Unique Weddings: Details, Moments, and Traditions

There are so many reasons I love shooting weddings.

1. Getting to know the couple: Learning about them, their relationship, and their style gives me the opportunity to create images that blend my Simply Modern style with their love story. And when it’s all said and done, I treasure the memory and the friendship of the couple.

2. The Love: I’m pretty much a sap. If I’m really happy, I cry; really said, I cry. I have a pretty thick skin, but on the inside, I’m a softy. When I’m shooting, I’ve found myself more than once, trying to focus my camera through blurry eyes. Being a lover of love, I thoroughly enjoy documenting the relationships between a bride and groom and ALSO their friends and family. It makes me appreciate life and the variety within it.

3. The Details: Every wedding is unique because every couple is unique. It’s their day and every aspect of their day shows through in the colors, the guest, the venue, and the details. Even their vendors are a reflection of who they are. 🙂 And I look forward to being exposed to the creativity that arrises from the process. Which leads me to todays post…..

In the past year or so, there have been a few details and moments that stuck out to me. Whether it was a detail that caught my eye, or a moment that left me in either tears or laughter, these unique aspects stick out. And so, today, I will share these with you:

First Look

The set below is a series from my First 1st Look. You can read more about what a 1st Look is HERE……this moment stands out to me because it was SO special and so moving. Gretchen and Dustin chose to see each other prior to the wedding to have a special moment together without anyone else, and to have a short session of images with just the two of them prior to him seeing her walk down the aisle. It was my first time photographing this, and I will never forget it.

SEEING WITHOUT SEEING

Addie + Justin chose to have a short session together prior to their wedding WITHOUT seeing each other. It was kind of fun for me to see them, but for them not to see each other. I felt like Addie was really thinking outside of the box here to suggest they do this. 🙂

DETAILS

When I first arrive at the wedding, I am photographing the details. All the little things that tell the story. Below are a few details that I thought were really neat.

• The shoes, Emily’s favorite detail from My Glass Slipper were actually one of my favorite details as well!
• The purse, a gift for the mother’s at Sarah + Nathan’s wedding served to be a big hit as well.
• Transportation is always a part of the day. And it ranges from limos to rolls royce’s. For Renada, she had 11…YES, ELEVEN classic cars pick up each and every bridesmaid as well as herself!

UNIQUE MOMENT

This photo was taken by Max as he spent time with the guys outside of the St. Louis Cathedral. And when I saw it….I CRACKED up. It definitely sticks out as funny and unique. I love when a couple remembers that their day is a celebration and it’s about having fun! 🙂

INCORPORATING CULTURE

For Brandi and Steve’s New Years wedding this year, she felt that it was very important to bring in her cajun roots. So, during the ceremony she had a cajun band playing inside the Acadian Village church.

RECEPTION DETAILS

Kelly executed so much creativity through her reception details. Her entrance area asked for her guests to “Leaf” their name on the hand drawn wedding tree….

She even built a frame for her family photos and used her grandmother’s typewriter for her guests to type them notes. 🙂 🙂 🙂

Addie + Justin also provided a candy bar for their guests. It was not only YUMMY but also absolutely beautiful!

DANCING

• Steve’s Canadian culture definitely showed through at the reception. I found myself laughing and clapping my left hand against my camera as my right hand consistently captured him traveling, jumping, and kicking across the room. SOO fun!
• I recently 2nd shot with Lyle Brocato for Sara + Serge’s wedding. Sergio’s Spanish traditions really came out as their guests led them into a sort of dance train under Sara’s dress!!!!

….Their guests then paraded Serge around the venue, took off his shoes and had Sara drink Champagne out of it! The tradition began when prima ballerinas were famously toasted by gentleman patrons who would pour Champagne in their dance slippers and then drink out of them. Now Christian Louboutin even has a set that comes with a shoe that is made to drink out of and champagne. 🙂

I am looking forward to many many more unique moments, details, and traditions. What’s your favorite wedding detail or the most unique moment you can remember?