Gretchen & Chad

Olyn and I had so much fun yesterday at Gretchen and Chad's Hawaiian themed wedding! It was truly a day of details and laughter. Almost every surface was covered in the wedding colors of eggplant purple and lime green with orchids scattered everywhere. And every face you saw was covered with a huge smile-- from the girls getting ready to the guys during the ceremony and the wild party afterwards, it was a true celebration.We didn't have much time or space for getting ready, but this corner of the church worked perfectly!
I absolutely love these two images-- both the bride and groom are fighting back tears as they see one another for the first time.Saturday at 2 was the FSU vs. Stanford baseball game in Omaha. Saturday at 3 was Gretchen and Chad's ceremony. The priest told a story to start the ceremony, saying "One of the groomsmen approached me before the ceremony to ask how long this was going to take. And my answer was.... " A HUGE clap of thunder punctuated his story, followed by a LOT of laughter. Many of the guests thought it was a sound effect!St. Thomas More is such a great church and we absolutely love shooting there!
We had a few minutes for portraits outside and I absolutely love these two portraits of the bride and groom!We had a good amount of time for post ceremony portraits, so we did lots of different things in the church, but all of my favorites were from just inside the doorway.When I said there were orchids everywhere, it was truly not an exaggeration!The favor boxes really fit in with the Hawaiian theme-- and inside were two fortune cookies with a thank you message from the bride and groom.I loved how Gretchen inscribed Chad's ring. What better message could a coach give?Gretchen really enjoyed her wedding reception-- I can probably count on one hand the number of images with her NOT smiling!
They had some really great toasts and what better background than the huge windows of the Alumni Center?Orchids even cascaded down the wedding cake!This should be a great warning to all grooms-- keep your hands on the cake knife!
This is honestly the first reception I have ever been to that had a "booty hour". It definitely packed the dance floor!

www.LongsPhotography.com
Tallahassee and Thomasville's premier wedding and portrait photographers

Vendors:
Ceremony Location: The Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More
Reception Location: FSU Alumni Center
Florist: Flowers by Vince
Wedding Planner: JoAnn Williams, Joyful Occasions
Cake: Heidi's Bakery
Catering: Catering Capers

Maria & Ryan

I had an awesome day today with Maria and Ryan! Their Tallahassee wedding focused on family, tradition and fun, making it a great wedding to photograph! Its been a long day, but I just couldn't wait to get the images on the blog-- just in time as I am racing out of town for another wedding tomorrow!
It was a typical Tallahassee summer day-- not a cloud in the sky and nothing to break the heat!
I adored Maria's dress. I love seeing dresses and styles that are a bit unusual, and this dress was the absolute perfect dress for her!
Vince really did a great job with the flowers-- her words to him were "simple and elegant"-- I don't think you could do better than this!The getting ready is always a bit chaotic, but with Maria's long veil she literally needed an entourage to keep it from snagging on everything!
After countless weddings, it still cracks me up to see how many women it takes to get one bride ready! I love this moment as Maria's dad sees her for the first time-- literally 30 seconds before they walked down the aisle!Big churches can be tough-- especially when their rules force us to the back of the church. Bradfordville Baptist is definitely large...But you can still get the close shots. :)I loved this moment right after they walked out of the sanctuary... Ryan looks at Maria and says, "Hey, we're really married!"After all the family portraits, we had some quiet time in the church...I don't normally post full length bridal portraits on the blog, as they tend to not be the most exciting images of the day... but I could not resist this portrait of Maria. I just love her dress and the light streaming in behind her.We decided to do some untraditional portraits...
The evening reception at the University Center Club was amazing! Vince really went all out with the floral decor-- there were arrangements everywhere you looked!The couple had a really sweet first dance... both times. :)
Myra Jean always makes beautiful cakes, but I especially loved the simplicity of this one.Ryan comes from a large family and I swear everytime I turned around, they were laughing together. So it came as no surprise that he and his mom laughed through the mother/son dance. Finally, after a very long day, they ended the night with a rose petal farewell.

www.LongsPhotography.com
Tallahassee and Thomasville's premier wedding and portrait photographers

Vendors:
Ceremony Location: Bradfordville Baptist Church
Reception Location: FSU University Center Club
Florist: Flowers By Vince
Cake: Myra Jean's Cakes
Band: Acme Rhythm and Blues

Alexis and Blue

Olyn and I had the BEST time yesterday at Lake Iamonia Lodge photographing Alexis and Blue's wedding! These are people who know how to have a good time! Seriously the best wedding food we have EVER tasted and awesome music from the band, Superheros.

