Susan & Chris

Saturday was a wedding I was definitely looking forward to and I don't think it could have been more perfect for these two! I was excited because Sue and Chris definitely did things a little different than a typical wedding, but I was glad......it was like a breath of fresh air for us! I will warn you - this is a long post! LOL!

The weather was looking very stormy as we arrived at the Kilgore-Lewis house for the ceremony...but the rain held off for a while!

Sue's dress was very beautiful - handmade byRaf-Lynn at Threadhead Creations from Sue's own sketches. The eco-friendly dress is made out of bamboo, peace silk and hemp.
Sue also placed a butterfly pin that the bottom of her dress that was given to her by her grandmother when she was little. I think it's neat that she's held on to it all these years!
Sue and Wiley....
I had to leave the girls for a while to go photograph the groom and his guys. Let me just tell you....this crowd did not take many serious pictures at all! They have the most expressive shots out of all the weddings I've done. Here's Paul, Chris' brother being silly! LOL...
Then it was back upstairs to get Sue getting the finishing touches.
The veil was made to look like Sue's grandmother's veil that she wore in her wedding.
This was definitely one of my favorites....it's Sue wiping away tears just as she stating "why am I crying? I don't cry...why am I crying?" It was too funny! The girls getting ready to walk the aisle!
Instead of a unity candle, these two planted a tree!
All the parents watching... These guys wrote their own vows to each other. I think everyone laughed as Chris read his loving but comical words to Sue!
The kiss!
The newlyweds!

During the formal portraits it starting pouring rain - luckily we were up under the tent, but eventually water was making it's way to us on the ground. So we got through them just as fast as we could. Some were happier than others, but this one of Sue and her three nieces was too cute!
The happy family!
After the ceremony everyone went downtown to High Cotton for the reception. The restaurant was closed to the public and they had the whole place to themselves! For favors, Chris and Sue had these trees from the Arbor Day Foundation. Guests had their choice of a Longleaf Pine, a Colorado Blue Spruce or a Douglas Fir.
The blue in the wedding colors also flowed over into the reception decorations.
Marty went up to the Board Room to get an overhead shot of the first dance.
Sue and her dad!

Chris and his mom!
Just after the signing of the marriage license!
The rings were also "green"!!!! They were purchased from greenKarat who uses recycled gold and strives to end destructive gold and diamond mining.
The yummy ICE CREAM cake from Marble Slab Creamery!!!!
The couple listening to the speeches given during the toasts.
Chris' dad started his speech with a story beginning before Chris was born!!!!
Finally he received a loving hug from his new daughter!
Sue and Stacy!
Next it was time to take these two outside for some shots before it got too dark!!!!

Then it was back inside for the bouquet and garter toss. One of our last weddings had a double-decker set of guys waiting for the garter....this one had an involuntary bachelorette!
These two had a great time and kept me laughing most of the night with their various expressions!
LOL...I think every time I looked at these two she had her phone up doing something with it...I wonder what was so interesting?????
Some more laughter!

At the end of the night it was time for the farewell....everyone lined up outside to blow bubbles for the bride and groom! They came through the crowd....
...and went back through in reverse!!!! LOL.
Sue and Chris...we had a great time spending your wedding day with you! You guys definitely kept me laughing! I hope you two are relaxing and enjoying your honeymoon!!!!!!

Vendors:

Ceremony Location - Kilgore-Lewis House

Reception Location - High Cotton

Florist - Gecko Farms of Hawaii and Twigs

Cake - Marble Slab Creamery

DJ/Band - Life of the Party

Dresses - Threadhead Creations

Men's Attire - Wedding Tropics

Leslie & Mardy

So there are two weddings this year that I have been extremely excited about shooting and this past Saturday was one of them. It's those weddings where you feel more like a friend than someone working. Leslie is one of those people who is definitely a friend and I was super excited that her wedding day was finally here. I will warn you - this is going to be a long post!

We started out with some getting ready shots at Leslie's where all the girls were having their hair done. Freckles was so funny - you could tell she was exhausted from all of the excitement of the day!
Leslie's daughter Tori was very happy with Saundra's work on her hair. She look so grown up!
Leslie checking out her hair as Shauna was finishing up with it. I love her tank top!
We finally headed over to Gassaway Mansion for the ceremony! While I went upstairs with the girls, Marty headed to get some awesome details shots. I thought the wreaths on the columns were awesome.The getaway car - it was sweet!!!!
And the favors - I loved the monogrammed cookies from Now That's a Cookie.
Back upstairs I was hanging out with the girls and getting some detail shots of my own - Leslie's sexy shoes!!!!
And her gorgeous dress....
After some last minute touch ups - it was time for the ceremony!

Although it poured down rain minutes before the ceremony, it turned into a light drizzle and eventually stopped. The weather may not have been beautiful, but the ceremony was!
Instead of the traditional unity candle, Leslie and Mardy had a sand ceremony with their kids. It was very touching and a great idea to incorporate their two families into one.
The newlyweds!
I love that Leslie didn't want anything too traditional. It really gives me the opportunity to be creative and have fun with everyone! Here's Leslie and her girls...and a little attitude!

And then having some fun with the guys!
While Mardy had some fun with the girls.
Then is was time for me to get Leslie and Mardy alone for some great shots! I am so glad the rain stopped and we were able to go outside for a few.
Leslie changed into her second dress for the night and we had a little more fun. The next two are definitely my favorites, but I couldn't decide between the two. I like the close-up one a lot.

The flowers were amazing too - I loved Leslie's bouquet.
Back inside the mansion we were able to get a few more. Another one of my favorites!
The rings.....
And the cake! Susan at Couture Cakes does great work - but Leslie's cake was the best I've seen by far. Not only does it look good, but the taste is my favorite!!!!

Everyone had a great time dancing!!!! I don't think I stopped laughing the whole night!
Getting ready for the bouquet toss....
Leslie had fun tricking the girls on the first throw! Then it was time for some more dancing!
I know their had to be some tired people at the end of the night! Finally it was time for these two to leave!
We had so much fun with you guys!!!! I can't wait for you to get back from your honeymoon! I hope you both have a great time and stay safe!!!

Vendors:

Location - Gassaway Mansion

Florist - Gassaway Mansion

Harpist - Joyce Frankhauser
Cake - Couture Cakes of Greenville

DJ - Life of the Party
Dresses - The Castle

Tuxes - Men's Warehouse

Videography - Unforgettable Wedding Video

Wedding Planner - The Planned Affair