Well, after 400 entries, five thousand votes, and the help of a few industry friends… Here are your Bliss Blog’s Second Annual Photo of the Year Contest winners! Monday, we announced the winners of the Engagement category. Yesterday, we announce the winners of the Homegrown category and today we are announcing the winners of the Around The World category.

Little known fact about our Around The World Category: The entries represented 14 different countries!

Congrats to…

Huge congrats go out to Bryan Rupp Photography! Not only are Bryan & Leah fabulous photographers, you can really get a feel for their sweet personalities on their site. To me, it speaks miles that Jordan and Luke (the couple in this photo) are the ones that submitted this picture on behalf of Bryan Rupp Photography! Congrats on winning first place. :)

Sybrand Cillié, of Pro Photography in South Africa was actually the winner of last year’s contest! Their work is always beautiful with a lovely vintage flair. If you have not seen it, please check out their website to see more of the gorgeous artwork!

I have to admit, I had never heard of Tag 7,  until this contest launched. I am now happy to inform that I am a HUGE fan. Their work speaks for itself! Beautiful, timeless, and full of energy. Congrats!

A big Thank You to everyone who voted! Please make sure to visit the winners’ websites and blogs to enjoy more of their beautiful work.

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 am a sucker for a pretty cake! All photos are from Real Bliss Weddings. :)

Real Bliss Wedding of Amee & Matt by Bates Photographic

Real Bliss Weddind of Amy & Adam by Bates Photographic

Real Bliss Wedding of Anne & Aaron by CMH Imaging

Real Bliss Wedding of Carrie & Matt taken by me :)

Real Bliss Wedding of Dawn & Rocky by Kristen Taylor Photography

Real Bliss Wedding of Shannon & Kayu by Anne Ruthmann Photography

Real Bliss Wedding of Joanna & Tom by Kara Purtell Photography

Real Bliss Wedding of Lisa & Matt by Amber Hunt Photography

Click on the “VOTE NOW!” link at the top of this page to vote for your favorite!

After months of emails, photos, contacts and organization, our Wedding Photo of the Year contest is finally under way! Please take a moment to vote for your favorite by using the poll at the bottom of that page. You can only chose one, so make sure you pick the best! These photos were taken all over the world, by many different photographers, of unique couples and weddings. These are the Top 17. Best of luck to all of the finalists and thank you for all of the amazing submissions. It was very difficult to narrow it down from 125 to these final 17. :)

The deadline for voting is February 10, 2009. I will announce the winners on Valentine’s Day (Feb 14th).

I know I have said it for every month, but June is a fabulous time for a wedding. The beginning of Summer, the green grass and leaves on the trees. Full days of sunshine, warm weather (but not too hot!) and the relaxing feeling that only this time of year can bring. My picks for the perfect June colors? Purple and green. Two of my favorite colors!

Photo Credits: Wildflowers by Lori, BHG, LeFiores, Hip Hostess, The Green Kangaroo, Grazier Photography, Wedding By Color, Visionary Sound Productions, Maddy K Weddings

Photographing a set of wedding rings is an art form! These following photos are my absolute favorite rings shots. Enjoy and don’t forget to check out these local photogs while you are at it!

Above Photo: Croft & Campbell Photography

Above Photo: Ben Harrison Photography

Above Photo: Jen Macpherson

While doing a late night blog surf, I came across an AMAZING photographer! Please head over to Skye Blue Photography’s blog and give it a look. You will love it! (I promise.) Danielle Beil is a fabulous photographer and has an amazing eye for beautiful images. I was blown away by her wedding and lifestyle photography as well as her boudoir photos.

Photo copyright: Skye Blu Photography

Photo courtesy of Nicole Blair

Yesterday was one of those days that I was reminded of how lucky I am to be working in a job that I absolutely love, with clients that are simply amazing! I began working with Melinda in September of 2007 and she had this beautiful vision for how she wanted her special day to look and feel. This ended up being one of the very few weddings I have been a part of that has ran almost perfectly. There were no major issues, thanks to the wonderful group of professionals she hired to take care of every last detail.

