Casi and Jimmy

Hellooo wedding season 2011!

What better way to kick of the new (wedding) year than with Casi and Jimmy's gorgeous wedding which just hit the newsstands in one of my favorite magazines, "Weddings Unveiled". This October event was perfection from beginning to end, masterfully coordinated and created by Easton Events as imagined in Casi's dreams. And they had the cutest furry ring bearers you have ever seen.

Event Planners: Augusta Cole and Lynn Andrews, Easton Events
Venue: Keswick Hall, Virginia
Florist: Floral Images, Charlottesville
Baker: Sylvia Weinstock, NYC
Lighting: Blue Ridge Light Forms
Stationery and Papers: Rock Paper Scissors
Calligraphy: Jen Maton
Makeup: Lindsay Montgomery
Videography: Beth Phipps, Sprack Media

Now back to packing equipment for the first big wedding of the year this coming weekend. A few more bicep curls and I should be ready to wield that camera again for 10 hours. And lunges, lots of lunges. More to come!

Proctor and Christen

When I think about Christen, I think all hugs and smiles. She is such a sweet soul and beautiful bride, and one of those people that when you find out what they do for a living, you go, "ohhh, that totally fits". Christen is a nurse, and if you spend five minutes talking to her, you know she's a really, really good one. Caring, gentle, smiling, and gives THE best hugs. Swear.

Proctor is the light of her life, and together they are adorable. He is funny as can be and had us all laughing hysterically, even during the serious shots. Ahem. But truly, we loved being around the two of them on their wedding day. As I was editing their photos, I literally found myself smiling at my computer screen, and I'd catch myself, because... it's kind of weird to be smiling at your computer screen. Their smiles are that contagious.

I first heard their slideshow song while in a shop and had to ask the owner if he knew the name of the artists, and thankfully he did. The artists are an amazing duo singing the most beautiful words with the yummiest voices. Sam and Ruby. (not to be confused with Sam and Libbie, the shoe company which I kept googling. duh.) Dreamy. Check them out. And a perfect choice for Proctor and Christen's wedding slideshow.

So without much further ado, feel free to enjoy more photos from their stunning Easton Events wedding, click here for the slideshow and see if you're not smiling by the end.

Brian and Amy's Wedding

It rained in Bridgehampton, New York on June 20. Then it rained some more. It rained down, sideways, and I think sometimes even upwards. Remember the golf US Open, when they showed the grounds crew using squeegees to clear the greens? We were a mere hour down the road that same day, alas, no squeegees.

Holy moly, did it rain.

But Amy was getting married that day and had decided early on that no matter what, she was going to marry Brian with a huge smile on her face and have the time of her life. When we talked a few days before, we laughed that she should get some cute wedding day Wellies and umbrellas, and make the best of it. Because really, what are your options? Not two hours later she texted me that she had found some, and better yet, they matched her bridesmaids' dresses. That's my girl!!

The cottage where she got ready was so sweet and the garden... the garden!!! The rain had turned the garden into a lush, stunning backdrop as green as green can be, so we donned the wellies and dodged raindrops, Amy and her friends laughing the entire time.

Throughout the afternoon and evening the rain continued, but somehow we managed to get these little windows of time where it would softly drizzle or stop altogether. I was constantly putting my nose up against the window trying to see if it was still coming down, and immediately after the ceremony it did a massive downpour and then, for twenty precious minutes... nothing.

So we ran outside and were able to get the shots Amy had dreamed of, the two of them on their favorite beach. Where they had spent so much time getting to know eachother, fallen in love, and then decided to have their wedding, and ultimately, had the time of their lives.

Amy and Brian, thank you so much for having me be a part of your incredible day.

You can see Brian and Amy's Wedding Slideshow right here.

Jeff and Erin

Jeff and Erin got married on a gorgeous summer day in June. They were, in a word, adorable. They had this way about them where they would fold into eachother so casually and easily, quickly forgetting I was there (helloo, guys, I'm still here!!) which made for some very fun photo taking. Their families were sweet and clearly adored those two, I really enjoyed getting to know them all and catching their heartfelt expressions.

They opted for the 'first glance' before the ceremony, and before you go all traditional on me, it is SO great. She snuck up behind him and when he turned his smile was as big as they get. They enjoyed this moment with family in the distance and a few clicks of my shutter, up close and personal. It also allowed us to get all the group shots before their ceremony so they could enjoy more of their reception. LOVED it!

