Whew…. what an exciting time at Elena & Brad’s wedding!!!  For us, it was virtually like a family reunion in that so many of our wonderful friends were there - friends that seem like family.  Elena & Brad came to us after we had covered a couple of Brad’s cousins’ weddings, so they knew what they were in for (which is a good thing).  Being that they had already seen us in action (and according to Brad, we are fast with the formals), we were already a match for each other.  The wedding location was Woodmont Christian Church in the heart of Green Hills.  We’ve worked with Marion (Woodmont’s director) so much that we know each other’s routines and everything runs soooooo smoothly.  The readiness in the bridal room was nothing short of exciting as all the make-up was being done, gowns steamed, hair done, and nerves being wound… well, except for Elena.  She was SO calm.  Brad & Elena opted to do most of their formals prior to the ceremony, so we started with the two of them as a couple and worked our way up to bridal party and family.  We picked up just a few extended family groups after the ceremony, but those only took a few minutes, so they were quickly off to their reception at Richland Country Club.  Okay, now if you’ve never met Beth at Richland CC, you’ve missed meeting one of the top wedding reception coordinators/managers of this area.  Beth designs and runs an incredible reception and Richland showed it.  It was simply stunning as well as personalized with a projected monogram on the dance floor.  Well… once the celebration got rolling… it got rolling.  These people can dance and there was no slowing down until time to bring things to a close.  The dancing was full-force until the announcement for guests to get their rose petals for the leaving.  At the entrance, a blue Jaguar awaited Elena & Brad.  The car is from Matchless Limo and after having seen many many limo companies, we repeatedly see Matchless provide outstanding vehicles with superior service to our clients, and what is cooler than seeing a couple on cloud nine crawling into a vintage Jag for their get-away.  This indeed was quite an event for some wonderful people.  We loved seeing all our friends and making new ones throughout the day!  Thanks to everyone for inviting us to participate!

-shaun

Below:  When visitors and clients view our work, they very often tell us something to the effect of “you’re so good at catching expressions”.  I simply love Elena’s natural expression below as well as Brad’s mom’s expression in the next photo which was taken just before Brad was about to seat his mom.  When asked how we produce images such as these, I often reply that I believe it’s a blend of experience as well as an education on people - neither of which are included with the camera.  I enjoy studying people and how they respond to specific scenarios.  That allows me to predict what will happen next… and allows me to be there to capture it.  Sometimes, it’s racing ahead to meet the moment.  Other times, it’s waiting because I know the moment is coming to me.  Sometimes I can feel someone watching me while I wait and then BAM… the expression comes, I get the image, and my watcher then realizes what I was waiting on.

So, I’m editing the images from last weekend and I come across the images of the cakes and just thought I would share a few photos along with a rave review of them.  The cakes were done by Leland Riggan and her team at Dessert Designs.  Now, Leland and her husband Steve have been friends of ours through the wedding industry for years, but their products never cease to amaze me.  Yeah… they’ve got that “look” nailed down and each one is incredible and gorgeous, but have you ever tasted one???  Well, have ya??  Chances are high if you’ve been to many weddings in the Nashville area, you have, but there’s something about their cakes.  It’s that “x factor” and when you taste it… you know it!  Well, this weeekend was no exception.  I believe the bride’s cake was a Kahlua Chocolate Chip and OMG…. that thing was wicked good!  So much that a blog entry certainly isn’t going to convey it, but you’ve just GOT to taste one for yourself.  The groom’s cake was Leland’s famous Chocolate Truffle with a raspberry twist, and if you’ve never tasted “the truffle”…. well… you’ve not experienced chocolate.  Well, that’s the end of the bragging on Leland and her team.  If you’re ever her way and need a cake for a wedding (or other occasion), be sure to tell her that you want a cake that is “wicked good”.  You can find wicked good cakes at:  http://www.dessertdesignsbyleland.com

 -shaun

Anyone who knows me - or even has talked to me - knows that… well… once we get talkin’… we can be there for a while.  Well, our first meeting with Christi & Richie was no exception.  I think if we would have talked much longer, it would have turned into a slumber-party meeting.  We were having such a good time, that the hours flew by!  Fast forward to now and what a blast we had on Saturday while we photographed their wedding at Brentwood United Methodist Church.  A big kudos goes out to everyone in the bridal party and to all the families.  If anyone needs to know how to stay on a wedding-day schedule, these folks are your go-to people.  You all ROCKED!!!  The formals were split into two sessions.  Everything without Christi & Ritchie before the ceremony, and everything with them together after the ceremony.  It worked well, and we even picked up some additional group images at Brentwood Country Club where their reception was being held.  Richie’s friends and family are in the entertainment industry, so the reception was totally covered and was jammin’ all night and that dance floor stayed FULL!  In addition to friends and family coming in from all around the country, many guests also traveled all the way from South Africa, Australia, and Canada, so this was a wonderful opportunity not only for the wedding, but a reunion as well.  The day was flawless and was an absolute joy to photograph. 

-shaun

Below:  While Christi & Richie were saying “bye” to guests through the window, I went to the front of the limo and was shooting through the sliding glass behind the driver’s seat.  Once their “goodbyes” were over, this was their reaction when they realized that all the flashing light was NOT a built-in strobe light in the limo.  That was hilarious, you two!

“Spectacluar” sums up the wedding day of Brittany & Steven!  The day began with all the bridesmaids arriving at Woodmont Baptist Church to get ready for the wedding… and they were all wearing the coolest matching pink robes which coordinated with Brittany’s white “bride” robe.  That was one happ-nin’ bride’s room!  Brittany put on the final touches just prior to formals and she was gorgeous.  During formals and looking through the camera, her eyes had that certain “pop” to them that you just want to keep photographing.  As the ceremony time approached, the sun began dropping and with it coming in on the west side of the sanctuary, the ceremony had an incredible glow about it which was perfect for the ceremony and spotlighted Steven awaiting his bride as she came down the aisle.  After an elegant ceremony, guests made their way down West End to Loews Vanderbilt Plaza only to see reception decor that was detailed on every level.  A spotlighted cake and glowing monogram on the dance-floor make wonderful personal additions to the room.  The entire day was wonderful and we enjoyed working will everyone in the bridal party and all the families.  Thanks for the wonderful time and for asking us to be there with you!

-shaun