It's finally here.
After all the shopping, wrapping, card-writing, decorating, novelty jumper-wearing, and festive tipples with friends, the time has arrived. It's Christmas!
And before we take a few days off to celebrate, we just wanted to leave you with our festive wishes, and a pretty epic love shoot… in the snow!
So first up, from us, we just want to say a massive thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!
This is the time each year when you take stock, look back at what you've been up to, and start hatching plans for the months ahead. But for Elizabeth and I (Claire here, hello!), it also a time when we think about how freakin' lucky we are to get to do a job that's so fun, inspiring, and all 'round awesome.
And we have you guys to thank!
From the photographers who share their incredible talents and beautiful images with us year round, to the planners and vendors who supply endless new ideas and creative ways to say ‘I Do', to the designers who share their stunning collections with us, and the wedding pros who lend us their top tips and words of wisdom, thank you!
We could not do what we do, without your expertise and generosity.
And to the brides and grooms whose real weddings we've shared throughout the year, you guys rock! Letting us have a glimpse into your big days, doesn't just make us swoon, it's a real privilege too. Your beautiful weddings fill us, and our readers, with insight, inspiration, and the kind of warm and fuzzy feelings you only get from seeing a couple in love.
To our sponsors, (who are all ah-may-zing BTW), your support and investment is not only appreciated, but it's so encouraging. It allows us to do the most fun job (on the planet), and it lets us see all our big ideas come to fruition.
And finally to our readers. You fabulous, creative, stylish, thoughtful, wonderful people, who make Bridal Musings at all possible, thank you!
Whether you're a bride, a groom, a wedding professional, or simply a wedding enthusiast, we will endeavour, in 2016 to bring you the most beautiful inspiration and the most helpful ideas we possibly can.
We've got big plans for next year, so watch this space!
And now, on to this very special shoot. Captured by amazing Stuttgart-based photographer, Maria Luise Bauer Photography, it features real life couple Verena & Christian celebrating their love, and their dogs, on a snowy peak near Innsbruck in Austria.
We'll let the lovely Maria Luise share the rest…
From the Photographer
Verena's dog Angel (the Husky) is already 15 and she is worried, he is not going to be here anymore once they get married. So, she has been dreaming about him being on her wedding photos.
When I was planning a style shoot in the mountains she said “yes” right away when I asked, if they'd be my couple. So we planned the shoot together.
The invitations were designed together with them, Verena wished to wear a floral wreath and we decided on the dress together.
We had the shoot up on the mountain Hafelekar (2334m) which is in their hometown. Verena also had the bridal shoes of her granny ready to wear but we faced snow on top of the mountain (even though it was mid October and we didn't expect snow at all at that point of time) so we went back to boots.
Verena and Christian are a stunning real couple and so sweet together and they are the perfect little family with Mocca (the Frenchie, male) and Angel (Husky, male).
How romantic is that shoot? I just adore the story behind it, and how the couple brought their pooches all the way up to celebrate with them, so sweet. And what an epic place for a portrait session!
Thanks so much to Maria Luise Bauer Photography for sharing such a snowy shoot with us on Christmas Eve.
I do hope it snows before tomorrow, but looking out at the wind and rain here in Ireland, I don't think it's likely!
And so, we'll leave it there. Have the merriest of Christmases, wherever you are and whoever you're with, soak up every wonderful moment!
Be sure to check out our Awesome Christmas Playlist.
