If you haven’t quite noticed by now, I have a healthy obsession with  Boudoir Photography & will always bring great shoots along to Storyboard as they come  my way.  There are many many reasons to love boudoir, a lot of which I have touched on in one way or another over time.  However, I really felt that Storyboard needed a masters touch when it came to the elegant bits that can really make boudoir… the lingerie!  I’ve recently teamed up with one such up & coming lingerie aficionado, whom will be filling our heads, the first Tuesday of each month, with visions of all things lacey, sexy & divine, as well as popping in from time to time  on our boudoir features to add in her 2 cents on some of these stellar shoots!

So enough with the foreplay already…. who is she right?!  May I present the {soon to be a SBW favorite!} Lingerie Lesbian!  We personally love her site, her voice & her view on all things lingerie and we are very confident that you will too!  Let’s get to know a bit about our gal before we dive into her first feature, shall we?  Having a healthy obsession with lingerie is something we applaud at SBW!  Tell us a bit how you became knicker obsessed, especially enough to blog about it!

LL: I should probably start by introducing myself– my name is Caro and my blog is The Lingerie Lesbian, where I write about lingerie, sexuality and anything else that seems related. In my non-blog life, I’m a 23-year-old girl living in NYC who works in PR and hoping to somehow make my love of lingerie into a profession. The funny thing about my obsession with lingerie is that it didn’t have a precise turning point– I just kind of fell into it and slowly my enthusiasm grew. I originally started my Tumblr, which is really more of a lingerie inspiration board, and then launched my Wordpress blog this summer. One reason I love lingerie so much is that I think that there are so many ways in which lingerie expresses important aspects of your gender, sexuality and personality. I also love how it’s such a private thing, either just for yourself or for you and your partner. Oh, and lingerie is just so fun! It’s so imaginative, pretty, sexy and sometimes just silly.

What was the first time you realized undergarments could be much more then just something that offered support, something that everyone wears in their day to day?

LL: I can’t determine exactly what that moment was, but I wrote on my blog about how (weirdly enough) it was the tv show “Gossip Girl” that first showed me the glamour and sophistication of lingerie and lounge wear,  a change from the sleazy reputation that I associated with some of Victoria’s Secret’s more absurd get-ups.

To date, what has been your most favorite piece of lingerie?

LL: I don’t really have an absolute favorite piece of lingerie– it really changes from week to week.  However, I think that Agent Provocateur Marriett bra and knickers are probably the ones I love the most right now.

Bras or Panties?

LL: This is a really difficult question– I used to just love bras and think panties were only “to match” but I have gotten more and more into panties as I’ve gotten increasingly obsessed with lingerie. I think right now it’s really a tie– the moment I choose a matching set for the panties instead of the bra will be a turning point.

Boudoir goes hand in hand with lingerie, which goes beautifully with weddings.  What are your general thoughts on boudoir?

LL: I really, really love boudoir shoots. I’ve not yet been lucky enough to be involved with one, but I think they are an amazing way for a bride (or anyone!) to celebrate herself and makes an excellent gift to a partner/future spouse. I’ve heard so many stories about women who have had such positive experiences and had such a boost to their self-confidence, that I would definitely say that I would love to do it myself one day. Plus, it’s a great way to celebrate some beautiful lingerie.

When you are on the hunt for the next best piece of lingerie, what are you dont miss boutique & designers?

LL: I’m quite picky so it’s hard to say what the next piece to catch my eye will be– at the same time I love so many lingerie designers it’s hard to pick just a few! When it comes to shopping, I usually follow designers I love rather than browsing shops (my budget only really allows buying on sale), but if I’m just looking, I tend to go to asos.com for UK designers and a great range of prices, bellabellaboutique.com for designers I wouldn’t get anywhere else and hepburnandleigh.com for my favorite vintage-inspired styles. Net-a-porter.com is also a great source if you really don’t mind spending all your money on lingerie. Right now I would say my favorite designers are Elle Macpherson Intimates, Mimi Holliday, Dottie’s Delights, Fraulein Kink, Nichole de Carle,Bordelle, Huit, Hopeless Lingerie and Fraulein Annie.

