Update: I’ve announced the winners here
There’s something about wedding related photography that makes me click. I love to manipulate light in order to bring out the best in the persons I photograph.
When we planned our wedding, my wife’s desire was to get a hold of a birdcage veil. I don’t remember if these veils were popular back in 2007 when we had our wedding, but I do remember that it was very hard to get one. Especially hard, since we were in Romania. To make the story short – my wife didn’t get a birdcage veil. I know, probably you’re thinking what groom gets involved in the wedding planning. I must tell you – I even designed our wedding invitations.
I told you before that my wife has a small online boutique with wedding accessories (read the post below). I think our wedding is the one that triggered all: for my wife, the love for anything wedding related, but for me, the passion for wedding photography. Forward a little bit, and yesterday my wife asked me to photograph her with one of the birdcage veils she has for her store. It’s a beautifully hand made veil. A birdcage veil is for the vintage bride and for some reason, it made me think of Greta Garbo. My wife studied her make up and tried to emulate it. I don’t know how close she got to the original makeup, but look at the pictures and leave me a comment. Or, if you’re a vintage bride, I will love to photograph your wedding. I think it’s one of those weddings where you have to be really creative with your decor, flowers, outfits..
Even more, if you’re a vintage bride, I will like to offer you this veil free of charge. You must leave me a comment and tell me why you want this veil and what color you want it (white or ivory). The veil has a retail value of $72. I will pick a winner for the veil on June 10th 2009. You must reside in Continental US to be eligible.Please use a valid e-mail address for the comment- it’s the only way I will be able to contact you in case you win. Good Luck!
LE: I am so glad to see there is a lot of interest for the contest. There are going to be more giveaways in the (near) future so please check back even if you win this one : )
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Tags: birdcage veil
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Hello! Thanks for having this contest. It’s been a real pleasure reading the other brides’ entries. I’m sort of a weird bird, I play roller derby and my fiance and I are planning a sustainable/ green wedding. As such, were making invitations out of recycled materials, using as much vintage materials for attire, etc. We’re even foregoing a dinner so we can afford to purchase carbon offsets for the event. We’re having the wedding in a small art gallery where guests will have to carpool or use public transportation most likely to attend. Both my fiance and I are artists (he’s an actor, I’m a writer) and we are trying to create a sense of community with our wedding. We like to think of the whole thing as vintage fusion.
Anyways, the veil is beautiful, and I’d love to wear it in white if chosen. Thanks again for holding this contest and congrats to all the lovely brides on their happy occasion!
We’re an eco-budget couple, so we’re having an outdoor picnic wedding (ceremony and reception at the same location to reduce travel) at the garden amphitheatre of a local library. Our invitations will be plantable (fold-n-send, so no wasted envelope), our centerpieces will include tree saplings for guests to take home, our tableware (dishes, mugs, utensils, serving platters) will be collected from the community, as will the blankets and pillows for guests to lounge with. We’re making our “flowers” from fabric scraps and buttons, and the boutonnieres will include used guitar picks. We’ll make cloth napkins from fabric scraps as well. My punk rock fiancé and his best man will be making all the men’s boutonnieres and argyle ties. I work for a local charity, so we’ll donate all household items after the wedding. The bridesmaids are purchasing their own dresses in green, but whatever style or store they choose so that they will want to wear their dress again. We’ll have a live acoustic band, and an iPod with portable speakers for their breaks. We’re going for a vegetarian lunch buffet, which will work best for composting. All event invitations (bridal shower, bachelor/bachelorette parties) will be via e-mail. We’ll have a very small standard registry built of items from local independent businesses and one registry for our honeymoon, which will be at Treehouse Point (also found on OB) just outside of Seattle. This veil, in ivory, would be a perfect compliment to my grandmother’s dress, which I’m planning to wear for our wedding in October 2010. Unfortunately, my grandmother didn’t wear a veil. However, the vintage birdcage style would emphasize the antique quality of the dress. FYI: I’m an OB addict, and we’re both members OBT and OGT!
