Meghan Markle, Eat Your Heart Out...

The words that Jo's dad said to her when he saw her in her gown for the first time...

How do I even begin to describe this wedding, these people, this trip?! It feels impossible to describe how wonderful and fun it all was - how kind and beautiful and good to the core these people are - how much we literally adore their entire groups of friends and family. It was like a surreal dream, and documenting this was our true pleasure. Gavin, I'm in love with your wife!!

Jo + Gavin are kinda the best. He is on the quieter side and totally chilled out - the nicest guy you could ever meet (and not to mention super handsome) and Jo, well, she is a firework (and a MAJOR babe!!)...full of life and fun and incredibly thoughtful of everyone. And together, they have made the cutest little mini sunshine called Jackson. They wanted to get everyone together to celebrate their love of music, fun and a good g&t on a warm Island in Spain, and the famous party spot (Ibiza, duh) didn't disappoint! We got to spend loads of time together with them and their squad - we even flew together, and by the time the wedding was upon us, we were all in it together, drinks, laughs, tears and all! I won't spoil it with more jabber - just watch. I promise it will melt your heart, and make you smile from ear to ear.

We love you guys!



xx
M

Light Me Up...

Think back to when you were 10 - who was your crush - do you remember? I remember mine.. his name was Ryan Walters. I LOVED him since the 3rd grade - this would continue all through grade/middle school. He was even my first kiss in 8th grade. The story never really ended until we made out again when I was like 22, and that was the end of that. I thought that was kind of a cool, long-winded childhood love story, but I had nothing on Allie and Tom!!!

Allie and Tom met in 5th grade, at 10 years old. And that was kinda it - the Universe knew that these two were meant for each other, and continued to keep them together or near enough through their entire lives. There were times that they were together, and times they weren't, but they never stopped talking or thinking of each other. These two are what the term "there for you" means. By each other's sides in the best and worst of times. They are an extension of one another - they are best friends, truly.

Being with them and their families and friends - who by the way, are pretty much ALL from their childhood too, was incredible and fun, and insanely beautiful. You would think that a group as tightly knit as this would be weird about letting outsiders in to be a part of it, but they weren't - in fact, this group was the most inviting, generous, kind, cool group ever. We love them - we've been adopted.

As we spent a week together, documenting this destination journey, we realised how incredibly unique and special this scenario really was. How important celebrating roots and family is, and how valuable it is to have true friends who will carry 10 bottles of Tequila across the World in their suitcase for you, so you can have your favourite drink at your wedding!

With that said, this trailer is only the beginning - a tiny glimpse into the magical week we spent in many Portuguese cities with some of the best people we've ever met. We can't wait to share the rest. Get the tissues!



x
Maria

Featured! Libby and Ryan on Bridal Musings...

Today is such a good day! We have another feature on the always amazing Bridal Musings for Libby and Ryan's magical destination wedding in Oklahoma. They have called it "Prairie Chic", and that is totally spot on. It was relaxed, but styled to perfection - kinda like Libby and Ryan are in real life.

The first feature (above) was for their photos, and it is BEYOND - to see the full post, click HERE. Their portraits though.... all I can say is prairie sky meets Salt Flats!



The second feature (above) was for their film trailer - it is so emotional and amazing - the vows will KILL YOU DEAD. To see the full post, click HERE

We loved working with all of the amazing vendors from this one, especially Forever Cole who coordinated this magical day and Studio BDR, who did all of the calligraphy, signage, and paper / printed goods...including the gorgeous invitation suite!!!

xx
Maria

Let's Do This!!!!

We walked up to the hotel room door, and it was thrown open by the most beautiful blonde. She squealed my name, and we hugged like we've been friends for our entire life. Caroline. She is pure sunshine - she makes everyone happy and is always bouncing around joyfully. She could make taking out the trash interesting! I loved her right from the moment we first talked, and was so happy to be on this journey with her. She picked the coolest, most handsome, fun, interesting man in Christopher.

Watching them together, and their amazing friends and family was so much fun - they invited us to share in everything with them, and it really was an experience we will never forget. I am so excited to share their wedding film trailer today - the whole trip was incredible, and it ended with the best firework show over the ocean... and yes, we flew the drone during the fireworks, and it was amazzzzzzinnggggggg!

Thank you to Caroline and Chris for making this week so amazing, to their families for sharing meals and stories with us, and for all of our new friends who we can't wait to have another dance party and G&T with soon! Also, a special thanks to The Wedding Company Portugal for always being the best, and for creating the most gorgeous eye candy!!!

xx
Maria

Just Wanna Stay Up All Night With You...

