by Kim | Jul 6, 2011 | Weddings |
John and Denise…they have stories. Really, really awesome stories. Somewhat unbelievable, definitely loveable. I hope they make a movie about these two one day. Without giving away their sweet secrets, I can say that it would be a mix between “Four Weddings and a Funeral” minus the funeral, “Trains, Planes and Automobiles”, and “National Lampoon’s Vacation”. And that is just the story of how they met. John and Denise…her Greek heritage, her career in the NYC fashion district, a prominent judge as a close family friend, his well-known family business to run, and super cool and relaxed demeanors. John and Denise waited a long time to find each other, and no amount of threatening weather would dampen the sweet peacefulness and intense love these two share. The storms were pretty intense. The forecast had huge rain and thunderstorms covering the entire area. I couldn’t help but take several shots of the weather progression throughout the day. It was hard to describe, but the guests were talking about the odd way the clouds formed around the house all day. It was raining on either side of us up and down the beach. The clouds were scary and threatening but all the while, there remained a small opening for the sun just overhead. You couldn’t have been there and not know it was unusual. Magical. Blessed. The rain held off until the very last picture was taken, at which point the bride and groom took off running into the house. The house is special, too. It belongs to John’s parents. It has been the site a other family weddings and special...
by Kim | Jul 1, 2011 | Weddings |
There’s no time like vacation to update the blog. Seriously, it takes a vacation to justify blogging over editing here at the end of spring wedding season when the editing list is quite long. Let’s just start back at the beginning of the season with a day so beautiful, I can still remember the cool breeze and warm sun, flowers blooming without fear of wilting. It was an absolutely perfect day for a wedding. The ceremony was held at the Unitarian Church in Charleston, easily on my top five list of prettiest churches of all time. Anna and Scott live in Georgia, but Anna’s love of Charleston stems back from her College of Charleston days. Their wedding party was small, primarily close family and a few cherished college friends. After their intimate ceremony, the party moved to a nearby restaurant for dinner. The flowers were provided by Charleston Flower Market. That cool breeze turned into some gusts, which led to some hilarious photos throughout the day. The bride even lost her veil at one point when it blew across the street. Her wonderful groom saved the day when he chased it down for her....
by Kim | Apr 5, 2011 | Bridal, Weddings |
Jennifer and Brett are full of that contagious kind of laughter… plus the smirks, giggles and cute jokes. They don’t take themselves too seriously, so the result is a truly laid back affair where everyone has fun. Jennifer laughed going down the aisle! They laughed as they exchanged rings. Brett smirked and scratched his head all silly like when he realized they’d been pronounced “husband and wife”. You know, I hope their children and grandchildren look back on these wedding pictures with a sense of wonder at all the joy shared by these two. Let’s be real now. There wasn’t just a bunch of kissy kissy going on. Jennifer and her girls can tear up a dance floor! Oh, my!! Darrell of The Connellys set up his very popular photo booth on the grounds for added entertainment. Jennifer might have been in 99% of the pictures. The camera loves her and she loves the camera! Well, that is easy to see below. Jennifer and Brett, I wish you continued happiness and a long life...
by Kim | Apr 5, 2011 | Bridal, Weddings |
When I look at my 2011 calendar, I am overwhelmed with this huge sense of gratitude for the clients I get to work with this year. Happy, fun, artistic and altogether delightful people. This wedding….well, this couple…they truly kicked off my season in a glorious way. First of all, the weather was so unbelievably warm and sunny….it was on the miraculous side. I mean, perfect weather in February? So God smiled down on them from the start. And speaking of smiles, Jennifer gives them out freely and liberally to everyone. That would have to be one of the first things you’d notice about her. She glows all of the time, not just on her wedding day. So….Jennifer never gave me a list of pictures, not one request or order. She just had the time of her life and let it all unfold to be documented naturally and easily. Can I get an “AMEN”?! : ) It’s not just Brett and Jennifer that made this wedding so special. We had our dream team, a.k.a. Luke Wilson Special Events, involved from the day they were engaged. Luke and Megan did what they do so well, that is, make it look effortless. But even better, since they were such good friends of the bride, I got to photograph LWSE breaking it down on the dance floor later that evening. It was a treat!! Maybe they’ll forgive me for posting all those dancing shots later. All the event rock stars were in attendance. The floral designs were by Katie Bell of Timeless Designs; Fish catered the event; Lowndes Grove served as ceremony and...
by Kim | Mar 18, 2011 | Weddings |
I want to offer a quick congrats to Nikki and Jeff! The newlyweds are a spunky couple who have enough attitude to share, which you can see below. Their dinner conversations must be very interesting! Jeff is deploying this week for a whole year to Afghanistan. Nikki is newly in the nursing field. There are teenage children in the household, too. This blended family was a hoot to photograph. Here’s a small sampling of the chemistry and laughs they share....
