Category Archives: DIY

Last Fall I had the pleasure of working with Wanda Kuck, a wedding designer & coordinator & founder of Sugar Maple Weddings & Events! She is someone I’ve known for many years, and I’ve always been so impressed with her creativity & ability to transform an ordinary room to a spectacular party scene. She specializes in vintage, elegant, & rustic designs. I am so excited that she is my first handpicked vendor!

From Wanda:

I’ve had almost twenty years experience planning & coordinating weddings & events. I am passionate about each event that I do. I feel very fortunate to work in an industry where I can use my talent for design, food, & entertaining. I love to make each event unique & a real reflection of my client’s personal style. My services are designed to offer you the maximum assistance with the minimum amount of stress.

Sugar Maple Weddings & Events styled these gorgeous autumn wedding tables for us, each one is such a treat! The first is shabby chic & glamorous. Pretty pink petals mix with fiery orange roses. An array of colorful fall leaves serve as a backdrop. She incorporated glass, silver, & rose petals to make the scene look sophisticated but organic. I love chandeliers hanging from trees! I will never forget seeing this one hanging for the first time at my friend’s wedding several years ago that Wanda had designed… it’s the perfect ingredient for a garden wedding.

The next table is more of a rustic farmhouse interpretation. Notice the twine, chalkboard, basket weave, & wood. Her daughter, Myranda, baked us cupcakes & topped them with these cute “Just Married” tokens. Clever, right?!

Candy Apples… I cut them into slices & they are very much my weakness!

Wanda pulled together found objects, like her daughter Lori’s hand painted table & her family’s silverware, to craft this eclectic wedding table.

The next table would be perfect for escort cards, dessert buffet, or gift table. The lanterns can hang from the tree with the table number & can be taken to their seats for light as the evening sunset approaches. The black & white is very classic, it would be complement a little garden of white pumpkins!

Love the drapes over a barn opening, it makes the rustic barn feel elegant!

Another chandelier in a tree… a stunning way to light your reception or dessert buffet! I want some for my backyard, just to look at in the evenings 🙂

I hope you are inspired by her displays! If you are looking for a Dayton wedding coordinator or designer, please get in touch with Wanda by sending her a note at wandakuck@yahoo.com for more information! Check out Sugar Maple Weddings & Events on Facebook by clicking here. ♥

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  • Kate/MagnoliaRouge - March 3, 2011 - 12:45 pm

    OMG this is so stunning!! Love the colours in it. Great job!

  • Angela Bisceglia - March 3, 2011 - 7:14 pm

    Wanda,
    WOW! What talent you have! You are so gifted and creative. I love the pictures. I really had no idea you did wedding coordinating. Mark films weddings. I will share this with him so he can forward your link to his clients. WOW!

It’s kind of a funny story. I ordered some bottles through Etsy that I thought would be big enough to make favors for my son’s nautical birthday party. I opened the package & found itty bitty bottles. I was a little disappointed, but they are so cute that I decided to make them into necklaces {see the Navy Session from the last post}. I think it’s a really sweet way to keep a marriage vow, favorite poem, or someone’s tiny photograph close to your heart!

I have two more that I am giving away, here are two ways to win:

1. Leave a comment below, with the phrase you’d want written on the paper inside the bottle. Also share how you view this blog {mobile device, desktop, laptop, etc…}

2. Invite your friends to join my Facebook page by “sharing” @Andrea Dozier | Boutique Photography on your Facebook page with your friends.
The link is located on the bottom left hand side of the page. Just leave a comment on my Facebook page letting me know that you have shared the page with your friends.

You can enter both ways for two chances to win. I will pick two winners Friday morning!

Thank you for bearing with me while I took a little absence from posting. My seven month old baby {Damian} spent a few days in the hospital last week but he is doing wonderful & has made an almost full recovery. We are so happy & thankful to be home again with a healthy happy baby boy! ♥

PS- Keep your eye out for an abundance of Fall Wedding Inspiration in the next post… courtesy of Sugar Maple Weddings & Events!

****** Contest Now Closed ******

Thank you to all who participated, I was so touched reading your quotes! There was no way I could only pick two, so there are FOUR winners:


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  • icitea - March 1, 2011 - 5:18 am

    i view this blog via laptop.

    Hm… I’d probably write one of my favorite quotes, something to the extent of ‘happiness is fleeting, take hold of it before it flies away.’

