Bray and Leslie - the Day After

Bray and Leslie's Hilton Head wedding was perfect in every way - except that it rained! Right as the outdoor ceremony was supposed to start, the skies just opened. Fortunately the clubhouse had a pretty foyer that they could use. However, due to the weather and all of the confusion surrounding it we didn't really get a chance to get any shots of just the two of them. So we decided that the next day they would get dressed back up and we would do it then. And it worked out perfectly! The weather was gorgeous, Leslie's hair and flowers were just as beautiful as the night before, and we ended up with more time than we would have gotten had the weather cooperated on their wedding day. So it definitely worked out for the best!

My "Growing" family...

I know, as some of you have mentioned, it has been quite a while since I have posted any pictures of Chris. I guess it is just that so much has been happening on the business side that, while I promise I have been taking some pictures of him, I just haven't been taking the time to actually post them! But I thought I'd take some time to do that today...
Over the past few weeks I have watched my baby turn into a BOY! He is starting to talk more; now he can say "be back" (be right back), and "I missed you" (my favorite!), among other things. While he definitely still has his moments, I've also realized what a good, obedient little boy he is. And whereas two weeks ago I wouldn't have DREAMED of allowing him to walk with me through a store - he was always in his stroller or a shopping cart - one day I was feeling brave and decided to see how he'd do. And to my complete surprise, he did great! He stayed right with me, and if he did start to wander all I had to do was say "come here" and he immediately did. And it was a crowded Wal-mart! He loved the freedom to be able to run down the aisles, and the other shoppers seemed to get a kick out of him. So since then, he's walked everywhere. He especially loves stores with small carts, as he can push them himself. So the other day we went to Kohl's, and he pushed the cart while I loaded it up - it was great! He walked with me, stopped when I stopped, and babbled the whole time - and we were there for an hour! I was so impressed with my little "helper". Fortunately I had my point-and-shoot with me, so I was able to grab a few shots:

This new development happened just in time, as I was getting ready to purchase a sit 'n stand stroller for him and the new baby. But I've now realized that he won't need it, so I've decided to just get a regular single stroller instead.

Even though he is growing up so fast, he is still my baby! Yesterday he woke up early from his nap, and he was crying really hard. Usually I leave him alone, as this means he'll go back to sleep. But he wouldn't stop. So I went in his room, and even when I picked him up he wouldn't stop crying. I went and sat on the couch with him, and even then it took several minutes for him to calm down. Then he just sat in my arms, silently. It was really such a sweet, and rare, moment! And then I got an added bonus - he started to fall asleep. So I laid down on the couch with him curled up next to me, and he slept. All I could think was that this could easily be the last time I would get to hold my sleeping little boy in my arms - I didn't want the moment to end. Unfortunately, after about 10 minutes it started to rain. This would have actually been a good thing if it hadn't been for the fact that I'd left the garage door open! So I carefully got up without waking him... but he was so cute that I couldn't help but take a picture. He did wake up about 2 minutes later, though, but at least he was happier!

And then there's Mark... he really is the best husband ever. He has been SO supportive of my business, and never complains when he has to baby-sit while I shoot a wedding, or when he has to do the housework because I need to work on editing photos. Saturday I had a wedding over in Ocala, so he was once again on "Chris duty". When I got home about 1:30 in the morning, I found these beautiful flowers on the table! He'd gotten them for me for our 6th anniversary, which was on Sunday. He even made sure I knew that he had bought 2 separate bunches of flowers and even arranged them himself. Aren't they beautiful?! I am so blessed!

Last, but not least, there is our little baby girl... I am now at 35 weeks, and the nesting urge is really kicking in now! I am so looking forward to holding her in my arms!

My turn!

Let me just start out by saying that you will never convince me that the Lord does not care about the seemingly small, insignificant details and desires of our hearts. Ok, now let me explain... When I was pregnant with Chris, I think we took about 5 pictures of me the entire pregnancy. So I don't have much to look back at of that time. So this time, I really wanted some good pictures. I can't really explain why, as typically I do NOT like to be in front of the camera (hello, that is why I am the photographer!). But I think maybe it has something to do with being able to show my daughter the photographs, and hopefully it will communicate to her just how excited I was about being pregnant with her, and how special she was to me even before I could see her face. Being pregnant is such an incredible, special time! And as busy as my life is right now, I LOVE the constant reminders that there is this little person inside me, patiently waiting as she is being formed by the Lord, and that soon I will get to hold her in my arms.

