The Dress

The Shoes:

Kate chose these Kate Spade Purple Satin wonders

And of course the necessary accessories

The Pearls

The Rings

The Shades

And the mini-Fans!

(given that it was unseasonably H-O-T  for mid June, these were a fantastic idea and counted as the brides “something blue”

The Bride & Groom

The Wedding Team

The Flowers

Phil Cato’s About Vase outdid themselves with these vibrant, happy arrangements of gerbera daises, roses, and fruit.

The Food

The Cakes ( with a side of gelato – yum!)

Of all the many decisions this couple made along the way,  it is obvious choosing each other was the best decision of all.

Kate and Kyle,  Thank you so much for giving Heather and me the opportunity to be part of your big day.   We wish you a lifetime of laughs and love together.

To see this enchanting event through Heather’s lens, click on over to her blog, Heather Owens Photography.

She’s an outgoing sales rep.  He’s a quiet IT guy.   They have two precious puppies ( which you can see over on Heather’s blog).   I really dig these people!

Margaret and Zack were so much fun to shoot last weekend.   They were such troopers battling the summer heat wave and racing all over the countryside to beat the setting sun.   We laughed so much that I can’t wait until November when we get to see them again and shoot their big event.  For now enjoy a sneak peek of this  spunky couple in love!    Oh what a beautiful life.

Now scoot on over to Heather Owens Photography Blog and see the amazing shots she captured.

Cheers, Y’all!

Un Noche Perfecto.   Flowers, Food,  Friends   –   ¿Que Mas? (what more?)     Last Friday evening I had the privilege of capturing how this seamlessly pulled together.   Inspired by Nature created a floral wonderland that would make anyone cry ¡Ole´!   The catering genius of Trios provided a Mexican feast that was beyond delicioso!    Even the mariachi band commented that the Chicken Enchiladas were the best they had ever had.  And don’t even get me started on the desserts.    Despite the threatening skies and the periodic torrential rains,  nothing could dampen the spirits and the love felt at this party hosted to encourage a young couple as they embark on their new life together.    Enjoy this peek at the fiesta!

a huge MERCI BEAU COUP to our vendors and team

Floral and Location Styling:  Distinctive Designs by Tanarah.

Fashion, Make-Up, and Hair Styling:   Kakki Jones

Wedding Gowns:  Proposals

Paper goods:  Molly’s Paperie

Womenswear: Scarlet

Menswear:  Dillards

Location:  William J. Clinton Presidential Center

Models:  Curtis Chatham and Keenen Carter  ( oh my,  these two were completely over-the-top beautiful!)

Again,  a merci, merci, merci to all of you.

And  a special thank you to my pal Heather who takes my crazy hare-brained schemes and makes us put them into action.  Without her – I would have never spent a long intense 12 hour day loving every. single. minute of it.   (( hugs))

If those who laugh together – stay together,  these two will definitely live happily ever after.   Meet Kate & Kyle.    From the first email we received from the pair, Heather and I knew we were in for a side splitting time.    Kyle has a endearing sense of humor perfectly paired with Kate’s infectious laugh.   They met when Kyle spilled a beer on Kate.    (They actually sweetly argue as to who really spilled the beer… my money is on Kyle)    H & I  thought a pub would make a perfect setting for their shoot.    Although they call Arkansas home, they are forging a new life together in the big city of St. Louis which inspired the metropolitan scene.  As fate would have it,   this parking deck served as Kate’s bicycle path as a child.   She would ride from the top of the deck to the bottom floor,  put the bike on the elevator and start again at the top.   How cool is that?!      Thank you Kate and Kyle for making it such an amazingly fun afternoon!  

my fave of the day

While I was capturing these fun times,  Heather was working her magic.  See her gorgeous images from this session

www.heatherowensphotography.com/blog

www.bellevieartistry.com

THIS is my favorite shot from that day.

It’s completely out of focus.   It is not rocking a sun flare.  But something about this image – with the colors meshing together, the softness,  the tender emotion…it.  just. works.   When Heather and I were going through the RAW images, we both gave this one a major sigh.    Then I tucked it back in the “do not blog” folder.

I’m so busy trying to get the rules of photography down.  I’m wanting to be “perfect”. (ugh – there’s that word again!)   I want to be Jose Villa a mere 8 months after taking my first pic (ever) with a DSLR.  I wouldn’t want the world to see this.   It was a mistake .  Then again,   I do want you to see this.  It’s beautiful.  It’s a beautiful mistake.

Isn’t that life?   We try so hard to play by the rules.  We set our focus.  We check every box. We execute with precision.  Then -  it doesn’t turn out like we expected.  We think we failed.   We tuck it  away from the world’s eyes.   What would happen if we chose to embrace our “mistakes” and show them off?

The infamous musician John Mayer said,

“In life, people trip.  Most people fall.  Some people turn that trip into a beautiful, beautiful dance.”

According to “the rules”, this is not a perfect picture.  And my life is not picture perfect.  I’m not on the path I had strategically planned for myself.  Very few of us are.   Life throws some curves.  I’m choosing to be thankful for the “mistakes”,  because they are exactly what is turning this life into a beautiful beautiful dance.

Recently Chrissy and I  had the opportunity to team up on another project.  I was enrolled in the talented Marta Locklear‘s workshop.  I called Chrissy and asked if she’d be my model — which resulted in a fun day of bridals.   You’ve just got to love a friend who will grab her gorgeous wedding dress on a moment’s notice and strike a pose.   Thanks Chrissy for being such a beautiful bride and friend.     And a special thanks to Marta for sharing her knowledge and encouragement …and for nudging me to get these up on the blog

Crush:  1) an intense infatuation  2) a hug or forcibly strong embrace  3) the object of desire.  All three define the affections between Matt & Danielle.  He chased her for months.  She blew him off.  Then she missed him.  It was love.

Heather and I had a blast hanging out with them.  They are so funny and full of life and willing to do whatever we said.  We made them kiss- A LOT.   (I don’t think they minded)      H and I look forward to telling more of their story.

For now enjoy this sneak peek of the e-session

Through my lens…

My fave of the day:

And while I was shooting this,   Heather was rockin the Nikon.  Look through her lens here:  www.heatherowensphotography.com/blog