Is there a certain color that you tend to gravitate to most?  An angelic white or naughty blacks for example?

LL: I really love all sorts of colors. Right now pink, navy and black are the colors I am drawn to most when it comes to lingerie, but I would never say no to a red, turquoise or purple.

3 words that best describe how you feel when you have that perfect ensemble on?

Beautiful, Confident, & Playful

Now that we know a thing or 2 about our master of all things undergarment & sexy, let’s get into the meat of her first post which I must say, we are already big fans of and as a result have a short list of lingerie to be purchasing in the very near future ourselves!

Bridal Lingerie for Every Age {20′s, 30′s, 40′s, 50′s}

I’ve always loved the tradition of bridal lingerie because a wedding is a unique time when society dictates that you should be pampering and focusing on yourself as well as celebrating your bond with your partner. This is also one of the first times people are encouraged to look at and buy lingerie (for their wedding or their wedding night) so if you’re not familiar with the many lingerie options out there it can be a bit intimidating. Plus, if Victoria’s Secret is your closest example of what lingerie is out there, it can be a bit limiting—especially if you think that their style is not appropriate for your style, taste or age.

That’s why I thought that in my first post for you I wanted to expand your lingerie horizons, bringing you some bridal lingerie suggestions, sorted by the ages. Of course, if you’re 45 and think what I’ve suggested for brides in their twenties is gorgeous, go for it—they’re only ideas & there are no hard & fast rules! Now let’s look at pretty lingerie:

Twenties 

[Clockwise from top left: Sonata Opaline Lace Bodysuit $200, Mimi Holliday Silk Satin & Lace Super Plunge Bra £54, Huit Lace Underwire Bandeau Bralette$55, Marika Vera Saga Silk Camisole and Shorts Set $382]

For a bride in her twenties, I suggested pieces that are unabashedly delicate and feminine. I felt like each of these lingerie pieces give off a youthful air that suggests that even if you’re getting married you haven’t quite grown up entirely yet. The Sonata bodysuit may be the most adventurous and least practical choice but it is absolutely gorgeous. I wouldn’t wear this under a wedding dress because it covers so much, but this bodysuit basically just makes you the most beautiful package to be unwrapped on your wedding night (it’s a perfect “something blue”!). If that’s not really your thing, the Mimi Holliday bra  is both simple and perfect. I have a Mimi Holliday set myself (I’ve reviewed it here) and I was blown away by the superior fit of this lacy, silky confection. The other great thing about Mimi Holliday sets is that they have a lot of options for matching sets (including matching garter belts!). The Huit bra is also oh so very gorgeous—what I love about it is that the delicate lace looks so innocent, yet the sheerness definitely adds a cheeky element. Lastly, this simple set from Marika Vera seems like the ideal lingerie for the minimalist bride.—if you scorn the frills and complications of a lot of lingerie out there, then this is the perfect set for your wedding and years to come.

Thirties

[Clockwise from top left: Nichole de Carle Westminster Multiway Bra £140, Gilda & Pearl Dahlia Ruffle Bra £82 and Knicker £62, Myla Nichole Basque, $250, Bordelle Confetti Lace Angela Dress £562]

I may only be in my twenties, but what I’ve always admired about women in their thirties is that you seem to know yourselves much better than us younger women. Keeping that in mind, I chose these pieces because they are confident, luxurious and a little bit daring for a woman who knows and loves her own personal style. The first set from Nichole de Carle is both very fashionable and incredibly practical for wearing under a wedding dress. I love its strong, self-assured lines that are also very sexy {SBW Note: Ah, we more then agree!! This is on my to buy list!!}. The Gilda & Pearl set is beautiful while the frill under the bust seems universally flattering. This is definitely a relaxed yet flirty wedding night outfit.  The Myla basque is classically beautiful & always a great choice.  I have this basque in black/beige and I absolutely love it. The quality is amazing and there is no better way to feel absolutely beautiful. The finishing piece for this set requires a more adventurous wearer, but this one amazing “dress” from Bordelle!  If you can’t wear it as a bride, when can you?! If you want even more bondage, check out their “Bondage Bride” collection.

