Formerly known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day is a day to remember and honor those men and women who have passed away while serving our country. All of us should keep in mind that we live in a free nation because of the ultimate sacrifice of those being honored today. Please take a moment and pay tribute to those veterans who gave their life so that we may have the freedom we do today.
As a special for Memorial Day, any weddings booked before Saturday June 14th will receive a free bridal portrait session! Don't miss out on this great opportunity!!!! Also, you must mention this blog post in order to receive the free session!!!!!
And just to post a fun picture to go along with this post....some of our friends and family know that Marty and I have been participating in a photo scavenger hunt with Wedding Festivals....one of the images we needed was hot air balloons. With Freedom Weekend Aloft being this weekend, it was the perfect opportunity to get that picture we needed. After a bridal portrait session yesterday we headed toward Simpsonville to see some of the balloons flying. Even though this shot was taken with our point and shoot, I like it.
I hope everyone has a great Memorial Day today!
Monday, May 26, 2008
Happy Memorial Day!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Dayna's Bridal Portraits
So on the sneak peek I didn't disclose the location for Dayna's bridal portraits because it was a surprise. Andy is a Clemson alumni so we started our shoot at Death Valley - although it was a little windy, we got some great shots!
This is my favorite one! I love this image!
Having a little "fun" with the wind!!!!!
After the stadium we went over to the Botanical Gardens for a few more shots.
I hope Andy liked the bridal portraits since he's finally able to see them now!!!!Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Dayna & Andy
So I said last month there were two weddings I was really looking forward to this year. One was in April, the other was this past Saturday. I think this is going to be my longest blog post ever - I had such a hard time picking favorites because I like too many of them.
Marty and I have been friends with Dayna and her family for years and I was very excited about the wedding. I think this was the most emotional wedding we've done so far. Between the rehearsal dinner the night before and the wedding day itself, there was a lot of happy tears shed! Dayna was so happy her big day was finally here and she had a smile on her face that didn't go away at all - seriously - it was there the whole day! The weather couldn't have been more perfect! 
Dayna's dress was perfect for her. I really liked the two cross windows in the doors to the sanctuary.
A closer shot with the details of the dress.
Her shoes were unique and I liked the fact that they weren't white!
One of the flower girls...every time she saw me point my camera towards her she would give me the biggest grin! 
Vera was there too!
I loved Dayna's panties and had to get a shot of the bow on the back of them! They are soo cute!
It was finally time to get Dayna all laced up in her dress.
Morgan had to show Alexis her flowers....she looked so adorable.
It's not very often that Marty takes pictures of the guys getting ready by himself. With this wedding being such good friends of ours, he didn't mind hanging out with the guys so much!!!! I think Andy must have helped all his guys get dressed!!!
The girls better watch out for Austin when he gets a little older - he's already a cutie!
I thought this was a nice touch to add.
I cannot say enough what a great job Timala Williams from Begonias in Bloom did on the flowers and decorations. Everything was perfect and you will see more of her work in the reception pics.
Once the guys were ready to go, we took them outside for some group shots. 
They all did a great job! 
Once they were back in their room, it was time to bring the girls out! 
I think Dayna couldn't have picked a better group of friends! 
Had to get a little attitude from them!
LeAne may kill me for posting this one! She wanted to do a funny pic during formals.....sorry Lu Lu - couldn't resist!!!!!
After we were done, we still had some time to waste while waiting on the ceremony to start. I decided to grab Dayna for a few more pics in the room they were getting ready in - besides who can resist the beautiful stained glass windows! 
Now Dayna is a daddy's girl and he had not seen her in her dress at all....no pics...no nothing. So it was important for me to be able to capture the moment when he first saw her.
Dayna outside the sanctuary doors just before walking down the aisle.
Dayna and her daddy as he gets ready to give her away!
Andy watching his bride - trying to hold back the tears!
Unfortunately we couldn't move around in the church a whole lot, but I still have to post some pics from the ceremony. The inside of the church is gorgeous and I love the pipe organ!
One of my favorite shots!
Marty quietly suck outside the sanctuary and so he could get this shot through the doors.
One of the best moments in my opinion is just after the newlyweds walk out of the ceremony - I love capturing this moment! With these two I didn't think Andy was going to stop kissing her!!!
While I follow the bride and groom out, Marty stays to get some shot of the recessional. The two flower girls were so cute! 
My favorite shot of the two of them after the ceremony!
Then it was on the Shrine Club for the reception. I must say I was astounded when I walked in and saw all the decorations. Timala really did a fabulous job and there were so many compliments from guests and vendors about how great the place looked. 
A little fun with the lighting.
Then the father/daughter dance!
Then the emtional Brother/Sister dance! Dustin told me later on that he was crying like a baby - I wondered why he never raised his head. I love that in this shot, you can see the tears on his check and their dad watching in the background!
The food was great, but Kayla had her own meal!
The signature mat filled up very quickly!
I usually only post one ring shot, but couldn't decide between these two.
I love the lighting on this one.
I promised you more of Timala's work - I loved the centerpieces and the paper balls hanging from the ceiling - she really did a wonderful job on transforming the place!
Is it just me or does anyone notice anything about the single "women" waiting to catch the bouquet?
I think everyone had a great time dancing at the reception!
The cake! Tasteful Elegance did a great job - it was very good cake!
They got a little messy but enjoyed it!!!!
I was able to steal Andy and Dayna for a few minutes and take them outside for some fun shots. It really makes a big difference when you have someone who has confidence in me and trusts me to do whatever I want. It gives me the chance to be creative and do things I don't usually get to do!
I think this is definitely my favorite shot of the night!
After this shot we told them we were done and just left them down there. Andy said they would be up in a minute, but I think it was a little more than a minute when they decided to come back up with all their guests!
I think this is the best dance I have ever seen to "Play That Funky Music"....he was having a blast!
Everyone joined in on the train around the dance floor!
I love this shot of Andy and his neice!
Towards the end of the night, some karaoke started! The girls did a great job singing!
And I couldn't post a wedding that Amanda was at without getting her on here!!!!!
Dayna and Andy, I hope you two are having a great time on your honeymoon! Your wedding day was pefect and I am so glad we were able to be a part of such a special time in your lives. Congratulations to you both!!!!!