We last left our two lovebirds as they were on their way to meeting the one they’ve waited for all their lives – this “first glimpse” was truly magical, watch how the tension builds:

… and dissipates

I was there and I still love to watch the slideshow – it starts slowly and builds speed as she moves across the floor until Krystal is in Ross’s arms, then it slows down again – a kiss, a hug, they step back to admire each other, then more embracing.

Ah… this is how wedding days should be. Experienced. We as a culture race from beginning to end, to the point of throwing bouquets, garters and rice – and most of us look back and the whole day was just a blur. For most cultures, the wedding traditions and celebrations can last an entire day and even extend across multiple days. Why in our culture is the wedding day so fast-paced, hectic, and centered around not seeing each other prior to the wedding?

I understand tradition, embrace it in most respects and honor it in all, but there are times when another way just may be better.



The just-opened tavern provided the perfect intimate backdrop for the afternoon:



We moved from the first look into a time of photographing fun relaxed portraits of the two in their finest. Then, after a few more relaxed and personal moments, the rest of the bridal party began trickling in:









Krystal and Ross practice their first dance just one more time:



Then the ladies begin their entrance:



Since we’ve added a couple of hours on the front-end of the day we use the time to get some great portraits with the bridesmaids, groomsmen and couple. This particular portrait is Lacy’s, Laura’s, Krystal’s, Melanie’s and Britt’s version of a portrait the ladies from “The Hills” are famous for:



Meanwhile, Marius takes the guys in a different direction using a more “lifestyle” approach as Ross and his men relax playing chess and a little poker:







A little more fun than standing at the altar and smiling for all of the formal portraits







We also photographed more formal portraits, and were able to get most of the images usually reserved for the end of the ceremony with the bridal party. It was a time of taking a break in the middle of a rushed day and spending some quality time with old friends.

Too soon, it was time to head to St Jude’s for the ceremony.



We’ll be back!

Onto the reception! We arrive at the Beaumont Botanical Gardens where Kyra and Ian are announced and glide across the floor.





There wasn’t a dry eye in the house by the end of Kyra’s dance with her dad.

One of the Groomsmen toast the new couple:





The Beaumont Catering Company performed masterfully – from the great food and spirits, to the hot chocolate bar with monogrammed cups at the end, everything was perfect… and very tasty!





mmm… Cake!





There’s a lot of trust built in this moment, I have no idea why





One of my favorite scenes of the night – something about a long-time married couple dancing in each other’s arms at your reception, it kind of puts a nice stamp on the event.





Wow, the entertainment at the reception was outstanding! Jimi Jams always does an excellent job with DJ’ing/Emcee’ing an event, but the band “Stereo”, well-known on the local blues and jazz scene tore it up:





They both had the crowd dancing until their shoes just had to take a break:





After a quick pick-me-up with the hot chocolate bar, it’s time for their great escape – many bird seeds died to make this possible:





Beautiful day

Ceremony Venue: St. Michael’s Orthodox Church
Reception Venue: Beaumont Botanical Gardens
Caterers: Beaumont Catering Company
DJ: Jimi Jams
Band: Stereo
Second Photographer: Marius

If the previous suggestions are completely out of the question then at least allow for 2 hours before the ceremony for photos of the bridal party.

Plan in extra time for hair and makeup, this is the #1 reason weddings begin late – everyone will want at least a touchup and with so many there it just takes longer than expected. Make sure all bridesmaids are dressed and ready prior to our arrival to begin photos with the bride.

- All flowers need to be ready at the start of pictures.
- Boutonnieres need to be pinned on the groom and groomsmen promptly on their arrival for photos.
- Immediate family of both the bride and groom need to be dressed and ready for pictures before the ceremony.

Utilize your time with us before the wedding. The best images come from before the ceremony, not “drunk” dancing pictures at a reception, that can be covered by the videographer or family members with point and shoot cameras!

After all the formal portraits are done, we need the cooperation of you two together to take some time for some great images of you as newlyweds.

If you are worried about having guests wait too long to eat, break tradition and go ahead and have them start eating before you arrive. Trust us, they will love it, you will not feel pressured, and the party will get started much earlier in the evening!

Be willing to do fun poses – after all, we do it because we know it will look great! Warn your wedding party that photos are important to you and that we might be a little different in the way we work.

These are just a few suggestions on how to get the most out of us for your wedding photographs. You’re hiring us, now take advantage of having us and do something truly unique on your wedding day. We love to go to different locations with wedding parties. We will go most anywhere with you before or after the ceremony. We are there to give you images that you will treasure forever.

If you are still dead-set against seeing each other before the ceremony, then consider having at least a 1-2 hour gap between the ceremony and reception. We have friends in Canada and a nice 2-3 hour gap is the norm – they’re able to travel to several locations during that time and get some amazing portraits. It’s from this session that 90% of our enlargements are made. Its where your thank you card shot will come from….this is the number one way to ensure great images. Give us the time to take them. So please, plan it into your schedule.

- You allow ample time to travel somewhere great for photos (especially if your ceremony location is not the most picturesque place). We can jump in a limo and go anywhere you would love to take photos. If you have an afternoon wedding, you can still have an evening reception.
- Your guests can explore the sights of the city with a nice organized tour given by a family member or just have the chance to freshen up before the reception.
- You can even have a cocktail party organized! This will ensure the two of you have the best opportunity to get the most unique images of your wedding party and yourselves as a newlyweds.
- If you can’t spare a couple hours to go somewhere nice, plan in time for a “photo walk”. Its that 30 minutes or so after your formals, but before your reception starts. We could use this 20-30 minutes of alone time with you and your new husband to create some of those relaxed romantic portraits that everyone loves.

- Last but not least, you get to truly take in the day and enjoy every minute of it instead of rushing around!

Now, at first thought everybody says “absolutely no” to the idea, as we did when it came to our own wedding, but then we got to thinking…

- Photos! Photos! and more Photos! You will have more images (and probably better images) from your wedding day by seeing each other before the ceremony.

By doing this, we will have the opportunity to work with you two in order to really capture that special moment in seeing each other for the first time, either alone or with loved-ones watching.

We then have plenty of time to deliver some outstanding portraits of you two together! We often find that couples who do not see each other before the ceremony do not get as many or as great pictures of themselves together because they are always in a hurry to get to the reception. Most think they won’t be in a hurry, but we haven’t had a couple that was not worried about rushing key photos to get to their party (including us on our own special day!). We use this alone time with you and your new husband to create some of those relaxed romantic portraits that everyone loves.

- You can take full advantage of your time with us and travel somewhere great for wedding party photos and images of you as a couple. A limo service can whisk the wedding party to a mansion, a park, the great locations downtown, or another location of your choice.

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- We can take all of the photos before the wedding ceremony begins, leaving you more time to enjoy your reception.

All the images will be done before the ceremony leaving you with fresh makeup, great hair and excited smiles in all of your photos!

Trust us, you will not regret it!