Connecticut Wedding Photographer : Alissa Dinneen Photography

John and Alissa (me!) : Our Engagement Session

 I can't begin to tell you how nervous I was before our engagement session. It took me forever to figure out what John and I were going wear (black and grey was the tough one, the red shoes was easy!). Then the day rolls around; storm clouds are brewing, rain drops are falling, and my hair is getting bigger by the second. Did I mention we were in Las Vegas, what are the chances are that it rains the one day we picked for pictures? 

Looking back on this day, I'm thrilled with the photos (By Laura Pineda of Alternate Angles) and so pleased to have had professional pictures taken of us (note I had my make-up done by Kelly of Smooth Brides). I've forgotten what it feels like in front of the camera. Now that i'm introduced to the other side (of the glass), I'm a better photographer for it.

Here are a few of my favorites. Enjoy! 

John and I were standing on top of a ledge for this image, so Laura could see more of us. 

I have this framed in our living area (inside the Venetian).

One of the following two images is on our save the dates. I'd like to mention we had some tourists join us for a few photos while we were up on this fountain!

If I had enough time, I should have gotten my jeans hemmed...you couldn't really see my awesome patent red shoes! John was making fun of my ridiculous laugh here, I love this picture (big mouth open and all)!

 I This picture is just so fun. We all know how much I love a blue sky, not to mention the warm lights, shiny wet ground, and John making fun of me for turning the wrong way all made for a perfect capture!     I really like (for some odd reason) the lady in to the left of us. 

We waited for a while for these lights to come on. I had been in this spot years prior wanting to take a portrait. I love how Laura cropped this image, tree in the foreground.

 

At this moment after spinning the wrong way and laughing at my fake laugh I really got comfortable in front of the camera.


      

John is 100% Sicilian. When we're in the Caribbean he's always mentioning that the islands "reminds him of Sicily." This reminds me of me laughing every time he says that, not to mention I now say it too for fun (even though I haven't been there, yet).

   

Whoa! You can see my red shoes, hollar!   

Again, red shoes, there they are!     I wasn't lying, you can see the rain here: in the sky and on my sweater. 

 

Being a photographer makes me really love light. I love looking at light. I watch movies and disturb myself and the story line to think of how the scene was lit. I often find myself driving around during the low light (sunrise/sunset) hours just wanting to give the light a big hug and thank it for being so pretty. I LOVE this picture, yes you can barely see us and yes we're dark: it doesn't matter. Look at how that rain really worked out, without which this image wouldn't exist. Big hug to Laura!!

 
 
   All photos taken by: Laura Pineda of Alternate Angles.

Vendor Spotlight : The White Dress by the Shore

This past Saturday I had an appointment at The White Dress by the Shore. Ladies, if you haven't gone dress shopping or found the right dress yet, then you have not visited this adorable shop in Clinton, CT.  It was an amazing experience that I will never forget. 

I went dress shopping with my very good friend Jeff (also one of my assistants). He has seen many wedding dresses and knows my taste probably better than I do. This was the only store I visited and I couldn't be happier!

Jeff and I walked in, nervously filled out some paper work, looked through the racks, and then started to try on some gowns. First dress I tried on was a Modern Trousseau gown that I would describe as fitted, strapless and head to toe lace. It was an option for my wedding, but I just wasn't sure of myself. About five or so dresses  later I tried on another Modern Trousseau gown--which I originally thought I'd like from The White Dress by the Shore website. The dress did not look good on me, however I LOVED the bottom half of the dress. 

Flo (the lovely lady who helped me this day) then had us wait for a moment in our room to discuss and drink a little bubbly. She came back with another dress, after only trying on what seemed like a few dresses she knew the shape and style that works best for me. Flo helped me into the dress, I walked out behind the curtain, looked at Jeff's face first to see what he though (big smile), then into mirror I looked (bigger smile!!). All  of my insecurities of my body (image) flew right out the window. I knew this is it; this is what I'm getting married  in! 

Flo then decked me out in some fabulous accessories, including the sparkle belt that I fell in love with while trying on other dresses (Jeff later reminded me that I was specifically asking what goes with the sparkle belt?). I also made a decision on the veil. 

I can't express how appreciative I am to The White Dress by the Shore. The level of service and the quality of all of the products are exceptional! I am thrilled and relieved to have a dress that I 150% adore (I've even thought on the way home that the dress should be an inspiration for the cake--it needs a sparkle belt too). I now know first hand why I've only heard wonderful things about this shop and without a doubt send brides there. 

Note: We did not take any images of me in the gown.

Here are some images that I took while I visited the store. Enjoy!

The windows are super cute!

 

Windows from the inside, cute! 
   

They have an adorable selection of flower girl dresses. 
    

 

This is the gorgeous dressing room!
 

Jeff sat in the chair to the left, as I came out behind the curtain, I'd look at his face, then mine in the mirror.

  
 
  

www.alissadinneen.com

Our Save the Dates

Today as I was fetching the garbage bins at the end of the driveway, I noticed the mailbox was open and the mailman had delivered. There was a large white envelope sticking outside of the box, I picked it up and there it was, my engagement session on DVD disc. My heart stopped: nervous, excited, scared to death (yikes, pictures of me--I prefer behind the glass not in front of it). 

I'm so pleased to share a couple images on my blog, taken by the fabulous and talented Laura Pineda of Alternate Angles. I have followed her work for years, assisted at several weddings, and now she's taking my pictures. I'm thrilled!

I haven't sent this to print yet, so any feedback would be considered. This is my draft of our save the dates--think 5"x7" in size and the pearl paper.

   

 Photos by : Laura Pineda / Alternate Angles

My Engagement Ring (from Monarch Jewelers)

John gave me the opportunity to choose my engagement ring, very smart man.  I tried on a ridiculous amount of rings and ended up falling in love with the design below. My parent's next-door neighbor's son, Jesse, works for his family at Monarch Jewelers in Canton, Connecticut. I gave Jesse the design, then he brought in some diamonds for me to look at, and finally their designer created the ring. I couldn't be happier, thank you so much Jesse for making me the perfect ring (and for putting up with me)!! 

I love my ring, here it is... www.alissadinneen.com 

The date is set!

A lot of good news to report in this blog entry. I finally got my engagement ring (I just have to take a picture of it yet to share with my blog readers), we set a date, and picked out our reception facility. Waaaa-hooo!!!!

The ring was purchased at Monarch Jewelers in Canton, Connecticut. I LOVE it!! Thank you John for letting me handle the ring selection! I can see why the solitaire is so popular, it's beautiful and simple. I couldn't imagine a man having to pick out a ring out of all of the options out there, I was overwhelmed and I love options!

John and I looked at several locations for our wedding, all mostly in Hartford. We knew we wanted to get married when we're both not super busy with work, so February 2011 it is! We ended up choosing Connecticut's Old State House. We love the location, the building itself, the floors, the windows, the chandelier, just love it! 

Here are a few pictures from the Old State House that I took--at Emily and Dave's Wedding, check it out!

     

 www.alissadinneen.com