by Kim | Mar 11, 2011 | Weddings |
Not every story is easy to tell. Some stories leave such an impression that words don’t seem adequate. It’s every photographer’s hope to help tell these stories with meaningful photographs. This couple briefly stepped into my world and I can not stop thinking about them. Their story is still somewhat of a puzzle to me, one where I have only a few of the pieces. First, they are the youngest couple I have ever photographed being wed. He is a sailor. Old enough to serve our country but too young to celebrate the marriage with even a champagne toast. She is a college freshman living on the opposite coast from her beloved, still at home with her mother. She wore an anchor charm around her neck and came down the stairs barefoot to meet her groom, not a bit of makeup on her clean face. He never uttered a word until he was asked to give his vows, just stood there with his hands folded and face a little red. I’ve never seen a young man so nervous or hold his breath so long. Her mother was in attendance and their only witness, other than the officiant and myself, to the wedding. I’ve named them Romeo and Juliet for a few reasons. His father does not approve of their relationship….too serious at too young an age. He is someone of importance in the film industry in Hollywood, and I imagine he has his own expectations for his son. They intend to keep their marriage a secret until they feel it is appropriate to announce it. Or to recreate it...
by Kim | Mar 5, 2011 | Weddings |
PART 2 OF 2: The personal touches and the family stories really made this intimate wedding special. Heidi had beautiful miniature wedding cakes designed, one for each guest, instead of the traditional single larger cake. Heidi’s mother is an excellent seamstress. She crafted a hair piece, bridal purse and bouquet adornments from the extra rosettes left over after Heidi’s dress was fitted. Sunil’s parents spent almost 24 hours in airports and on planes traveling from India to be at their son’s wedding. The families met here in Charleston for the first time. It was interesting to see the cultures and family traditions mingle in such a sweet way. And I fell head over heels for Heidi’s little boy, who reminded me so very much of my own little red-headed freckle-faced son. The couple started off with a “first sight” before the ceremony so that we could utilize the grounds for pictures before the sun set. I love having that freedom beforehand to spend time with the couple getting all the portraits their hearts desire….without missing a moment of their reception! The Wentworth Mansion served as ceremony site and the guests moved their celebration over to Circa 1886 for the dinner reception. Nancy Russell was the officiant. Heidi’s hair and makeup were courtesy of Whispers on Wentworth. The Cake Stand provided the miniature cakes and created the cake display. All floral arrangements and the bride’s bouquet were created by Ginny Severs of Charming Inns....
by Kim | Jan 26, 2011 | Weddings |
Jennifer and Travis are…. fun, perfect for each other, compassionate, sweet, smart, funny, down-to-earth, and a match made in heaven. Jennifer was voted “Teacher of the Year” for Dorchester County Schools and is in the running for the state award. Travis has played some serious football in his time(betcha couldn’t guess that, though). Parents love them, kids love them, I love them… Jennifer has a DIY streak. She knew what she wanted and set about making it happen. There are lots of personal touches…like the vintage family photographs displayed beautifully in the antique deli counter. And the antique homemade quilts that lined the candy bar. Their “B” monogram graced the tea cakes to the coffee stirrers. She even convinced the very manly men of the family to hoist a Christmas tree over the serving table, having it dangle upside down by cables. The trees were decorated with ornaments that served as personalized favors for the guests. This fun-loving couple didn’t let the cold or the rain dampen their day. The smiles were plentiful as guests indulged in a warm and hearty brunch of lowcountry favorites. It was served by the groom’s parents who own the restaurant that hosted the reception at Main Street BBQ. Another insight into Jennifer and Travis’ spontaneous and carefree nature, they shot all of their photos in the rain without a fuss. Boy, they made me proud! We had planned months before the have an elaborate outdoor shoot at the old train station and under the live oaks…something I must admit I had my heart set on. But these two suggested we go around...
by Kim | Oct 26, 2010 | Weddings |
Steven and Jane celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary, which happens to be today, by renewing their vows. Though they live in Delaware now, Steven was stationed in Charleston 25 years ago. He took Jane down to the battery to propose on bended knee by one of our famous cannons at the waterfront. Twenty-five years later they came back to that spot to reaffirm their love. Jane couldn’t make it through her vows without crying. Steven barely kept his composure, too. I love that kind of emotion after being together for 25 years…so I had to post a snippet showing off those tears…sweet… The fabulous officiant for this ceremony was Nancy...
by Kim | Oct 22, 2010 | Weddings |
Check out Mia and Aaron’s fun Greek wedding here on...
