I think I have officially decided what makes photographing weddings so fun. When you attend a wedding, you usually are straining from the back to barely see the bride walk past you down the isle. And you think that you decide you like her dress. Then bride and groom are so far up on the stage that you cannot make out their faces. And as you sit at a beautifully decorated table, you glance up to see their first dance. You think, “Awww, they look so happy!”. Then for a brief moment they come by to your table to say hello, and you are floored at how radiant they both look close up. Usually attending a wedding can be a blur, a flickr of beautiful moments.
Well,..the awesome difference with that and getting to be the photographer could not be more vast! I am the one who gets to see every single detail. I am the one that gets to watch a groom behold his bride, and up close at that! I am the one that gets to see the food and decor laid out before it gets ravaged. I get to watch with anticipation as the first dance unfolds. All those tiny details and tremendous moments make the wedding day just that, a Wedding day!
It is such a beautiful thing to me…simply beautiful.
I went to Athens, TN to assist Ben with a Wedding such as this. I approached the gorgeous, and I mean gorgeous, historic Keith Mansion. I found Ben with the Bridal party in a field finishing up. My jaw dropped. It was a beautiful field, and the bride was stunning. I got butterflies in my stomach…..this was going to be an amazing day.
Enter…Shelby. My introduction to Shelby was her throwing her hand forward with the most friendliest of smiles. She greeted me with such enthusiasm that I liked her right away. Not only that but she was smiles the entire time and glowed, just like a bride should.
After meeting Shelby I hurried to the church and met up with Jake and the groomsmen. On meeting I quickly decided I liked Jake as well. Quiet, polite and all smiles…quite a gentleman.
I must warn, this may seem like the “Jake show”. I covered the grooms party pictures for Ben. So you are about to see tons of pictures of Jake.
Let’s get them married!!!
The chapel was a tight space for 100 plus people. The aisles were narrow and pretty much where I positioned myself was where I would stay. No moving around where I was. So I got comfy. I got some great close up shots, but this below just cracks me up. I am on stage behind the wooden pulpit, then Jake and Shelby come pretty much next to me to light the unity candle. As Shelby reaches for her candle, it is stuck. Their response, not nervousness or sweat….no, they both laughed.
Jake and Shelby were so smitten with one another. During the prayer, they would both quietly giggle. And two times, I saw Jake open his eye to peek at Shelby. Which I assume she was doing the same, because when he peeked they both giggled. Too cute!
Woo-Hoo!
Shelby and Jake arrived in this sweet ride. Uh,…one for me please.
Jake’s father greeted them both and with teary eyes and embraced them. It was so sweet~
Jake was introducing Shelby to a relative, and Shelby threw her arms open and I over heard her joyfully say, “Come here, I am a hugger!”.
I love her warmth!
I ran into one of the bridesmaids looking for Shelby and holding a toothbrush. It was Shelby’s and she wanted to make sure Shelby did not forget it for the honeymoon.
What a friend! And I just love this picture too…
I loved watching these two interact! They are totally and completely head over heels for each other!
I love the inside of this mansion. Simply gorgeous!
Cake time!!!
Shelby and Jake, I wish you both the very best!!! Thank you both for how you welcomed me! I hope these images will be a treasure to you both!
xoxo Lillian
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