The Easton Events team pulled together a visual feast that blew me away. When they said mango ceiling drapes my head probably cocked to the side like a curious dog, but that's why I am not the wedding planner, because holy smokes did it ever WORK! The warm glow lit the room beautifully and one of the highlights of my night was hovering near the entrance of the tent to hear all the oohs and ahhhs.

If you want to see Erin and Jeff's slideshow, just click HERE.

Nathan and Leslie's Wedding

Rainy days get a bad rap, especially from sweet brides who have imagined their wedding day their whole lives in a golden sunny setting. I like blue skies and sunlight too, believe me, but of course we don't have a whole lot of control over that one little detail of the wedding.

So if you are planning your big day at, say, Keswick Hall, and you want to get married outside and the forecast looks ominous, you have hopefully hired the amazing women at Easton Events so they can execute Plan A or Plan B, and maybe even Plan C.

But most importantly, you do exactly what Leslie did. You smile, you laugh, you maybe peek out the window once or twice hoping for some clearing, but in the end you remember exactly why you're there and you enjoy every single minute of it.

As a photographer, I love a cloudy day. I know, you're going pffffft, but really, beautiful diffused light that makes greens pop and faces glow. Resort pools are clear of sunbathers and aside from actual rainfall, we are much less limited in what direction I shoot from based on lighting. And even better, no squinting or harsh shadows.

So if the skies open up a few minutes before your ceremony, and Plan A (full outdoors) gets dismissed. Then Plan B gets passed upon when the rain comes down sideways and into the tent, you simply glide down the stairs, just like Leslie did, a smile so heartfelt it could light up any room, and you marry the man of your dreams.

If you'd like to see Nathan and Leslie's Wedding Slideshow just click here.

Ted and Emily's Wedding

Hellooooo June.

Isn't it funny how at 3 am problems or to-do lists can seem amplified? Critical? Magnifiedx100? Like, how can I possibly sleep when I have SO much to do? But of course you're too tired to get out of bed and actually function, so you go back asleep and then when you do wake up in the morning, it's almost OK. It's... fine. "WHAT was I freaking out about at 3 am, blogging??", I say to myself, almost laughing at sleepy me, downing another cup of coffee and forming my action plan du jour. And yes, blogging is on my to-do list EVERY day. But the important thing is to keep the clients happy and their work flowing, the shooting going and the contracts a-signing. Right? And kids fed and heading the right direction, very important that one.

But I need a good nights' sleep so I'm ON it. As a matter of fact I'm making a note to myself right now to do it again tomorrow. Ha! Take that, you midnight problem amplifier thing that happens to me in June.

Besides, Emily and Ted's wedding is wanting to be shared. They had a gorgeous wedding at St. James' Church in Richmond, Virginia followed by a reception at the Country Club of Virginia on a gloriously sunny day. Rain had been threatening but Emily wasn't worried. From the get go Emily was so happy, so relaxed, enjoying family, friends and of course, Ted. She smiled through makeup and hair styling, laughed through the photo session while well-wishing folks passed by on the streets, and when it was time to walk down the aisle she gave her Dad one last look, a huge smile on her face, and never looked back.

A few of my favorite shots follow, but to see more just click on Ted and Emily's Wedding Slideshow.

Whistler Wedding

I recently had the pleasure of meeting and working with TJ and Samara in Whistler, British Columbia. Yep, a wintery wedding with snow, mountains, Uggs, and even a one-horse open sleigh.

TJ and Sam are, in a word, incredible. Both combat medical officers in the U.S. Army they met under the most insane conditions overseas and became the very best of friends. In the brief time I got to know them I was humbled and deeply impressed by their compassion and selflessness, and couldn't help but feel deep gratitude for their service and sacrifice. I don't pretend to understand what they went through during their tours, or what combat is like, or how it feels to witness what they have seen, but I do know this. They belong together and there isn't a person in their presence who could tell you otherwise.

But they were also light-hearted, snowboard-loving, a ton of fun, and up for anything as you can see from their photos. I think they would have put on the snowboards had we asked, but the martini luge was calling for them. It was veeery tempting though. The intimate dinner was spectacular, the sleigh rides cold but thrilling, and their wedding song, the acoustic version of Rob Thomas' "Ever the Same", just could not have been more perfect.

The icing on the cake (forgive the pun) was shooting it with one of my best buddies and favorite photographers, Lori of Sweet Pea Photography. I could tell you lots of great things about Lori and our long and treasured friendship, but that's a post for another day.

Thank you Sam and TJ, for everything. Keep safe and be well.