Presents…

A Styled Shoot

“A Styled Shoot”

Tamara Menges Designs

www.tamaramenges.com

Thank you so much to all of my family and friends for

all of your support and love.

Photography by:

Sarah e. Evans Photography

This e-magazine is dedicated to my Lord and Savior; I would

not be where I am today without His direction and

guidance, my incredibly loving and supportive husband,

my inspirational mom and grandma, my daddy who

shines down from Heaven on me daily, and everyone who

ever believed in me.

“I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me”

Philippians 4:13

Special thanks to Sarah e. Evans for the endless hours she shot

and edited the beautiful images that make up this e-

magazine! Also, the numerous vendors that collaborated

each shoot and provided their handy work to complete

the story I wanted to share!

I am a true southern girl; I love grits, sweet iced

tea, and of course my pearl necklace. I do, however,

have a big city heart with big city dreams! My name is

Tamara Menges and I am sharing with y’all the secrets I

have either learned from my mentors or myself through trial and error in the field of

wedding and event designing.

From an early age I knew I wanted to create beautiful things. If I was not

under my mom’s nose copying a craft project she was doing, I could most likely be found

under my dad’s nose with a hammer and nails “building” something with his direction.

My mind is constantly on “go mode”, and investing in a “design” notebook

has proved to be very smart on my part. I try to keep my notebook with me at all times,

but when I am without it, I scribble down ideas on anything I can get to the quickest; back

of receipts, gum wrapper… whatever is closest!

After starting my wedding business, Whimsical Creations by Tamara, in 2009,

I was all over the place as far as what I wanted to offer brides. I wanted to be a one-stop-

shop. I wanted to offer flowers, linens, cakes, invitations, favors, décor; the list could go on

and on. I quickly figured out this was impossible, especially since I was marketing towards

larger scale weddings. I have sense then settled in my niche of floral and design work, and

I love every second of my job.

As I am continually “finding myself”, and exploring exactly what God has in

store for me, I am realizing that true beauty is simplistic. Inspiration comes is the smallest

and sometimes unexpected things. I have been inspired by a single chair, piece of

fabric, a rusty can, you name it.

I think the “overdone” weddings will continue to be done, but our industry is

evolving to a more unique personalized ceremony and reception. An industry full of events

that tell the sweet love story about the couple through the details…which just so happens

to be my favorite part.

In this e-magazine I want to provide you with nothing but pure inspiration to

achieve a one-of-a-kind wedding that actually gets remembered. This book includes

several styled shoots for the sole purpose of inspiration, so grab a glass of sweet iced tea,

sit back and get inspired y’all!

xoxo, Tamara

Photo credit: Archetype Studio, Inc

“The future belongs to those who believe in the

beauty of their dreams”

-Eleanor Roosevelt

My first e-mag includes “styled” photo shoots that I have designed, and

were captured artistically by one of the most talented photographers I

know. A “styled” shoot is simply ideas and inspiration put together for

pure design stimulation. Most of the shoots have models that help to tell

the full story of the designs and images.

The first four shoots help to celebrate my upbringing in the South. I have

a big heart and a lot of passion for designing and making things

beautiful. I love what it means to be southern and rightfully so I enjoy

things that make us just that: peaches, the treasured southern drawl,

fried green tomatoes, and of course sweet iced tea. I have identified

the four shoots as my southern “collection” {Sounds fancy huh?!}. They

are individually named for the simple qualities that exude what it means

to be southern.

Following the “southern collection” are more of the “outside the box”

shoots. I like to branch off from the ordinary and the designs and ideas

are geared more towards taking unusual items and finding a fresh new

way to utilize them.

Enjoy y’all!

Southern Charm Photography by Sarah e. Evans

This shoot was inspired solely on the fabric that is covering the seat. I

was drawn to the fabric at my local fabric store, because of the

playful plum color that works beautifully with the soft blue and

almost translucent green.

The bouquet consists of fresh amaranthus, eucalyptus,

hydrangea, stock, anemones, and peonies that I personally

picked out with a swatch of the fabric. Stems are wrapped in

green burlap, and tied off with a simple ribbon tied in a knot.

I love how simple this shoot is, like a breath of fresh air! Simple china, silver,

and crystal over a century old, hand-made runner of burlap and coffee

stained lace, simple arrangements and a brass candelabra.

“Without an open mind, you can never be a great success.”

–Martha Stewart

“Simply Southern” Photography by Sarah e. Evans

Peach, I think is a true southern color, especially when paired with beautiful

milk glass, and textural floral and greenery.

I reupholstered some chairs in complimentary fabrics; white washed the

table, and bought a beautiful piece of peach silk dupioni to run down the

table for a little punch of color.

