Doug and CheyAnne fell in love while in school for photojournalism at Western Kentucky University. It didn’t take them long to realize they had more than a shared interest in photography. They are very excited to have just been the bride and groom finally, as they were married in April 2012. Both are truly romantics at heart, and love documenting one of the happiest days in a couple’s life. They’ve realized on their own journey this past year the importance of great photos that capture not just the event, but the emotion, so the memories can be felt and not just remembered.
Tricia and John had a fabulous wedding! We met just several months before while they were in town taking care of some wedding planning tasks. Initially we were to do an engagement session, but things got to busy for them, and we ran out of time. I’m generally a huge fan of the engagement session because the bride and groom always know what to expect on the wedding day if we’ve taken those photos. In this particular case, Tricia and John were the exception. Right after their first look as we settled them into the first series of photos — they did great!! No warm up period needed! We had about 45 minutes with them, and I enjoyed everything we got during that time. You guys were awesome!!
The rest of the day was just as great. It was my first time photographing at St. Mary’s. I loved it! It was gorgeous. I also love the two shots below outside the church. One is the photo with the beads in the window — the reflection of the church is in the background. And the other is the shadow of the lamp post with the church plaque above it. Just two photos I really thought captured some of the essence of New Orleans for the Texas based couple.
You know what they say about Texas? Everything is bigger in Texas! And their party attitudes were definitely bigger. Once Tricia and John made their entrance to Thunderstruck, the dance floor was rarely empty for the rest of the four and half hours! And when the reception was finished, the guests were not. They still had plans to check out the burlesque show at the Sonesta. A wonderful party and celebration for a fun group of people. Thanks for allowing us to capture it all. Enjoy!!
I had such a wonderful time with Jessie and Matt!! They were up for anything! They had a bottle of champagne they wanted to share during the session, those photos turned out really cute. And they even shared with me! They also laid on the ground, climbed around in a jungle, frolicked, had goodies at Sucre, and played in the middle of the street. Sounds pretty exciting, huh? :) I came home and told Doug, my couple frolicked today! ”They did what?!” he asked. That’s right I repeated, they frolicked. My couples rock! haha! I love those photos too because they are just being goofy and having fun. Isn’t that what love is all about? If y’all saw all the crazy things I do when Doug and I are alone, you’d probably think I’m nuts. But mostly I take consolation in knowing that others must be the same. I’m right, right?
I do have to relate the details of how Sucre comes into their story. When they first started dating Matt was in a motorcycle accident and ended up in the hospital. Jessie was there to take care of him, even though they barely knew each other yet. She wasn’t sure what to take him in the hospital, so she took him some Sucre chocolates. When Matt later proposed, the ring was in a box of Sucre chocolates! So Sucre has a very fond part of their hearts, and it only seemed fitting to include some photos of them hanging out there.
Thanks for sharing your afternoon with me. Y’all are wonderful, and I can’t wait for the wedding!! Enjoy!
Lauren & Jeff were married at the St. Louis Cathedral on Feb. 16. It was a beautiful February day to match a beautiful bride. Lauren and her girls had a great time during their bridal prep at the Royal Sonesta and the iPod was cranked! Once the dress was on and she slipped on her hand-dyed shoes, it was time for her to go meet her groom at their First Look. It was quite windy but we got luck as the Royal Sonesta had their rain cover extended over the courtyard which gave us good protection from the wind. During the first look they also exchanged gifts and Lauren surprised him with a set of framed prints from a good friend of theirs that Jeff has wanted for the longest time. He even recently made the comment that nobody listens to him about what he wants, so she was excited to finally see his reaction. After we finished all of the group formals, it was time to head over to the Cathedral.
The ceremony was equally beautiful and the priest had the congregation laughing. Though, the event did get extended a bit, as one of the guests who was just recovering from a virus briefly passed out giving everyone a bit of a scare. The priest stopped the ceremony and allowed the paramedics to come in and take the gentleman to the hospital for observation. I must say I’ve never experienced anything like that before in all the weddings I’ve shot, but Lauren and Jeff remained calm and eventually things resumed, I do’s were said, and it was time to start celebrating!
Lauren had planned a nice little surprise for her guests in addition to the 2nd Line from the Cathedral to House of Blues. As they exited the church, everyone was directed to round the corner and head down Pirate’s Alley where tables of cocktails and koozies were waiting for them to get the party and 2nd Line started right! While everyone was exiting the church we got a few cool shots of Lauren & Jeff and their umbrellas, but apparently the band thought everyone was ready to go and had taken off for the 2nd Line and were about 3 blocks ahead with all the guests! Now, I mention things like the sick person during the ceremony and the band being 3 blocks ahead of the bride and groom for a reason. There were so many things about Lauren & Jeff’s day that went so perfectly and I assure you they and their guests had an incredible time. But I mention them because I want other couples to know that things are going to go wrong on your wedding day – they may be big or they may be really small. It all comes down to your attitude and how you handle them. Lauren could have had a much different attitude and let these 2 pretty big things really upset her. But rather, her and Jeff went running down the street, laughing hand in hand, and ran through their crowd of guests like the Saints starting line up and took their proper place at the front of the 2nd Line! Perfect way to handle that. So please remember, just keep a happy positive attitude and don’t let anything ruin your day!!! Now, back to the perfect party of Lauren & Jeff
The reception was held in the main music hall of House of Blues and for their First Dance, they were introduced on stage as the curtains pulled back – such a dramatically cool way to do it! It was then time for Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. & The Zydeco Twisters to take over, and boy did they ever! The place was jumping all night and at one point or another, all the bridesmaids, groomsmen and both sets of parents were rocking on stage as well! And I have to give props to Lauren & Jeff, as they are currently in the lead for the ADV Best Cake Smash of the Year award. I’m pretty sure Jeff had to blow his nose to get it all out! The evening ended with Lauren & Jeff exiting to the glow of sparklers and hopping in to a pedicab, which took them away to where else, but an after-party. Because those guys certainly like to party! Lauren & Jeff, Titus and I had a really great time spending the day with you guys and we wish you both nothing but the best!
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