Snapshot! Alison Vagnini Photography

About Ali ~ "I love capturing love."


It's the subtle moments between me, my camera and the subject that I enjoy getting most. I guess I'd say my photography is 'candid,' but in a very artistic and intuitive way. Natural light creates those moments to come alive - I live for fabulous light. I live in the Highlands outside of downtown Denver, CO with my boyfriend and dog, Hank. I am an avid climber, cook and love to play with my 2-year-old nephew
A few wedding blips that I will never forget : Always, always, always - the Ring Bearer picks his little nose, I just think it's the cutest thing. I have also seen a few choreographed dances by the Bride and Groom - always impressive and fabulous.














Tips on choosing a photographer : I always think about why would I want someone to choose me to capture one of their most important days in their lives. To put it simply; trust. I think trusting in a photographer where you know they will show up on your wedding day in a professional manner to capture those hysterical laughs the groomsmen share with one another while enjoying their tasty whiskey to take the edge off pre-ceremony or the little flower girls getting ready with the bridesmaids, or even that moment where the three generations of grandparents and parents are watching their little boy or girl walking down the aisle. You want someone to cover the day with grace and in a tasteful manner.



~I welcome phone calls, emails, facebook messages or even snail mail - but I'd love to get in touch with any lovely couples who want their special days captured.

Email: alivagnini@gmail.com
Phone: 330.347.3732
Website/Blog : www.alisonvagnini.com

Shop Style ~ Outfit Advice... Rehearsal Dinner

Two options from two of my most fashionable friends... which outfit would you wear?!

Girly Glam by Shauna Dutcher



J.Crew Linen/Silk Bustier Dress, Kate Spade 'lora' heels @ Nordstrom, J.Crew 'Crystal Patch' Earrings, Forever 21 Glitter Clutch

Feminine Flirty by Katie Wolfe

ASOS Premium- Tulip Corsage One-Shoulder dress (asos.com), Michael Kors- Pressley Platform, ASOS- Croc Effect Tuck Lock Clutch (asos.com), Heirloom Deco Bracelet - Stella & Dot (www.stelladot.com)

Shop Style ~ Outfit Advice... so many outfits, so little time!

Bridal showers... engagement parties.. bachelorette parties... OH MY!

Often our brides are too busy to scour the Internet to find the perfect outfit for one or all of the celebrations they will be attending during their engagement year. And being that these soirees are held in their honor it is important for a bride to look her best!

In order to help, I have asked some of my most fashionable friends to pull together outfits for various wedding related occasions. So, if you are the bride herself, friend-of-the-bride, sister-of-the-bride, and so on, we hope you will find our "Outfit Advice" helpful!

Summer Wedding Shower - styled by Katie Wolfe




Kookai- Cornelli Halter Dress www.asos.com

Franco Sarto- 'Focus' Wedge Sandal










All bracelets: http://www.nordstrom.com/

Let's Give the Boy a Hand ~ Proposal Planning!

OK fellas... no pressure, but this moment... the moment you get down on one knee and ask the girl you love to choose to spend the rest of her days on this earth next to you, is one of the most special moments in your entire life! This moment will be the story she will tell to every relative, friend, coworker, stranger she encounters for the following year and will one day share with her children and grandchildren... so the delivery is key!

Now you have made the decision to ask her, you have saved all your pennies and purchased the ring, but can we really expect you to knock her socks off all on your own?! Absolutely not - ask for help! Enlist friends, family, or hire an event planner to make this moment a story she will be proud to share with everyone in her life now and for years to come!

Here are some notes to get you going;
First, ask yourself what SHE would want. How does she like to spend her time, what is special to her that the two of you do together. Example - after dinner you always walk your dog together... idea, have your normal dinner at home and take your dog for its regular walk - but as you walk past a grassy spot you have passed a million times have a blanket and candles set up with dessert. A romantic unexpected twist and the perfect way to pop the question.

Second, is your future fiance the kind of girl who likes a big to-do? Will she want to share her excitement with all of your friends and family immediately following or would she rather celebrate just the two of you? If she happens to fall into the social butterfly category here is another thought, after you have cleverly popped the question and she has accepted, bring her to another location and surprising her with family and friends. If she has a family member or friend that she is very close to, think about flying them in to be part of the celebration!

