Top 5 Wedding Preservation Tips

After years of planning and endless anticipation, your wedding day came and vanished in what seems like minutes. We all know that bittersweet feeling. Still mesmerized, you are so thankful the day happened, but how is it over so fast? You want to live in that first dance moment forever. You wish you could see all your friends light up one more time. Your bouquet, your gown, you wish they could stay like this for as long as you live. What if we told you they could? In this blog we are gushing over our Top 5 Wedding Day Preservation Tips. Brides, you don’t want to miss this one!

Before we get into the fun stuff, we want to answer a question that our Bustle team gets asked often, “HOW do I preserve my wedding gown??”

We recommend using weddinggownpreservationkit.com for all your gown preservation needs! Just visit their website and follow the easy step-by-step prompts.

Bustle’s Top 5 Ways to Preserve Your Wedding Day

1.) Bouquet Preservation

The only thing that could possibly make flowers more magical is if they lasted forever. Where is Belle’s enchanted rose when you need it? With Bouquet Preservation that sweet dream is a reality. Our friends at Once Upon a Bloom specialize in making those unforgettable wedding florals last for a lifetime. With so many resin settings to choose from, they have a style that suits every bride - that calls for a garden party!

2.) Disposable Cameras for Wedding Guest Table(s)

We LOVE this idea! As a bride, you can only be in so many places at one time. With all the chaos, it’s impossible to see all the special moments your guests are experiencing. And thus, DISPOSABLE CAMERAS. Instead of dishing out money on wedding favors that your guests will most likely never use, we recommend a more interactive option by placing a disposable camera at every guest table. Let your guests snap away for the evening then ask that the disposable cameras be returned to the newlyweds by the end of the night. Once you and your love come back from your honeymoon, send in your film to be developed. In a couple weeks, you’ll have the best time looking and laughing at the best day of your life through the eyes of the people that love you most. 

Disposable Camera Signs from Zazzle

3.) Song Lyric Art from First Dance

After months (sometimes years) of endless song scrolling in search of the PERFECT music that would tell the story of your love, you want that first dance moment to last way longer than 3 minutes. The idea of having your first dance lyrics tastefully displayed in your home makes us shed a sentimental tear. With so many different styles of lyric art on Etsy, you’re sure to find a look that pairs beautifully with your beloved tune - that’s something to dance about!

4.) New Perfume for Your Wedding Day

This tip might sound simple, but it’s truly one that will have you feeling butterflies. Did you know the brain tracts smells with memory? If you think hard enough about some of your favorite memories throughout your lifetime, you can almost always find a scent associated with that memory. We recommend choosing a new signature perfume SPECIFICALLY for your wedding day. Select a fragrance you’ve never worn before, but smells like how you want to feel on your special day. Then, long after your “I Do’s” you can think about how you felt on your wedding day every time you wear that fragrance. It’s such a beautifully effortless way to keep that incredible day fresh on your heart (and your nose).

5.) Wedding Day Memory Box

This tip is pretty self-explanatory but TOTALLY worth it! There’s something about those wedding invitations that you worked so hard on. Every detail, down to the napkins, was a choice that you pondered over with the upmost intention. Throwing away the extras just feels criminal. With a Wedding Memory Box, you can keep one of every detail that you love about your wedding and relive those moments over and over again. Maybe you want to hold on to a boutonnière, a place card, a copy of your vows, YOU NAME IT. Select a memory box that feels like your style as a couple and then have fun filling it up with all the little details that made your day feel like…you. 

Wedding Memory Boxes from Etsy. Blue - Wood

 We hope you enjoyed these tips and can find something to help you hold on to the best moments from your wedding day. Never lose sight of the true meaning behind all of the details, you and the person you love forever navigating through life together. You found a person who wants to grow with you, hurt with you, live every moment that comes next with you. That is truly something that can never be forgotten. 

Birmingham Highlight: Frothy Monkey Bham is Open!

For anyone who loves the Downtown Food and Bev scene, losing Urban Standard in 2021 was a heart-wrenching goodbye. You can imagine our excitement when we heard that Frothy Monkey would be settling in that space and calling it home - EEK!

Photo By: FROTHY MONKEY

This Nashville based cafe is beloved not only for their 10/10 menu. Their passion for true hospitality keeps us coming back. Frothy Monkey knows that the way to Birmingham’s heart is through community and they aren’t missing a beat. This inclusive wonderland is going to be an amazing addition to Historic 2nd Avenue.

