One of my favorite Metro Detroit companies, Mod 4, is offering a very special and totally genius idea for changing the world in an easy, but HUGE way.

Below is taken directly from their blog.

• FREE SESSSIONS~!

  Because we are such huge animal lovers, we have decided to offer our portrait sessions (pooches, babies, kids, families, business, ect) for free~!

  These sessions are normally $250.00. That session fee will be waived in exchange for a donation to a local animal shelter (we have a list of goods for the specific shelter).

  In the past 3 months we have donated over 3 giant SUV loads to local shelters and want to keep it up. So please contact us if you are interested and please pass this info on to anyone you may know who might be interested.

You don’t want to miss the opportunity to get some amazing photos, while helping animals all around the Metro area. Have you seen their work? If not, I have included a few examples. Seriously, jump on this opportunity! You will NOT regret it and it is an easy way to give back to our four-legged and fuzzy friends.

Mod 4 does weddings, also. And they do an amazing job, by the way! Here are a few snippets of their adorable work.

Can you imagine how excited I was when I saw the beautiful work of Simply Bloom Photography on Green Wedding Shoes yesterday? This is what I call a dream shoot… one that I dream about participating in! Perfect styling for Valentine’s Week, right? Love it!

Be sure to check out more of Simply Bloom Photography’s work and head on over to Green Wedding Shoes for more adorable inspiration.

Over the course of the next few days, I will be featuring pretty, romantic, girly inspiration here on The Bliss Blog in honor of Valentine’s Day! (Which is only a few short days away!)

To kick things off, I recently came across this ahhhh-mazing engagement shoot by K. Holly Photography. How cute are they? Stay tuned for some major swooning and make sure to head over to Kristen’s blog for more of this adorable shoot!

Seriously, I feel my heart melting for this shoot. The styling, the clothes, the makeup, the props… Adorable! The perfect way to get in the mood for Valentine’s Day!

We all LOVE seeing photos of real couples, don’t we? Why not celebrate the fabulous photographers out there with a good old fashioned contest!

The details are simple. Just send a photo, our readers will vote, and a winner will be announced on February 16, 2010! Whether you are a photographer, a bride, a mother of the groom, or just a big fan (With permission of course!), send us your favorite photograph from a 2009 wedding to amanda{at}yourblissweddings.com.

This year, there will be THREE categories! Homegrown (Michigan based photography) Weddings, Nation-wide Weddings and Engagement Shots! Everyone can enter!

Here is the run down:

• Pick a max of three favorite wedding or engagement photos from 2009.
• Title each photo.
• Send an email to amanda(at)yourblissweddings.com with the photo, title and info about the wedding (location, couple’s names, date, etc.).
• Send Photo PER EMAIL. That means, if you have three photos, send three separate emails.
• You must put “Bliss Photo Of The Year + Your Company Name” in the subject of each email. This will help organize and prevent lost photos.
• Send these emails to me no later than midnight on 2.10.10
• Stay tuned for our announcement of the Top lists and spread the word about voting. We’ll send this info to you as soon as it is available!
• Winner will receive a very special surprise… Shhh! I said SURPRISE! :)

If you want to see last year’s winners, click here.

I can’t wait to see what you all come up with! Last year’s contest was a huge hit and I just know that this year will blow it out of the water!

I will just let the pictures speak for themselves. I. Am. In. Love.

Beautiful gold from JK Photography

Yes, those are Christian Louboutins. Photo by Amber Hunt Photography

Look at that sparkle! Photo by Jessica Johnston.

Love the pop of color! By Arising Images

Something Blue by Kristen Taylor Photography.

Adorable purple pumps and tattoo by Jessica Johnston

I am exposed to a million brilliant ideas each year from our clients, vendors and associates. Some of these ideas really stick with me from season to season and I thought it might be nice to share some of them with you. Today, we will focus on some of my favorite flowers from 2009. Some are from real Bliss weddings and some are from some of my fave Michigan Photography Blogs. Enjoy the eye candy goodness!

These photos from Abby Rose Photography are just lovely!

Pretty in Pink from Kristen Taylor Photography

Simply stunning and luxe from Jessica Johnston Photography

So much color from Kristen Taylor Photography

Simple and clean from Kristen Taylor Photography

Beautiful bouquet photo taken by Lemus Photography

Love Joanna's bouquet! Photo by Kara Purtell

Deanna & Cass are two amazingly smart, totally relaxed, and ridiculously adorable people. I don’t think I have ever seen a husband-to-be as excited and affectionate as Cass! There were so many personal details to the day and I was blown away by the love and support of their beautiful families. Enough chitter chatter, take a look at the wonderful moments captured by Lemus Photography! Huge thanks to Amy & Jorge for sharing these photos with us.