I love how using different types of chairs gives a little of the unexpected.

My sole inspiration for this shoot was the peach wing back chair.

From the single chair, I began to consider different items I wanted

to incorporate into the "look" I desired to accomplish. I also picked

out the perfect flowers to subtly pick up the color.

The stationary designed by

K & K Designs

Beaumont Catering Company made two of the desserts; I requested peach

cobbler and pecan pie because I believe they are staples of southern hospitality,

and we added banana pudding

The cake, designed by This Cakes For You, took inspiration from the milk glass, and

it turned out beautifully!

This bouquet is so fun and full of life. It has numerous different types

of flowers and the stems are topped off with a piece of coffee

stained lace, rustic twine and a beautiful peach cameo, the

epitome southern charm

“The question isn’t who’s going to let me; it’s who

is going to stop me.”

- Ayn Rand

“Southern Traditions” Photography by Sarah e. Evans

Inspired one of the South’s most prized events…The Kentucky Derby!

I have always been fascinated by the elaborate and infamous Kentucky

Derby hats. This shoot was designed as a bridal shower /tea complete

with a table fully detailed with nothing but Derby–esque décor!

This shoot was also featured on

Southern Wedding Magazine’s Daily Blog in May 2011

With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.

- Eleanor Roosevelt

“Southern Couture” Photography by Sarah e. Evans

I have a flair for the couture

fashion and design that comes

with the major cities, such as New

York.

I want to inspire brides that may

feel the same way, the brides

who want to honor their

upbringing of the “down home,

porch sitting, iced tea sipping”

way of life, but also integrate the

“high-end couture” details that we

all love to drool over in the

magazines

Make-up and Hair: Beauty by Grace

Stationary provided by K & K It’s A Hit Events.

Custom painted rose artwork by ME Studio Art.

Hanging crystals provided by B & B Solutions

For the “love letter” set, I thought “what’s more romantic than a bride

writing her future husband a letter of how much he means to her”. I

wanted that to be captured, so we used an antique secretary complete

with the bride’s personal stationary and feather pen!

A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.

-Coco Chanel

“Casual Backyard Chic” Photography by Sarah e. Evans

Our goal for this shoot was to capture the essence of a couple

who is carefree and light hearted. In the age of DIY we felt this

was the perfect setting to show how simple it can be to create

a one-of-a-kind beginning to a couple’s new life together.

A quilt complete with worn holes and tears is all that is needed for a ceremony

backdrop, and two mismatched accent tables with colorful arrangements in

painted coffee tins complete the look of where the two first become one. The

seating for the guests are simple benches made out of pine topped with foam

and covered with colorful graphic fabrics. The aisle is lined with shepherd

hooks, home-made pillows, birdcages, and mason jars

Catering: Beaumont Catering Company

Stationary and favors: K & K It’s a Hit Events

All of the accessories and furniture used throughout this inspirational

shoot were acquired from family, friends, and flea markets making for

an eclectic and uniquely picture-perfect setting

Hair and Make-up: Something Beautiful Hair & Makeup

Cake: This Cake’s For You (not pictured)

“I have a lot of things to prove to myself. One is that I can live my life fearlessly.” -Oprah Winfrey

“Gothic Glamour” Photography by Sarah e. Evans

This shoot is one of my all time favorites! For this

gothic-inspired shoot I kept the color palette

clean with black, white, and gold for that

necessary glamourous touch!

I styled a “haunted” cheese bar complete with

stained cheese cloth for texture!

Cake provided by Artistic Confections

Stationary: Dressy Designs

Designer Gown: Natalie Harris

Hair Accessory: Abby Saunders of Lovelay Etsy Shop

Hair and Make-up: Something Beautiful Hair and Make-up

Even if I don't reach all my goals, I've gone higher than I

would have if I hadn't set any.

- Danielle Fotopoulis

“Rustic Elegance” Photography by Sarah e. Evans

Sarah and I were approached by VIP magazine last

year to do a shoot for their January 2012 issue!

Venue: The Bauer Ranch in Winnie, Texas

Dress: David’s Bridal (flown in from New York just for us!)

Suit: Men’s Wearhouse

Hair : Something Beautiful Hair and Make-up

Make-Up: Meagan Phillips Make-up Artistry

Cake: T Cakes Creations

Catering: Beaumont Catering Company

Stationary: Leigh Makes Designs

Reception Gown: Brickhouse Bridal

A large exaggerated fabric

runner and deer antlers

completed our rustic and

elegant story.

Tree logs {I found} then

adorned with timeless fresh

floral soon turned into a

beautiful statement

centerpiece.

“Beneath the makeup and behind the smile I am just a girl who

wishes for the world.”

-Marilyn Monroe

The End.