In their recent blog post announcing the Birmingham opening, Brittany Russler, Director of Hospitality, expressed, “We were given the gift of this building with so much character. We have to recognize so many guests of the previous business, Urban Standard, know this space, and have wonderful memories here. There’s comfort in maintaining some familiar pieces of that history for local guests.”

Beautiful Photos By: BHAM NOW - Follow them here.

Frothy Monkey’s goal is to preserve the character of the former Urban Standard building while creating a meaningful space and new experiences for the community they serve.

When we visited, the space was buzzing with an electric energy and the entire team was incredibly warm and inviting. We watched as multiple members of their team approached every guest with kind smiles, asking “Are you enjoying everything?”

We tried the Loaded Biscuits and Chorizo Gravy and the PMP (prosciutto, mozzarella, and provolone) sandwich and spoiler alert, it was AMAZING. You cannot leave Frothy Monkey without trying their signature Monkey Mocha. Made with decadent chocolate and their house made Banana syrup, this is easily one of our favorite coffees in Bham. 

Their current business hours are:

Wed – Fri 7a – 9p & Sat – Sun 7a – 3p (Mon – Tues Closed).

Once Frothy is fully staffed, this location will be open Mon – Sun 7a – 9p!

This is a MUST DO on your next date! Whether you’re in the mood for coffee and brunch or dinner and cocktails, Frothy is the THE place to be. And if you’re like us and crave breakfast food all day, you’re in luck because they serve breakfast until 5pm!

Keep up with this culinary class act through instagram or browse their menu here.

EXPERT TIPS FROM MAKEUP ARTIST: ASIA NICOLE

Asia Nicole is no stranger to the love of getting dolled up for the pure pleasure of feeling good for herself. A main character in her own right, she was playing with hair and makeup long before it became her career. Asia’s admiration for all things beauty grew from her dancing roots and in college she found herself working her first wedding. As Asia booked more brides after that first wedding, her calendar wasn’t the only thing filling up. She quickly began to feel the fulfillment in this industry and made it her full time job.

“I was a dancer at a very young age and was the designated person to apply all of my teammates fake eyelashes and braid their hair before performances.”

— Asia

The beauty industry can come with its fair share of stigmas and sometimes it’s easy to assume how someone will be when you hear what they do for a living. Even the most unassuming careers aren’t free from the occasional skeptical judgement (insert David Rose/Schitt’s Creek gif). We can say with 100% transparency that Asia is one of the good ones. After working with her on Bustle’s last photoshoot, Asia left us with so much joy. She is one of the most comforting and radiant women we’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. It’s IMPOSSIBLE to leave her makeup chair without feeling like you could conquer the world.

“As cheesy as it may sound, my favorite part about being a makeup artist is getting to see women light up when they realize how beautiful they are. I point out their glowing skin, gorgeous eye color, long lashes. After applying makeup, not only do they now look glamorous, but they leave my chair noticing their beautiful features even without the makeup on.”

— Asia

We asked Asia for some much-needed advice on how brides can best prep for their wedding day makeup. 

1.) Start a skincare routine three months before your wedding.

This will give you the time you need to see which products your skin responds to the best while allowing for time to adjust any steps that might be hindering your skin from it’s full glory.

2.) DERMAPLANE

We will link a full explanation here on this miracle-working skincare procedure here. We personally would like to recommend our friends at Fancy Face for this quick aesthetic procedure. Asia says that the difference in how makeup applies to skin after this procedure is mind blowing and we will take her word for it.

3.) HYDRATE HYDRATE HYDRATE

One of the surest pathways to supple skin is through the art of hydration. Keep that comfort water bottle filled and drink up, ladies!

BONUS TIP FOR WEDDING DAY MAKEUP - Asia assured us when bridal makeup is done properly it should not budge on your wedding day! A good makeup artist is trained in makeup application and longevity. The only exception to this rule is lip product. With an evening of eating, drinking, and kissing on the forecast, Asia recommends buying your lip product and having it with you in the chance that you might need to reapply. Gotta’ keep that lip color looking fresh, honey!

One of the standout moments in Asia’s career this far was when she traveled to Los Angeles in February with Sophie Scott and her long-time boyfriend and *cough* *cough* QUARTERBACK of the New England Patriots, Mac Jones. Asia helped them glam up for the NFL honors night on the Red Carpet! We are fangirling hard over you, Asia.

