Get to Know… Edyta Szyszlo of Edyta Szyszlo Photography

In case you haven’t had the pleasure, this is your opportunity to get to know Edyta Szyszlo of Edyta Szyszlo Photography.  Edyta loves what she does and it’s so easy to tell because her work is just plain gorgeous. This year she was recognized as one of the Best West Coast Photographers of 2014 by Martha Stewart Weddings… does a higher honor even exist?  We think not.  But we do think you’ll love getting to know Edyta just as much as we have over the years.

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edyta headshot

Name: Edyta Szyszlo

Company: Edyta Szyszlo Photography, LLC and co-owns Tomfoolery SF photobooth with her husband, Jared.

Started My Business: Been in business for almost 10 years!

Located: San Francisco

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Q: Which industry related tool can you not live without?

 A: Haha, obviously my cameras, however, a close second would be a calendar!

Q: When you’re not on site at an event, what can we find you doing?

A: I’m usually at my computer or at lifestyle/commercial photoshoots during the weekdays. But that’s a lame answer 🙂   I love exploring the outdoors and new neighborhood spots, socializing over a yummy meals, exercising, cuddling with my cats, drinking red wine, watering my plants, day-dreaming, picnicking, gawking over magazines and fooling around in our photobooth.

Edytas Cats

Edyta and Hubby

Q: At which venue are you dying to work?

A: I’m not really partial to just one place. I love anything with incredible natural light, dreamy lights or polished interior design. There are a few places in the Southern California area that I wish SF had! One on my list is Lombardi House.

Lombardi House

Lombardi House

Q: My go to snack is ________.

A:  Seasonable fruit and alike finger foods.

Q: What is/are your guilty pleasure(s)?

A: Celebrity magazines, although I never buy them. The Kardashians tv show (don’t judge me!). Cream cheese and anything with coconut.

Q: TV wise, what are you watching right now?

A: Just finished season 4 of Downton Abbey.

Screen Shot 2014-09-23 at 6.16.33 PM

Q: I can’t stand ________.

A: When there are a million phones taking pictures at a wedding ceremony, especially in the aisle.  Or when you’re reading your credit card over the phone the person is ‘uh huh-ing’ between every digit.

Q: What’s the last thing you purchased online?

A: Shoes. Leather Vans to be exact 🙂

vans

Q: Music wise, I am currently listening to ______.

A: folksy country with a mix of old school decade jams.

Q: Favorite thing I currently have hanging in my closet is ______

A: my flowy white tops and dresses…all of them.

Q: What’s your favorite restaurant in the Bay Area?

A: There are too many good ones!! I love Suppenkuche, Bar Agricole, The Corner Store, Central Kitchen, Bar Tartine, Fat Angel

Bar Agricole
The Patio at Bar Agricole

Q: Why are you most excited to be working with the Stacy McCain Event Planning team?

A: I love their structured yet easy-going nature. It’s so important to have a streamlined and efficient approach for planning an event if you want it to feel carefree. Stacy and her team are the perfect blend of elegance, top-notch service and casual attitude.  Their design sense is modern with a a soft hint of playful, making it a win-win combo.

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In case you missed it, be sure you Get to Know… Aaron Novak of Artisan Production

Wedding Traditions and History: The Bridal Shower

Bridal Showers have been traced back to 16th century Holland. There is a Dutch legend pertaining to the first bridal shower. It is believed that a young, wealthy Dutch girl fell in love with a grain miller’s son and wanted to marry him. Her father was opposed to the marriage and refused to give his daughter her dowry. When the village folks and friends heard the news, they brought gifts to fill her dowry so the girl could begin her married life.  And so the custom began of showering a bride-to-be with gifts before she embarks on her new journey as a wife.

Photo courtesy The Glam Pad

Photo courtesy The Glam Pad

Bridal Showers gained popularity in the United States in the 1930’s and have been going strong ever since. Of course, they were much simpler back then compared to the modern day bridal showers!

