Ahhhh.... bridal sessions! I LOVE them but they kill me because I can't share the images until months after the sessions! I had one of my all-time favorite bridal shoots this past weekend and I HAVE to share a sneak peek with you guys. As we walked and talked, I listened intently to the details they have lined up for this wedding. Can I just say... my country-girl heart is all a-flutter! And come on... with bridal shoes like these... I can't hardly wait!
Don't miss the first part of this wedding post! Click here to see pictures from the first half of the day. And here is the second part of this beautiful goodness... details as far as the eye can see... and love to last a lifetime. (Could I be anymore cheesy? I can't help it... seriously... still thinking back on their day makes me giddy!)
Ceremony venue: mount pisgah umc Ceremony coordinator: Stephanie Douglas Officiant: Rev. Dr. Steven Plymale Reception venue: salisbury country club Florist: coleman brothers flowers inc. Make-up: hair productions of salisbury (lindsey) Hair: hair productions of salisbury (amy) Dress: caryn’s bridal DJ: Manny Green Entertainment Stationery: 2bSquared
Oh what a PERFECT way to end my maternity leave! I had so. much. fun. at Shea & Jessica's wedding! Their day was full of beautiful moments, genuine love, joy and perfection! Details beyond the eye could see, emotions to capture all day long, and beautiful people to boot! It was truly one of the best weddings I've had the honor to shoot and I am thrilled to be sharing the pictures with you today. Just a warning - there are a LOT of pictures to share. So much that I am going to post their wedding in two parts. So first up, Part 1!
Now go check out part 2: more portraits and the reception!
Ceremony venue: Mount Pisgah UMC Ceremony coordinator: Stephanie Douglas Officiant: Rev. Dr. Steven Plymale Reception venue: Salisbury Country Club Florist: Coleman Brothers Flowers Inc. Make-up: Hair Productions of Salisbury (Lindsey) Hair: Hair Productions of Salisbury (Amy) Dress: Caryn's Bridal
I am putting the final touches on the photos from Shea & Jess' incredibly dreamy wedding day and I had to share this adorable moment! This is their First Look, the moment when they saw one another for the first time on their wedding day. I'd like to take a minute and chat about how awesome First Looks really are. I don't give them enough credit! I was a bride who was set on tradition and I did NOT want to see my groom before the walk down the aisle! I wanted that "moment," that reaction!
Well let me tell you how romantic my reaction was! I was a BALL of NERVES walking down the aisle! I literally shook (I don't even like to watch my wedding video because I still cringe. So embarrassing!) as I speed-walked (oops!) down the aisle. Now obviously I am not saying that all brides will have this super overwhelming peak of nervousness (and the truth is I haven't seen a single bride shake as she walked down the aisle... nope... that's just me!), BUT, I am saying that I wish I had gone with a First Look on my wedding day!
Why? Because all I dreamt about was that REACTION... that moment. And guess what? It didn't HAVE to be during a long walk down the aisle and I kind of wish it hadn't been. I wish we could have had a private moment together before the day really kicked off. A small reveal. A moment to twirl in my dress and hear him tell me immediately how beautiful I looked. A moment to get our thoughts out and to reflect on the importance of the ceremony ahead.
I understand not all brides need privacy for this but that's why a First Look is so awesome! It has SO many benefits!
Jess & Shea decided to have a First Look before their ceremony primarily so they could have a few moments alone to reflect on the day AND knock out a large portion of wedding pictures before the ceremony began.
Imagine this... the nerves have built up and Jess taps Shea on the shoulder and he spins around... He can embrace her, hold her, cry with her! ENJOYing the moment... and she - the reaction! They share the moment together without onlookers. The nerves begin to diminish. Then we slowly start snapping a few pictures here and there and we ease into portraits. They are comfortable, happy, GLOWING. And there is NO pressure. No "15 more minutes!" from the coordinator. Just a bride and her groom having beautiful portraits taken as they enjoy one another on their wedding day.
Look how adorable they are!!
I LOVE these moments!! This is what fuels my fire for shooting weddings...!!
A few months ago I had the pleasure of photographing Jessica at the Historic Mankin Mansion in Richmond, VA. I have heard so much about this location but had never been there myself. It is a photographer's haven! I had such a wonderful time with Jess and her parents and it was a perfectly refreshing photo session during my time off. There's just something about getting out and shooting after you've been cooped up in the house with a newborn for two months. ;) Anyway... to the photos! These are some of my favorite bridal portraits ever!
“Liz Cook is an incredibly talented and attentive professional. Her sweet and gentle countenance is paired with her ability to capture the most tender and joyful moments of the births that she photographs. Liz’s photos will bring you years of enjoyment as they draw you back to the delight and bliss of your birth experience.”