And a final thought, travel... does she have a favorite vacation get-a-way? A place the two of you visit every year? Or a place she has always wanted to go? Surprise is key to any proposal, so an annual vacation is perfect! It keeps any suspicion at bay, but if you were to plan a spontaneous trip I would recommend keeping it a complete surprise! This would take a lot of pre-planning and I would strongly recommend enlisting help. Keep in mind that where ever you choose to propose will become a special place for your family that you will visit for years to come!

Some don'ts...
A) Don't propose before or during someone else's wedding!
B) Don't ask without a ring... or something to seal the deal!
C) Don't propose at a sporting event... unless your future wife is a huge fan and it has played a big part in your relationship!
D) Don't propose to "fix" a damaged relationship!
E) And don't think you have to do this on your own!

My story...
On November 11, 2009 my boyfriend asked me to have a dinner date with him, we had both been very busy with work and unable to find free time to spend together. When he picked me up he told me that his coworker had told him about some jazz festival in Wash Park and he wanted to check it out. This seemed incredibly odd to me, he wasn't one to spontaneously seek out a jazz festival but I went with it. As we walked around the park, it was beautiful. The sun was setting, all the leaves were bright orange and yellow. We were walking around one of the lakes and he said, "I have to ask you something"... as I turned to look at him, he was down on one knee! It is a blur from there, but I believe there was a scream and a "Yes!". After that he took me to dinner at the Cherry Creek Grill where I proceeded to call everyone and scream the news even though the menu politely demanded no cell phones in the dining room. I noticed that as I called my friends they were all excited but very short with me on the phone, specifically my little brother. After dinner we went back to our apartment, as I walked in I was shocked to see all of our friends and my brother in our apartment filled with roses candles, cheese, and wine! We spent the night celebrating and talking about the future. It was the perfect night specifically designed for the person I am and the couple we are!

I have heard some amazing proposal stories... if you feel like reminiscing, share yours!!

Friday Spotlight: Chris & Rachelle's Sophisticated San Francisco Affair

Chris & Rachelle ~ June 2, 2007

Reheasal Dinner Location: Sofitel, San Francisco Bay
Ceremony Location: St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Palo Alto
Reception Location: Sofitel, San Francisco Bay

Color Choices: Light Blue & Silver

Wedding Dress Desiger: Pronovias
Bridesmaids Dress Desiger: Dessy Collection

Unique aspect of your wedding: Chris and I grew up in the Bay Area and were engaged in San Francisco, so we wanted to celebrate and highlight the unique aspects of the Bay Area throughout our wedding weekend. We did this in a variety of ways – from welcome baskets for out of town guests with Ghirardelli chocolates, to using San Francisco neighborhoods and landmarks for reception table names instead of numbers, to a cruise around the Bay for the groom and groomsmen, we tried to give our guest the complete San Francisco experience.

Smart move:
Since we had a lot of guests flying in from out of state, and some even from outside the U.S., Chris and I felt it was important to make it as easy and enjoyable as possible for our guests to attend all of the wedding weekend festivities. Two aspects of our wedding that made this possible were our reception location and transportation arrangements.
· Transportation: We arranged for coach buses to transport guests to and from the Sofitel and St. Mark’s Church for the wedding ceremony and reception. This ensured everyone arrived to both events on time, relaxed and ready to have a great time.
· Reception Location & Guest Accommodations: Almost all of our guests (even those living in the area) decided to stay at the Sofitel the night of our wedding. This was wonderful because almost all 200 of our guests stayed until the band stopped playing, and we didn’t have to worry about anyone driving home after a night of celebrating. It gave us more time to enjoy with our guests the night of our wedding, and many of them also joined us for a farewell brunch in the hotel the next morning.

Advice for other brides:More than anything, your wedding is about celebrating your love & your new life together with family and friends. Your wedding day will be a blur of excitement, anticipation and activity, but make sure you take time to focus on the whole point of the celebration, each other!

Friday Spotlight: Stacey & Nathan's Red Rocks Romance!