Photo by Jose Villa

Photo by Jose Villa

Real Wedding { Teaser } : Cassie + Morgan

Last October, on a crisp yet sunny Fall day, Cassie and Morgan tied the knot at Beaulieu Garden in front of their nearest and dearest.  We loved working with them and their families because they were so excited and enthusiastic about their big day and all the little details.  In addition, the vendors that we had the pleasure of working with on this wedding made it one of our most memorable weddings of 2013.  The printed pieces c/o Chewing The Cud, the decor c/o Atelier Joya, the food c/o Paula LeDuc Fine Catering – we could go on and on!  Without a doubt, the biggest show stopper was Cassie’s jaw-droppingly gorgeous Vera Wang dress; the kind of dress every girl dreams about wearing as she walks down the aisle.

Here are a few of our favorite photos from the day, but you can find the entire album on our recent Style Me Pretty feature by following this link.

Photo by Elle Jae Photography

Photo by Elle Jae Photography

Photo by Elle Jae Photography

Photo by Elle Jae Photography

Photo by Elle Jae Photography

Photo by Elle Jae Photography

Photo by Elle Jae Photography

Photo by Elle Jae Photography

Photo by Elle Jae Photography

Photo by Elle Jae Photography

Photo by Elle Jae Photography

Photo by Elle Jae Photography

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Photo by Elle Jae Photography

Photo by Elle Jae Photography

Photo by Elle Jae Photography

Photo by Elle Jae Photography

Photo by Elle Jae Photography

Photo by Elle Jae Photography

Photo by Elle Jae Photography

Photo by Elle Jae Photography

2657_CasMorWed-2905374630-O

Photo by Elle Jae Photography

Photo by Elle Jae Photography

Photo by Elle Jae Photography

 

Wishing Cassie and Morgan a lifetime of good food, delicious wine, and lots of love!

Real Wedding: Olivia and Dan on Style Me Pretty Today!

We’re beyond excited to share photos from Olivia and Dan’s wedding at Beaulieu Garden on Style Me Pretty today!  We worked with an all star group of vendors to produce this gorgeous wedding, including Yvonne Wong Photography, Paula Le Duc Fine Catering, Sharla Flock Designs, Got Light., Sweet On Cake, and many others.  Here’s a little sneak peak of some of our favorite photos, but please be sure to visit the entire gallery on Style Me Pretty by following this link.

Photo by Yvonne Wong Photography

Photo by Yvonne Wong Photography

Photo by Yvonne Wong Photography

Photo by Yvonne Wong Photography

Photo by Yvonne Wong Photography

Photo by Yvonne Wong Photography

Photo by Yvonne Wong Photography

Photo by Yvonne Wong Photography

Photo by Yvonne Wong Photography

Photo by Yvonne Wong Photography

Photo by Yvonne Wong Photography

Photo by Yvonne Wong Photography

Photo by Yvonne Wong Photography

Photo by Yvonne Wong Photography

Photo by Yvonne Wong Photography

Photo by Yvonne Wong Photography

Photo by Yvonne Wong Photography

Photo by Yvonne Wong Photography

Photo by Yvonne Wong Photography

Photo by Yvonne Wong Photography

Wedding Traditions and History: The White Wedding Dress

Queen Victoria, 1840

Queen Victoria, circa 1840

The very first white wedding dress was worn in 1499 by Anne of Brittany, as she married Louis XII of France. Prior to this date, the bride would traditionally wear her best dress to her wedding, and in fact, the color did not matter. This was of course a more practical option because the bride could wear the dress again. The truth was that only the wealthy could afford an extravagant gown that would be worn just once. The trend of wearing a white dress never really took off until the 1840’s when Queen Victoria wore a white dress as she married Prince Albert.

Queen Elizabeth 1947

Queen Elizabeth, circa 1947

Every culture is different.  Here’s an interesting fact: in Japan, a bride wears white to symbolize that she is in mourning for having to leave her family. Later in the ceremony, the bride will change her costume several times to reflect her changing identity.

Photo courtesy e wedding inspiration

Photo courtesy e wedding inspiration

In Western culture, it’s a common misconception that wearing white is a symbol of the bride’s purity; it is in fact meant to be a symbol of joy.  The act of wearing a white wedding dress is still very much the traditional choice today, however, symbolically, they are less about the bride’s purity and more about her debut as a first time bride.

Photo by Gertrude & Mabel

Photo by Gertrude & Mabel

In case you missed it, be sure to read our last entry featuring Wedding Traditions and History: The Wedding Cake!