Ashley Brokop Photography Blog

the dish: Jen

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:02:36 -0500

Here is your first installment of "the dish". Each post will feature one of my brides, their day, and what
went right and what could have gone better. This is a beta test, if you will, so you may not see the same
questions each time. I want new brides to have unfiltered information at their disposal, and my
newlyweds to be able to relive the day again through this post. I absolutely love reading about how brides
develop the style of their wedding from undergarments, shoes, veil, venue,
the month, the entertainment...it all totally fascinates me. Thank you to those that are sharing with us, we
appreciate your advice and your openness!!
If you would like to participate, please send me an email and I will forward questions to you. If there are
questions you would like to have included, please forward them to me.

Jen + Dominique- married 7 Nov 09

How did you develop your wedding style or the look and feel you wanted the wedding to have?

I looked at pictures in magazines and online to get a feel for what I wanted.

I was also in at least 11 weddings and had an idea about what I liked and disliked.

Did you know exactly how you wanted to look or was it a process?

It was a process. I knew that I wanted a lace dress that was simple,

but elegant. I also wanted it to look classic/vintage. The birdcage veil idea

came from Ashley Brokop....thanks Ashley! The birdcage veil just topped it off.

Did you end up looking as you had envisioned?

Yes. I wasn't sure about my hair, but it turned out beautiful.

How far out did you start planning your wedding?

one year

Did you have a wedding planner?

I had By Invitation Only for the "day of" help. They also gave some ideas

along the way.

Did they do a good job?

Yes.

Were you a thrifty bride?

At times :-)

Where did you cut costs?

Video, cake, decorations.

Where did most of your money go?

Attire, flowers, photography

In end, were the high dollar items worth their investment?

Absolutely! I LOVE my pictures and loved my flowers. I also loved my

entire outfit :-) I also loved my hair which was done by Jon Osbourne

in Chapin, SC. He did a great job!

Where did you purchase your gown?

Bride Beautiful in Altanta, Ga

Would you recommend the gown boutique to other brides?

Yes.

How many gowns did you try on before you found the right one?

Maybe six

What month did you get married?

November

Would you choose that month again?

Maybe....I really love the spring.

Where did you get married?

Saint Thomas More Catholic Church in Columbia, SC

Did you like the venue?

I would have done some things differently.

Where did you have your reception?

Mitchell House and Gardens

Was it catered?

The Mitchell House caters their own food

Did you enjoy the food?

Yes! I got TONS of compliments on their food. The Mitchell House really

seemed to know what they are doing and they did a great job.

Their mixed drinks were also great.

How was the space?

Great space

Who provided your cake?

The Mitchell House

How many bridesmaids did you have?

six

Was that too many, too little- explain...

It was fine.

Did your husband play an active role during the planning stages?

Yes, he was very helpful

Are there any tips you'd like to give to future brides?

Once you make a decision, stick with it. Don't "over think" the planning.

Also, it is cliche, but don't sweat the small stuff. It will be over before

you know it and so ENJOY!

Did you give away wedding favors or gifts?

Yes, praline pecans, roasted pecans and cinnamon pecans

After the wedding and reception were done, what was your reaction?

It is over so soon? I want to keep dancing!

What were your favorite photographs?

Why? Too many to count...I love so many for different reasons.

Ashley is a great photographer.

Did you do an engagement session?

Yes

If you did, was it what you expected, or different and why.

I wasn't sure what I was expecting. I wanted to make sure that we

had fun and we did.

Did you do a bridal session?

Yes

If you did, was it what you expected, or different and why.

I didn't expect it to be so tiresome...I have a whole new level of

respect for models. Despite that, it was fun and I would do it all

over again. That may be the only time in my life that I can be

a model :-)

Did you have your makeup done by a professional? If so who did you use?

Yes, I used Kristin Williams. I want everyone to know that I not only loved

the way that she made me look, but also the way that she made me feel.

She is so friendly, positive and I found her to be "calming" on a crazy day!!

I know that sounds weird, but it is true. She is great and I would recommend

her to anyone!

Did you go on a honeymoon? If so where to?