Forties

[Clockwise from top left: Kiss Me Deadly- Vargas Longline Girdle £45, Gossard Ooh La La Longline Strapless Bra $59.81, Fraulein Annie Falling in Love Panty £48, Kiki de Montparnasse Le Soleil bodysuit, $450]

The feedback I’ve gotten from women in their forties is that they want something that is beautiful—but also supportive and flattering. I love the lingerie in this group because it’s gorgeous, classic and suitable for a woman who wants to look and feel beautiful on her wedding day. Sometimes lingerie can feel like it’s meant for younger women only, and I think these pieces definitely show that there are amazing choices that work even if you are no longer 22.

I love this girdle from Kiss Me Deadly because it is a practical piece of shapewear to wear with a wedding gown and it simply divine. I have heard so many rave reviews of this piece and just how amazing it looks. The Gossard longline bra is another easy and beautiful wedding piece—they have a large range of sizes and styles to make sure you get the one that suits you best. I really love the soft ivory color, also.  The Fraulein Annie set with the high-waisted panties one that I’ve been crushing on for some time now. I love the soft colors and the fact that the matching bras go up to a size 38G.  Lastly, there is the Kiki de Montparnasse bodysuit. The lace is so lovely & one special touch I really like…it looks like it’s covered with little sunflowers.

Fifties

[Clockwise from top left: Naked Princess A Thousand Kisses Deep Chantilly Robe $325, Angela Friedman Genevieve half slip $138, Donna Karan chiffon and lace chemise $240, Elle Macpherson Intimates Artistry Underwire Bra $31.66]

If you’re getting married in your fifties, you already know you deserve beautiful things and there is no use skimping. Maybe some of the strappy pieces I recommended for younger brides wouldn’t work so well, but I think these pieces of lingerie are perfect to make you feel and look your best on your wedding day or night. The amazing piece from Naked Princess is the perfect layer of loveliness to wear on your wedding night, either over a nightgown or with nothing underneath. I love the luxurious slip and cami set from Angela Friedman—the artistry is superb and it just projects elegance. I chose this Donna Karan gown because I think long gowns have so much majesty and are so forgiving for any body shape. If you’re looking for a bra, this Elle Macpherson piece is classic and beautiful for any age (and it also comes in a large range of sizes).

I hope these suggestions help with some of your bridal lingerie questions, no matter what your age or style. I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments! Was this useful? What kind of stuff you would want to see me cover?  I really hope you enjoyed my first post & I really look forward to being your go to voice for all things lingerie!

If you want to contact me, email me at lingerielesbian@gmail.com, or tweet me at @lingerielesbian

If you follow me on Twitter, oh wait…your not?!  Please go ahead and fix that, SBW Twitter.  Go on……   we will wait for you before caring on….  Ok there, all better!  So as I was saying, I am sure you have seen me frequently chatting with the lovely Sara of Burnett’s Boards.  Not only is she a total sweetheart, she genuinely as a knack for putting together the best inspiration boards!  When I asked if she wanted to put one together for our SBW readers, she was instantly on board, taking a cue from a our convo’s about her adorable kitty!  While she put this together thinking I might reject it, being all heavy on the kitty, it turns out, I LOVE it!  I mean, how could you not?! The soft yellows, the subtle kitty cat nods, this whole board has a laid back hipster vibe and it is fantastic!  By the way, as it were, yellow is a great fall wedding color of those of you that are leary of looking like a leafy October forest.  This board is completely adorable with my favorite part by far being, the Scrabble MEOW cat!  How cute of an idea would that be translated into Save The Dates?!  Love it Sara!!

Soft Yellow Dreams with Kitty Kat Purrs…..

photo credits: Feline Karma dress from Anthropologie, wedding cake, yellow confetti petals, chair garland, bouquet, kitten heels, scrabble meow, cat rings, cake topper, bride and groom

 Knowing his target oh too well (a beach vacation junkie like moi) the setting was the beach on Lake Michigan, almost midnight, and I had NO idea what was coming.  He laid out a blankey, and started to tell me how much he loved me.  (I thought nothing of it because he tends to do that.)  It wasn’t until he got down on one knee that I realized what was going on and responded in a very Steph way “Wait whattt really!?!” then I remembered to say yes and that was that.  Fireworks went off (the literal kind) and though it was a coincidence (it was the day after July 4^th– someone must have had some leftover fireworks hanging around) I’m sure my fiancé (wow – that’s still so awkward to say) will stick to his story that he had totally planned it! When my girl recently asked him when he decided to do it (the decision to propose), he responded “in 2007” (the year that we met) which made my heart sort of melted a bit.

