Christmas trees, mistletoe, and ... wedding bells? There is a reason this season is considered "merry" and "jolly" and what better way to capitalize that feeling than a small, holiday-sprinkled wedding at an intimate bed and breakfast establishment located a bouquet's toss away from the bayou. Just the day after Christmas in a climate too chilly for tank tops, the final preparations began to unfold as the wedding party and guests arrive at the destination one by one.
The bride suits up in the old, new, borrowed, and blue while chatting away with her bridesmaids before the ceremony. Like every wedding day, there is always something that goes wrong - like forgetting the bridesmaids' hair pieces - but on the flip side there is always someone to call to run that errand when needed.
Camera phones make great mini cameras... and also great photographic opportunities when all four of her bridesmaids zoomed in on her just for the perfect capture. Knowing she is one of the two most important people of the day, the bride rolls along with it and makes a few faces to please her audience.
After making her way down the staircase, the bride and groom wed next to the house Christmas tree. A prayer and a few scriptures were read during the ceremony and a pre-empted "I do" was spoken by the groom when the pastor recited the vows he was to repeat. A few giggles arose from the crowd - and the bride as well - but the room quickly grew quiet again as the couple confirmed their vows with full hearts.
The union is the most emotional for the parents, who can hardly fight back tears as they watch their child take a monumental life step.
Not as traditional as a toast, but nevertheless the groomsmen and the groom clink their cups together in celebration and friendship.
The sunlight from the window overlooks the groom's cake, which rests directly next to the jingle bells that would later be used to send off the excited couple.
The time came to dance...and dip.
Before the bouquet was tossed, the couple sat on the stairs and joked around with family and guests.
The bride hugs her father just before they danced.
The bride loved the porch swing and wanted a memorable image with her husband there.
The song "Sweep Me Off My Feet", written and composed by an absent friend, moved the bride to tears as she listened to it play in the background.
The bride takes one last look and waves goodbye to the guests as her and the groom head out the front door.
In this short, simple, but sweet wedding and ceremony, the strive for excellence, improvement, and raw emotion in my images was imperative. As my second wedding, I found I was more comfortable and confident as a photographer. I knew the crucial moments to capture and when to let my camera battery rest. I knew when to boldly jump in for a tight shot and when to lay back and grab the overview. I knew that striving to get the best shots for the bride and groom was my utmost priority and the core essence of the storyline in images. I also knew this was something I planned to keep on doing for the rest of my life.