Yes, Maui, Hawaii. Need I say more...paradise. I have never seen

so many rainbows in my life.

What was your craziest shower gift?

Body chocolate with a sex book...from my sister in law.

What was your favorite gift?

I loved everything.

Did you have any sentimental family items used in the wedding or reception?

No, really wish that I did. I made sure, however, that I bought

things that I could pass down to my children.

Hilary

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 08:09:24 -0500

Hilary is one of the sweetest girls I have ever met. I smile when texts me, emails me...you smile just knowing she was thinking of you. She is one of those women that will make the greatest wife, the greatest mom...you get the point. She is genuine and just a fun person to be around. I want to bottle Hilary and sell it...everyone would be richer with some Hilary in their life. I never blogged her bridal portraits and she deserves a post all about her. If you love Hilary, leave a comment. You know you all blow up her wall with comments ;) And just so you know Hil...you can tag me till the cows come home. I don't even mind!

and one of the most commented on facebook photos....This is one of my favorites, and used by 701 Whaley at their bridal show booth...get it girl ;)

Wedding Wire

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:46:49 -0500

Got some more good news. I received the Bride's Choice Award for 2010 from Wedding Wire/ Martha Stewart Weddings, for Columbia. To all that voted, Thank you!! You can leave reviews for your wedding vendors and for 2010 brides you can find your vendors here. This is a really great/ free resource! I love that vendors can upload pictures and give you info about what they offer/ who they are. You get a sense of their style before you even click to view their websites. You can see who recommends who...etc.

the knot...best of

Sat, 20 Feb 2010 12:53:46 -0500

OMG is right! I got a call a few weeks ago from "the knot" and totally forgot to blog about it!!!
Now I normally use fb as my sort of diary, but that was then, this is now...you want to know about me...you don't... just don't read stuff that is categorized as personal...cause in my house, there ain't much that is "tmi" to be quite honest. So thanks to all that voted!! I am honored, to say the least!!

bday...sleep

Sat, 20 Feb 2010 00:43:55 -0500

It is Bill's bday today..or it was 41 minutes ago.
He is asleep with Abby on the couch. Actually my whole family was on the couch asleep to Hannah Montana earlier. She sort of puts me to sleep too...sorry.
When I asked Bill what he wanted to do for his bday, he said, 'nothing'. He wanted to stay home and tackle his to do list.
He is currently working on a '69 Pontiac LeMans. It is like a family member. It gets sick, it needs attention, it has a room and lots of stuff. Bill wants to give it to Wesley someday and that warms my heart. Something about a man working on a car, just makes me smile. That was my dad...my early memories always involved my dad with a smell of motor oil and cuts that were always dark, dirty, and deep, but rarely a band-aid.
Tonight we had ice cream cake, which Betsy told Bill about immediately when he opened the door. So much for a surprise with a three year old around.
Abby turned six months old yesterday. Time flies. She has two teeth and sits for a bit without help. I spiked her hair like Ed Grimley tonight, with gel.
Wesley lost his first tooth tonight. Seems young, but the "big boy teeth" are already coming in behind. I don't know if that is from the GMO food that we were unknowingly devouring or his teeth are just ready to be in...who knows he is four and it seems super early. We'll see what the tooth fairy brings. You can't buy a Bakugan with a quarter, and I think that was the going rate when I was little.
Emily started another job this week. She works at Salon 3:16 as their receptionist. So call her and she can set you up with an appointment as she tries to keep all those busy girl's schedules straight. It's great having an insider at the salon; I can get an appointment whenever I want. Love that!
Next month around this time Bill will be packing and getting ready to leave. Seems so strange he won't be around until Halloween. He is a part of everything I do...every decision that I make. You fight all your life (or at least I did) to be independent and strong until you meet someone that wins you from inside out and then you are just not yourself without them around. So needless to say, I am pouting- a lot. At least we are not an Army family. I can't imagine that, 18 months away is CAH-RAY-ZAY.
Abby and I got a virus about 8 days ago and it just kicked my butt, her butt...our butts were stuck together in a feverish sweat on the couch. I still wake up with the chills and body aches.
While being sick, we got like 5 inches of SNOW!! I have never seen accumulation like that in SC. Last year we got "dusted" with snow but this was like real, Illinois-esqu snow fall!
The pic is of Wesley and his bud Mason making snow angels.
I better wake the bday boy. We can celebrate tomorrow. Sushi is in order ;)