Aww beautiful! I would love this veil for our silent film, movie theater getting married event. We’re going Hollywood 1930’s, then ending up at our Speakeasy reception – getting our dance on. We have a teeny budget, so any help is most appreciated. The white would work best with one of our unique vintage dresses.
I’d just love to say your wife is stunning. I am very interested in the veil for several reasons. First, my wedding has a 1920s/30s them (inspirations- Atonement, Great Gatsby, Greta Garbo, Marlene Deitrich . . . my great grandmothers). My gown is a sheath style, hammered silk remeniscient of the dresses the designer Adrien made for Greta Garbo. My maid of honor and other attendant will be wearing gowns inspired by the dress Keira Knightley’s character wore in Atonement. We’re having our ceremony in a neo-gothic chapel (in fact, the chapel of our alma mater), and the reception will be a restored historic mansions that was perfectly restored down to the tiniest detail. It is also a black-tie affair. For many reasons, the economy being the prime, my wedding budget has been slashed. A white veil would suit perfectly, and I would be so grateful for any assistance toward my day.
I just looked through your portfolio, and my gown is incredibly similar to the one worn by the bride in your “bride” album. My straps are thicker, and no lace, but the silhouette is the same. I’m sure you can agree the birdcage veil would be a stunning addition.
Yipes! I am loving your photography work. My gown is identical to the jcrew Lucinda gown but is being made by a local seamstress. I picked the gown for it’s festive rustle that will call my guests to the dance floor. Maybe I can give them a wink from behind my birdcage veil for a little dancing courage…
I am a Hispanic bride whose family wants her to have a traditional Mexican wedding. That is just not me. I am fun, creative, and definitely want to be different. My wedding is going to be something that my family has never seen before. My wedding is vintage/Hollywood glam inspired and I am including feathers in my decor. I really want ME and my wedding to be one to remember, and this birdcage veil will hrlp tie everything in together. I have a cousin who is getting married just 2 weeks before me, therefore this amazing birdcage will leave my family remembering mine!
I really want to win this veil! My fiance and I are high school sweethearts and are both in the military. When my fiance came back from a 15 month long deployment in Nov of last year, we began planning our wedding. Five months after booking with our church, we received an email notifying us that our date was no longer available. Having to cancel everything, we’ve alternately planned a very small intimate “vintage” type wedding at the courthouse instead since I may be coming up on deployment orders this summer. He’ll be wearing his blues and I’ll be wearing a vintage white summer dress. This veil in white would complete the look we’ve envisioned!
Those are absolutely stunning photos!! Wonderful job!
I must have this veil! It completely goes with my look and quite honestly, I need something to make excited about wedding planning again. A birdcage veil is the only constant that has remained throughout my weddng plannign process. I would love to wear this beautiful piece…and let me just put it out there…that would be one less expense. My wedding dress was 154 dollars because it’s a bridesmaids dress. I am trying to look beautiful less!
Beautiful photos by the way!
I would love the vintage veil in Ivory. I have been searching for the perfect veil, and have yet to find it. We are having our ceremony in the zoo Butterfly house. Our reception will be held at a old Masonic temple, with a secret handshake door and all =) We have been together since 10th grade in highschool, (13years). He propose while were in Paris on Pont Neuf. Let me tell you it was a total suprise…i mean it did take 13 years =)
We want to have a wedding completely centered around fun and individualism. I will be wearing a 1940’s recreation tea length dress, made by an etsy artist, with patent leather red and white heels…I think this veil would really top the outfit off.
By the way do you travel to Michigan? That is where our March 2010 wedding will be.
Thank you so much for offering this contest! It’s been a pleasure to tell you my story!