Ok, so on with the story... about a month ago I was up in North Carolina for a workshop with the amazing photographer Millie Holloman. (I'm planning a separate blog post on that, so stay tuned). But while there, I was talking to a few photographers that work for her, Rachel and Rebecca. Rachel asked me if I was planning on having maternity photos done, and I told her I didn't think so. Because as much as I wanted some, it just didn't seem like it was going to work out. She immediately offered to do some the next day! I couldn't believe it! So the next day she, Rebecca, and my friend Lain took me out to this area where there was some tall grasses, fallen logs, etc. for the pictures. I never dreamed that not only would I get to have the pictures done, but they would be done by such amazing photographers at such a perfect spot! The Lord worked all of that out, and I am just blown away by the generosity, kindness, and talent of the girls as well as the love of Jesus.
Ok, so here's a few of the pictures. It was so hard to pick which ones to post - just looking at all of them made me cry!

I did feel a little funny about posting the next three pictures... just to warn you, they are of my big ol' belly! I can't even explain why I wanted them done, as I am not one to "show it off"... but I really like them!

This is what I see when I look down ;)

Thank you SO MUCH to Rachel, Rebecca, Lain, and Millie! These pictures are amazing, and I am so grateful.

Congratulations Bray and Leslie!

I was so excited to shoot Bray and Leslie's wedding last weekend for a number of reasons... For one, they are such a beautiful couple! And they are both so laid back and fun to work with. The location was also amazing; it was held at the Port Royal Golf Club on Hilton Head Island.
The day of the wedding, all eyes were on the sky. It was forcasted to rain, which would be a problem for their outdoor ceremony! They decided to try to hold it outside anyway, and while they were getting ready we all just prayed that the rain would hold off long enough for their 5:30 ceremony...

Isn't Leslie gorgeous??

The guys weren't so bad, either ;)

I loved the bridesmaids' dresses!

The guests and parents of the couple were seated... here is what the sky was looking like!

No sooner had their parents sat down, then the sky just opened up. Everyone paused for a split second, then took off running for the clubhouse.

Fortunately, the foyer of the clubhouse was really pretty and was large enough to hold the ceremony in. Bray and Leslie took it all in stride, and even the change of plans didn't get them down.

Their cake was amazing! Flowers by Sue did an amazing job with all of the flowers for the wedding.

I love this shot of their rings on the ringbearer's pillow.

Their first dance

The father-daughter dance gets me every time! I especially love the second shot - the light makes me think of the (corny) expression "twinkle in his eye". And as she is his only child, that is probably a fitting description!

Bray dancing with his mom

Tossing the bouquet...

It was caught by her sister ;)

Bray's fraternity serenaded Leslie - I was impressed!

The DJ, Jamie from My Hilton Head Weddings, did an incredible job of keeping the party going. He played just the right music that kept everyone out on the dance floor. Everyone had a great time!


As graduates of UF, both of them are huge Gator fans. So it was only fitting that their last dance ended to the Gator fight song!

As they made their exit, their guests lined the path with sparklers. I love this shot of Leslie's dad; it makes me wonder what was going through his mind as his daughter was about to leave!

Congratulations!

Because of the rain and the ensuing chaos, we didn't really get a chance to get pictures of the two of them alone. So we made plans to meet the following morning to get a few... so stay tuned!

Bray and Leslie's Rehearsal Dinner

Last weekend I had the opportunity to shoot Bray and Leslie's wedding up in Hilton Head, SC. And what an amazing weekend! Mark came with me to help out, and we headed up late Thursday night. Friday we took a few hours to head into Savannah, as neither of us had ever been and we'd always wanted to go. Later that evening we attended the rehearsal dinner for their wedding.
This was by far the most unique rehearsal dinner I've ever been to! It was held at the Bluffton Oyster Company, which was right on the water. There was a long table set out, and this guy came out periodically to dump baskets of steamed oysters and crabs on it. The guests all just gathered around the table to enjoy the feast! The location was beautiful - complete with piles of oyster shells and old boats. And everyone seemed to have a great time relaxing and enjoying the food and fellowship. It was the perfect beginning for all of the wedding festivities!