Meghan and Colton brought us to Maui along with their amazing families and friends to celebrate, and this wedding did not disappoint! It was so much fun, and the visuals were off the charts - one, because literally, every single person at this wedding was basically a genetically perfect specimen, but also, because our fave California duo, Gianna from Chic Celebrations and floral goddess Lauryl Lane were there to make it perfect, as usual. We had a blast, and can't wait for you to see their trailer!



xx
Maria

I Have To Praise You Like I Should...

Daisy and Andy, the true representation of what it means to be a team - the ultimate complimentary relationship. Opposites in many ways, these guys just fill in each other's blanks so easily and seamlessly, it is like they were made to bring the best out in one another. It's wonderful and fun and cheeky and not always in plain sight. It's the in-between that you catch it the most.

This wedding was beyond gorgeous - I mean, whenever it's Italy, our hearts skip a beat, but this one was like no other. The venue, Masseria Potenti, is a desert-like Oasis in the middle of vineyards, around the corner from the beach, and down the street from a historical town. It was like being somewhere else, but I don't know where...heaven, maybe?

We had the best time immersing ourselves in the group and into this story. We went on adventures and did some dangerous driving together, and here is your opportunity to see what it was all about. It is a good one, a really good one - and the song...

You die hard 1208 fans will be obsessed, I swear!



xx
Maria

Blog Feature - Bridal Musings Best of 2016...

Happy Freaking New Year, Everyone!!

Wow, 2016 has been a doozy... so much good stuff happened, a lot of weird stuff, and some just downright shitty stuff too. I am really trying to get it together enough to do a personal post to round out 2016, but until then, I wanted to share what one of our favourite (and let's be honest, one of the best) wedding blogs out there had to say about their faves of the year. Thank God someone has their shiz together!

It is always really extra awesome when members of the wedding community recognize your work as some of the best out there, and to get chosen as one of the best in 4 out of 5 of their categories is next level awesome. It always feels like you didn't do enough every year, like you might suck at your job more than you realize and that this is the year you will fall apart and lose it all, but then something like this happens, and you think to yourself, well, I guess we will survive, and people still like us. Phew!

Thank you to Elizabeth and Claire from Bridal Musings for always believing in our work, and for giving us the great honor of being among some of your favorite wedding visual goodness from 2016 - we are humbled and stoked!! Here's to 2017 and more badassery! Click on the links below to see the full posts, and check out what the fuss is all about!

Best of BM 2016: Weddings

Best of BM 2016: Wedding Films

Best of BM 2016: Most Unique Ideas

Best of BM 2016: Styled Shoots

xx
Maria

Find Your Husband Sundays...

YOU. GUYS. (I apologize for the over use of all caps and parentheses in this post)

This wedding is SO good, I mean, SO SO SO good. We went to Rhode Island for this one, and met these great people (obvs. fell in love with them), and had the best party ever. Not only did we fall in love with them, we fell in love with their coordinator, Elizabeth Lutz of Glass Event Boutique (a goddess), their floral designers, Greenlion Design (geniuses), and their prop stylist, Caylin Harris (yes that's a thing, and it's amazeballs)!

Anyway, Kira and her bestie, Jourdan devised a plan called "Meet your husband Sundays", and they would get dolled up, hit the bars that supported their local teams (to give each side a chance), and pretend like they cared about football. HA! Genius! And you know what, it worked... Kira and TJ met at the bar that supported the Buffalo Bills (Jourdan's home team)... are you still with me?? Long story short, Kira and TJ met, they fell in love, and now they are married - and they are the best. I almost forgot to mention this, but Kira also DESIGNED AND MADE her dress with her best friend Anokah, and it is NEXT LEVEL.

I can't wait to share some images with you all, it is an eyegasm for real! Enjoy this, and watch for my cameo in the trailer on the dance floor (duh). Also, go check out their Instagram cut on our page @Studio1208!


xx
M

follow the dope vendors on Insta:
@GlassEventBoutique
@GreenlionRI
@CaylinHarrisCreative
@ConfectioneryDesigns

and if you don't follow us already, then hit us up too @Studio1208

It's Not Bitter, Just Oh So Sweet...

Anna and Johnny. How do I explain these people? Well, it's easy... the most electric, fun, wild, generous, badass, chic, amazing people ever. That is no joke or exaggeration either - they are incredible, and the people around them are just the same. Never a dull or boring moment with them, and they want everyone to have fun, not just themselves. We love them for this (and so many more reasons)!

Their wedding was in France - the South of France, Provence to be exact. It was pretty much friends only, outside of the small handful of family in attendance, and this wedding reflected everything that they are above. We had the time of our lives celebrating the time of their lives - we never wanted it to end. This also marked the first destination wedding that we brought our whole Studio 1208 squad to (more about that in another post to come), and they smashed it, BIG TIME!

So, the only thing left to do is watch...you won't be disappointed. And her dress... holy moly!


xx
M

Featured! Jeni and Oscar on Marry Me Ink...

