www.blog.drescherphotoanddesign.com

We will no longer be keeping this site active and it will expire.  Please refer to our new blog as well as Facebook to keep up on our latest projects and creations!

Our studio location has also changed: we are now in Iowa City. IA.  We are available via email (missydrescher@mac.com) or our new # is: 319. 512. 0232.

Happy Holidays! James + Missy

Carolyn and Chris were a delight to work with!  We got to see the to-be-baby room…its patiently waiting for a (pink) little bundle of joy in January.  The room is so darn cute.  Little sock monkeys (like the old school ones!) are in the crib and even a sock monkey night light!  Looks like the grandmas put in their time spoiling pre-baby time with tons of cute outfits and shoes and all sorts of cuddly and sweet stuff.

The two will be outstanding parents with their kind hearts and sweet personalities.  Carolyn is one of those mommies who is super cute and little with just a tiny basketball tummy…she looks like a magazine mommy!  Thanks to the both of you for a fun session…we look forward to seeing the little peanut when she is here!

(Stop over to FB to peek at their cute video and more photos!) -Missy

HOT dam!  Wondering where all these gorgeous ladies came from?  Above is the staff to Blaze (in Coralville).  If you have never been inside the salon-now is your prime opportunity to stop in and see how amazing this group is.  The girls are edgy. creative. sexy. classy and tasteful.  A big whopping thanks to everyone involved: your staff showed James and I nothing but professionalism and cooperation.  What literally started out as conversations over coffees and beers is now a completed project.  And can you believe we shot these the second week of November!?  Yes- I had a tee shirt on (at 9PM).  The weather was incredible.

James genuinely enjoyed the technical challenge of this shoot.  While I was preoccupied organizing the girls schedules and art directing- I give James props as he was the whole brains behind the operation while shooting.  I literally just held the light and thats it, so thanks James for rocking out here.  He shot everything at night- so lighting was a new puzzle piece for each girl as the sun fell.

Obviously I could not fit everything onto the blog…please stop over to Facebook where I had more freedom to post more.  The above images can only show a tiny sliver of the art we all created that week.  Check out the video on FB too!  Thank you again Blaze!! -Missy

I am WAY excited about this post!  One of our close buddies who is a web developer has been such a helpful hand and support system for us all through the years in our business.  Anything technical he is there for me…anything creative I am there for him.  It really has worked out great.  We had chatted for the last year about making some sweet iphone apps. together and this past month- we went ahead and did it!

I designed the layout/artwork (which you can see the rest once you have the app.) and Cy Web Solutions embedded and brought this bad boy to life.  His app. is called the Mobile Vault in which you can store (safely!) ALL your passwords.  Yes-its a big world out there and everyone has oodles of passwords- so if you want all those in a nice safe place- this app. is for you.

The link to purchase:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mobile-vault/id401449608?mt=8

A big thanks to Eric of Cy Web Solutions for sharing your knowledge and wisdom!  So glad we could make this whole thing happen.  Keep a look out for us on itunes…we may just take over the world of apps! -Missy

Alyson and Jason were such good sports!  The day of our session it was freezing!  Its crazy because this weather has been incredible and I actually have flip flops on today.  Yup- November 10th and we are still wearing tee-shirts.  The day we shot for some crazy reason it was so cold.  These two were troopers and we took little breaks inside the vehicle for some heat to keep on cruising.  You may recognize Alyson as she works at the Wig + Pen.  If you have never been there- its on the Coralville strip.  You must get the wig-a-toni or the flying tomato.  You will melt!  Plus Alyson is such a sweetheart and she will take good care of you.  She has a pink and purple color scheme prepared for their upcoming spring wedding.  Its very girly and glamourous- I love it.

Thank you to Jason and Alyson for being so flexible and easy to work with- pink noses, chattering teeth and all!  You do not look one bit chilled in the photos.  We enjoyed your session and cannot wait to have you in front of the camera again come May!  -Missy

Wow.  Jenny is beautiful.  Mike is a handsome New Jersey Phillies fan.  Some fellow groomsmen and family also traveled from Jersey and I immediately picked them out.  The way they talk and walk.  James found a little part of home (being from NJ as well).  We had fun.  Jenny is so classy and girly- I loved all her jewels and glamour.  The reception had these beautiful sparkly beaded curtains which was her favorite part of the planning the bridesmaids told me.

I love. love. loved the speech from her MOH.  Apparently there is an inside joke that Mike asks tons of questions when in conversation.  I never noticed this until she mentioned it in the speech.  She wrapped things up by saying although he asks so many questions- the best one he has asked was if Jenny would marry him.  That was really adorable.  When I gave Mike a good-bye hug at the nights end he said: you have fun?  Did you get some good photos?  You guys want a beer?  So funny.  We had a blast with you Mike and Jenny- thanks for letting us share the day with you. -Missy

This was a hard one to blog.  When I went through and pulled some good ones I ended up with 80 total.  Ha!  I knew I could not blog ALL those.  I thought I could just touch base on a couple different schemes but want to make sure to remind you- there are like a billion more examples out there.  Check out our Facebook page; each wedding I know I pull flower shots for each album.  Also- check out our DETAILS tab on our website.  There are so many cute arrangements on there I forgot about until this post.

