Cardinals and Oatmeal: A Watters-Inspired Bridal

With a passion to showcase women of all beautiful types, I wanted to bring that reality into the bridal world like I do with Persuasion Boudoir. The amazing gown designer company Watters has the same heart for women, offering a diverse range of wedding gowns for all types of lovely brides. They collaborated with me by sending one of the most beautiful gowns I've ever seen-- a gown made of embroidered lace with a delicate oatmeal-colored tulle overlay.

So that's where it started. :) And that's why this shoot was completely inspired by their Sydney gown. The fluttery neckline reminded me of birds, then birds led me to cardinals (Virginia's own state bird, of course!)-- with the red really popping against the oatmeal tulle. (My Pinterest board was a source of great planning!) We normally associate cardinals with a wintry theme, but it's springtime when cardinals are most present! With pink, cardinal red, and pale yellow as our colors, we transformed a part of the Virginia Living Museum into a beautiful setting for any wedding or bridal luncheon. Natural, a little delicately wild, and simply stunning.

Last year, it was about lavender, but this year, it's a little homage to the Commonwealth. :)

















































The Amazing Vendor Friends Behind This Shoot:
Concept Design & Photography | Chelsea LaVere
Venue | Virginia Living Museum
Bridal Gown | Watters Bridal
Event Styling and Setup | Sunkissed Events and Design
Hair Accessories | Olivia
Stationery | Peter Loves Jane
Cake | Cake Delights
Hair and Makeup | Behind the Veil
Florals | Studio Posy
Sweets | Make Life Sweet
Event Rentals | Distinctive Event Rentals
Model | Kristina Cipolla

The 2012 Photo-Fam Recap.

So yep. 2012 is gone, and I'm still left wondering where January 2011 went. :) It was a phenomenal year with so many great new photo-fam, new transitions, new additions, and so forth. Personally, it was a huge year for Rusty and me in our own lives: Rusty graduated/got his first nursing job, Pickles Barrington came into our lives, etc. Enough to where our own moving to a bigger home was put on hold until September 2013.

I'm anxious for 2013. I know it's going to be another turning point, another chapter. But for now, here's to some reminiscing!

In 2012...
... Rusty and I went to Italy for a vacation and for Orchestrated awesomeness.
... April 2011's Morgan and Bruce moved home to Iowa to be closer to family.
... we had a Western-themed photo-fam BBQ in September over at Jenn and Jamie's house.
... April 2012's Whitney and Kevin graduated medical school and relocated to North Carolina to pursue their respective fields!
... I opened up the new office with the Big Ole Teal wall!
... April 2012's Ashley and Ryan also relocated away from Hampton Roads, but to the other best city ever: Boston! (We'll be doing their first year anniversary session up there next summer!)
... I was published in Wedding Planner Magazine for my Orchestrated Stylized Shoots work.
... we had a Gingy-style Christmas party in December which resulted in some very "interesting" Gingy creations. ;)
... I did a bunch more second-shooting for awesome photog-friends and that led me to Florida, Tennessee, and OBX.
... the photo-fam went to Uniquely Yours Bridal Showcase in January; we realized we shouldn't be let out in public together. :)
... and the list can go on...

There were many other milestones in everyone's lives, but then that'd take about a novel to complete! So do forgive me. :)

Thank you to everyone for such a wonderful year, and I can't wait to see what's in store for all of us!

Ashley, Ryan, and the Rainy Day Wedding | Virginia Beach

Rainy days are just as magical as sunny ones. The moment we caught wind of chances of rain, I got excited. I knooooow... no one wants rain on their wedding day, but I've had this vision of London wellies and my crazy awesome bubble umbrella for MONTHS since I saw their boots in their downstairs hallway. And I knew Ashley and Ryan would be perfect because of their unique and quirky personalities AND their gorgeousness. Seriously, not many people can rock out a classic bowtie and beautiful maroon lips.

Ashley and Ryan are two peas in a pod, and I consider myself so blessed to be a part of their lives as they are in mine. Ashley is the best "stalker" ever (read that back story on their e-session post!) and feeds me Big Bang Theory DVDs, and Ryan is a master at furniture assembly sans instruction manuals. :)

Their big day was filled with black, ivory, and bursts of wildflower color (provided by the lovely and talented Palette of Petals). It was intimate, unique, and so very special. Sweetwater Cuisine was the perfect location for them. And of course, Bella (their furry kid) was present in little prints made by Ryan (like legit prints made with linoleum plates, ink, and rollers!) decorated around the reception... just wait until you see that cuteness!

One day, these lovers of Boston will move away and enjoy my favorite Beantown (hence the Sam Adams in one of the photos!)... so in the meanwhile, I'm smuggling as much time with them! (IKEA trip at the end of the month! Yeah!!)


















And some little shout outs...
... to Liz of Behind the Veil for Ashley's stunning hair and makeup.
... to the special friend who crafted Ashley's hair piece with little Bella on it. :)
... to Steinhilber's for letting us use their waterfront property.

- Chelsea :)

The 2011 Photo-Fam Recap.

2011 was such an interesting year in terms of life changes. Rusty entered nursing school last January, and God kinda said to me, "This is your last year teaching in a classroom." So in August, I went into full-time photographer mode. Those two events alone have transformed things... and I'd like to think for the better. :)

But no matter my own life changes, it's the people I encounter each year that transform me as well. All of my couples and friends I meet through Bit of Ivory are just huge blessings to me.