Hey guys!
Today we are so excited to share Jeni and Oscar's gorgeous Sayulita, Mexico destination wedding featured on Marry Me Ink!

To see the full beautiful feature with tons of images, head on over to Marry Me Ink now! And if you missed it the first time, check out their wedding film trailer below! If that still isn't enough to make you laugh, cry, and want to party, then check out their full film HERE.

xx
Maria

Take A Trip To Mexico...

GUYS! This wedding is so sweet. A very intimate wedding in Mexico that is so thoughtful and well suited to these two people. Both living their lives in the spotlight, it was almost extra special that they almost ran away to get married in front of a handful of their closest friends. In that company, they truly came alive - they whole-heartedly connected with this event and most importantly, with each other.

We are so lucky to get to go on these magical trips. Not only because the destinations are often what dreams are made of, but because we leave there with some of the richest life experiences, and the coolest new friends. We get to tell stories of people experiencing the best that life can give, and we not only get to watch, we get to be a part of it.

I am so proud to call these people friends, and so honored that they chose us to tell their very unique and special story. Watch their full film below, and if you missed Eden and Ryan's trailer, you can watch it HERE

To view the film, simply type: 'studio 1208' below


x
Maria

Catch My Vibe Tonight...

Jaime and Blake are just fun people - you know when you are around certain people, and you know that by association, you will end up on some kind of an adventure, or maybe even a little trouble...that's these guys. They grab life by the balls, and I like that. Jaime is also one of the funniest girls I have ever met, and I found it hard to do my job - I wanted to just hang out with her the entire time. Blake is a little more mysterious and quiet than Jaime, but they are a perfect match, and major props to Blake for his getting the girl tactics, and that Paris video...OMG.

So, this wedding pretty much rocked - destinations are always special, but it was just so cool to be in a castle on the banks of Loch Ness, watching for the famed monster, and dancing the night away. The rain fell, but no one cared. Oh, and for the record, anytime there is a Whisky tasting at a wedding, it is just rad.

Enjoy!

To view the film, simply type 'studio 1208' below:

x
Maria

Electric Feel...

Fred and Jess lived in the same apartment complex for almost 4 years - saying hi in the elevator, smiling at each other in the stairwell. It wasn't until her very proactive and wise roommate put together a happy hour, when Fred and Jess had the first of a lifetime of great conversations. These two gorgeous people are made for each other - they are effortless and comfortable, and they have each other's back. It's easy to see when you watch this film, why they chose Portugal as their backdrop, how they would have been drawn together at that Happy Hour, and why their love will stand the test of time. We are so happy to have been a part of this beautiful story, and look forward to getting to spend lots more time with Fred, Jess and their friends in the future. I mean, we love a good party, and these people know how to bring it!

To view the film, simply type: 'studio 1208' below


x
Maria

Won't Stop 'Til It's Over...

Masha and Chris...I mean, what can I possibly say except that being at your wedding was like being with family. It was a reunion, and a chance to meet so many new, amazing people. Your friends and your families, OMG, they are just incredible. This wedding was a dream - the location, Lake Como, was everything we hoped for and more, and your group definitely made the most of it's beauty and offerings.

'Take me back' is what we think daily, and to have this experience, with these beautiful people will always be a career highlight for us.

Thank you for letting us tell this story. There is so much beauty coming, but for now, here is the incredible trailer!!

#BreakTheInternet


x
Maria

Blow A Kiss, Fire A Gun...

We met Fred at another destination wedding...Megan and Jeremy's Positano party of the century. We became fast friends, and all kept in touch, and almost 3 years later, it was Fred's turn to party. The first time we met Jess, we knew she was amazing. She is kind, beautiful, and so inclusive of everyone around her. She compliments Fred's personality, and his size perfectly. They are just made for each other, and we were so excited that they wanted us to tell their story.

They decided on a destination wedding in Fred's home country of Portugal, and it was absolutely beautiful! With the help of Jasmine from The Wedding Company Portugal, the event was absolute magic with dinner under the stars and dancing in a palace until the early hours.

We can't wait to show you the rest! Here is their film trailer, and keep an eye out for some seriously amazing dance moves from the guys...



x
Maria

Shut Up And Dance With Me...

He saw her at a work function, and told her how HOT she was. She was like, yeah, whatever, dude with your Peppermint Schnapps (but she thought he was pretty hot too...). A year later, another work function, and Blake sees Jaime again, but this time, he wasn't gonna let her get away. He was so committed, in fact, that he followed her into the ladies room, and made out with her Top Gun style, like a boss. The rest is, as you say, history... They decided to make it official in a castle on the banks of Loch Ness - they professed their love, and danced the night away. It was perfect. Congrats, guys and hope to see you in Cayman one of these days!!


xx
Maria

You've Got The Love...