Stacey & Nathan ~ June 21, 2008

Rehearsal Dinner Location: Lions Park - Golden, CO
Ceremony Location: Red Rocks Chapel
Reception Location: Fossil Trace Golf Course

Advice for other brides: Get all of the planning done ahead of time so you are not stressing at the last minute. Enjoy every second because the day flies by!

Color Choices: Black, white, pink
Bridesmaids Dress Designer: White House Black Market

Unique aspect of your wedding: gift bags for out of town guests -

Colorado wine, maps of Denver/Golden, tourist attraction pamphlets

Friday Spotlight: Julia & Jordan's Classic Lakeside Wedding!

Julia & Jordan ~ June 14, 2008

Ceremony & Reception Location: Bishop's Bay Country Club, Middleton, WI


Wedding Dress Designer: Monique Lhuillier
Color Choices: green and white
Bridesmaids Dress Designer: Ann Taylor

Unique aspect of your wedding: It rained!! It's the chance we took by having an outdoor wedding, but afterwards a rainbow came out and we got some great pictures.
Smart move: Buying tons of flip flops and setting them out in baskets under the tent during cocktail hour. They were a huge hit since the weather wasn't cooperating, and ladies in uncomfortable shoes were happy to have an alternative.

Advice for other brides: Consider taking your pictures before the ceremony. Our photographer captured the first moment we saw each other and I felt fresh and pretty since I'd just gotten my makeup done. After the ceremony we were able to enjoy our cocktail hour and visit with guests without having to worry about pictures. Plus, we got great photos in the sunshine before the rain started to fall!

Baby Face

Before I begin, I have to give 100% of the credit for this post to Megan, my college roommate, who called me days before my wedding with this brilliant idea!



So here is it... table numbers are a must for your reception and some couples like to incorporate names of cities they traveled to, or streets they have lived on to bring a personal element to their table decor. Well, this idea is the best in my opinion! Number your tables and then flank each number with a photo of yourself and your groom at the corresponding age. Guests will have a blast walking around to each table, checking out your first Halloween costume, or your groom as a one year old squeezing live toads in his diaper!


When setting up your pictures try to keep the display clean and constant. You can find hinged frames with three sections at a variety of locations (Hobby Lobby, Target, etc). If your pictures are different sizes or colors you can always scan and reprint them so they fit nicely in the frames. Also, make sure that your wedding planner knows to collect the frames at the conclusion of the reception!

Vintage Twist

So many decisions have to be made regarding your reception... seating, centerpieces, music, etc. So why not kill two birds with one stone? A clever idea is to mix your centerpiece arrangements & your wedding favors for your guests! The picture from Martha Stewart Weddings shows a beautiful mix of flowers in vintage tea tins. At the end of the evening guests can take a tin of flowers home with them! A few things to think about before choosing this for your wedding... 1) Are most of your guests local? 2) The tea tins are not made to hold water. You should place a glass container inside the tin to avoid any water leaking onto the table. An alternative option for this idea would be to cluster potted plants on the table, perfect for a spring wedding!

If you google "vintage tea tins" you will be able to find new and antique options for sale!

Shop Style ~ Beauty

Looking for a fun gift for a bride-to-be? Check out the Bride Kit by philosophy ($53)!

• The Bride Kit:• 1x Purity Made Simple - One Step Facial Cleanser 59.2ml/2oz• 1x Hope In a Jar Moisturizer 56.7g/2oz• 1x Amazing Grace Perfumed Shampoo, Shower Gel and Bubble Bath 59.2ml/2oz• 1x Amazing Grace Perfumed Firming Body Emulsion 59.2ml/2oz• 1x Amazing Grace Perfumed Hand Cream 28.4g/1oz

Or if you need a little something for your bridesmaids try The Bridal Party set ($30).