I still can’t believe it, how am I allowed to get married?? I feel like how I’d imagine my nephew felt when he was just given his first piece of birthday cake – extremely excited, a little overwhelmed, yet certainly ready to just dive in head first (or maybe wallet first – eeek can’t even think about that yet)

So many questions need to be answered.  What kind of bride do I want to be?  Braided Bohemian?  Classically Chic? French Fashion-Forward? Vogue-Esq Valley Girl? A combo? Who knows.  I know what I like – simplistic beauty and COLOR.  I’m excited to embark on this journey and will document it all along the way.  We’ll tackle it all one bit at a time – never losing focus on what’s truly important and not getting too wrapped up in the superficiality of it all.  What a fab year it will be…

I am so excited to share my journey with you guys and I really look forward to hearing what you have to say along the way and really hope for some wonderful feedback, especially from those of you that have gone through this before!  This is going to be such a fun experience for us & blogging about it along the way only makes it that much sweeter!

Happy Friday!  Feels like a mega TGIF right??  Ugh, very happy this week is on its way out, or at the very least on its way into 2 days of bliss.  We need it over here.  Big hugs to my boy Casey Fatchett for stepping up to bat for me today with a post today that…well  lets be honest, we all think about:  Now that I have you dear photographer, what do we do?  Join Casey as he helps breakdown what to do with the between booking & wedding day.  PS-Casey is a total gas & you should totally be following him on Twitter if your not already!

After a couple books their wedding photographer, there tends to be a bit of confusion as to what to do next. Depending on how far in advance you sign your contract, there might be a lot of downtime, but that does not mean that there is not some planning to do. Remember, planning ahead means better photos and less stress on the day of the wedding. So what can you do?

I know that there are literally hundreds of ‘checklists’ out there for couples to look at, questions to ask when they meet with photographers as well as ‘shot lists’. These lists are pretty generic, so I am going to discuss some specific things to do before the wedding that will help you get better photos and avoid stress. (Aside: While this is written from the perspective of wedding photos, it also applies to pretty much any scheduled photo shoot – engagement photos, family portraits, headshots, etc.)

1. Be very clear about who you MUST have pictures of at the wedding and assign a ‘point person’

So, you haven’t seen your Uncle Joe in years and you really want to have some great shots of him at your wedding. Well, your photographer might not know who Uncle Joe is, let alone recognize him. So discuss who the VIP’s are with your photographer and assign someone who knows who they are to point them out on the day of the wedding. This could be a member of the bridal party, another family member, a close friend – as long as it is not you! You have enough things to deal with on the day of your wedding. They will also help corral people during the family/group portrait portion of the wedding day.

And when it comes to the group photos, every couple is different – so don’t assume that your photographer will know which groups of people you want to have your pictures taken with!

2. Tell your photographer about any potential ‘friction’ between guests

Parents divorced and don’t talk to one another? Two sides of the family make the Hatfields and McCoys look tame? One group of friends still mad at another faction for alleged cheating in a trivia contest 8 years ago and won’t let it go? It would be best to let your photographer know so they don’t try to get these people or groups together for a picture at any point on your wedding day. The resulting drama could put a damper on things.

3. Streamline your shot-list

They say that if you love some one, set them free. Show your photographer some love and free up that overwhelming generic shot-list and include the things that are really important to you. If your photographer is really worth their salt, and I hope they are, they will know to get pictures of the first kiss, the first dance, cake cutting – so you probably don’t need to put those on your list . If your photographer is particularly on the ball, they might use a smartphone app such as “SECONDSHOOTR” to organize your “must have” photos and information.

If there is something that has particularly special meaning to you (“I am hanging cameos of my grandparents on the ribbon of my bouquet,” or “My mom did all of the flower arrangements.”), discuss it with your photographer so they can focus extra attention on those things. (Ha! Focus! Sorry, excuse the terrible pun.)

