You may have seen the announcement on Facebook… ”So….since Footstone opened right before Win was born, it only makes sense to open business number 2 now that baby number 2 is on its way!” 

Business number Tw0 is under way… or should I say, “under construction”?  More details to come very soon!

My dearest friends and family came together for one of the most amazing nights I’ve ever had. For my 30th birthday, Amy Keene owner of ADORE Events, started planning the party about six months in advance! She, along with Giovanni Lugo, owner of Unique Designs, and Betsy Gardner, owner of The Plant Shoppe put together all of the arrangements and perfect little details…all of which I could know nothing about until the night of the party! I have to say an incredible thanks to my special friends for giving me not only your time, but also all the beautiful flowers and materials were their gifts to me as well. I’m incredibly blessed to have you in my life.

One of the only things I knew about the party was it was going to be at O!O Tapa’s and Tini’s.  When Amy shared a few other details with me, I asked her if she thought Jarad Bowens from G-NYS Entertainment would come and play at the party. We had recently worked with Jarad at a wedding and hit it off so well. Plus, he’s an amazing DJ! Thank you Jarad and Lauren for volunteering your time and being a part of this special night. It wouldn’t have been the same without you!

The best part of the night came when Paul grabbed the microphone, not only thank all of our friends for being there, but also to give me my gift. The only thing I knew about this gift was that’d he’d been selling a crazy amount of equipment and miscellaneous stuff on eBay. The surprise was a trip to NYC!!!!  With shopping money!!! And leaving the next morning!!! Best Hubby ever!!!!!!!!!

The finale of the night was after I received my gift, I pulled out a gift bag for Paul. I told him I knew it wasn’t customary for the birthday girl to give gifts, but I had one for him. I handed him a gift bag… first piece of tissue paper was blue, second was pink, and the gift was a baby bib.  Surprise! We’re having our second child! Paul was completely shocked and excited. The last picture is the one after he just found out!

And the night just kept getting better.  We had KB’s Kake Truffles for dessert.  Erika and Jason delivered them and joined us for the party too! We danced to Michael Buble’s “Song for You”. I got a Coach bag from my friends Steven and Charlie… how can it get any better than that!

I can’t say thank you enough to all my friends and family for being there. It was an incredibly special night and I’ll never forget it. I’m blessed to have you all in my life… and now for the start of a new and exciting year!

Footstone has the honor of hosting KB’s Kake Kreations tasting event this month!  This Sunday from 6pm to 8pm, couples can come taste the amazing flavors, dream up their fabulous cake design, and talk with Kathy and Erika about how to make it all happen! Also have a chance to meet with The Plant Shoppe, The LV Studio, Masterpiece Weddings, Wayne’s World Entertainment, and sample food from Fresco Italian. See below for the RSVP information.  See you there!

KB Kakes 
Please RSVP to: info@kbkakes.com 
www.kbkakes.com 
(352) 214-5066 
(352) 214-6778

An outside wedding in a botanical garden in Spring… what can be more beautiful than that?!!  The one thing that may compare is the tears in Carrie’s and James’ eyes as they saw each other for the first time on their wedding day.  They decided to do a “first look” near the gazebo at Kanapaha Botanical Gardens.  Paul walked James over to a secluded area and buzzed me to bring Carrie to her soon-to-be husband.  James faced away as Carrie walked up close.  As I laid out Carrie’s dress perfectly, winked as she held her breath, I told James he could turn around.  Tears welled up in both their eyes instantly as they embraced.  Paul and I were back far enough to give the couple their private moment, but close enough to capture the precious reveal. Once Carrie and James giggled and cried then composed themselves, we set off to get ‘em hitched!

The ceremony was picturesque.  The sky was an incredibly bright blue, there was the perfect breeze to gently blow Carrie’s veil as they said their vows. The reception was just as perfect.  It was held at the Paramount Plaza Hotel. A most decadent KB’s truffle cake was the first thing I saw when I entered the room!  But I had to wait until the end of the night when Kathy herself brought me a special batch of a half dozen of Paul’s and my favorite truffles!

Much of the success of this beautiful day was due to the planning and coordinating of ADORE Events. We enjoyed working with you, Carrie and James! You’re a super fun couple and we wish you all the best!

…I’ve ever eaten is a KB’s Kake Truffle!  I’m not kidding.  Here’s Kathy and Erika’s yummy description of this divine dessert…

KB’s Gourmet Kake Truffles are a marrying of cake confection with yummy goodness  dipped in imported chocolates.  They are available for parties, gifts, favors and even Wedding Cake!!  (Accept no substitutions,  IF IT’s NOT KB KAKES’ it’s NO KAKE TRUFFLE)

KB’s is doing a truffle giveaway, so claim that you love their truffles the most on Facebook, Twitter, or your blog and be entered to win! For more details, visit Happy Tiers. So….. my birthday is coming up. Can I make a birthday wish?? 

Two and a half years into business, we have found ourselves in an extremely scary, but incredibly exciting position… we have more business than two people can handle!  Before now, it’s just been Paul and myself working around the clock shooting and designing and emailing and blogging and calling and printing and… sometimes sleeping.  The time has come!!!  Meet Ally!  

I have had the pleasure of knowing Ally for a very long time.  She’s the only person in the world I trust to pass on responsibilities to.  She’s a great designer; she’s extremely professional; she’s super stylish and always knows what’s what and who’s who…LOVE HER!  Ally will also be working with Unique Designs. Gio and I do so much design work together, that it made sense to split Ally’s time between us.  What a simple commute she has!

So I present this challenge to Ally… Put up with my obsessive and perfectionistic ways, don’t be unnerved by Gio’s wild and wacky ways… and help Footstone and Unique Designs continue to grow in amazing ways!

This adorable couple is getting married tomorrow!  So far, everything is coming together and we’re set to go! Ana and William have been super fun to work with. They were so comfortable in front of the camera. We had to give little direction…they just enjoyed loving on each other. Before the shoot started, it was a must that we stop at Starbucks. Everyone, but Paul (crazy, I know), got a coffee. These two are regulars at the downtown Starbucks. We walk in, the baristas wave and start preparing the “usual”.  After the session, we all had dinner at the gelato place. What a great night! A great couple, fun location, Starbucks, and gelato!!

We’re looking forward to tomorrow Ana and William!  It’s going to be an amazing day!

…with this incredible couple and this engagement session! We shot it in Alachua, Fl on 1800 acres of pure beauty.  When I first met Jen, we hit it off so well that she ended up hanging out at the studio for the rest of the afternoon! Not just with me though, we walked next door to Giovanni at Unique Designs and she spent a few hours with him too. We started talking then about her engagement session and I about leapt for joy I was so excited about it! They live on this incredible piece of property that’s covered with amazing oak trees, a 3 acre garden, a wildflower prairie, rolling hills… sigh.  At one point, Paul climbed up in an enormous oak tree to get a shot looking down on Jen and Jake and he got stuck.  So Jake proceeds to rig up the John Deere tractor and pull Paul down on a lift!  I must admit…I was more worried about the camera in his hands than his physical well being (sorry babe, love you!).

The gorgeous couple is getting married in July at Sweetwater Branch Inn.  I can’t wait!  Jen will be a breathtaking bride!

The past eight days either myself, or my son, has been sick in bed.  For the first three days, it was Win, second three me, one day we both were ok, then I got sick again, then he got sick again… not kidding!  Luckily we are now back to normal and playing catch up. Thanks to our clients for the understanding and best wishes! To make up for lost blogging time, I’m posting one of my favorite recent shoots. We did a classic bridal portrait session with Sam. She and Joe got married a little over a week ago, so those pictures will come soon! Sam’s dress and accessories came from Solutions Bridal in Gainesville, Fl. I can’t wait to post pictures of their wedding…it was stunning! The ceremony was at the Baughman Center and reception at Sweetwater Branch Inn. Masterpiece Weddings coordinated so that just says it was absolutely first class!

Wow…the wedding gods are smiling on us and keep sending us these gorgeous brides!

Amy Keene, owner and lead planner of ADORE Events, Inc. has offered Footstone couples a 10% discount off of any wedding package!  Amy’s office is right next door to our studio in Haile Village in Gainesville, Fl.  We do a lot with Amy, including shooting her latest marketing campaign.  ADORE is also offering Unique Designs clients, who’s office is also next door, the same discount! Yes… it really is just one big party down here!

Amy offers a complimentary consultation to all clients so they can learn about the advantages of having a professional planner. I encourage every couple to seriously consider it!  It makes such an incredible difference in your wedding day!  

These are some of my favorite shots from Amy’s shoot.  Thanks to our awesome models from Solutions Bridal!  Dresses are also Solutions dresses. Kari, Lauren and Hilary are amazing… and beautiful!