Como Conservatory Portrait Photography | Shattuck

Saturday could not have been a more perfect day; Como Conservatory hummed with activity do to the beautiful sunshine and the celebration of its 100 year anniversary.  Even though it was a little busy, the Shattuck clan did a great job of enjoying the time we were able to shoot in Como's gardens. Having four girl to photograph is easy when they have smiles that literally light up the room. They were such a joy to shoot and looking back while editing still makes me smile with all the giggles that where shared between loved ones.

Concerts Galore | Nightmare Before Christmas with Minnesota Orchestra | Personal

In college we had concerts all the time. These concerts were conservative, orchestral, and mandatory, which for any college student on the verge of drowning under a sea of assignments was burdensome. Once I finished up with college I was officially concerted out and i was determined not to go to another one unless it was something I really wanted to listen to.

  Fast forward to this weekend. The Minnesota Orchestra played to the movie Nightmare Before Christmas in Orchestra Hall in downtown Minneapolis. My sister and I have been looking forward to this concert for months; both movie lovers and big Tim Burton fans it seems like the perfect way to enjoy halloween. My expectations for this concert were just the MO playing the soundtrack while I enjoyed listening to while scrolling on my phone.  Reality: they played to the movie on a wide screen. So even our nosebleed seats in the uppermost part of the theater we could enjoy the movie. I was more than a little taken back but I loved it! Even though I didn't see Danny Elfman sing in person (for a minute I thought was going to happen) I was able to watch a movie the way they used to be watched in the days where a full orchestra was mandatory for a movie event. From one movie lovers to another this is a must do for a movie. So if you are available, I know they are doing Home Alone this November. 

Sunday comes around and we have another orchestral concert with a famous Tenor, Anthony Kearns.  My sister has played Viola her whole life and just recently she found the St. Croix Valley Symphony Orchestra , which she has excitingly been able to perform in. So after church and lunching with my parents, Marcus and I sat in the second row to watch. I was blown away by this singer; it was a beautiful and quality performance from both the orchestra and Mr. Kearns. My favorites were Danny Boy (irish folk song) and Bring Him Home (from my favorite musical- Les Miserables) ; I would be lying if I said i didn't tear up at each of these numbers.

Once we had clapped our hearts out until our fingers stung, I turned to Marcus,  and whispered in his ear that I think we are good on concerts for at least 3 months.

Creative Ways to Remember Loved Ones On Your Wedding Day

One of the happiest moments of my life was my wedding day. The hustle and bustle of getting those last minute errands and the fun of getting together with family to finish details(piping glitter on 200+ pine cones is not an easy feat alone). I loved inviting all the people that were important in Marcus and my lives.
It was as exciting as it was also hard knowing that my grandma Gertie wouldn't be there to see me marry the man of my dreams, the man she had always prayed would be good to me. It still makes me sad that she passed before she could give her boop of approval for my groom, but on the wedding day I choose a small way to commemorate her.
I have formed a couple of creative ways to incorporate the loved ones that could only be there in spirit.

Flowers - each individual flower holds a special meaning and beauty; picking a flower that shares the same symbolic mean of your loved one can be a beautiful reminder of of who they were when they were living.
Picture Frames - having a section just of your loved ones invites your guests to glimpse the beautiful memories you both shared together. 
A Token - A token can be something small that you wear on your wedding day. I used one for my own day; I had a couple of my grandma's broaches in my broach bouquet.  A little piece from them helps make your loved ones seem more present. Besides jewelry, your grooms has options of cufflinks or a watch of a late loved one.
DIY - keeping someone close to your heart by making something out of their old wardrobe.  I saw a most recent example from my last bride; MOB crafted this beautiful white purse for the bride out of her grandmother's wedding dress. An example for your groom would be to make a bow tie out of an old shirt.
Moment of Silence -with all the events and activities building up to the ceremony,  it can be a calming and sweet moment to just be still and meditate on those who helped format you to get to this big moment in your life.   Tradition - incorporating a tradition from your loved ones can be PASSED down through your family ; it can look like walking get down the aisle to a song you and your mom shared or getting married in the same church as your parents or reading your grandmother's / grandfather's favorite passage they read at their own .
Video Clip - this clip can be played during your first dance the couldn't make or a speech that will never be said. A video really shows who they are and hearing their voice makes it feel like they are right there with you.  A different version of this can be a photo slide show with their favorite song. It is a lovely tribute to their memory.

I loved looking down at my bouquet and admiring the blue flower brooch my grandma would wear; it reminded me of her shining personality. Her brooch helped me feel like I honored her memory by keeping her close to my heart. <3