Wedding Insiders* – Pon LeBoy**
At Better Off Wed we like to introduce our readers to the best and brightest in the wedding industry and photographer Pon LeBoy is no exception. Without further ado…
How did you get into wedding photography?
I had just realized the first in a cycle of micro-documentaries about people using funk dance in political protests overseas when I was asked by Rudy’s Sean Astin to come shoot his wedding. I would normally scarf (ed. note: a scoff that induces barf) at the notion, but our families vacation together and he also offered me a lot of money. I quickly realized that weddings are essentially cross sections of humanity. All of the raw human emotion I always seek to capture in my photographs…rage, jealousy, passion, hunger, messiness…all of that is at a wedding.
What is your favorite moment to capture in a wedding?
I like capturing the sorrow in a father’s eyes during the first dance as he realizes he’s passing his daughter off to a man to have sex with her. The moment when an old flame stands up to oppose the wedding is always a great moment to get reaction shots from the grandparents. If the church has a chandelier (and not as many of them do anymore), climbing up there and getting a top down shot of the sweaty wet spots on the groom’s head is always a fascinating view of humanity’s true nature.
Really, though, I can take almost any moment and assign a lot of meaning to it through a carefully worded artists statement.
Not to play favorites, but do you have a favorite wedding you’ve shot?
For reasons I can’t disclose, I’m legally required to say Carrie Underwood.
What is your favorite pose?
I once did a shoot where I had life-size cakes made to look like the entire wedding party, and they were all arranged under the St. Louis arch to look like the arch was a giant mouth eating them. I know it’s not technically a pose because there weren’t any humans in it, but I still think it captured the essence of the Janesco-Browden wedding better than any church shots could have.
Are you opposed to having grooms see the bride before the wedding for the sake of wedding photography?
I come from a politically active family, and when my parents got married, my father (blueprint photographer Preston LeBoy) insisted on being with my mother (paid feminist Maureen Font-LeBoy) for twenty four hours straight before the wedding. He literally would not leave the room, even when the other bridesmaids were getting undressed. There are photos of them looking really uncomfortable with the whole thing, but the looks on their faces are so honest…I now do this with every ceremony I attend and encourage the groom to do so as well. Most say they don’t have the time or interest in doing so, and those are the couples that normally end up getting divorced. I’m just saying.
Who are your inspirations, artistically?
I inspire myself. Being inspired by the work of another is tantamount to highway robbery. It’s technically true that all art is imitation and there are no original ideas, but then you look at my photos and it makes you think that that statement is probably actually a lie and whoever said it didn’t know anything and hadn’t seen my stuff.
Have any funny wedding stories to share with us?
Weddings aren’t days for smiles and laughs, they’re life-changing moments that should elicit thoughtful frowns or smirks at the irony of it all. That said, one time the priest’s pants got ripped off of him by a giant bird, and that was really funny.
* Not a real wedding insider
** A character in Better Off Wed, don’t you really want to see it now?
Industry Insiders – Red Letter Event Planning
Meet Robyn Bruns of Red Letter Event Planning as she shares a little bit about her company and some fun (and funny) stories about her career as an Accredited Bridal Consultant. When asked what she hopes readers take away from our interview, Robyn shares “Red Letter Events wedding planning philosophy is that we really want each wedding to reflect the lifestyle and personality of the couple and that each wedding has a creative focus. I like to call it Wedding Planning, Done Your Way.” Read on to learn about Robyn’s favorite Chicago venues, wedding traditions and what it means to be an Accredited Bridal Consultant.
How did you get into wedding planning?
I did meeting planning for the State of Illinois and then for a public relations firm. When I started my business I fell in love with wedding planning, as it is so personal and fulfilling, not like corporate planning.
Tell me what your title, Accredited Bridal Consultant, means? Sounds like serious business!