  • Georgia Monroe - March 1, 2011 - 5:47 am

    I would either write my anniversary date or my marriage vows I think. I view your blog via my laptop.

  • Georgia Monroe - March 1, 2011 - 5:49 am

    I would write either my anniversary date or vows. I view your blog via my laptop.

  • Sarah Bailey - March 1, 2011 - 7:43 am

    “My love goes with you wherever you go”… something my mom said to me. For me, this sums of the eternal quality of love.

    I view your blog via desktop and laptop (today it’s a desk top).

  • Amanda DeLaet Hayes - March 1, 2011 - 7:46 am

    I would write down my husbands name, our anniversay date, my childrens names with birthdates underneath, and then conclude with “whom I hold close to my heart”.
    I am viewing this on my cell phone.

  • Jennifer Denny - March 1, 2011 - 7:53 am

    those are so cute! I veiw the blog on my laptop.
    I think I would write “Til the end, and then forever”

  • Cindy Hall - March 1, 2011 - 8:12 am

    Always close in my heart.
    Nana 2011

    Viewed on regular desktop computer.

  • postcards and pretties - March 1, 2011 - 8:45 am

    First off I’m glad to hear that Damian is home safe & sound.

    and I would probably write my favorite John Keats poem but it might be too long
    “I have been astonished that men could die martyrs for their religion – I have shudder’d at it. I shudder no more.
    I could be martyr’d for my religion, Love is my religion And I could die for that. I could die for you. ”

    but since today is my parent’s 36th wedding anniversary I would put their names and wedding date inside and offer it to them.

  • postcards and pretties - March 1, 2011 - 8:47 am

    I shared on FB too

  • Tara Bannorra - March 1, 2011 - 12:03 pm

    i shared you on facebook. and as for something to write on the paper…hmmm…”the most wasted of all days is one without laughter” or just the word “Magnificent”
    love you sis

  • Kelly Wagner - March 1, 2011 - 12:40 pm

    Laptop
    I would give it to Jer for our Anniversary
    I would have our anniversary and our favorite quote on it.

    Ever thine, ever mine, ever ours.
    April 19, 2005

  • raspberry essence - March 1, 2011 - 1:04 pm

    i use my laptop!
    i would write “this like is sparkling don´t you let it go”

  • Darlene O'Brien - March 1, 2011 - 6:23 pm

    I would write this quote cause it’s one of favorites and has a special meaning and lesson that took me a long time to realize and a very special man my fiancee’ who helped be understand what this quote really meant .
    To be trusted is a greater compliment than being loved <3
    And put our names and date of our engagement in it ..
    I view your website via desktop or thrugh my phone ..

  • Kate Fry - March 1, 2011 - 6:40 pm

    Lyrics to part of our wedding song…it really means a lot now that he is gone away for months.

    “That your always in my heart
    Your always on my mind
    And when it becomes too much
    You’re never far behind

    And there’s no one that comes close to you
    Could ever take your place
    Cause only you can love me this way”

  • Kate Fry - March 1, 2011 - 6:41 pm

    oh and I viewed this blog on my laptop lol!

  • Brynn Nibert - March 1, 2011 - 6:54 pm

    I view your blog on my laptop. If I won the necklace, I would have “I love you more” written on the note because my mom used to always say that to me when she was alive. A picture of her would be a nice addition too.

  • Tiesha Gordon - March 1, 2011 - 7:37 pm

    I view the blog on my Palm Pre.

    I would put each of the dates of the 3 happiest days of my life: the birth of each of my children.

  • Kass Michaud - March 1, 2011 - 8:26 pm

    Hi, I would write “R.I.P. Mom 2/10/58-9/28/05” in memory of my mom who passed away from breast cancer (When I was 16.). I view your blog via my desktop. 🙂

  • Kass Michaud - March 1, 2011 - 8:39 pm

    and I would probably also put “miss you. You are my sunshine” because that was the the song she always used to sing to me.

  • Jennifer Wanamaker - March 1, 2011 - 10:33 pm

    I’m viewing via PC! You’re pictures are amazing, by the way! My quote would be, “My Grandma is like the Sun. Not here, yet everywhere.” I’d give it to my daughter, Avarie. It’s something I like to remind myself everyday when I think of my mom.