A little fun with the rings:

I chose to hang the dress in the doorway... not thinking people would actually need to come in and out... I mean, can't they see how pretty the light is there?? :)I loooved her shoes! How she managed to stay up on them in the grass, I will never know!Olyn rocked the formals outside-- again, we chose the best light... and completely blocked one of the sidewalks into the building. Gosh... we are kind of obnoxious!! :)Vince did a great job with all of the flowers-- Alexis admitted to being near tears when she saw her bouquet. It was exactly what she had dreamed of!
I loved the cute touches of hydrangea everywhere. These hanging buckets lined the aisle.The ceremony was so sweet and beautiful in a field facing a forest of pine trees.We had a wonderful time with the couple's portraits-- we had beautiful light and they were a riot to photograph! Alexis definitely has her hands full with Blue's antics!This is probably the best example I could possibly give of the male perspective versus the female perspective. While I was capturing this beautiful, romantic shot....Olyn focused on the drink Blue left behind! It is definitely a new twist on the shot of the bouquet in the foreground!I have to be 100% honest about this shot. Olyn and I did not pose this or ask Blue to do it. This was 100% his doing... I just had the camera to my eye at the right moment. And I have to admit it is one of the funniest moments I have ever seen or photographed!
The sun was just setting as we went into the tent for their first dance.
After dark things started to get a little rowdy!And finally, they left with a bubble send-off!

www.LongsPhotography.com

Tallahassee and Thomasville's premier wedding and portrait photographers

Vendors:
Ceremony and Reception Location: Lake Iamonia Lodge
Florist: Flowers by Vince
Cake: Myra Jean's Cakes
Catering: Poseys
Band: SuperHeros
Transportation: Classic Limos
Videography: Waterford Productions

Natalie and Dane

Natalie and Dane's Friday wedding was such an intimate, loving event. Olyn and I really felt honored that they chose us for their day. I was also thankful that the weather finally started cooperating! I feel like I haven't had a rain-free wedding in ages!

Olyn's awesome shot of the sun above St. Paul's Methodist Church.Some simple fun with the rings.Vince Fontana (Flowers by Vince) did a great job with all the bouquets-- the chocolate ribbon matched the bridesmaids' dresses exactly!
St. Pauls has beautiful frosted windows that let in the softest most beautiful light. We had a few minutes with Natalie alone before the ceremony.
I think bridal portraits can be a lot of things, but I think that every bride should have one image that is angelic and ethereal. For me, it was this image of Natalie.We also had a few quiet moments with Dane before the chaos of the day began.The ceremony was incredibly personal and moving, as the church plays a major role in the couple's life.Olyn and I are always very respective of the church's rules, so I waited outside the doors so I could photograph the recessional from the ground and through the door windows, I saw the most perfect frame of the ceremony.
When Natalie and Dane were pronounced husband and wife, the silent sanctuary erupted in cheers and applause. I don't think I have ever heard a church get that loud!
After shooting what feels like a million weddings, I am tired of lining up everyone in a row and taking a quick snap. Olyn and I are working to add some fun to the formals, so we played around a bit on the steps of the church with the bridal party.
We arrived at Dorothy B. Oven Park with a few minutes left for Bride and Groom portraits.
The couple shared their first dance as the sun was setting.I really have to give a hand to Natalie's StepDad. He maintained his composure through both the Father Daughter Dance and his toast!
I love watching the Bride and Groom during their toasts... their expressions are priceless!
After dark, we went inside for the couple to share their cake (petit fours). After waving cake around for a few minutes each threatening to smash it on the other, Dane finally blurted out, "Just bite the friggin cake, Natalie!"She could barely eat she was laughing so hard.Olyn is the master of the garter/bouquet toss. I don't know if its instinct, or just good timing, but he always gets the action shot!