Albums

Sat, 20 Feb 2010 00:29:34 -0500

So I am always on the search for the album that I would want if I was getting married again. Something sturdy, and sassy while not totally trendy. This isn't your gold guilded wedding album with gold tips on the pages. I used to sell those when I worked for a photographer back in 1997. I wasn't a fan then...yadda yadda.
This is my "Dream Album" and I am so happy I found them. This album has a hard photo cover and a thick sturdy spine. The pages are thick, just like the leather books that I also offer.
So now your choices are a leather bound album or a photo cover album.
Both albums lay flat when open, have no seam down the middle and have a pages that can be wiped clean if someone eating a pb&j is flipping through.
Here are some pictures...hope I did this book justice. It was the most popular thing at the bridal fair the other day. Got questions, please chat me up!!
The books show are the leather 10x10 and the dream 9x9.
12x12s are also available! The dream album comes standard with 1 5x7 on each page. If you choose you can opt to have a custom design/layout done instead.

faves of 09

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:56:44 -0500

I have chosen some of my favorite pictures from 2009. The images may be my favorite because of the moment/expressions, the light, etc. Some of the sessions just seem to be exactly what I love...from dress (or clothes), to the light, to the makeup. Some of those sessions you may see more images from than others.
Last year was definitely a year for bridal portraits. I have come to realize they are what I love, what I am good at and what make me feel happy. I love creating images that women are proud of, that they feel beautiful in, and that we have a blast creating together. I love seeing everything come together from hair and makeup, accessories, to the shoes a bride chooses to walk down the aisle in. It is all fascinating to me and last year was full of bridal sessions, and ones that let me think and shoot out of the box just a little bit more. I can't wait to see what 2010 holds. I already have the most unique assortments of brides and locations. From mountainside weddings to Jewish weddings I am so excited I could scream. Is it that or the snow that is falling outside...well who knows. This is a year for firsts. A first to have Billy gone for 7 months...a first to have Wesley head off to Kindergarten...a first to be totally and unequivocally outnumbered by toddlers!
Here are MY FAVES

music available on ITUNES or Amazon.com
i am in no way selling music, trying to benefit from music or profiting from the slideshow presentation. I am only trying to set a mood and let the music and photos together tell a story of my utmost joy and satisfaction with what 2009 had to offer.

more abby

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 11:03:05 -0500

Quick update...I am sick...like the sickest I have been in a year. Hard to lift my arms...don't want to shower sick. I am going to the dr in a half hour. I wanted to get these pictures up, as I have vowed to keep blogging, even if I am sick.. The worst part is Abby has something too...she has a fever...I have the chills and a low temp...weird.
You just can't have enough Abby...or any of my kids, in my honest opinion.
I just love them and enjoy the heck out of pictures. I find myself looking at them over and over again, reminiscing all the time. It brings me back to when they were smaller and at different stages. If my house was on fire, you know what I would grab....well my computer cause all my pictures are there, and my family albums.
Here are some pictures that Stacy took of Abby just a few weeks ago when we were in Charleston. We spent the day talking and eating Mexican food...2 of our favorite things. You can see Betsy too...her sulky look again. I love it even though she is being a stinker. And yes, once again she is dresses like a princess, this time in blue.
I promise next post is biz! Better late than never, I have my favorite pictures of 2009 to show you. I am almost done with the slideshow..