{www.jamesdrescher.com: click on the details tab.}

My suggestions for vendors are:

*Cynthia Betts (www.weddingsiniowa.com): I am not sure if this lady sleeps because she is always on the go and running around doing amazing things.  For a great example of her work- search in the side tab: MEGAN AND ROBBY.  She did the flowers and decor for this one and its out of this world.  She works in Des Moines/ Iowa City…anywhere.  You say the words and she will make it happen.

*Hy-Vee (Waterfront in Iowa City): I have heard raves from all our brides about the great prices and great service here.  I know what you are thinking: Hy-Vee is for groceries.  Do not be fooled.  About 1/3 of our 2011 brides are already booked with them.  Apparently the service and ambition and creativity from the staff is what drew these brides in.  I have heard nothing but positive + outstanding feedback.

Alright brides.  This is where I have to end my vendor spotlight week and get back to blogging our client line-up.  Its been so fun- thanks for joining me.  I am going to wrap it up with some shout outs to some other vendors I think you can benefit from:

o Health On Point Acupuncture (www.healthonpoint.com): to relax. de-stress and say good-bye to aches or pains- call Rachel.  I would suggest to visit her a couple times before the big day- you will not regret it.

o A Fine Affair DJ (www.afineaffairdj.com): fun. upbeat. cute. tasteful. professional. modern…great qualities to have in a DJ.  Plus they are a hubby and wife team!

o Braise Co. (www.braisecompany.com): delicious. creative. spicy. unique. great presentation. upscale. trendy…YUMMY!  Catering in a very professional, big city feel.

o Party Express DJ (www.partyexpressdj.us): Randy is fun and loves what he does…will customize everything to fit your needs.  Small town charm, top of the line equipment and very reliable.

o Hawkeye Bus: Dave has no business cards or website-everything he does is word of mouth.  He is that good, that awesome and that much fun.  They also can DJ and even give you a discount if you book both.  The inside + outside of the bus includes lots of black and gold!  I know he is booked into 2012, so if you are a Hawkeye fan- you MUST call him today: 319.321.8379.

I could go on forever…this is just a little handful to keep you busy.  For more ideas while you are wedding planning: here are some sites to browse:

www.weddingsiniowa.com

www.weddingwire.com

www.theknot.com

My suggestions to find great dresses:

*XOXO (Hugs and Kisses) in Tiffin: so trendy/fun and modern.  The owners keep everything very current.  The boutique includes tons of Hawkeye apparel as well for brides and cute girly stuff.  Also tons of hair-pins and jewelry here.  While you are there- check out Bella Sala which is the reception hall connected to it!

*Brides and Weddings in Manchester: one of the girls here- Jamie also does make-up.  She is totally a double threat.  Check out her website: www.bridesandweddings.com.

*Always and Forever in Dyersville: very cute and small-town service.  Great prices with great service!  Its small enough you get attention but big enough to provide variety!

*Shaffers in West Des Moines: very upscale…if you want to feel like you are big glamour in the big city- this is your place.  They make you feel like a queen.  Trendy and luxurious gowns can be found here.  Lots of dramatic dresses making big statements.

My last suggestion is www.theknot.com which is so obvious- but they really do have great ideas.  Good luck brides! *Missy

Hello my beautiful brides.  I get a lot of emails asking suggestions on hair…that is why I am handing it over to the experts.  I want to shout out to two of our 2010 brides who are also stylists.  Kailee and Kelsey are super cute and super talented.  Kailee is here in the Iowa City/ North Liberty area and Kelsey is more Cedar Rapids.  They are on my preferred vendor list…I am first-hand recommending these girls for their talent. kindness. and professionalism.

*Please email me for Kailee or Kelsey- I will gladly provide their #/email!

*I also LOVE Blaze (in Coralville).  I love every girl there- seriously.  Terra always cuts my hair, but they are all amazing.  Here is their website: http://www.blazehaircolor.com/.

Feel free to book mark any of this week/next weeks goodies for your bridal binder.  You know- I thought this little segment on the blog would be beneficial for all you brides, but I must admit I am having fun myself too.  Its like I am planning a wedding all over again! -Missy

oh. my. goodness…adorable little peanut on the blog today.  If you recognize Chad (below)- he is an ultra creative video guy who shoots for a home/garden show in Des Moines as well as shooting some video with us (we can touch more on that subject at a later blog date).  Chad and Cort are those super cool parents who make everything look so easy and chill- you know what I mean?  We shot these in the midst of October transitioning from warm to chilled.  I l.o.v.e. this weather.

I think its about time everyone quits their day job and gets Ryer a contract with Target or Baby Gap.  She is irresistible!  Those curls! (sigh).