In 2011...
... I went to England to see our Jane Austen stylized shoot come to life.
... April 2011's Morgan and Bruce adopted some baby kitties, Shera and Zorro.
... we had a photo-fam BBQ in September.
... May 2011's Kelli and Eric bought a house and got a new puppy!
... October 2011's Amanda and Josh will be having some awesome professional advancements and education opportunities.
... I was published in Professional Photographer Magazine for my Persuasion Boudoir work.
... May 2011's Dreama started a new photography business focusing on families and children.
... September 2010's Megan landed an awesome new personal banking position which she's a total rockstar.
... May 2012's Jenn got an awesome new graphic artist job while launching her own graphic design business.
... the photo-fam went for spa pedicures (well, the ladies did! haha) in September and bowling in December.
... and the list can go on...

There were many other milestones in everyone's lives, but then that'd take about a novel to complete! So do forgive me. :)





A HUGE thank you to those who give me the opportunity to share my life and passion with you. Without you, I couldn't do what I love every day. You are so very important to me, and I'm excited to continue to share this journey with you each passing year.

Love,
Chelsea :)

It's almost Bit of Ivory's Anniversary Month!! ... and it involves an iPad 2!

We know I love to give gifts, and we also know that I LOOOOVE to celebrate, especially anniversaries. Well, let me start off by saying...

This is my last year teaching in a classroom. I've been called outside the classroom and into photography full-time. When God says GO, you better go. (I mean, yes, it's already felt like it's full-time with all that goes into the business, but now it's REALLY full-time.)

So this August, Bit of Ivory Photography will be operating with business hours, more weekday availabilities, and all that jazz. I'm STOKED! Bring it on, WORLD! :D

Okay, okay. Giveaway announcement time.

To commemorate June as the anniversary month (since two years ago I embarked on this journey)... it's going to be big. Yes yes!



During the months of May and June 2011, every bride who books their wedding with me will be entered into a drawing to win... a FREE iPad 2 (valued at $499; see specs below) with their wedding photos LOADED onto it! I dream big, so I strive to give big.

Because I love gifts and there can be only one iPad winner, the rest of the new Bit of Ivory brides who weren't chosen will receive a FREE 16x20 canvas gallery wrap with their choice of an engagement, wedding, or bridal (if added on) photo displayed on it.

And you wonderful current clients of mine whom I love so dearly... If you refer a new bride, and she becomes a Bit of Ivory bride during the months of May and June, YOU receive a FREE 11x14 canvas gallery wrap with your choice of session photo displayed on it.

So everyone wins! YAY!

For current brides, portrait, and Persuasion clients, don't worry. I've got some other super fun gifts for you, too, but you'll have to wait until June 1st to hear more! :)

Consider the next two months as the "These are a few of my favorite things" giveaway extravaganza! Hope you like two of my favorite things already! [insert Sound of Music dance moves here] Canvas wraps and iPads, oh my!

Some fine print regarding the iPad 2...
* You must sign your contract and place your nonrefundable retainer between May 1, 2011 at 12:00am and June 29, 2011 at 11:59pm to qualify for the drawing. Your wedding does NOT need to take place during May or June (because that'd be impossible! I'm booked up! lol)
* Each bride will be given a number in the order she was booked. (First bride will be #1, second bride will be #2, et cetera.)
* Winning bride will be chosen at random using Random.org.
* Winning bride will be announced on Facebook and the blog on Thursday, June 30th at 10:00am.
* Bride and groom will receive the new iPad AFTER their wedding in accordance with post-processing time of 4-6 weeks and will have only their wedding photos loaded onto it. No other session photos will be included.
* The new iPad will be the 16GB with Wi-Fi version only. No connectivity contract required.
* If the iPad 2 is replaced with a more current edition (such as iPad 3) by the date of the contracted wedding, the bride and groom will receive the NEWEST edition available on the market. Of course. :)

Some fine print regarding the canvas wraps...
* All photos requested for the canvas wrap must have been taken by Bit of Ivory Photography. This is a way to reward previous clients and their awesome images!
* If you haven't had a session with me yet and still refer a bride to me... first, thank you! Second, you will receive a placeholder for your canvas wrap when you do have your session.

Go ahead and tell your engaged friends! :)

Love,
Chelsea :)

Retro Buttons, Candy, and Vintage Soda... oh my! | Virginia Wedding Photography

I had the huge privilege to be a part of Katelyn (James) Alsop's Sugar Shoot this past weekend in Richmond to enjoy GORGEOUS eye candy (no pun intended... okay, it was. ;) ), to meet fellow photogs, and to learn new perspectives.

This was exactly what I needed. To be personal, I needed to be rejuvenated. I needed to be inspired and allow myself to dive right into details without worry of x, y, z. With the nervousness of what's to come later this year, I needed to be reaffirmed that God knows what He's doing with me. And I have to be trusting of that.

Without further ado, even though this day was coated in beautiful shades of teals and oranges... you know I have to start with a black and white image! :D














Thank you, Katelyn, for hosting and for being you! And thank you, Lauryn and Jared, for being awesome models!

PARTICIPATING VENDORS:
Sweet Spot Candy Shop - http://www.shopsweetspot.com
Florist & Guest Speaker - Janie Medley (The Bride's Cafe) - http://www.thebridescafe.com
Cake - Shyndigz - http://www.shyndigz.com
Bride's Necklace - Button Soup Jewelry http://www.etsy.com/shop/buttonsoupjewelry
Catering - Mosaics Unique Events - http://www.mosaicedibles.com

- Chelsea :)