abby mae

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 21:28:30 -0500

Nothing is more wonderful than having your children photographed by your best friends.
Beth and Stacy both recently shot pictures of Abby when we each got to spend a day together.
She is growing so fast it makes me sad and happy at the same time.
I am excited to watch her grow and learn and smile and giggle...but sad as she gets more independent and well... just older. The same goes for all my kiddies. Betsy is potty trained...an a lipgloss- crazed three year old. At our house, dress up is an all day, all night kind of thing. We finally just had to say "NO, you cannot wear this stuff to school, or bed."
I can hardly believe that Wesley is starting Kindergarten in August. Do I know where, no, but still it is hard to swallow. It will work itself out...these things always do.
Bill leaves for his trip abroad in a few weeks and I am already mourning his absence. It is horrible that I do that before he is even gone..but something I just can't help. Without further ado...let's enjoy these sweet kids (and a shot of Billy) of mine. You can also enjoy my best friend and her sweet boys...all three of them. Thank you Beth for these fabulous pictures. I will treasure them forever. The picture of Betsy frowning in the field...may be my current favorite of her. I can't stop looking at it...and Abby...deep sigh...these pictures capture her as she is right now...wide eyes...big cheeks...my sweet sweet surprise baby ;)

meet emily

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:44:07 -0500

Meet Emily.
My sister, nanny, assistant/intern, sidekick, bff when i haven't made her mad....
She is a decade my junior, i know that is really hard to believe with my youthful appearance ;)
Emily seems a bit irritated when people are surprised there is 10 years between us. I don't know if they think she looks older, or I look younger, either way it is what it is.
I moved out when she was five so I really never knew what it was like to have a sister. When you live far from family you have family, but you don't, if that makes sense. I always loved her and missed her, but we were both on such different levels, into different things and different stages of life. When I joined the military she was 10!!
Emily came to live with us when I was pregnant and mentioning that I was scared stiff about having 2 young children and a baby on the way. She was going to school and working and it was the perfect opportunity for her to get away and see new places and learn new things.
I am so blessed she is here and hope she can learn a few things while here and not get totally bonkers living with me while Bill is gone. It will be fun and crazy, and something that will change our relationship forever...it already has for me. From strangers to sisters..here she is my beautiful little sis.
this was an impromptu shoot we did for fun one night. Not too bad a half hour of shooting huh! She used a few on fb so I figured I would finally get it together and show you some here.

bridal fair

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 20:33:34 -0500

The bridal fair last Sunday was a hit. I know that is what you are supposed to say, but it really was. I felt a different vibe this year...more alive, more modern and sassy. I am proud to welcome Blakely as one of my brides for 2010. She booked me on the spot Sunday. I felt an instant connection with a handful of girls and got to see some of my favorite vendors too. I love to chat, especially about photography and anything wedding related, so honestly I wish I could do it again this Sunday. Thanks to my fantastic sidekicks Stacy and Emily. They were there to help me answer questions and to pass out a pink pen or two...hundred.

So here's an update...my resolution was/is to keep you so updated that we are all like roommates without all the ugliness involved in cohabitation. I was having blog issues which seem to be resolved so I am about to get on it. I have to introduce my side kick...show you some recent Abby/Wesley/Betsy stuff...and pretty much open up my mind and my heart to you over the next few weeks.
Past brides will be doing something very interesting for you...keep posted, it's comin!

hey brides!!

Sat, 09 Jan 2010 13:25:37 -0500

Bridal Showcase Sunday!

29th Annual St. Andrews Woman's Club
Bridal Showcase
Twenty-Nine Years of Wedded Bliss!

DATE: January 10, 2010
TIME: 12 Noon - 5:00 PM
PLACE: Americraft Cantey Building, State Fairgrounds, Columbia, SC
DESCRIPTION: Bridal Showcase will feature 100+ Exhibit Booths by Bridal Service Providers.
Fashion Shows at 1:30 and 4:00 PM
Grand Prize: Drawing for Fantastic Grand Prizes!!!!!
Admission: Adults $5.00, Children Under 12 $1.00 & FREE admission for children under 2.

Please come see me!! I would love to chat with you about your upcoming wedding! Head over after church, after brunch and come see a bunch of wedding professionals in one place, one time!!!

