2017 Weddings: Book Now to Save
The winter holiday season is always an exciting one: full of love, laughter, and a few engagements! If you’re looking “to get hitched” in 2017, be sure to reserve your date and book before January 15th for the 2016 rates! E-mail Melanie for details: info@fianderfoto.com.
Save 10% on Wedding Photos
Love is in the air! Can you sniff it out between the crisp fall air and the pumpkin spice lattes? If you’re recently engaged, this offer is for you! Planning a fabulous wedding takes time and effort, that’s for sure! Scratch one less thing off your “to do” list and book a photography package in advance! For a limited time only, I’m offering 10% off any “Wedding Day Photo Package”! These are perfect for capturing your whole day! Book by October 15; limited dates are available!
After the vows and rings are exchanged, the wedding cake has been eaten, and the bouquet is tossed, the photos are what you have left to remember your wedding day! Your wedding is something you certainly want to remember with beautiful photographs and a lovely album. Be sure to e-mail me for details: info@fianderfoto.com
Wedding: Tune Up Time
A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of photographing a "home wedding" at a gorgeous location in Fairylands. For those of you unfamiliar with this neighborhood, it's located in the parish of Pembroke in Bermuda. Just as the name suggests, each mansion in this area was built to display stunning architectural features... fit for magical fairies to reside in; or at least for creative minds.
Before the twenty guests arrived and before the bride emerged in her white silk dress, the violin player began to tune her instrument. For those of you who know me well, you know I come from a musically inclined family and have a soft spot for violins, particularly when they are playing bluegrass tunes. At this moment, I gazed across the courtyard and took this shot of Ms. Tiffany Fox. I can honestly say that I've never heard a violin sound so beautiful during a ceremony. If you're looking for a violinist for your big day, look no further!
2 Year Wedding Anniversary
Happy Anniversary to my husband, the light of my life, and the muse in front of my lens! On July 29th, 2013, Jim and I were happily married in a Civil Ceremony in Hamilton, Bermuda. It was a beautiful and small affair; the start to our union. On our first wedding anniversary, we held the "real deal" at Verdmont Historical Museum in Smiths Parish with our family and friends. We said our vows, had our first dance, and cut the cake!
Months before the cermony at Verdmont, Jim began writing his speech; jotting down a few lines, scratching some out, then re-writing, and finally handing it to me for a quick proof-read. Of course, everything Jim wrote down I thought was fantastic but he was determined to give a wonderful speech. A more loving, humble, and honest speech could not have come from anyone else; beautifully spoken on a stunning evening. Cheers to many more amazing years to come!
Celebrating Marriage Equality
The morning of June 26th almost started out like most of my Friday mornings: coffee, blueberries, e-mail, and NPR. This particular Friday was a little different because I was also packing to catch a 2pm flight back home to Washington D.C. from Bermuda. Half-way through my cup of coffee, an article caught my eye on NPR's website: "Supreme Court Declares Same-Sex Marriage Legal In All 50 States", written by Bill Chappell. Excitement and slight disbelief both set in as I began to rapidly read through the article. Unfortunately - like most mornings - time had slipped away from me and I was unable to finish reading Chappell's article before my friend Michi arrived at my doorstep to bring me to the airport.
We have watched as one State after another legalized (or signed bills against): "domestic partnerships", "civil unions", and "same-sex marriages". The first state to legalize same-sex marriage was Massachusetts on May 17th, 2004, eight days after I had graduated from Lynchburg College. Up next - and skipping California's mishap with Prop 8 - Connecticut legalized same-sex marriage on October 10, 2008. The following year, three states did the same: Iowa on April 3rd, Vermont on April 7th, and New Hampshire on June 3rd. On March 3rd, 2010, same-sex marriage became legal in Washington D.C. Ten days later, two of my "uncles" - long time family friends - Bruce and Don were finally married after being together for 35 years. Lucky me, I had the honor of photographing their wedding and being a witness to one of the first same-sex marriages in the District of Columbia.
In more recent years, a glorious domino effect occurred as one state after another (and a handful of Native American Tribes) continued to recognize and legalize same-sex marriage. In 2011, the State of New York and the Suquamish Tribe in the State of Washington legalized it. In 2012, the rest of Washington State passed a bill to support marriage equality along with Maryland and Maine. In 2013, the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians and Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians also chose to recognize same-sex marriage; the state of Michigan following not long behind. Rhode Island, Delaware, Minnesota, the Santa Ysabel Tribe in California, the State of California, New Mexico, the State of New Jersey, Hawaii, and Illinois - all legalized same-sex marriage. (2013 was a big year!) On October 6th, 2014, the States of Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, and Utah struck down same-sex marriage bans; stating it was unconstitutional. Colorado and Nevada joined the "marriage equality" train a few days later on the 7th and 8th of October; West Virginia on 9th; North Carolina on 10th; Alaska on 12th; Idaho on 15th; Arizona and Wyoming on 17th of October. During the month of November, Kansas, South Carolina, and Montana nullified their state's bans against marriage equality. Florida and Alabama legalized same-sex marriage in January of 2015...
I thought about all of those facts during my two and half hour flight to Washington D.C. Upon exiting the baggage claim at DCA, my friend Amanda picked me up and I said, "Did you see that article on NPR this morning? The one claiming that marriage equality is legal in all 50 States?" Her reply, "Yes! The Supreme Court passed it today! Everyone is downtown celebrating!" There ya have it: Marriage Equality passed on June 26th, 2015. I'm still in a bit of shock that this dream has finally come true. Perhaps fate intervened a bit so I could also celebrate the news in my hometown just hours after the Supreme Court ruling had passed on Marriage Equality.
After being a member of Straight For Equality for 5 years, an ALLY for 15 years, and a supporter of LGBT rights for as long as I can remember, it seems like a fog has finally been lifted... As we commemorate Independence Day, I'm proud to celebrate one more freedom that has been given to our LGBT community: the right to marry whom you love, regardless of their gender - as now granted by the Constitution. A special "shout out" to Uncle Bruce and Uncle Don, who are currently traveling through Iceland at the moment; happily retired and still happily married...
Sprecial Spring Sale: 10% OFF Weddings & Engagement Photos
Offer Ends May 10th!
Interested in booking a Wedding or Engagement Shoot for 2015? Be sure to get in on the goods with "Fiander Foto's: Spring Special Sale"! For a limited time only, book a Wedding or Engagement Photo Package with Melanie Fiander of Fiander Foto for 10% off! Limited offers available! Book now to save! Pick from the following choices of photo shoots:
Wedding · Engagement · Bridal Portraits · Trash the Dress
E-mail Melanie at Fiander Foto for bookings: info@fianderfoto.com