We start with my favorite moment of the day! Deanna taking a sneak peek of all of the commotion before the ceremony. Ironically one of the most peaceful photos I have ever seen. :)

Just look at the beautiful newlyweds! (And that beautiful dress!)

The ceremony, held at the Shrine Chapel at St. Mary’s in Orchard Lake, was absolutely beautiful and the reception was the epitome of class at Orchard Lake Country Club.

Deanna is timeless, and who doesn’t LOVE a birdcage veil bride?

The flowers were supplied by Bridgette O’Brien of One Of A Kind Botanical Design and they were some of the most creative I’d seen all year. Can you believe the peacock feathers were Cass’ idea?

Check out the wonderful video created by Days To Remember Media

Deanna and Cass’ Preview from Lee Higginbottom on Vimeo.

Deanna & Cass, Thank you for asking me to be a part of your special day. It was such a joy getting to you and I know that there are many big, amazing things to come for you both. Congratulations and best wishes! XOXO

The Wedding Day dream team: Planning by Bliss Weddings & Events, Photography by Lemus Photography, Ceremony at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Shrine Chapel, Reception at Orchard Lake Country Club, Videography by Days To Remember Media, Flowers by One of a Kind Botanical Design, Music by Tim Hewitt Group, Bagpiper by Bob Droppleman, Cake by Buttercream Bakeshop, Ceremony Music by Go 4 Baroque

Some of the closest members of our family are sometimes our pets! It only makes sense to want them as part of your big day. There are so many ways to involve them in your big day photos. Here are a few of my favorites!

Photo by Dave Robbins (via WPJA)

Photo by Millie Holloman Photography

Photo by Leigh Miller Photography

Photo by Victoria Souza Photography

Photo by Kelly Moos (via Santa Barbara Chic Blog)

Photo by Luster Studios

Photo by BH Photography

Check out some more great posts about pet lovers and their wedding days!

Pets In Youir Wedding :: by Martha Stewart Weddings

The Man Registry: Tastefully Including Pets In Your Wedding :: OneWed

While you are at it, check out two of the greatest pet photographers in the world!

Ann Hamilton Photography Blog

Mod4 Photography Blog

Back in late 2008, we created a series called “A Year of Colors”. This series was filled with fun and fresh color ideas, themes and other fabulous tips. Click on the months below to see the details!

I took this photo at the recent rainy day Bliss wedding of Lisa & Matt. They were lucky enough to get all of the colors of a rainbow on their wedding day!

Well, 2009 is right around the corner and to celebrate, we created an entire year of inspiration boards for your big day. Take a look at all of the months and let us know what you think! Did we miss a color or theme that you’d like to see? Let us know! Your’s may be chosen as one of our future inspiration boards.

January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December

Originally posted in March 2009

10 Bright Ideas For Your Spring Wedding

1. Bright Colors

2. Unusual Entertainment

3. Brunch Reception

4. Tents

5. Unique Favor Ideas

6. Tea Length Dresses

7. Fun & Funky Hair

8. Giving Back

9. Fresh Menu

10. Flowers with a punch

I don’t even know where to start. Erin & Grant are two of those people that come into your life and make everything just a little bit better. Erin was by far one of the most organized and beautiful brides I have ever worked with and when you mix that with the expertise of the staff at The Ritz Carlton Dearborn, you find beautiful results. Every little detail was covered from start to finish. The fabulous flowers & decor were provided by Emerald City Designs, beautiful photography by Mod4, Wayne from Rock Out Entertainment kept the dance floor moving all night and every person involved made this a memorable and unique event.

Erin made a beautiful bride. I almost teared up a little when I walked into her hotel suite that morning. With a little help from Brides On Location, everyone looked amazing. Rev Kirk Haas performed a heartfelt ceremony and Four Season String Quartet provided a wonderful soundtrack.

Erin & Grant – I want to wish you all of the best. Anyone who knows you can vouch for the fact that you are two of the most adorable and sweet people. You really are the perfect match! I am so lucky to have been involved in your perfect day! XOXO

To see more photos, please visit the radtastic Mod4′s blog post. Don’t forget to check out their other awesome photography, too. Enjoy!

I love how vintage this looks. So awesome!

This next one gets me every time I look at it.

This is the perfect photo to wrap up everything about the day!

We are pleased as punch to have been featured on Jason Aten’s Photography blog today! Please head on over and check out the interview and some of his amazing work! Thanks for making us one of your “Favorites” Jason!