{Leanne}
i would adore this veil! The veil is the final touch and most important thing to my look and with recently losing my job and struggling with 2 children and home bills it’s been on the back burner.. winning one would make my year!! Ivory would look great with my dress and i’d be thrilled with one so beautifully made!
Thanks for being a photographer that embraces off-beat and non-conventional weddings (found you via “off-beat bride”) – it’s nice to work with vendors who celebrate diversity and not just the traditional, often times cookie cutter wedding. The veil in this contest is absolutely gorgeous! Thus i am submitting my name into the contest
My partner and I are both avid feminists working to have an egalitarian, meaningful, and Jewish wedding. We gave up trying to plan our ceremony and reception in CT (where we live) so are now working on a destination wedding idea in Mexico, where we can explore the rich culture and history of the land and lounge on the beach (do you travel to shoot destination weddings??? haha). ANyway, thanks for this contest! And if i do win, i’d like the veil in white rather than ivory 
– Galina
Once upon a time, there lived a girl who met a young, bearded boy. After several years of courting and punk rock shows, the two decided to wed. Jubilant, the two began wedding planning. At first, the journey was smooth and enjoyable. However, a dark cloud settled over the land the first time the bride-to-be opened up Martha Stewart Weddings. The girl had to cover her mouth to stifle a scream. There, amongst the photos of flowers and puppies as ring bearers, were mountains upon mountains of a horrifying substance that looked like cotton candy gone wrong. “What have these women done that has caused them to be punished so? Why do they have these clouds of white surrounding their heads and covering their faces! Are they virginal beekeepers?”
The girl’s future mother-in-law, the bestower of all bridal magazines, laughed gently at the girl. “My child, these are veils! They make women beautiful on their wedding day!” The girl, shell-shocked, staggered backwards. “But… but… Why would anyone do something like this to themselves?” “Tradition, my child,” the mother explained. “Tradition.”
After politely finishing her afternoon, the bride stole away to the magic tower of Alternative Options to Oppressive Tradition, the one place where she could truly be herself to plan her wedding. She ran to the crystal ball and summoned up the oracle Razavan. “Oh wise Razavan, please help me! I want to be beautiful on my wedding day, but I abhor atrocious veils!” At first, there was no answer from the oracle, and the girl began to cry. As her tears fell down and formed a pool in the stones, she realized that there was a thin layer of delicate netting across her vision. Looking down into the pool, her eyes grew wide as she took in her own beauty. Where before there had only been a slightly outgrown pixie cut, there was now the most glorious and beautiful thing that she had ever seen! The birdcage veil (cough, cough) fell perfectly in an asymmetrical line over one eye, giving her a gentle air of mystery while still complimenting the feminine aspects of her face. The joyful feathers complimented her playful nature, and the delicate jewels sparkled like the tears on her cheeks that were now tears of joy.
“Oh, blessed day! Oh, wonderful life! Oh, wise, wise, Razavan! I will name my first-born child after you for your graciousness!” The bride gathered up her skirts and frolicked home from the tower. She and her groom-to-be had a glorious yet classily understated wedding in which there was much rejoicing. Looking back as an old woman, the bride was known to tell her children, “Yes, I owe my happiness to the great Razavan. Yes, young one, your namesake. Know this and be proud.”
The End. Thank you, and good night.
Oops, I forgot to put in my shade request (if applicable!). I’d love it in white, if you are so inclined
Ever since I was a child I knew that if I ever got married, I didn’t want the traditional wedding. So when I got engaged this spring, I set about planning a handcrafted, vintage-feel, family-style wedding. We will wed at my fiance’s family home, a farm that has been in his family for over 100 years. We will be catering the reception meal ourselves, growing the flowers ourselves, and having family and friends fulfill the roles that would typically be filled by vendors. Photography, videography, dj, florist, caterer, emcee… you name it. I’ve purchased my gown, a 1950s Emma Domb, from eBay. The obvious choice for me for a veil, even before I found the dress, was a birdcage veil like this one. The only problem is affording it. In this economy my wedding attire budget has been trimmed and trimmed until I have very little to work with! I’m sassy, on a budget, and I’d love this veil! Thank you for the opportunity.