Fashion shows, food etc...be there or be behind on your wedding planning ;)

Hilary + Craig: 2

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 00:53:23 -0500

So here is the story. We are taking a lot of time this holiday season to fill up our bellies with good food and good ole' family time cause my sweet husband is shipping out shortly. We are braving the cold up here in Chicagoland and enjoying family and gloves and running from place to place to get out of the cold. Our heated seats sure come in handy here.
I am slack with blogging and will be the first to admit it. Follow me on fb and you will see my long list of resolutions- which I usually follow pretty well. Here are more pictures...I want to have the rest on tomorrow as well as the full vendor list....as well as my sweet story about Hilary and Craig. Forgive me sweet bored blog watchers. I will try to entertain this year. Twenty Ten is going to be wild....husbandless...new baby...2 toddlers...sweet Jesus I need a miracle ;)

Let me start with Craig. His job interests the heck out of me. He attended the University of South Carolina and got a Mechanical Engineering degree. He is now working outside of Columbia on a project developing and constructing 2 new nuclear power plants.
Green power fascinates the heck out of me, so much so that next year we have talked about visiting nuclear plants and wind turbines in every state we can...but I bet the kids would rather do something Disney related?!?!
Hilary grew up in Massachusetts and moved to SC for college. "I just want to be a clinical social worker and fantastic wife," Hilary said about her career and about being Mrs. Stover.
Hilary's smile, sincerity and kindness are contagious. She is the girl you want to be around. I have never heard a negative or unkind thing leave her mouth...she is the girl I feel bad gossiping in front of because it just doesn't seem to be her silhouette. I think that is awesome, and I admire her a lot. Hilary has the smile that can melt you, whether girl, boy, whatever. When I see her with her sweet dad the "Father of the Bride" movie plays out before my eyes. I love that and honestly envy that. Just in speaking with him, you can tell her dad loves her to pieces. He wanted nothing more than this wedding to be everything she has dreamt of. From the horse drawn carriage picking them up RIGHT in front of the chapel (never seen that before personally) to the Christmas ornaments, to the sparkly details that had Hilary written all over them; every detail was well thought out and super personalized and special.
Hilary and Craig couldn't be more different, but couldn't be more perfect. I really believe that opposites attract, opposites balance and opposites can stick it out together. I love you Hil...from your smile, to your sweet emails, to your favorite Journey song, and to your perfectly Northern/ Southern disposition. Girl you are perfect in any part of the country. Us Northerners have to stick together...eat some shrimp and grits together and visit all the Nuclear plants together on a family vacay.

Ceremony Location: Rutledge Chapel, USC Horseshoe

Reception: City Art
Hair: Katie Guinn from Logan Raye
Makeup: Kristin Williams

Dress: Bella Vista Bridal & Wedding Boutique in Columbia, SC

Veil, Earrings, and Headpiece: Hayden Olivia Bridal in Charlotte, NC

Florist: American Floral

Caterer: Tronco's

DJ: Party Time DJ's

Horse and Carriage: Carolina Carriages

Hilary + Craig: 1

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 15:05:21 -0500

The next set is by Stacy. Some informal portraits in the hotel room.

hey wait a sec...thought you might want to see Craig + Groomsmen and all their awesomeness...as shot by Stacy the magnificent.

dvds + hope

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 11:22:02 -0500

The dvd sale will be extended until the 24th. Half of the proceeds will go to Hope Epidemic.

Here is more info and you can read more on the website www.seacoast.org

The lack of clean drinking water steals the lives of 5,500 each day--that's more than war, natural disasters, AIDs or even hunger. It is a silent killer--one that quietly preys on the world's most marginalized and forgotten people. Today, 1 in 8 people in the world live without clean drinking water; that is about 1 billion people in the world. The lack of clean water and sanitation results in approximately 1.8 million children dying every year from water related diseases.

The Hope Epidemic is about more than helping solve the world's global water crisis; it is about truly spreading the gift of living water, the gift of hope, to our friends, co-workers and communities. It has been said that people can live 40 days without food, 3 days without water, but not a second without hope. Jesus cried out in John 7:37-38, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." Jesus is our hope.

If anyone wants to save the change they would spend on drinks (coffee, red bull, soda) for the next two weeks we will be collecting until Christmas Eve. Please let me know we will be collecting and taking to the Columbia service on the 24th.

To order your dvd go here find "PUBLIC STORE" from there you will click the "dvd sale". You can pay by PayPal, credit card, or by check.