www.LongsPhotography.com
Tallahassee and Thomasville's premier wedding and portrait photographers

Vendors:
Ceremony Location: St. Paul's Methodist Church
Reception: Dorothy B. Oven Park
Florist: Flowers by Vince
Cake (Petit Fours): Tasty Pastry Bakery
Catering: Klassic Katering

Julie & Jonathan

Olyn was out at Golden Eagle Country Club this weekend, photographing Julie and Jon's wedding. The weather looked gloomy, but at the last minute, the sky cleared and Julie and Jon were able to have their beautiful ceremony as planned!With all the bridesmaids and flowergirls getting ready at once, the room got a little warm. Fortunately, Julie is a gal that knows how to stay cool under pressure!

Julie and Jon had a beautiful ceremony with a path of roses leading to the edge of the lake. About half way through the ceremony, the sun even started to peak through the clouds!

The setting sun provided wonderful light for the formal portraits.
Julie and Jon had a really interesting cake. It was really modern, with three free-standing tiers.
The garter and bouquet tosses can be the toughest events of the whole day for a photographer, but Olyn caught some great images!

Near the end of the reception, Olyn spent a few minutes with Julie for some additional portraits. I think these two are awesome!

www.LongsPhotography.com
Tallahassee and Thomasville's premier wedding and portrait photographers

Vendors:
Ceremony and Reception Location: Golden Eagle Country Club
Florist: Flowers By Vince
Cake: Myra Jean's Cakes
DJ: Greg Tish

Hayley and Matt

I had been looking forward to Hayley and Matt's wedding for months! Hayley is a fellow wedding vendor, (Hayley Lauren Couture), but she is also my friend. I don't think there is a greater compliment than to have someone in this industry choose you for their own wedding. So, the pressure is definitely on when you are working for a vendor and a friend. :) I had so much fun and I think Olyn and I got some great images!

I don't think I have ever taken as many dress shots as I did for Hayley-- could there be a more important detail of her day?
Matt and Hayley have known each other since they were basically kids-- He gave her this guardian angel charm when she was only 13. She wore the charm as a bracelet on a ribbon. Flowers by Vince did an absolutely amazing job with all the arrangements. I love how everything felt so seasonal-- the fresh daffodils and tulips really added to the spring feeling.I wouldn't exactly call Matt camera-shy... more like camera disgruntled. He absolutely hates having ANY photos taken, so it was a definite challenge. :) It became fun by the end as we harrassed one another-- me begging him to be in a shot, him threatening to do horrible things to my car. :)

I love this shot of Matt waiting for the ceremony to begin.
The light was absolutely beautiful as Hayley and her dad came down the aisle.
The ceremony was incredibly sweet and intimate with a lot of personal touches.After the ceremony, Hayley and Matt walked back down the aisle and into some amazing light. I got some of my favorite images of the day as they walked away.
The formals went amazingly well, with this probably being the biggest smile I could get out of Matt.Getting Hayley to smile was easy.Probably my favorite shot of Hayley was one she said made her feel "goofy"... I think the end result is anything but it!Hayley has such an attention to detail and such a sense of fun-- I loved her whimsical centerpieces. Each goldfish had a name and a story and the guests could adopt them at the end of the night.
The tent looked awesome, with pink rose chandaliers hanging from the ceiling. One of Matt's sweet moments as the prayer was said for dinner.Another amazing creation by Myra Jean!I love this shot, probably my favorite of the entire day-- and it was Olyn's. :)One of the cutest farewells I have ever seen, Hayley and Matt were showered by confetti poppers as they ran out of the reception.

www.LongsPhotography.com
Tallahassee and Thomasville's premier wedding and portrait photographers

Vendors:
Ceremony and Reception Location: Morningside Baptist Church
Florist: Flowers by Vince www.FlowersbyVince.com
Cake: Myra Jean's Cakes www.myrajeanscakes.com
Dress: Hayley Lauren Couture www.hayleylaurencouture.com
Videography: Waterford Productions www.waterfordproductions.com
Coordinator: Magnolia Events
Tents, tables, etc: Balloons Unlimited www.balloonstallahassee.com