Mr. + Mrs. Thibedoux

Greg and Cheryl had one of the sweetest weddings ever.  Really.  I knew when I saw the big red felt hearts that Cheryl made for Greg and each guest that this was my kind of wedding.  The inspiration for the red hearts came from the legendary chef Julia Childs, who would often throw parties or dinners and have each guest wear a large red heart.  Julia Childs and her husband Paul wore large hearts for Valentines Day, so I included that photo at the end of the post.  Seriously what a cute idea; Cheryl even gave me a big heart to wear while I photographed the wedding!

Cheryl is from England, so it was fitting to include British details throughout the wedding.  Little appetizers common in England with the British flag and special chocolates were given as a wedding favor from across the pond.  Another detail I was in love with was Cheryl's beautiful art deco jewelry and hair piece (featured above).  I also loved that she wore a green cardigan over her wedding dress when it got a little cooler, and it went perfectly with her fabulous blue shoes.  Brides that wear what they love and aren't afraid to step out of the box are sooooo fun to photograph:)

The wedding ceremony and reception took place at Canoe, an awesome Atlanta restaurant along the Chattahoochee river.  Cheryl and Greg were pronounced husband and wife in front of a colorful ribbon backdrop that Greg had made for the wedding.  It was awesome.  They both wrote their own vows to each other, and there were lines that I don't think I'll ever forget.  My favorites were "I will always let you eat the corner piece of the cake" and something to the effect of always being your Samwise Gamgee (referring to the best friendship between Samwise and Frodo in Lord of the Rings).  It was so clear in Greg's face how absolutely in love with Cheryl he is, and the tears in his eyes when he saw her made even me cry.   Oh, and their dog as the ring bearer wearing a bow tie? Awesome.

The reception was an intimate dinner with amazing food, finished off with a perfect hedgehog wedding cake topper.  I loved hearing Cheryl's british accent throughout the day, especially when she referred to Greg's love for critters:)  It was just such a good night of good food, big hearts, and families getting to know one another.  I love an intimate, colorful, and personal wedding, which is exactly what this day was.  Best wishes Greg and Cheryl, and know how much I treasure my big red heart!!

Julia and Paul with their big red hearts.

Mr. + Mrs. King//Braves Country Wedding

I have a particular LOVE for people who are genuine and incorporate their genuine interests into their wedding day.  I love when people show who they are and what they love because it feels right, not just trying to keep up with the latest trends.  So when I realized how much Lindsey and Tony loved baseball (more specifically, the Atlanta Braves) and found ways to bring in Braves details to their wedding I knew I had found some genuine and fun people.  And I was so impressed by all the little ways the Braves theme ran throughout the day! From the ring bearer baseball bowties to the Braves Jersey that guests signed, it was full of navy and red to make Bobby Cox proud.

These two are fun people.  I realized how much so when I started taking their pictures and saw how many different facial expressions Lindsey could give the camera and how Tony was up for anything.  And these two are people who love God and people- it was so clear to tell from their ceremony and reception.  It was really neat to see them pray together after seeing each other for the first time.  My awesome second shooter Steven and I left them alone for a few minutes but of course got a quick shot of them from the back of the chapel.  We are photo snipers.

The whole bridal party was a really fun group, and the groomsmen were very much up for taking some bridesmaid type photos:) Love this.

A family friend of Tony's owns this 1969 VW bug that they used to drive to the reception and take off for their honeymoon in.  I couldn't have been more excited to see this getaway car... this is the kind of car I would pick to drive off in! Or to just drive in general.  The bug was complete with luggage racks and old luggage, the only thing missing was a surfboard:)  If anyone is looking for a car to rent for their wedding and likes this, let me know and I can get you in touch with them!

Tony and Lindsey's reception was at Reid Barn in Cumming, and there couldn't have been a greener or more beautiful place for it.  Outside was decorated with lights and Braves corn hole for guests to play, and the food was a perfect southern meal of BBQ and sweet potato casserole and everything else that makes a guest excited for the reception.  Friends of the family help decorate the tables with old baseball trophies, vintage baseballs, tickets and candles and pictures of Lindsey and Tony playing on little league teams were attached to an old metal gate.  This was done so so well- I loved that they really made it their own!

One last thought- Lindsey's grandmother had to be the one of the best grandmothers I've encountered at a wedding.  She had the moves to every song, including rap songs, and would give me the best facial expressions for pictures (clearly this runs in the family!).  I had to include one shot of her because her dancing made my day.

THANKS a million for including me in your big day-I felt honored to capture it!

Stephen + Megan//8th grade foes to married love birds

 

Megan told me at their engagement session that Stephen had written in her 8th grade yearbook "he hoped he wouldn't have any classes with her in high school..." Megan I'm pretty sure that needs to be framed in your house next to a wedding picture!!! Stephen and Megan started dating in high school and both attended the University of South Carolina.  Their wedding was full of USC pride, with a special surprise from Megan for Stephen's groom's cake.  Stephen has a hat that he loves and has completely worn out.  Megan told Stephen there wouldn't be a groom's cake while secretly scheming to have one made just like his beloved South Carolina hat.  After they cut the wedding cake, Megan told Stephen about the surprise and how it was even a peanut butter and chocolate cake even though she told him that couldn't be done.  The cake was awesome and such a fun and thoughtful surprise for Stephen... major points Megan!!

Megan and Stephen's wedding party had to be one of the best to photograph- they all had so many ideas for pictures and really fun faces and poses that my second shooter, Stephen, and I were just cracking up with all the pictures we got.  The reception was held at Primrose Cottage, a beautiful home in Roswell with so many rooms with interesting details.  There was an amazing red antique tub that we had lots of fun using for a photo op, and the guys were sure to find other interesting spots for Facebook pictures:) One of the most original ideas from this wedding was the gift room at the cottage.  Megan and her mom decided to showcase wedding dresses from both Megan and Stephen's mothers and grandmothers.  The dresses from the different generations were on body forms in the gift room with pictures of each bride wearing the featured dress by it.  It was so beautiful to see the styles from different eras and to have such a rich family history present through them.  I LOVE personal details like that!

Much thanks to Megan and Stephen for a.) being so kind and awesome to work with, b.) having such fun friends, and c.) being totally in love people despite 8th grade yearbook messages!! I hope Jamaica is treating you well and you're getting lots of sun and rest after a crazy fun wedding:)

Megan had her "something blue" added into her bouquet, arranged by the talented Kim McNaron of Holland Daze... such a beautiful bouquet!

Megan and her sister taking deep breaths before the ceremony started- one of my favorite moments!

Here is a picture of the room with the dresses of each mother and grandmother in it- how awesome is that?! P.S. I think the lace sleeves are going to make their way back into the wedding style world sometime sooner than we think!

Again Megan, great job with the hat groom's cake idea!! The hat bill was even torn up like his... Amazing work by The Baking Grounds Bakery!

Reception pictures are so much fun to take, mostly because there are so many priceless moments to capture.  The picture below was Megan and Stephen with Megan's dad, all hugging and talking to each other.  Love it.

One of the best things to see is a bride and groom having a moment on the dance floor surrounded by so many people yet totally into each other as if no one else is watching (except the creepy girl with the camera...That's me!) A lovely evening with a lovely couple who are totally in love.  Congratulations Megan and Stephen!