Laura & Carlos :: Lexington Wedding

Laura & Carlos 101: That's what I got when I arrived at the church to start taking pictures.  Laura, a Kentucky native (we actually grew up at the same church, went to the same schools and our brothers are the same age) and Carlos, who came to Kentucky from the Dominican Republic on a baseball scholarship met in grad school were in town a few weeks before their wedding for us to hash out all the details.  They spent pretty much every second of that weekend meeting up with all the vendors and getting alterations made.  Whew!  So little time for the pleasantries, but Carlos and I had some time to catch up before picture taking commenced.

As I mentioned, they met in grad school.  Then as life has it, the next chapter in Carlos' life took him to Missouri.  Laura, not willing to let such a gentleman slip through her fingers, faithfully followed him to the mid-west.  And the rest is history...

Their big day was full of celebration and tradition (both Catholic and Spanish)!  Many of Carlos' family and closest friends made the international trip to celebrate their 'forever.'  And any multi-cultural gathering wouldn't be complete without charades and interpreters. 

Their big day was also full of emotion, as most weddings are.  I couldn't even keep a dry eye during their 'first look.'  Seriously, I don't know what it is...is this what motherhood does to you?!  Maybe it was Carlos and his genuine love for his bride.  He actually asked myself and the other photographer what our best advice was on marriage.  How many grooms do you know ask that to two almost complete strangers?  Or maybe it was the spontaneous and passionate kisses he kept peppering his beautiful bride to be...which always caused a frenzy of Spanish phrases to be uttered from his fellow DR friends!  Whatever it was, it was quite obvious he was head over heels for his bride to be.  

The big day was not only full of tradition and emotion, but patience as well.  Due to the time of the nuptuals and Saturday evening mass, formals had to be taken at a separate location.  Lucky for us Waveland State Historic Site was just down the street and they didn't mind a bit that we took pictures there.  However, unlucky for us was the forecast.  Rain.  We consider ourselves VERY fortunate to have gotten the bride and grooms pictures done before the heavens opened up.  I had planned on Waveland since it also has large covered porches around the mansion...just incase rain thought it could scare us away!  What is more memorable than wedding pictures with rain umbrellas?!  

Enough of my blabbing....here are the images from Laura & Carlos' big day along with everyone who made this day special!

Church: Pax Christi Catholic Church

Reception: The Signature Club of Lansdowne

Wedding Coordinator: Cathy Scott

Flowers: Brook Grow with Fields in Bloom

Cake: The Sugar Forest

DJ: Mike Graves with Music by Mike G

Photographer's assistant: Lisa Hammond 

The bridesmaid's dresses had POCKETS!

A Spanish tradition is the coin ceremony.  Coins are handed down in the family from generations. 

Spanish tradition of the groom walking the mother down the aisle. 

The priest is the bride's uncle.  Hands down BEST homily or sermon I've heard at a wedding.  His message needs to be heard from everyone considering marriage and be incorporated in premarital classes/counseling!

Candy Corn Hats

Pre order your candy corn hat in any size now through Sept. 27th for only $12...and that includes delivery/shipping and tax!  After the 27th price will be $15 not including tax and delivery/shipping.

I accept, cash, check and paypal!

Pssst..And if you're up for the challenge, you can get the pattern here... http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/candy-corn-hat-6 by Crochet by Jennifer. www.crochetbyjennifer.com

Destination Session :: The K Family

Pack n play - check, sunscreen - check, beach towels - check, kitchen sink - check!  Ok, just kidding about the kitchen sink, but for real, anyone who has traveled to the beach with two tots in tow know the feeling and the all-to-familiar phrase, 'everything but the kitchen sink' when it comes to packing.  Add my work camera to the check off list and we were ready to go! 

Every summer for the past 28 years my mom's family has rented the same beach at Sandbridge Beach, Virginia.  Tradition.  Memories.  Laughs and spats are all made in that house.  So when my cousin asked if I would take her family pictures on the beach, I was more than thrilled!  Thrilled for a few reasons... A.I love taking pictures at the beach and B. It is my first family session at the beach.  Oh and C, Well, she's my cousin, duh!  ;)  Not just any cousin...we had matching outfits in our younger years (we are only a year apart in age), we were pen pals, had our fair share of inside jokes, and now commiserate with the trials and tribulations of staying at home with kids, learning how to share and potty training...did I mention she lives 10 hours away?  Too far in my opinion!   

Anyway, here's a peek at her family! 

Heather & Brett :: Maternity & Newborn

Usually these sessions get two separate posts...but we barely squeezed in the maternity session before Baby C made his appearance!  Just about a week after Heather and Brett's maternity session I was scrolling through email while on vacation and received a message he made his arrival!  He may be just one of the most cooperative babies I've worked with!  He didn't make his first time mommy and daddy wait the full 40 weeks to meet him...and he slept during his entire session!  

Congrats Heather and Brett on your new prince! 

July Mini :: Talon Winery

My mini sessions at Talon keep getting better and better! I found a new location and have fallen in love with it all over again since my June mini session at Talon.  Why?  Well, the leafs and vines are lusher and more vibrant than they were a month ago!  

During my two days of shooting at Talon we covered LOTS of celebrations!  First birthday, maternity (actually will be in next post along with newborn pics), 10th wedding anniversary and fall birthdays, family reunion, and a good 'ol family picnic (complete with picnic basket)! 

Scroll on down to take a peek!  

PS: If you've never been to Talon, I highly recommend it!  Mosy on over for a tasting, listen to live music and just walk through the vineyard complete with gazebos, benches and picnic tables!  Or pack your own blanket for a true down-to-Earth picnic!