Also, ivory would be fantastic, if i win
Thanks again!
[...] of cool details about the weddings they are planning. If you haven’t read these you should do it now. You’re in for some great [...]
My fiance and I are planning a wedding best reflects Us – red wedding dress, ivory dressed bridemaids, guys in ascots and top hats on the top of the IMAX dome at the Museum of Science and Industry in Tampa, FL. We’re trying for a fun and family filled event with a lightly Steampunk theme. We’re finding vintage watch gears and red rose petals to sprinkle on the tables.
We have been trying to find other little things we can add to make it our own and he mentioned the birdcage veil and I have been trying to find one in ivory with the little feather thing ever since! And then I see on my fav site that YOU are giving one away!
This contest is awesome! I love the birdcage veil look. It’s vintage and classy but still edgy. I want to wear it instead of a traditional veil, never been a fan. Also I want to wear it for my TTD shoot the next day.
I bought some french netting to try to make a veil myself but haven’t been successful yet. I’d love to have one in ivory.
There is no better reason than this is lovely and I would be proud to wear it on my wedding day! I would choose ivory to match my dress!
what a wonderful opportunity!! The birdcage veil is so glamourous. I have not purchased my dress yet but I want something simple and romantic. This veil (in ivory) would be a fabulous addition.
How amazing! I LOVE the vintage feel of this veil, it would fit so well with my beautiful ivory lace gown and the romantic vintage of our wedding to come. Our vision for our wedding is soft with lush pale pink peonies, colorful homemade macaroons, feathers and french accents. This would work so well to tie it all together. If you choose me, I would love the ivory color. Thank you!
i am not a very traditional bride so i do not want a traditional veil. i will be wearing a trumpet style dress with a lot of lace detailing and cannot imagine pairing anything but an ivory birdcage veil to finish the look for my big day.
I like to win this birdcage veil for my niece who is in Kosovo. her weding date is August 21st but I am taking her weding dress with me on July 21st, yes I bought her wedding dress by Maggie Sottero. You want to know why? 10 years ago
war was going on in Kosovo many are killed many more are missing, people lost everything, woman and girls were raped
I am greatfull for the ones that survive, and now need happines in their lifes. I am glad that my niece survive and I can’t wait to see her’s big day.
Thank you for the opportunity to win something so special and beautiful. My fiance’ and I are getting married on September 26th, a week after I finish a round of chemotherapy. I have a wig, and am wearing a very simple dress, an ivory sheath by Nicole Miller that I got on ebay. I really am not up to doing a lot for the wedding, so I would really love to wear your pretty veil in ivory. I guess you can say I’m pretty much focused on how I will look, and not worried about the rest, I hope it will all fall into place. I’m not feeling very good about my appearance, but of course I would love to look like a princess for my love on our special day…
Bless your heart.
I’ve been looking everywhere for an affordable birdcage veil for our vintage wedding, but it’s been quite difficult. This veil would help tremendously in terms of our budget, but more than anything…the ivory one would go PERFECT with my wedding gown. Thanks so much for a wonderful gift!
I adore this! I have been seeking a white vintage birdcage veil and this is exactly IT. The feather detail completes it as we will be using random feather details for our “Old Hollywood/Rat Pack” style wedding. Being plus size, it is looking doubtful that I will find a vintage dress that fits, so I am really focused on having the perfect veil-and shoes! We are paying for our wedding ourselves (and refusing to go into credit card debt), so with our $5,000 budget, this would be a great help.
In gratitude-
I totally think one of my brides bought one of your wife’s veils…seriously
My veil arrived Friday and it is stunning!! I’ve been prancing around in it all weekend. It was quite the hit at the laundromat and the bbq! Thank you, again.