Wishin' on bones...

I cannot explain in words how lucky I feel to have gotten to shoot this wedding.  Hold on to your seats and grab a big ole cup o' joe, because I think this is the longest blog post I've ever done!  How do you narrow it down when everywhere you aim your camera is another amazing detail - puppies, horses, a gorgeous farm, crazy-beautiful flowers- another funny incident or another super sweet moment??  Well, you just don't.  I simply love this family so much and Sara and Jake are two of the most gracious people I've ever worked with.  They deserved the perfect day, and I have to say, it was pretty darn close to that!  So sit back, relax and enjoy the story of Sara and Jake...

I'm starting out with some pics from the rehearsal dinner... notice the finery they are sporting!  Jake and Sara asked folks to wear something they'd NEVER consider wearing to a wedding.  There was everything from PJs to Prom dresses...  And their sweet families toasted them until the whole room was just one big blubbery mess.  LOVE.

 

These next are a mix of the rehearsal and the morning of the wedding.  Notice the wishbone flag... more about that later...

 

 

oh, Lordy.  Those of you who really know me know I CANNOT resist doggies... much less puppies.  Sara's sis had just gotten this sweet baby and he showed up in {probably WAY TOO MANY} of the wedding pics...

 There is just something about being able to get ready at home.  Sara and her sis getting ready in their own bathroom with family wedding pics just outside the door.  Gotta love that.

Ok... gonna jump back a little here... these next few are from a bridal session we did at the farm a few weeks before the wedding...

And back to wedding day.  The boutonniere (and rest of the flowers) are by Samantha at Mulberries.  Girlfriend ROCKED it!!!!   Sara wanted cotton, so Hope (from Simply Southern Catering) brought her bags of it back from some family in Georgia (or was it Alabama - sorry if I messed that up Hope). 

 Sweet, sweet, sweet first look.  Holy moly, the way Jake looks at her is enough to send anyone into heart palpitations. 

ok... so, I think it may be time to share the story of the wishbone.  Back years and years ago, when Sara and Jake were not even really old enough to think about things like serious dating, they had a bit of a crush on one another.  Working at a camp, they were on the dishline together (how romantic, right?!?) and a wishbone showed up on a plate.  They each grabbed a side (see photo below for the reenactment) and Jake ended up with the bigger side.  It wasn't until years later that Jake got his wish of a date with Sara.  Little did he know, Sara had wished for the same. 

The reenactment was true to the original outcome...  hehehe.

Oh, my.  gotta love a bride who doesn't take herself too seriously.  ;)

Seriously, are these not the coolest flowers ever?  OMG.  I died a little.

Ok... so,  the ceremony.  I'm gonna put my photographer's high-hat for just a second...  I LOVE a ceremony where I have the ability to move around...  With the barn behind them, I could hide in the shadows while getting really unique shots and the ability to move around on both sides let me get soooo many great shots!! It doesn't hurt that they were so precious and full of love and emotion and even some laughter. 

Samantha did all of these too...  gah.  Amazing.  And the ladies at Enchanted Details worked soooo hard to make it all come together. 

I've never seen a cooler cake (or cakes). By sugarbuzz Bakers.

The food (Simply Southern catering) was delicious!!!  She made homemade pies with fresh peaches...  insanely delicious!  I'm pestering Hope to make me one!!!

Some of my favorite reception shots...  they had a Square Dance caller!  What a great idea for getting everyone involved.  Loved it.

And....  the "get-a-way..." which consisted of being pushed down the hill by the crowd when the car wouldn't start in the uber-cold weather.  Gah, what a send off!!  it was perfect!

Sara and Jake (and your families)  thank you, thank you, thank you for having me...  its weddings like yours that helps me keep huge amounts of passion for my job season after season. xoxo  -j

{mandy and hunt}

Hello my friends!!! I hope you guys are getting pumped for Christmas!! I sure am! Anyway, I wanted to share a fantastic wedding that I had earlier this fall out in North Carolina! Lets talk about a picturesque backdrop! It was stunning...and some of the best weather! So, without further adieu, here are Mandy and Hunt...the best smiles ever!!

I love love love taking pictures of the bride getting ready! Sometimes its so hectic and crazy, but every now and then you get a bride like Mandy who just completely goes with the flow!!

So due to crazy traffic, we weren't able to go to the original spot we wanted to for the first see...however, you would be surprised what you can be given instead...a white porch and a beautiful tree always are fantastic!!! This is why we just roll with the wedding day punches!

Mandy might have been having just a little bit too much fun....but thats what I LOVE!!!

Once we got to our location, I had so much to work with...this little stairway just popped out of nowhere and wanted its debut! I would say it complimented Mandy and Hunt perfectly!

Once we got to the church out on Lake Junaluska...I almost had a heart attack when I saw what I got to work with. Lets just say, the quiantest, little church with the best backdrop EvEr!!!

This made me giggle!

So from ceremony...to reception!!

 

Instead of a traditional wedding cake, Mandy and Hunt opted out and went with the most scrumdiddleuptious apple pies from Haney's! Apparently they are famous...and I now know why! I might have maddoff with 2 of them! YUMMY!

Mandy and Hunt, I had such a blast tromping around Lake Junaluska with you two!!! And I now have a favorite apple pie! Send me some! :big smile:

{fall and phot}

 

Before we get to the goods... I've got even better goods to share!!  Keep and eye out tomorrow on FB, your email and here on the BLOG for the big ole' sale I'll be posting about!  It will run from Thursday through Sunday and the coupon code will save you 25% on all print orders purchased through the website! I'm calling it The Giving Thanks Event because I am soooooo grateful for all of YOU... my clients... that allow me to have this amazing career.  If you've been procrastinating on ordering those wedding or family pics... well, be glad you waited.  ;)  NoW is ThE tImE!!!

 

I LOVE happy people!!   

And the lovely Kimberly...ooooh, don't I love fall colors (and the yummy light that always seems to go hand in hand with it)!

And making a mad dash back up to Devon and Stephen! OMG...I can't stop giggling at her aunt's "I'm verklempt" face fanning in the second.  So adorable.