Bridal Party: 6 oz Wedding Cake Ultra-Delicious Shower Gel, 6 oz Bubbly Ultra-Rich Shower Gel, and a 6 oz Bridal Bouquet Ultra-Feminine Shower Gel in a signature box.

http://www.sephora.com/

Ladies Who Brunch

To accept the invitation to be part of a couples wedding party has evolved into a very expensive commitment. Between purchasing dresses, shoes, jewelry, to spray tan, nail, and hair appointments… not to mention the days of keeping all of your friends and family in one town are over, so add a flight, hotel room, and maybe even a rental car! We are talking BIG bucks. As a way for a bride to show appreciation for her bridesmaids, (beyond the normal gift), the Friday morning ‘Bridesmaids Brunch’ has become a popular trend. This is where the bride’s family hosts all of these ladies (and the dates of the groomsmen) to brunch before the ceremonial mani/pedi appointments that normally take place on Friday afternoon. I suppose technically it is more of a breakfast… but if you call it a “Brunch” for some reason that seems to make it less taboo to finish off several pitchers of Mimosas!

If your wedding is taking place in the Denver area I would recommend the following Breakfast spots!

1. The Squeaky Bean www.thesqueakybean.net
2. Snooze www.snoozedenver.com
3. Mona’s www.monasrestaurant.com
4. Lucile’s Denver www.luciles.com
5. Organixx www.organixxrestaurant.com

Yes Please!

If you are a bride with super deep pockets and a taste for the finer things this location is for you... The Four Seasons Hotel Denver is under construction as I type, scheduled to open in mid-September. With beautiful accommodations, a well known reputation for impeccable dining experiences and service, and a beautiful outdoor space you can't go wrong!

www.fourseasons.com/denver/

Seat With a View

An important part of any wedding weekend is your rehearsal dinner, when all of your bridal party and family members get to share a meal with the bride & groom before their big day. In Denver, as we all know, it is all about the view and one of the best views in town can be found on the rooftop deck at Vita. Located in the "LoHi" area of town (the few blocks between Lodo & the Highlands) it is the perfect place to take out of town guests to show off your city! You can do a full buyout of the deck for 65 people seated. For more information;

http://www.vitadenver.com/

Dancing Shoes

It goes without saying that you want your bridesmaids to be knockouts walking down the isle and in all the pictures, so adorable shoes are a must. But to insure your girls dance till the DJ packs up I would suggest providing a change of footwear after the reception introductions... Flip Flops! Old Navy has a great deal right now – 2 for $5, they even have some colors on sale for $1.99… and they come in almost every color!

Color Splash

One of the current wedding trends that I like is bringing your wedding color choices into the groom & groomsmen outfits – and we are not talking boutonnieres… a great color splash comes from matching ties! It gives you the chance to add a little something extra to show the cohesiveness of your wedding. Now, if you were to go to your local Nordstrom you would find that ties can range anywhere from $40 - $100 each and when you are buying several of them that can put a dent into your budget. I recommend The Tie Bar (www.thetiebar.com). They have a wide selection of ties in all colors and looks that are only $15 each, but here is the key, they look beautiful and expensive! I have to credit my college roommate Megan with this find, the best bargain hunter I know! Another tip would be, to make everyone feel included think about purchasing a tie for the fathers, grandfathers, and ring bearers!

Location, Location, Location

One of my favorite locations for an outdoor wedding in the Denver metro area would have to be the Cheesman Park Memorial Pavilion. It is such a romantic setting with a beautiful view of not only the mountains, but the city sky line!

The New Invitation

For ages, brides have been spending a good amount of their budget on printing beautiful wedding invitations. And what happens to these wedding invites after they have spent a few months on your guests fridge? They go into the trash! A new idea for those who don't put invites on the top of their priority list or would like to spend that money elsewhere; http://paperlesspost.com

Customize beautiful invitations that are delivered via e-mail. Include an RSVP option directly on the invite or direct people to a website to respond.

If you still feel inclined to print invitations, response cards, programs, etc but would like to keep your expenses down, I suggest; http://weddingpaperdivas.com


A plus to this website is they have the same design options for all your printed pieces - and the key to a stylish wedding is consistency!