Not serious but a huge honor. I belong to the Association of Bridal Consultants a professional organization for the wedding industry with over 40,000 members worldwide. ABC is a membership organization designed to increase awareness of the wedding business and improve professionalism of members. I am one of three in Illinois and one of forty eight worldwide to hold the designation which requires ongoing training and understanding of wedding planning. This peer-reviewed designation is awarded to a Professional Bridal Consultant™ that has demonstrated a commitment to the wedding planning profession, received ongoing education, and delivers outstanding client service.
What is your favorite wedding tradition?
My favorite tradition is exchanging of the rings, at that moment two people have joined their lives together. I also like when I have couples incorporate their ethnic traditions into weddings it really demonstrates how two families are becoming linked by their heritage like a celtic handwrap or having Filipino fire dancers (both of which my clients have done). The coolest tradition I ever saw though was when I did a Chicago Police officer’s wedding and they did a color guard after the wedding ceremony.
What are your favorite wedding venues to plan at in Chicago?
I really love the 63rd St. Beachouse it is a quintessential Chicago location as it is historic and sits right on Lake Michigan. You can have an outdoor ceremony and reception. For an indoor location you cannot beat the views at the Signature Room on the 95th or the magnificence of the Shedd Aquarium.
We have a sketch in the show about a Groom taking over the wedding planning, have you had any cases like that?
Oh yes I have two instances. One the groom chose the colors and even the brides dress, he or I should they were one of my very first clients. Looking back I think he was really nervous about the wedding and was a bit high strung. The other groom was a bit of a control freak I was with him was at a meeting and the bride to be had not arrived. I was going to wait but he was like, let’s get started as he wanted to make some of the decisions on his own. I held my ground and made him wait. I don’t mind when a groom is involved though as the wedding should reflect both of their personalities. I think it is harder when the groom is so disconnected and the first time I meet him is at the rehearsal.
I actually had a groom take over the beauty portion of the planning he got his hair AND makeup done for the wedding. This was not some off the wall request from the bride, this was him all the way. Not only did he have his own hair and makeup artist that day he got a mani/pedi AND a massage. I wasn’t really sure how to react except to go with it!
Since this is a comedy show, do you have a funny wedding-related story to share?
My client had contracted with a bakery that did not deliver. Now you have to understand she was OBSSESSED with this cake, she talked about it all the time almost more than her groom to be. The wedding was relatively small 75 people so I said I would pick up the cake how big and heavy could it be? This was my first year in business and I hadn’t learned why wedding planners have mini-SUV’s or crossovers so I pulled up to the bakery in my 2 door Honda Accord to pick up the cake. This cake was fondant with passion fruit filling and VERY heavy she had gotten 4 layers because she wanted leftovers!
My husband had come with me in case I needed help OH BOY DID I! I couldn’t even pick up the cake! He managed to get it on my lap in the car and then we drove to the reception so slowly, every turn was torture and every yellow light we had to go through so as to not stop suddenly.
The location for the wedding and reception was Burnham Harbor! The boat the wedding was on was at a different pier than when I did the walkthrough, then it had been 20 feet away from the parking lot-now well let’s just say it seemed miles away. The people at the pier were like how are you going to get that cake on the boat? Honestly I think some people started taking bets on how long it would take to “lose the cake”
There was cart at the pier that we started to use but every time we went hit a bump I thought I was going to have a heart attack. This bride was so excited about her cake I think she would have had me walk the plank of the boat if something happened to it. After too many nerve wracking moments with the cart, my husband carried the cake himself all the way to the boat. This was a July wedding and it was about 80 degrees out and the whole time I am following him I kept saying, oh don’t drop the cake, don’t drop the cake, be careful, stay in the middle of the pier etc, while he suffered in silence. After what seemed the longest time we got to the boat and deposited the cake safe and sound-however my husband said to me, I never want to do that AGAIN.
To find out more about Red Letter Events visit their website (http://redlettereventplanning.com) or find them on Twitter (@Redletterevent)
Meet The Cast – Nate Sherman
Name: Nate Sherman. Full name is Nathaniel Sherman, IV
Hometown: Cincinnati, OH. I’ve moved around a lot so, maybe it would be better to just say “The Midwest” I’ve lived in Cincinnati, Dayton, Lansing and Detroit Michigan, New York City, and Connecticut.
1) Last wedding you went to?
The last wedding I went to was my older brother’s in Pasadena, CA. It was a beautiful wedding. Lots of food and dancing. The wedding cake could have been bigger, though.
2) What was the first wedding you were in? What role did you have?
I was in my cousins Keith’s wedding as the best man. I played the “I lost the ring trick” and he got PISSED. Like really angry. I didn’t actually lose the ring, so he was trippin. And they are divorced now anyway so I win.
3) Chicken, fish, or pasta?
Chicken and pasta. I would take the liberty of combining them.
4) Chicken Dance or Electric Slide?
5) Favorite song to request at the reception?
I don’t request music. I assume that the planner has done a proper job. It isn’t too hard, really. Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, etc. It really isn’t tough.
6) Pro or Anti cake smashing in the face?
You HAVE to smash the cake. You just have to! Everyone wants it to happen, and only a sissy couple doesn’t do it.
7) Have you ever caught the bouquet/garter?
I have caught the garter before. I didn’t mean to. It was my cousins so I it was weird.
8 ) Which celebrity did you want to marry at 15? Now?
At 15? Sanaa Lathan.
Now? I have to say Christina Hendricks. I know that she is married, so I really shouldn’t be thinking about it. But I mean am I supposed to just not watch Mad Men?
9) At what age did you start acting and what was your first role?
I started when I was 18 in high school. It was my last quarter of school and I had never acted before. My first actual role was in a sketch show called “Grandma’s Hip.” That was one year ago.
10) What is your dream role?
I can’t tell you because I don’t want to jinx it.
11) Favorite thing about being in “Better Off Wed.”
The people. I genuinely care about everyone in the cast.
We’re happy it’s over, too.
Meet the Writers – Martha Robbins
Hometown: Natick, Massachusetts
Meet the Cast – Jen Malinsky
Name: Jen Malinsky
Hometown: Grayslake
Who are you in the show? Actor
1) Last wedding you went to? My husband’s friend from high school got married in August 2010.
2) What was the first wedding you were in? What role did you have? My sister’s wedding when I was 15. I was Maid of Honor.
3) Chicken, fish, or pasta? Hmmm, banquet hall versions of these can be tricky…I’d have to say fish.
4) Chicken Dance or Electric Slide? Electric Slide
5) Favorite song to request at the reception? Baby Got Back – look at my ass
6) Pro or Anti cake smashing in the face? Anti – at most a little icing in the nose
7) Have you ever caught the bouquet/garter? Nope
8 ) Which celebrity did you want to marry at 15? Now? Then, Bret Michaels. Now, I’m supposed to say only my husband right? Who am I kidding, Paul Rudd.
9) At what age did you start acting and what was your first role? I had a few classes/plays in grade school. But, REALLY started with improv classes at Second City May 2001. My first ‘job’ was that summer as a Virtual Reality Pirate at Great America.
10) What is your dream role? A character like Elaine (Seinfeld) or voice over in a Family Guy-esque show.
11) Favorite thing about being in “Better Off Wed.” It’s nice to be with a group of people who are professional and genuinely care about the work and each other (writers and actors).
Name that Celebrity Ring
Which Oscar-winning actress (Natalie Portman, Reese Witherspoon or Anna Paquin) sports this eco-friendly engagement ring?
Click here for the answer!
Keep Calm and Marry On
YES! THAT DRESS!
From The Telegraph:
Kate Middleton stepped out of the car at Westminster Abbey looking nothing less than spectacular. Every self-respecting fashion commentator had their money on Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen as the designer, and they were not wrong. Also, the bride very sensibly chose a dress that won’t age in photographs, as Diana’s unfortunately did. Her look echoes that of Princess Grace, another timeless bride.
As expected in fashion circles, Kate wore a lace overlay over her arms and shoulders. She was also predicted to wear a long train, to take advantage of the Abbey’s long aisle; that was also confirmed – the train was two metres 70 centimetres of ivory silk tulle. The dress had a sweet-heart neckline and a tightly corseted waist. There was hand-stitched embroidery across the front of the skirt, sweeping up from the hem.
There was also lots of speculation also focused on which tiara Kate would choose, having the royal vaults open to her – it’s a tradition that a royal bride has her pick of the archives. She chose the “halo” tiara made by Cartier in 1936.
The details of her ensemble have now been released:
The design
The lace appliqué for the bodice and skirt was hand-made by the Royal School of Needlework, based at Hampton Court Palace. The lace design was hand-engineered (appliquéd) using the Carrickmacross lace-making technique, which originated in Ireland in the 1820s. Individual flowers have been hand-cut from lace and hand-engineered onto ivory silk tulle to create a unique and organic design, which incorporates the rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock. Hand-cut English lace and French Chantilly lace has been used throughout the bodice and skirt, and has been used for the underskirt trim. With laces coming from different sources, much care was taken to ensure that each flower was the same colour. The whole process was overseen and put together by hand by Ms Burton and her team.
The dress is made with ivory and white satin gazar. The skirt echoes an opening flower, with white satin gazar arches and pleats. The train measures two metres 70 centimetres. The ivory satin bodice, which is narrowed at the waist and padded at the hips, draws on the Victorian tradition of corsetry and is a hallmark of Alexander McQueen’s designs. The back is finished with 58 gazar and organza covered buttons fastened by Rouleau loops. The underskirt is made of silk tulle trimmed with Cluny lace.
The Fabrics
French Chantilly lace was combined with English Cluny lace to be hand-worked in the Irish Carrickmacross needlework tradition. All other fabrics used in the creation of the dress were sourced from and supplied by British companies. The choice of fabrics followed extensive research by Sarah Burton and her team.
Veil and Jewellery
The veil is made of layers of soft, ivory silk tulle with a trim of hand-embroidered flowers, which was embroidered by the Royal School of Needlework. The veil is held in place by a Cartier ‘halo’ tiara, lent to Miss Middleton by The Queen. The ‘halo’ tiara was made by Cartier in 1936 and was purchased by the Duke of York (later King George VI) for his Duchess (later Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother) three weeks before he succeeded his brother as King. The tiara was presented to Princess Elizabeth (now the Queen) by her mother on the occasion of her 18th birthday.
The bride’s earrings, by Robinson Pelham, are diamond-set stylised oak leaves with a pear shaped diamond set drop and a pavé set diamond acorn suspended in the centre. Inspiration for the design comes from the Middleton family’s new coat of arms, which includes acorns and oak leaves. The earrings were made to echo the tiara and were a personal gift to the bride from her parents for her wedding day.
Wedding Shoes
The wedding shoes have made hand-made by the team at Alexander McQueen and are made of ivory duchesse satin with lace hand-embroidered by the Royal School of Needlework.
The Bride’s Bouquet
The bouquet is a shield-shaped wired bouquet of myrtle, lily-of-the-valley, sweet William and hyacinth. The bouquet was designed by Shane Connolly and draws on the traditions of flowers of significance for the Royal Family, the Middleton family and on the Language of Flowers.
The flowers’ meanings in the bouquet are:
Lily-of-the-valley – Return of happiness
Sweet William – Gallantry
Hyacinth – Constancy of love
Ivy – Fidelity; marriage; wedded love; friendship; affection
Myrtle – the emblem of marriage; love.
The bouquet contains stems from a myrtle planted at Osborne House, Isle of Wight, by Queen Victoria in 1845, and a sprig from a plant grown from the myrtle used in the Queen’s wedding bouquet of 1947. The myrtle was first carried by Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter, Princess Victoria, when she married in 1858, and was used to signify the traditional innocence of a bride.
CONGRATS!