The day started very early and very rainy, with the girls heading to Luminosity Salon & Spa for hair and makeup, and then moving on to The Townsend Hotel to get ready. The Townsend was also where the reception was  held. The weather held up and the sun peeked through the clouds for beautiful ceremony and formal photos at St. John’s Armenian Church. I fell head over heels in love with all of the beautiful paper products created by Jess at Saultations! Their fabulous photographer Nicole Blair, was an absolute joy to work with and I was very impressed with her professionalism and excitement for wedding photography.  We were lucky that the weather finally cleared up just in time for the ceremony and photos! Video Magic provided the videography for the evening. Amazing flowers, linens and decor were created by the always oustanding Emerald City Designs. The dance floor was moving all night, thanks to the sounds of L’USA. They even had a cigar roller to round out their fun filled and elegant evening. Here are a few photos from Melinda & Jason’s big day!

I am so glad that Melinda & Jason chose me as their Day Of Coordinator. I had a blast working with the two of them and their families and really feel lucky to have been a part of their big day. It is such a great feeling when you know you have worked hard all day and at the end of the evening you see two people, so in love with each other, wearing giant grins on their faces!

Photo courtesy of Nicole Blair

Update: Check out the fabulous professional photo preview on Nicole’s Blog!

I recently have come across a few really great blogs and websites, so I had to pass them along (as always)! Check them out and leave us some comments about what you think….

Christine Tremoulet is a fabulous photographer! She has a wonderful photography blog and a brand new boudoir photo blog called Bodoir Mon Cheri.

I have recently become obsessed with photographer Kelly Powers’ blog called …the art of being. Everything about her photos makes me smile. Everything is so colorful and energetic!

What’s not to love about the oh-so-fabulous Polka Dot Bride? Her blog is filled to the brim with fun ideas and interesting topics.

For a little fun, don’t miss the Bridezilla Blog!

I thought it would be great to leave you with a few entertaining wedding photo blogs over the holiday weekend! Here is what I found today (click on the photos to open the blog pages):

Emilie Inc. Photography Blog; Maine

Jessica Claire; Orange County, California

Lilia Photography; California

Amelia Lyon Photography

En Pointe Photography; California

Ben Harrison Photography: Grand Rapids, MI

 Kensija Savic Photography; Michigan

Jessica Johnson Photography; Michigan

JK Photography; Michigan

While planning weddings in Michigan, you get the chance to work with some amazing vendors. Our next featured vendor is no exception. When I first worked with Anne Ruthmann, I had no idea how amazing she was. The day after our first wedding together, I looked up her website and new immediately that I had found a great talent. Not only does Anne take AMAZING photos, she is probably one of the most down to earth and warm hearted people you will ever meet.

{BW} What inspired you to start your own photography business?

{AR} It all started with simply wanting to help a girl who had a family member back out on shooting her wedding.  I fell in love with the experience right away, but the deal was sealed when a friend of a friend wanted to hire me to photograph her wedding after seeing some of my previous work.  Being a wedding photographer is one of the few things that has allowed me to put all of my talents to work!

 {BW} What is your favorite moment of a wedding shoot?

{BW} What do you think it takes to be successful in your business?

{AR} A great attitude.  I think this applies to any service based business, but especially when it comes to wedding photographers!!

{BW} What are your top three favorite blogs?

{AR} I love fashion and design blogs like…

http://decor8.blogspot.com/

http://www.ohjoy.blogs.com/

http://designspongeonline.com/

{BW} Where do you find your inspiration?

{AR} To me, anything can become inspiration.  In fact, sometimes the most inspiration comes from making completely abstract connections to very ordinary things.

{BW} Outside of photography, what are your hobbies? What do you LOVE to do?

{AR} Music and travel.  I love visiting new places and experiencing different cultures.  I feel whole when I’m surrounded by music or involved in performing music.

{BW} Name one thing that you use daily and couldn’t live without.

{AR} Shampoo!!

Thank you so much for sharing with us today Anne!