A footballer and a model. Sounds familiar, right? Money, bling, flash, and all the stereotypes that come with the 'label'. But Erin and Fabio's story goes way deeper, beyond any of the surface view that most people think that they see. When people are in the public eye in any sense, it's funny to me that we suddenly think we 'know' them or that we can pass judgement on any part of their life. We all know everything about them, right?

Wrong. Erin and Fab take stereotypes and turn them on their head. What they have is simple, and so very pure. It is young love in absolute transcendency. There is no show and no pretence, no entitlement and no dissimulation, just authentic love and admiration for each other. They have the kind of joy in each other's presence where they can simply glance at each for a brief moment in any situation, and a silly smile comes over both their faces. They are truly, madly, deeply in love with each other's souls, and for us to be able to capture that, is magical.

So forget about stereotypes, shed all those predetermined views, and just watch this story unfold as we did. It is a story about a beautiful girl with a huge heart from Liverpool, and fun loving local boy from Bologna who laid eyes on each other just once... and knew straight away that they were destined to be together.



Nick x

Alright, OK!

This has been a pretty big week for us - we have a campaign for Sweaty Betty coming out, AND we have a feature in one of the UK's largest weekly magazines, OK!

In June, we went on location in Tuscany, Italy to shoot Fabio and Erin's wedding at the exclusive Castello di Casole. Erin is a gorgeous model, and Fabio is a bad ass Premiership Footballer, and together, they are two of the most down to Earth, nice people you could meet. We wanted to share their feature with you, as well as the images that are in the feature, so that you could get a better look. It was an absolutely stunning day, and these two are so beautiful together! They also donated the fee for the magazine feature to charity, as well as in lieu of gifts, asked their guests to make a donation to charity as well. Seriously, such good people! They raised over £15,000.00 for Anthony Nolan, a charity that helps find donors for those with blood cancer.


















We also brought out some of our friends to help us capture the day, and we couldn't have done it without them! Thank you Jess and Adam - we share this feature with you both!

xx
Maria

You Were Always One Step Behind...

This wedding film. Tears! Every. Single. Time. I guess when you have known the bride since you were only 13, it is natural to feel extra emosh about watching her make a commitment to the greatest guy in the world - the guy who truly compliments and gets her - her complete and utter soul mate. The thing is though, it is more than that. Yes, I have known her forever, and yes, I love her like family, but what makes me weep (like, really weep), is their story and seeing these two badasses be soft and totally raw about their feelings...it is like the greatest thing I could have ever dreamed of. It breaks me.

I can't tell you how much I think everyone should watch this one - yes, it is the long cut, but I swear to you, you will feel so much - laughter, tears, you will make that face you make when your jam comes on, and you will get to experience pure joy for two people who are so completely in love. Most of all, you will get to see that love - insane, beautiful, perfect love is possible to find, even in the most daunting of circumstances.

Timing is everything.

And if you haven't seen their wedding film trailer yet, you definitely need to give it a watch too!

**Simply type studio 1208 below to watch**


x
Maria

Goin' Up, On A Tuesday...

I seriously can't watch this trailer again. I think this is the most emotional, heartfelt wedding story I have ever had the pleasure of telling, and have sat in front of my iMac sobbing while editing this film. Geez, I get a lump in my throat just when the opening note of the music starts. I am SO tired because it's literally draining to watch - in the best possible way.

Jeni and Oscar were destined to be together. After dating 14 years ago, they walked very different paths for a long time, and something bigger than them brought them back together. The thing is, I can't even properly describe their love for each other. They have this incredible connection that very few people find in their lives, but the absolute gratitude that they share in having found each other, is something beyond the word 'love'. Spending those few days in Mexico with Jeni and Oscar, with absolute bedlam all around them (Mexicans + Tequila + Bunnies = Carnage!) I just watched their relationship exude a feeling of utter contentment and a deep peace with one another.

No matter what was happening - they were always right there together in the moment. A momentary glance across the party, a shoulder rub by the pool, tears, laughter and lots of dance moves. I guess if you get a second chance to find that thing that makes you happiest in the whole world, you grab it with both hands.

We often tell stories of chance meetings, and fate conspiring to bring two people together, but Jeni and Oscar's story is not exactly like that - and maybe why I like it so much. I love these two souls and their relationship together and it really gave me a different perspective of finding another person in your life. When we lose something precious, and we look all around and still can't find it, then I guess you don't have to be completely heartbroken. Everything and everyone has a place to be. It’s just a matter of how they get there and when. Even if it seems like the chance has gone - you still have that child-like part of you that provides a comfort, knowing that one day when you grow up and are free to travel your own path, you can go and find it again.
#SobbingAgain


Nick x