Also, if there is something out of the ordinary happening (“We are doing a ‘death-drop’ dip at the end of the first dance!” or “Oh, did I mention we are going to take a flamethrower to the wedding dress at the end of the night?”), let your photographer know about it before the wedding so they can plan appropriately and get the best shot of it.

(caveat: if your photographer does not have much experience, it would be best to give them the full list just to be safe)

4. Talk to your photographer about how much posing you do or don’t want to do when you say “I Do”!

Okay, I admit, I used the word ‘do’ way too much in that sentence. Moving on, each couple has their own feelings about posing. Some people love to do it, others are uncomfortable with it. You need to talk to your photographer about whether your portraits (by yourself, as a couple, with your wedding party, etc) are going to be candid or arranged/posed. While you may want candid shots of most of the day, when it comes to the portraits you might want some Vogue-esque lighting and glamour. Or you might not want your photographer directing you at all and if they start telling you how to pose it might make you feel uncomfortable and that comes through in your pictures. Either way, your photographer will need to be prepared, both in regards to equipment and mental readiness, for whatever type of photos you are looking for – so be sure to discuss it with them.

5. Get on Pinterest!

Okay, Pinterest can be a little bit addicting – it is easy to get lost in the endless parade of pictures. However, I cannot think of a better way to communicate your personal aesthetic to your photographer (and other vendors, for that matter) than by sharing other pictures that you like. That way, your photographer knows what YOU like and can plan appropriately. They can also let you know if what you are imagining is practical or not. So add your photographer on Pinterest and share your ideas with them!

I hope you found this post helpful – now get out there and get planning!

Casey Fatchett is a wedding, event, and portrait photographer from New York City who travels wherever in the world his camera is needed. When not taking pictures, he dances like a lunatic to entertain his wife and wrangles their dog and cat. For bookings and inquiries you can contact Casey at photo@fatchett.com or  212.875.7599 or through social media.

Hello lovelies.  Its a bit of a long story that I cant quite get into I am afraid, but something personal has kept me pretty tied up this week & left me without the time for much else.  Fortunately some wonderful friends are stepping in today & tomorrow (I think!) with some FAB guest posts!  Stepping in for me today is the no bullshit Bitchless Bride.  Want it straight, ask BB, just be ready for a dose that doesnt always come sugar coated like that awesome strawberry bubblegum cough syrup we used to get as kids!

We’ve all experienced it. We’ve all gotten goose bumps as we watched the beautiful bride walk down an aisle strewn with rose petals. We’ve felt as a hush settles over the crowd. We’ve shifted in our seats so that we can get a glimpse of the magnificent white dress. The cameras begin clicking away. The bride is stunning. A vision. Breathtaking almost… And as she approaches her eagerly awaiting groom, there is a sparkle in her eye, and his eyes are shining as he sees her for the first time. He is holding back tears.

Yeah, now fast-forward six months please… You still see a sparkle? Still see a vision of beauty? The groom might be close to tears, but not because his bride is a vision of beauty. More like the beast. Huh? Well, there is something nobody tells you about marriage that BB would like to share with you. The first year usually sucks. And while I don’t have a full understanding of WHY this is true, I’ve heard it from several former brides, friends, and close family members that for some reason the day after you return from your honeymoon “the party” is truly over. Reality sinks in. You and your husband are in it together for the rest of your life. And the rest of your life is a long f*cking time!

Now that your wedding has come and gone, everything feels different somehow. And maybe it’s because your weekends are free now that you don’t have to tend to wedding responsibilities, or that your priorities have changed from wedding stuff to reality. But no matter what, the first year is hard. And this year might have you questioning why you even chose to get married in the first place. Why him? Why us? Because it goes well beyond only sharing your bed with one person… you’re in it for life.

But, relax because it gets better. Ladies, similar to your feelings of anxiety mixed with the excitement you felt while planning your wedding, you will begin to get used to your every day life, and it will go from feeling awkward to feeling wonderful. You just have to give it a little time. So please, put the beast away, talk instead of snap at your husband and enjoy the life you so eagerly wanted.

A foul mouthed wedding planner attempting to educate brides on bitch prevention…