  • Kristi - March 2, 2011 - 9:29 am

    I would write our favorite verse =o)

  • [Blocked by CFC] Courtney Marshall - March 3, 2011 - 8:46 am

    I would put a picture of my mom in it so I could have her with me at all times. And its on my mobile phone.

  • [Blocked by CFC] Courtney Beyerle Marshall - March 3, 2011 - 8:50 am

    I would put a picture of my mother so I could always have her with me. And I’m viewing this on my phone.

If you’ve been following my Facebook page, you’ve probably noticed that Caitlin of Simply Photography & I collaborated on a winter styled shoot. We were really lucky to have the cupcakes & cookies provided by The Bombshell Bakes Shop. Their hand made baked goods are 100% vegan and very delicious! We also wanted to incorporate another sweet option for couples who practice a vegan lifestyle.

Since we wanted to inspire couples, I decided to incorporate more of a masculine dessert. It’s becoming more common to have co-ed wedding showers, so this would also be a good treat for that occasion too. My husband is a big fan of coffee & tequila. During our “honeymoon” in Mexico, one of our favorite parts was our daily Tequila Coffee Drink. I found this original recipe for vegan chocolate truffles here, and personalized it for his tastes. Truffles are so decadent, but easy to make! Just keep an eye on the melting chocolate, and the rest is effortless. You can serve them chilled or room temperature.

12 oz. Organic Vegan Semisweet Chocolate
1/4 c. Earth Balance, softened {can find this at Walmart}
1/4 c. Coffee Patron Liqueur *
1/4 c. Strong Coffee

Unsweetened Organic Cocoa Powder blended with Organic Powdered (icing) sugar (equal amounts)
Almond Flour {used in making macarons}
Sprinkles of choice

Break up the chocolate in very small pieces. Place in the top of a double boiler over barely simmering water. Cook until chocolate melts, stirring often. Transfer to a medium-sized bowl. Stir in the Earth Balance. Gradually beat in the liqueur, beating constantly to keep the mixture creamy and smooth. Cover and refrigerate 1-2 hours, til firm. With hands, roll mixture into 1″ balls. Roll balls in mixture of choice.

I finished mine in three ways, with a powdered sugar/cocoa mixture, sprinkles, and the white Almond Flour. I had some leftover Almond Flour from making macarons, and it has a nutty flavor that pairs really well with the dark chocolate & coffee. That was Rocky’s favorite so I felt very Top Chef about my little concoction 🙂

* You can always substitute Kahlua or another favorite liqueur for the Coffee Patron

* Cake Bowl from My Sweet & Saucy Supply

I will be posting the entire shoot soon… I hope you all have a comfy winter “snow” day & don’t forget to vote for your favorite military couple on my Facebook page!

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Twenty Eleven Brides…

If you are getting used to that new diamond on your left hand…

Enjoy all the richness of this time. Next year you will probably be a newlywed who is settling into a new chapter in your life.
Everything will work out & everything will find its place.
For now, the place you are in… is a very good one! ♥

{Styling courtesy of Alli from Hooray Design… check out this post for more photographs from our Christmas collaboration}

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I thought September went fast. But now October is drawing to a close & I have no idea how it is possible it went even quicker than last month.

Remember our little “vintage” house I mentioned a few posts back? Well, it was time to gut the living room & rebuild it… for many many good reasons. My husband, Rocky, has been working hard at it for two weeks while I have been staying with my parents. He has been texting me images of his progress, but cut me off tonight and said that I’m not allowed to see any more until I come back. I miss him & can’t wait to see the big reveal this weekend… and go trick or treating with all my “mans!” Last year I was photographing a super sweet & glamorous couple’s wedding & missed out on our tradition. It always means a lot when I’m able to enjoy holidays as a family. {I remain grateful that the boys have their daddy with them}.

This month I’ve been able to work with some lovely people & photograph some projects that have me giddy with excitement to share with you all! The first is a chic, budget friendly, mock Halloween party styled by Alli, the creator of the blog “Hooray Design.”

She gives a wonderful narrative on her blog, so check it out for sure! Here is the eye candy from the lovely shoot she set up:

Alli thank you so much for creating such a lovely Halloween tablescape, it was so much fun to have a coworker for a day! We have some more inspiration coming up for the winter as well… you will not want to miss it {this girl is a genius}!

I hope everyone has a lovely Halloween weekend! I can’t wait to get my shark & octopus all set to go grab some candy ♥

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