lo Bjurulf and photographer Denise Grünstein and created an ad campaign to highlight Ikea's newest products. Below is "Paper & Fold" and "French Romance", two of six fantastic table settings featured in the campaign. Yes, this is really Ikea. Check out the link below to view the rest - "Harvest", "Artsy", "Folklore", and "Wood On Wood". The clever and creative styling will surely inspire!

Paper & Fold

French Romance

Photo Credits: Agent Bauer

WEDDING DRESS WEDNESDAY

While Wedding Dress Wednesday usually consists of an image of a favourite wedding gown we've recently fallen in love with along with the bio of it's designer, we've decided to switch things up a bit this Wednesday and tell you all about a wedding dress sample sale instead.

We recently featured the stunning Rivini "Savia" gown designed by the one and only Rita Vinieris. We also let you in on the latest bridal boutique to open its doors in Carleton Place, Ashton Station Bridal, which exclusively carries the Rivini line.

Have you always wanted a Rivini gown? Well good news ladies, Ashton Station Bridal will be having a Rivini Sample Sale from July 10th to August 7th 2010. With over 150 styles to choose from, you'll save up to 70% on as-is size 8 sample wedding gowns! Ashton Station Bridal is an appointment only boutique so be sure to call ahead. Appointments can be booked by phone 613-240-7616 or email info@ashtonstationbridal.ca Happy shopping!!

Last day to enter Scott Kelby giveaway...

Today is the last day you can enter to win the Scott Kelby DVD "Mastering Camera RAW".

To be eligible all you need do is write a comment on ANY blog post by midnight June 30th (today) and we will pick (randomly) from those comments to determine the winner.

There is no limit on the number of blog posts you can comment on, the winner will be announced here on July 2nd.

Good Luck!

Grid hack from David Hobby...

I got this idea from a post David Hobby made on Strobist a few days back.

It's an easy, inexpensive, and fast DIY project that will improve your store bought or "home made" grids.

For subscribers (and you know who you are), because videos aren't pushed through you'll need to return to the blog or directly to our YouTube channel to watch this short (2 minute) video.

VIVA LA BABY!!

Before the rumours start flying, Viva didn't just have a baby. And while we know that many wedding coordinators also plan events, we've had to regretfully decline these requests in the past as Viva la wedding is and will always be only about weddings... except this once. When your BFF is expecting, who can resist the urge to throw her a baby shower to show her just how happy you are for her and how much she is loved?

Prior to the wedding season kicking into high gear, Viva (along with the help of a couple of our favourite wedding vendors) planned a little celebration in honour of a precious baby girl who was getting ready to enter the world.

Here are a few detail shots taken by the wonderful Melissa Johnston. Thanks to Flowers Talk for all the beautiful flowers and the Manzanita wishing tree, The Candy Store for providing the cotton candy and pink rock candy on a stick as well as the raspberry and lemon coconut macarons, and to Little Cakes who baked the delicious pink lemonade and vanilla cupcakes of course!

Melissa Johnston is also responsible for little Rachel's newborn shoot!

Some macro photography...

One of my favorite things to do after it rains is to wander through my yard and take some close-up photos using my Nikon 60mm macro (what Nikon calls Micro).

Luckily I live in Maine and there is plenty of opportunity to do this.