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11-24-2011

Barbara and Matt; Happiness, Love, Marriage – Richmond Wedding Photography

So, every bride is beautiful….. That’s a cliche; I know it, but sometimes cliches are true – most of the time actually. It is their day and the apex of extensive planning and love; so they often…’glow’ is the only word for it. The groom looks handsome of course, no mistake. Most guys look great in a tux (I may be the exception, drat it), but my experience with brides (and it has been a universally positive one) is that every bride is like a princess; as it should be.

But Barbara was a wonder. She reminded me just how rare and exciting getting married is. When we met earlier this year, she was all business. She has a demanding job and did not have a great deal of time for wedding planning – and so, was on a mission. The consultation was quick, pleasant and done; and I naturally assumed this is how she would be on her wedding day – all business. And of course, of course I was wondrously mistaken. Barbara was giddy with excitement, laughing with friends, loving with her dog before leaving for the ceremony – happy and markedly stress-free. I remember smiling as I watched her on the alter, bouncing up and down with glee as she stood next to Matt. She was utterly open and unconcerned with being ‘proper’ or the pageantry of a wedding. Our society and the media have led so many to believe that weddings must be show-pieces, must be meticulously orchestrated events; and perhaps some have lost sight of the whole point.

Barbara was happy and excited – bobbing with happiness like a young girl – because she was marrying the man she loved. Such simple and powerful emotions ring true, and charm us, and remind us; if we are truly watching, what love is all about.

Oh, and Matt was dashing and laid back and very cool. Sorry if I gave you short shrift sir.

Church: St Mary’s Catholic Church Reception: Bolling Haxall House Wonderful Assistant Photographer: Stephanie Yonce Photography Rockin’ Band: The Jangling Reinharts

Barbara & Matt Bailey

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10-19-2011

Jess and Mark get fancy – Richmond Wedding Photography

Going to try a new thing here. I’ve been away far too long – though it might only be me that missed it.

So, coming back in a different way is not a bad thing. Let me let my clients talk about themselves a little in fact; tell a little bit about their wedding day.

More them, less me (at least my words anyway).

Jess and Mark were married this summer. They are both sweet and depressingly attractive – and wonderful to be around.

Now: their thoughts…

WHERE WAS THE WEDDING AND WHY: The wedding was at Central Baptist Church because that’s where my (jess) parents got married 20 some years ago and I figured it would be good luck since they’re still happily married today.

THEME OR STYLE: Just love fuchsia pink and black no big rhyme or reason why I picked what I did.

BRIDE’S DRESS: From Alfred Angelo it was the fourth one I tried on and loved!

BRIDE’S SHOES: They were white… haha the bridesmaid’s shoes were awesome & pink.

JEWELRY/ACCESSORIES: Bought them at kohls the week before.

HAIR & MAKEUP: Hair was done by Rachel Yonan – longtime friend the girl that introduced mark and I. Did my own makeup.

GROOMSMEN: What about them? haha

WEDDING FAVORS: Didn’t have any b/c I didn’t have time to do it haha beauty of doing your own wedding J

THE FLOWERS: Just wanted something open and pretty so went with the white lily.

THE CAKE: I drew a picture of what I wanted from what I liked about every cake I had seen in the past and it was done by Reagan of Sweets and Soirees

INVITATIONS & STATIONERY: Found some pretty ones I liked online with my colors and went with it.

FOOD & DRINK: Food was picked by mark and I and we chose something that everyone would like- Chicken mashed potatoes pork loin and mixed veggies.

THE HONEYMOON: Sandals Montego Bay- Jamaica = amazing!

A MEMORABLE MOMENT: When granny and granddaddy won the longest couple to be together dance.

FAVORITE IMAGE: Probably the one of mark and I kissing on the dance floor. — which was very hard to choose since they were all awesome ! (I swear I did not ask her to say this)

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08-23-2011

Rachel & David walk the greens – Richmond Wedding Photographer

Nostalgia has a sweet sting sometimes – and I am no more immune to it than the next guy. I did not anticipate the feeling when I met with Rachel and David last year, but the wedding day last month brought more welcome surprises than the wonderful couple and guests.

Richmond can be a small town, especially growing up here as I did. Even smaller is the Catholic community. Though I am not the most religious of folk (much to my mother’s chagrin), I was raised Catholic and fourteen years of parochial schooling leaves its mark of course.

That being said, it has been ages since I photographed a Catholic wedding here in the Dirty South (said with total affection by the way). As such, the bride’s family and I knew many of the same people from school, etc. It was a treat to reminisce about school and people I had not seen in years.

More to the point – Rachel and David. Sweet, friendly and an ease to be with. Rachel, is a tiny wonder of calm reserve and huge expressive eyes that seem to see all and convey everything. David is one of those people who seem a puzzle fit with everyone he is with. I felt I knew him for a long time and that was just fine.

Their wedding was at St Anthony’s Maronite Catholic Church (of the locally famous Lebanese Food Festival), and the reception was held at the Richmond Country Club – a classic gem whose greens beckoned for an impromptu photo session.

Thanks folks for a fun Saturday, and a welcome trip down memory lane!

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Ronnie Linington - I have come to appreciate your blog as inspiration for my work. Thanks!

08-02-2011

Staci & Mike walk in the sun – Richmond Engagement Photographer

Staci gets nervous. She is a sweetheart and has quickly become one of my favorite people to work with, but she gets nervous.

Planning a wedding is stressful of course; anyone will tell you the same – and I could tell when we first met last year that Staci was feeling the pressure. However, her cheerful nature and willingness to ask questions made her a peach to work with. Mike, her fiancé, was (and is) like an oasis of calm in a chaotic waste. Seeing the yin and yang they have together is just another illustration of the endless nature of love.

So it was that when we got together in June for an engagement photo session, I was curious how things were going. Because, if you let it, the stress of coordinating any wedding can become overwhelming; so that the big day can seem like an increasingly oppressive deadline looming on the horizon. How was that happy, excited, yet anxious young woman I met several months ago fairing under the stress?

Totally wonderful, as it turns out. Staci was stunning, tanned, glamorous and glowing in fact (and thanks to the talents of Joy from Faces by Joy for putting the polish to Staci as well). Stoic Michael was relaxed as well, and it seemed that they had weathered the furious planning phase quite well. All that remained was the waiting for their wedding day – and our engagement shoot at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens of course.

The weather and gardens were a perfect backdrop for these two – who were game and patient beyond measure. Truly great friends and a pleasure to work with!

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