Wedding Planning Packages

Option One.
Event Logistics
o Develop your personalized vision
o Budgeting
o Event design & production
o Consultation on all printed material
o Vendor recommendation, appointments, negotiations and management (includes, photographer, floral, rentals, event locations, Officiants, cakes, music, food & beverage, etc)
o Food & beverage tastings (includes reception, rehearsal, & Sunday brunch)
o Final confirmation of vendor details, arrival, & pick up
o Set up & breakdown of all event components
o Complete event logistics timeline
o Distribution of vendor payment & tips
o Up to 15 hours of on site wedding day coordination & support
Bridal Style
o Gown & accessory shopping
o Groom apparel coordination
o Wedding party apparel coordination (parents, grandparents, & ceremony readers)
o Wellness & nutrition consultation
o Hair, make up, spa appointments
o Gifts (bridal party/parents/etc)
Be Our Guest
o Manage guest lists
o Personalized wedding website
o Hotel accommodation management & negotiations
o Coordination of guest transportation
o Distribution of wedding weekend agendas
o Delivery of wedding guest gift bags
Wait, there is more!
o 24/7 phone and e-mail support
o Recommendation & coordination of all pre & post wedding weekend activities
o Delivery of personal items & wedding gifts to location of your choice following wedding reception
o Honeymoon advice & coordination
o Facilitate ceremony rehearsal
o Advise and coordinate bride &groom gift exchange wedding day morning


Option Two.
Event Logistics
o Develop your personalized vision
o Budgeting
o Event design & production
o Consultation on all printed material
o Vendor recommendation, appointments, negotiations and management (includes, photographer, floral, rentals, event locations, Officiants, cakes, music, food & beverage, etc)
o Food & beverage tastings (includes reception, rehearsal, & Sunday brunch)
o Final confirmation of vendor details, arrival, & pick up
o Set up & breakdown of all event components
o Complete event logistics timeline
o Distribution of vendor payment & tips
o Up to 15 hours of on site wedding day coordination & support
Bridal Style
o Wedding party apparel coordination (parents, grandparents, & ceremony readers)
o Hair, Make Up, Spa appointments
o Gifts (bridal party/parents/etc)
Be Our Guest
o Manage guest lists
o Personalized wedding website
o Distribution of wedding weekend agendas
o Delivery of wedding guest gift bags
Wait, there is more!
o Facilitate ceremony rehearsal
o Delivery of personal items & wedding gifts to location of your choice following wedding reception


Option Three.
Event Logistics
o Develop your personalized vision
o Budgeting
o Event design & production
o Consultation on all printed material
o Vendor recommendation, appointments, negotiations and management (includes, photographer, floral, rentals, event locations, Officiants , cakes, music, food & beverage, etc)
o Food & beverage tastings (includes reception, rehearsal, & Sunday brunch)
o Final confirmation of vendor details, arrival, & pick up
o Set up & breakdown of all event components
o Complete event logistics timeline
o Distribution of vendor payment & tips
o Up to 10 hours of on site wedding day coordination & support
Wait, there is more!
o Delivery of personal items & wedding gifts to location of your choice following wedding reception
o Includes four in person meetings, two planning meetings, and two follow up meetings (at the one month mark and the one week mark) to finalize all event details.


Option Four.
Event Logistics
o Vendor recommendation and management (includes, photographer, floral, rentals, event locations, Officiants, cakes, music, food & beverage, etc)
o Final confirmation of vendor details, arrival, & pick up
o Set up & breakdown of all event components
o Complete event logistics timeline
o Distribution of vendor payment & tips
o Up to 10 hours of on site wedding day coordination & support
o Includes two follow up meetings, at the one month mark and the one week mark to finalize all event details.


Option Five.
Let me be your guide!
Available to you 24/7 to answer any questions, give recommendations or guidance, share tips and advice, and be the “inside scoop” for all things Colorado Weddings! This is perfect for the bride who wants to do it all but doesn’t have time to sift through all of the options on the web or is unfamiliar with the area. If you would like to come home from work to e-mails outlining the top three cake bakers in Denver with photo’s, reviews and pricing but can take it from there – this one is for you!

Price: 24/7 e-mail and phone support for up to 10 months of planning ~ $150.00


Option Six.
Build your own package!
Everyone has different needs, and the packages above are just a guideline. I encourage brides to design a package that is the best fit for them!


The following can be added to any package;
o Engagement Party
o Wedding Shower(s)
o Bridal party activities
o Bachelorette Party
o Ceremony Rehearsal
o Rehearsal Dinner
o Bride & Groom send offs

Love, Love, Love

"Don't follow where the path may lead. Go, instead, where there is no path and leave a trail."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson