here are some shots from playing in the snow today!:
now we’re about to shoot our first friday wedding of the year- kate’s already hanging out with the girls… enjoy what’s left of the snow and get cozy and warm tonight! late-ehs!
our last wedding of 2009 took us back to matt’s hometown- augusta, georgia, where we spent the day with mandy & mark. i’d never met them before the wedding day so, naturally, i was all nerves and unfinished sentences but thankfully matt was there to introduce me to mandy- and that’s all it took! i was comfortable with her sweet, quiet demeanor from the beginning and capturing her peaceful joy was a beautiful way to end an awesome year! matt began his day at a barber shop where mark and the guys enjoyed hot shaves to jump start their day. now, i don’t know this, as i do not shave my face, but i can only imagine this is the perfect way to start a wedding day- just imagining a steamy warm towel wrapped around my head makes my muscles relax a little bit- which is truely saying a lot since i’ve been hunched over this little computer all day! i’ll have to try that sometime…but i digress. i love this shot matt captured of mark- he sure does work every angle! looks relaxing, eh?
meanwhile, i was enjoying the abundance of jewel tones all around me- using them in my shots as often as i could. this little blue stool was perfect for showcasing mandy & mark’s rings- usually i try to find something for the rings to interact with- hang on or reflect from- but really, it’s hard to go wrong with a pop of the right color! and it goes so well with the little library the ladies relaxed in before excitedly getting dressed!
mandy’s grandmother used to wear a pendant for each of her grandchildren and they could only be distinguished by their birthstones- how sweet that mandy carried her pendant with her- wrapped lightly around her bouquet:
we took a few seconds to grab some portraits before the guests started to arrive. the last few minutes before the ceremony were charged with emotion- excitement and love poured from everyone- i loved capturing mandy’s parents having this intimate moment just before their daughter walked down the aisle.
darkness fell during the ceremony and when we exited into moonlight mandy & mark were not even a little worried about heading out to shoot their couple portraits! we grabbed a light and captured some shots with a certain style- a ‘look’ that suited mandy & mark perfectly! they worked it, oh yes:
back at their reception they kicked things off with a beautifully choreographed first dance- so graceful even with the 16 inch height difference!
after toasts we grabbed a few details before the dancing swept the night away! everyone celebrated mandy & mark in style- dancing, cheering, and laughing until the very end. many of the guests even ran after the newlyweds with sparklers to help light the route as they were walking down the street to their hotel- best friends ever!
we broke down as quickly as we could and met mandy & mark for just a few more night portraits at a big amphitheater near their hotel. i love these images because it shows them after their big day was finished- just relaxing and enjoying being together and being married. what a great way to end 2009!
mandy & mark, thank you so much for including us in your wedding day! you are a beautiful couple inside and out- confident yet relaxed and thoughtful. we wish you both the very best and we hope you’re having an awesome first holiday season together as family! :)
when we first heard from christian & alan it was through the most detailed inquiry we’ve ever received- they shared a bit about themselves personally as well as their vision for their wedding and their images- these two know what they like! since then christian and i have kept in touch and when their wedding started getting closer we were so excited to work with such a passionate couple! when the day finally arrived it was beautiful- i’m pretty sure that was part of their original vision, haha! their ceremony was full of little giggles from christian as she gazed into her groom’s glistening eyes. the sun was just setting and the golden light cast a glow over their intimate gathering- perfect for the start of their new life together! when i look back at her wedding now the first descriptive i think of is ‘warmth.’ the rich brown, orange and cream decor touched with sunset, the smiles and tears filled with love and happiness- what a complete joy to capture!
i began the morning with christian, her sweet mom and her closest friends. we chatted easily over doughnuts and diet coke- i could tell immediately we had a few important things in common! ;) matt began shooting a little while later at christian & alan’s awesome house (down the street from us!)- here are a few of our faves from the morning:
before we knew it the time had come for christian and alan to see one another for the first time. in true c & a fashion, they had the exact location chosen and when we saw the huge brick steps we immediately agreed!
after a few super adorable, super lovely moments they were ready to get started on some couple portraits. we didn’t shoot an engagement session with these two but their natural fabulousness rose to the surface as we worked quickly to make the most of our time. here are a few of the highlights!
we left the park for the ceremony/reception site to give everyone some time to freshen up and relax before everything started. champagne was poured for the ladies and we grabbed a few more images inside while matt and the gents enjoyed the sun and greeted the guests.
the ceremony flowed smoothly into the reception- illuminated by bright rays of sunlight, the guests chatted with the newlyweds, encouraging them, sharing knowledge, advice and hugs. the intimate gathering moved to the dance floor as the sun dropped lower and we pulled out our lights. the evening flew by and before we knew it we were calling our well-wishes to christian & alan right along with their guests.
christian & alan, we know how important photography was for you on your wedding day and we’re so humbled and flattered you chose us to make it happen! no doubt we’ll be seeing you around east atlanta; so glad we discovered that we’re neighbors! best wishes!