If you would love to learn the art of makeup application or have a bride in mind that would like to learn how to do their own bridal makeup, Asia just launched a dreamy online masterclass that teaches you all of her tips and tricks. There are so many little gems in this course; from what powders help avoid flashback in photos to tips on how to insure your makeup shows up on camera without looking cakey in person. Visit Asia’s website if you need this Master Class in your life or if you would like to set up an appointment for beauty services! You can also freely follow along with Asia’s daily tips by following her on instagram.

Birmingham's Only Sample Gown Shop

So it begins, wedding planning is in full swing. As both your to-do list and excitement grow, the time has come to start the beloved google search for local bridal boutiques. With each click you feel yourself getting lost in the pool of wedding dress shopping options. SO. MANY. DRESS. SHOPS. We hope this blog can help you get to know our bridal gown shop and what makes it special. 

We’ve found that not all of our clients know Bustle is the ONLY all Sample Gown shop in Birmingham. What does that mean? We’re glad you asked!

Sample Wedding Gowns are dresses that have been tried on by brides but never actually altered or purchased. At a traditional bridal shop, brides will try on sample gowns and order their dress in a different color or size. But, what happens when the sample gowns run their course?

The act of seeking out the sample gowns in our shop reminds me a lot of the movie National Treasure. And if that’s the case, our intuitive shop owner is the Nicholas Cage of the wedding world. She puts so much intention in seeking out and selecting the gallery of gowns we have in the shop. Each gown is incredibly special in their own way. There are a multitude of reasons why shopping sample gowns at our shop is a wonderful choice. Below we will highlight some of our favorite reasons!

1. COST

At Bustle, EVERY gown is under $3,000. Buying a sample gown means that you will get the designer of your dreams at quite literally a fraction of the cost. We know the anxious feelings that can come when visiting a bridal boutique for the first time without knowing how many gowns will be available in your budget. It’s nerve-racking and uncomfortable. When you visit Bustle, you can breathe deep knowing that every gown is set at a price that is accessible for every bride.

2. SUSTAINABILITY

It’s no secret that buying second hand is an amazing way to reduce waste and cut costs. If wearing a used gown isn’t for you, shopping sample gowns is the perfect solution. It’s both devastating and unfortunate to think of a beautifully hand-crafted wedding dress going to the scrap pile. At Bustle, we give gowns a second life. You get a dress that is perfectly tailored to you, without ever being worn by another bride. Your wedding will be the first wedding day your gown has ever seen.

3. NO WAIT

The dreaded wait time for your ordered wedding dress to come in was already anxiety inducing. Calculating that wait time felt like a math problem that you could never solve. The wait only got worse for traditional bridal shops in recent years with the supply chain issues from the pandemic. At Bustle, there is NO WAIT. You get to take home your dream dress THAT day. Imagine saying “yes” to the dress and then your consultant giving you that same dress in a sleek garment bag as you leave your appointment. That is the experience you get with Bustle. Shopping sample gowns means there is no wait time. Supply chain issues, who?

4. FEWER ALTERATIONS

Even though our shop is a sample dress boutique, that doesn’t mean you will be shopping alone. Bustle will always make sure you have the most elevated shopping experience. We have the sweetest, most intentional bridal consultants ready to guide you to the dress of a lifetime. Because our consultants will be bringing you gowns that are tailored to your style and body, this greatly decreases the amount of alterations you will need. You are getting to try on every gown with the knowledge that you will take that dress home. We aren’t blindly ordering a size with the hopes that when it comes in, it will fit like you envisioned. We’ve found that aside from minor alterations—like a hemline taken up or waistline taken in—our brides rarely make alterations to their gown.

It would be an absolute honor to help you find the dress your heart has been looking for. You can make your own bridal appointment here. And if you have any pre appointment questions, don’t hesitate to send us a message on instagram or visit our chat portal on our website. Our team loves to post reels of new arrivals on our instagram - you can find our recent reel here! We can’t wait to see you! 

What You REALLY Need to Know Before Your Wedding: Experts Tips for Rejuvenating Your Mental Health

We’ve all been there. You said “YES” to the person of your dreams. For a moment, the hard part is over. No more hour-long FaceTime sessions with your bff as they help you find the single-most perfect first date outfit. The days spent mindlessly swiping faces on a phone screen are OVER. You found the one. You finally have a reason to belt all your favorite love songs. Now what? Planning. So Much Planning. Even the most intimate nuptials are not guaranteed the absence of wedding planning stress. Whether you’re days into your planning process or moments away from cutting the cake and dancing into a life of blissful matrimony, we have Mental Health tips for you. This week we talked to two Birmingham-based therapists and they have given us the tools we need for managing the wedding crashing monster, more commonly known as “anxiety.”

Meet The Therapists

McKinley Landen

McKinley is originally from Franklin, Tennessee. She received her Bachelors in Human Development and Family Sciences and her Masters in Social Work from Samford University. McKinley utilizes Person-Centered Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapies, and Family Systems Therapies. She enjoys working from a client-centered approach, providing strength-based care to her clients. McKinley met her husband, Jake, at Samford and they were married in November 2019. They enjoy hiking, going on walks, and playing games! McKinley may look familiar because she is also a Bridal Consultant at Bustle and is often helping our brides say “YES” to the dress.

Melanie Darling

Melanie is originally from Huntsville, Alabama. She received her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from The University of Alabama in 2015 with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. Her experience includes helping people in the LGBTQ+ community and works closely with families and couples, especially those negatively impacted by addiction. She aims to understand your needs by balancing solution-focused approaches with person-centered values, and will guide you as you embark on your journey to become your best self, find meaning in your life, and strengthen your abilities to cope with hardships. Melanie lives in Birmingham with her wife, Jillian, and pets. She enjoys board games and creative endeavors in music and art.

The Expert’s Tips on Rejuvenating Mental Health Through the Wedding Planning Process.

1. Build a Daily Practice for Mindfulness

The experts recommend making time for guided meditation and intentional breathing. For meditation, the Headspace app never fails. There is a guided meditation for every stressor at a time frame that works with your schedule.

One of the most effective techniques for Intentional Breathing is known as: Box Breathing. In Box Breathing, the individual will spend 4 seconds breathing in, 4 seconds holding the breath, 4 seconds exhaling, and 4 seconds to hold after exhaling.

For people who are most captured by visual reminders, Melanie recommends putting a few stickers or post-its around your place. When one catches your eye, pause for a moment and breathe deeply and identify one thing you feel grateful for today.

2. Talk to Someone Uninvolved from Wedding Planning

Sometimes clarity comes easiest when you have the ability to vent to an unbiased party. Whether you spend time talking to a therapist or trusted friend, you cannot put a price tag on uninterrupted time to verbally process how you’re feeling. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed or incapable when planning your wedding day. Talking to an unbiased party can help you discern what is outside of and within your control.

“Therapy is a great resource even if you don’t feel like you have insurmountable issues going on. Sometimes people engage in therapy for a few sessions simply to work through significant adjustment periods in life (and yes, most insurance companies cover therapy services for these needs, as well).”

— Melanie

3. Make Space for Quality Time with your Partner OUTSIDE of Wedding Planning

When you’re in the thick of wedding planning stress, sometimes it’s easy to forgot your “why.” When you’ve spent hours working and reworking your budget and the guest list seems like a daunting task you wish you could magically erase, it’s natural to feel disengaged. Spending precious time with your fiance will help you remember why you’re doing any of this in the first place. Never underestimate how quality time has the power to remind us of the awe-inspiring connection that can only be found with your forever love.

“Talk with your partner about “scheduled wedding talk time” and plan out when you will have wedding planning conversations and when you won’t. This can help create boundaries around feelings of overwhelm or obsessiveness.”

— McKinley

4. Prioritize Happiness Over Perfection

Despite what your mind likes to tell you, Happiness and Perfection are NOT connected. Even if something seems perfect, that doesn’t always mean that it’s what will make you the happiest. Just the same, the experts hope you will find comfort in knowing that true happiness is often found outside of perfection. Sometimes it’s the most imperfect things that are the most lovable. The imperfect things are what make life memorable. Special. When we are able to lift the ever-present expectation for “perfection” off of our wedding day, we are left with what really matters: real and honest love.

5. Vocalize Your Wedding Planning Expectations with Your Partner

At the end of the day it is important that we remind ourselves that even the most in-sync couples are not mind readers. Taking the time to vocalize your wedding planning expectations with your partner and what they want the process to look like speaks volumes. What do each of you see as important? What makes each partner the most anxious or overwhelmed? It is important for you and your fiance to be as open with one another as possible. Talking about this before the moment of overwhelm happens is key. Just the same, McKinley encourages the importance of verbal affirmation in the planning process. The simple act of telling your partner, “I appreciate the way you step up and notice when I am becoming overwhelmed” can mean so much.

Full Circle Motherhood: Emily and Teresa's Story

While the Oxford Dictionary very simply defines “motherhood” as “the state of being a mother,” we know that is the mere beginning of such a sacred word. How could anyone even begin to describe such a lifelong commitment. When asked about her own mother, Maya Angelou once said, “To describe my mother would be to write about a hurricane in its perfect power. Or the climbing, falling colors of a rainbow.” 

I really admire the way Oliver Wendell Holmes depicted adoration for his mother, “Youth fades; love droops; the leaves of friendship fall; a mother’s secret hope outlives them all.” A mother’s secret hope is a force more mighty than any natural disaster, yet gentle to the touch. Today we are sharing a story of full circle motherhood between soon-to-be mother and former Bustle bride, Emily, and her Mom, Teresa.

When we asked Teresa to describe her relationship with her daughter, Emily, in one word, she said, “intuitive.”

Intuition: the ability to understand something immediately, without the need for conscious reasoning. 

The effortless intuition between parent and child is an unspoken miracle. Often found in hand signals, a laugh, or a simple “look”, this communication system surpasses all others. The very enchantment that magic is made of, making morse code look like child’s play.

On Emily’s wedding day, what Teresa wanted most was that her daughter not worry about any tiny detail. She longed for her daughter to be present in every moment, without worrying over the mechanics of the next. Teresa lovingly said, “The look on Emily's face that entire day told me that mission had been accomplished.” There is no better satisfaction to a Mom than knowing that their child is completely happy and at ease. 

“I have to say that my absolute favorite moment was watching Emily’s first dance with her father.  Watching them in those few minutes was like watching a slideshow of their relationship from the time he held her as a baby to graduating from college and going out on her own.  It was such a picture perfect moment and of course...I cried.”

— Teresa Odom

Teresa expressed to us how most people, especially Mothers, have preconceived notions of what special days will be like in their children’s lives and sometimes those moments don’t always go how we planned them. One of the many beautiful aspects of motherhood is learning to embrace those things. There is strength and pure love in accepting change. Emily’s outdoor wedding ceremony quickly became an indoor event after a downpour pivoted their plans. Their wedding venue, Burns Bluff, moved in high-speed to make Emily’s wedding day as beautiful as possible and the entire wedding party danced the night away. 

“I liked how it was just me and and my Mom putting on my dress. Those are some of my favorite pictures from my wedding day. We’re in front of these big windows in the lodge, so it’s all bright and there’s one picture where her hands are on my waist and you can see how happy she is behind me, it’s my favorite.”

— Emily Odom Brown

When Emily found out she was pregnant, after telling her husband, the first person she called was her Mom. Teresa, like most Mothers, is the most trusted secret keeper. She kept this beautiful secret for a while before Emily told the rest of her family. 

“She knew for quite some time before anyone else in my family knew. She actually had to go visit my sister, who was having her second baby, and had to keep it a secret from everyone!”

— Emily Odom Brown

One of the things Emily admires so much about her Mom is the art of letting go of the need to control every situation concerning her children. Emily’s parents always gave her a safe space to land. She knew no matter what she was dealing with in life, her Mom would be there to help her pick up the pieces and learn along the way, without judgement.

“I just want my baby to do what she wants to do, and be her own person. No child is happy when they’re forced to do stuff they don’t want to or feel like they have to because their parent is the coach/director. Whatever she chooses will be fine with me as long as she’s being a good person, good teammate, and constantly trying her hardest.”

— Emily Odom Brown

Emily’s due date is May 17th, which coincidentally falls around the same time of year her Mom was due to have her. Motherhood is such a beautiful full circle experience and we are so thankful to Emily and Teresa for helping us share that love with you today. Happy Mother’s Day to every beautiful Mom. You are a wonder.

Crafting with Claire: Spring Floral Art

Is it May already? The grocery stores are filled with gardens of rainbow colored blooms and it’s giving us an extra boost of seasonal serendipity. There is something so effortlessly enchanting about fresh flowers. That’s why we want to dedicate this crafting session to preserving their beauty. This DIY would be the perfect gift for our favorite heroes this Mother’s Day. Whether you are crafting for Mom or for yourself, we think this would be a lovely addition to your gallery wall this Spring.

“Happiness is to hold flowers in both hands.”

— Japanese Proverb

We all know someone who makes crafting look flawless. Claire is THAT person. Everything she touches turns into a Pinterest ad and we love her for it. While we can’t all be a “Claire", at Bustle we want to make creativity attainable for everyone. That’s why Claire has made it her personal goal to curate crafts that we can all partake in. Every season, she will lead us in a step-by-step guide through the latest diy trends. Whether you’re crafting with kiddos or by yourself with a glass of wine, we hope you enjoy this pretty piece of mindfulness.

Step 1.) Choose your blooms — visit your local garden shop, flower truck, grocery store or even your yard! The best flowers to use are ones that are not too thick and can be flattened easily. Hydrangeas, violets, and other delicate flowers are a great choice.

Step 2.) Flatten your flowers! Use a flower press, wooden blocks, or heavy books to get your flowers nice and flat (and dry!).

Step 3.)Select a double glass frame to display your preserved flowers. You can find them at Target, Home Goods, or even a thrift store!

Step 4.) Arrange your dried, pressed flowers in your frame. If you want, you can add a photo and arrange the flowers around it or display the flowers alone in the frame. You may need to add just a touch of glue to keep the flowers in place.

Step 5.) Display your new homemade floral art in your home or give as a gift!

Claire’s Pro Tip: If you give your mom flowers for Mothers Day, save the flowers to make her a bonus mother’s day gift — maybe even add a picture of you and her. This would also make a great keepsake for your bridesmaids using the flowers from their bouquets!

If you would like to catch up on the last DIY, you can find that crafting session here!

Rediscovering the Art of Film with Expert Photographer - Meghan Gray

Full disclosure, when Meghan started her photography business in High School, this endeavor was not much more than a way to earn some extra cash (and to that we say “YES QUEEN”). Once Meghan felt herself expounding beyond that narrative, this allowed her to see the vast love she had for the art of photography. At the age of 17, she interned with a wedding photographer while simultaneously taking a photojournalism class. Between the wholeheartedness personified in the wedding photographer she shadowed under and seeing first hand the storytelling of people through photojournalism, she found the realm of photography evolving from a side gig to a complete calling.

“It was then that I began learning in waves that my camera could be used as a tool to take part in people’s lives and gift them with the encouragement and joys of remembering life well and living it fully.”

— Meghan

Meghan revisits those first feelings often to remind herself that the initial joy and intrinsic passion for this craft flowed from a desire to see and love people. In all things, no matter the craft, when we are able to understand the depth of a person’s experience, it transforms the imagery in how we see the world around us. Life’s luster comes from the refining of this skill. Humanity is the art, and Meghan is such a beautiful reminder of that.

“There’s nothing sweeter to me than the tangible presence of empathy woven through a photograph.”

— Meghan

Meghan fell in love with film photography without even realizing what it was. She consistently found herself trying to embody the style of photography that her mentors were sharing, not realizing it was film. It took about a year for her to realize this type of photography would not come from a digital camera. Like most of us, the thought of film photography was a bit daunting for Meghan, but still this perpetual voice of intrigue kept nagging her like an angel on her shoulder. It wasn’t until a fellow creative friend asked her, “is the fear of failure what’s keeping you back?” It was the honest answer to her friend’s question and the undying love for the ethereal gentleness of film that pushed her to move forward. Now, with an immeasurable amount of film rolls behind her, this medium has become her craft of choice, “Truly, it has become about much more than just the feel and coloring of the images themselves. I adore the process, the slowness and intentionality of having to pause and recognize each moment with others. The value of each image (forever hearing cha-ching with each click of the shutter) has literally been the inspiration behind so much of my desire to be present in moments with the people I’m capturing."

While Meghan shoots both digital and film photography. We asked what makes film photography so significant to her.

“As a whole, I’ve found that film is a bit more soft with lines and light. It’s less defined, less harsh, and carries with it an almost painting-like essence that captures features kindly, with a timeless feel.”

— Meghan

We are not saying that everyone should pawn-off their DSLR cameras immediately. Meghan reassured us that there are dozens of scenarios and lighting situations where digital inevitably wins the game. Film photography is just one tool of many good tools. It allows the creator to slow down and find meaning in the full process of photography without the instant gratification of an image popping up on a screen.

For Meghan it is vital to not get so wrapped up in the showmanship of photography that she loses the ability to recognize the beauty that only lies in the present. It’s so easy to forget that as creators, we are so much more than a brand label. There is an authentic beauty beyond the stereotypes that often gets left behind in the dark corners of the internet. It is incredibly powerful and inherently human when we let go of controlling every detail that finds us in life.

“I’ve witnessed expectations and insecurities steal the very life out of some of the most tender and telling moments because they weren’t the moments hoped for on social media.”

— Meghan

When we are able to trust the photographer with real moments and strive to be present, they have the freedom to document these brilliant snapshots of life, just as they are. In Meghan’s words, “These moments step over trends, through generations, and way past a likable instagram post.”

Meghan is truly one of the good ones. Her sincerity goes so far past her undeniable talent. She sees people in the way we would all want to be seen. When she says something, she means it. Her faith is a beautiful extension of her heart and it is refreshing. She doesn’t love for show. She loves because she has been loved. We would trust her with way more than our wedding photos. If you would like to get in touch with Meghan you can visit her website or reach out to her on instagram.

“I want to have taken at least one photo in my career that’s been framed, passed, and smiled at a million times. A photo that is telling and thus taken off the wall before Grammy’s house is sold, so that it continues to be treasured for years and years to come.”

— Meghan

Birmingham Highlight: General

The Forest Park Historic District is quickly becoming one of the most romantic streets in Birmingham. In just a short walk, you can frolic through the garden of your dreams at Shoppe, have a cocktail at Juniper’s botanical oasis, give your hair a little love at Dream Boat, AND take a stroll though the most endearing general store and cafe that Birmingham has ever seen, General.

General is the neighborhood cafe and general store that dreams are made of. When you enter this local sanctuary you will immediately feel like you’ve been transported to an artisan playground. Every square foot is drenched in character. From the hand-painted murals to the ornate floral arrangements, the ambiance is flawless.

The pastry case is ALWAYS calling us. Our friends at Last Call Baking will never leave you disappointed. These little delicacies are in high demand and we know why. This isn’t your typical cookie and danish situation. The pastries at General are always unexpected and elevated. The flavor selection and artistry that go behind these confections are incredible. Don’t just take our word for it, you must visit yourself. While we have tried almost every pastry they have to offer, on this visit we thoroughly enjoyed the Elote Corn Croissant, Olive Oil cake, and Japanese Almond Bread. The Olive Oil cake had just come out of the oven and was still warm - we devoured it in record time.

General serves lunch from 11am-3pm Thursday through Saturday. We tried the Chicken Salad Plate and the Mac Grilled Cheese - phenomenal. The lunch dishes are all extremely fresh and made with intention. Everything is an experience.

The general store is hard to put into words. It feels both effortless and ethereal. Every item begs to be held. There is a little bit of everything here. You could find a house-warming gift or a self care splurge for yourself. General has something special for every room in your home. Even their restrooms are a vibe. It is very clear that not a detail goes unnoticed and we are in awe of every element.

If you would like to see a little bit of the magic for yourself, you can follow them on instagram or visit their website. Whether you’re in need of a latte and a cozy window seat or a unique place to impress your friends, we know you will feel significant here.

Bustle Bride: Abbay Lovell

It’s not every day that you hear a love story with such reverie that it ignites every romantic narrative you have so vividly pictured in your mind since the dawn of your adolescent awakening. The kind of incandescent tale that couldn’t actually be real. Abbay and Christopher’s story is one that should be accompanied by its own grand piano score - simply stunning. 

“The best trips, like best love affairs, never really end.”

— Pico Iyer

Abbay met Christopher in a New Zealand-based neighborhood bistro, Gerome, for their first date. The conversation was warm and effervescent. Unsure if it was the red wine or his British accent, Abbay felt flushed in the best way. Christopher’s kind demeanor immediately captured her attention as they so-easily swapped travel tales.

Before finding herself in this cinematic bistro with the company of a beautiful English gentleman in New Zealand, it was actually a European holiday that first sparked Abbay’s wanderlust. What started out as a spirited Girl’s Trip to Europe ended in Abbay coming back to America eager to find that feeling of liberation again. Not long after her return, Abbay’s accounting firm proposed the opportunity of a lifetime. She was offered a 4-6 month secondment abroad and couldn’t help but jump at the opportunity. Having just gone through a breakup, love was not on her radar. She was looking to experience a new country, a chance to learn and grow. Little did she know, this short term commitment would be an exploration that would change her life.

Abbay felt herself falling for Christopher after their second date - immediate SPARKS.

“I half-jokingly wrote in my journal that I was convinced we were in love and maybe I would marry him.”

— Abbay

While it was a little out of ‘the normal’ for Abbay to write something like this. She realized that Christopher made her feel safe. Abbay fell into this incredible state of vulnerability with Christopher. This level of vulnerability felt like a long shot knowing that Christopher was from England and her roots were in America. With only a temporary assignment in New Zealand holding them together geographically, this chance at love was a beautiful risk that the couple was willing to take. They spent months learning each other and enjoying the simple things. It became clear to Abbay that this connection was special and worth the outward commitment. Abbay extended her stay in New Zealand and fell in love with Christopher.

Abbay didn’t have the chance to do any research before she visited Bustle for her initial bridal appointment. She had only been engaged for a week before flying to Birmingham from New Zealand for work. Abbay knew that if she wanted her Mom and Sister to help her pick out a gown, she needed to fit in an appointment while in Birmingham. There was something about going in totally open minded that gave Abbay a fresh sense of freedom. She tried on several different styles, but felt something special after trying on a stunning Anne Barge gown. Abbay was almost sure this dress was THE one. After taking the evening to collect her thoughts, she knew that it was meant-to-be. Everyone experiences emotions differently when trying on their dream dress for the first time. It’s important that we don’t pressure ourselves to feel immediate theatrics because we all experience life in different ways and that is what makes us beautiful. Abbay gave herself time to allow her feelings to settle before making the decision that was right for her and we LOVE that.

“I loved everything about my gown, but if I had to choose one aspect I love the most, it would be the long-sleeve lace top that can be worn over the gown. It completely glams up the gown in a really timeless way.”

— Abbay

Like all love stories (even the most enchanting ones) not everything can go as planned. The last few years have brought a new set of challenges for every pair planning matrimony. Abbay and Christopher had to cancel their big-white-wedding in England and after several failed attempts to reschedule they decided to reimagine their wedding day.

“After all, we met in New Zealand and spending time outside is our favorite thing to do together. So, why not take advantage of New Zealand’s mountains as a crazy, beautiful backdrop for our special day?”

— Abbay

The morning of their elopement, Abbay and Christopher spent precious time together in their romantic mountain lodge, talking and gazing into the lake.

The couple shared intimate vows in front of their lodge followed by a scenic drive to the mountains. Passing sheep and an endearing flock of ducklings on the way, they finally arrived to their spot. This place would make even the most cynical person believe in love. And just as she dreamed weeks prior, Abbay got her special moment with the crazy, beautiful mountains as the backdrop. 

“I loved our first look - We both cried. It was a really lovely ‘I’ve-been-waiting-for-this-moment-forever’ type of feeling that came over both of us.”

— Abbay

While Abbay and Christopher had each other on this significant day, they also found unexpected friends in their vendors. Eloping comes with a beautiful effortlessness that allows room for laughs and candid moments without the fear of others’ expectations. The pair hit it off so well with their photographer, that they invited Charlotte and her husband to a private dinner that evening. The beauty in this love story is in the unexpected details. How fate and a sequence of particular circumstances brought Abbay and Christopher to this moment. Falling into a life of love is truly done one little adventure at a time.

“As tough as it is to plan a wedding these days, I love the freedom that the pandemic has given us to rewrite the rules when it comes to weddings and events. There really are no rules anymore, and there is so much less expectation around what a wedding ‘should’ look like.”

— Abbay

Abbay, originally from Alabama, started a travel business and loves helping couples plan their dream honeymoon. You can glean from her knowledge in this precious blog post or visit her website to learn more about her phenomenal services. Your dream honeymoon is only a few steps away.

Accommodation: Matakauri Lodge

Photographer: Charlotte Kiri Photography

Celebrant: Liz Maluschnig at Chosen for Beautiful Weddings

Flowers: Crimson Wedding Flowers

Hair and makeup: Charm Beauty

Dress: Bustle Gowns

Travel Planner: Abbay's Escapes