A sign hanging in their home- how wonderful and inspirational.

Just loved this shot of the bride’s bouquet lying on the bed in their home.

Their rings. Shannon’s ring served as both her engagement ring and her wedding band, because to her she said it just felt “right.” The stones on her ring represent the joining of their two families.

Shannon’s mom helping her lace up her gown.

Shannnon had her mom walk her down the aisle- it was such a sweet moment. Here she is just before the ceremony- taking a deep breath.

Mel watching Shannon come down the aisle.

I LOVE this picture- It’s like they are saying “WE DID IT!!!”

Thank you Mel and Shannon for having me there to photograph your special day. I can tell that every moment of your marriage is truly going to be blessed and that your home will be full of love. I hope you enjoy your sneak peek and your full gallery will be active soon!

The bridesmaids before the wedding, looking absolutely fabulous!

While the girls were getting ready my awesome assistant Jenna went with the boys to the UF Stadium for some groomsmen photos.

Just before the ceremony- Jessica trying to calm her nerves. Doesn’t she make a gorgeous bride?

With her father walking down the aisle.

Sam trying to get a look at his bride.

And the beautiful couple.

Jessica and Sam chose to incorporate a sand ceremony to represent the joining of their two lives into one.

The groom.

This little one was so enthralled with tossing her flowers, she kept doing it al through the ceremony!

The groomsmen “lost” Jessica’s ring. Here is one looking in his shoe for it. The ring had found itself a great hiding spot around his toe.

Exchanging of rings, toe jam and all.

Some quick photos after the ceremony before the formal pictures took place.

You have got to love these candid moments. Thank’s to Jenna for capturing this great shot!

And here are some fun shots with the bridal party.

And some more of Sam and Jessica as husband and wife.

Welcome to the reception- where this couple certainly knew how to have FUN! Here they are dancing their way in as their grand entrance.

First dance.

And a little cake on the face never hurt anyone, but certainly makes for a good time!

All the lovely single ladies looking to catch the bouquet.

Congratulations Jessica and Sam! Hope you had a fabulous time on your honeymoon. Thank you for inviting me to be there to capture your wedding day, and I hope you enjoyed the sneak peek!

The sky as we arrived at the Rustic Manor for the pre-ceremony coverage. Just slightly ominous. My second shooter and I actually had to wait in the car for almost 45 minutes for a long enough break in the rain that we could get our gear inside!

Once the rain let up, I went inside to meet with the bride for her pictures, and Jenna, my second shooter, headed to the UF stadium to brave the weather there for pictures of the groom and his entourage. More of those photos in an additional post.

Jessica writing a special note for Sam. Her gift to him on their wedding day was a Black Book of images taken from one of my Rockstar Boudoir Marathon sessions earlier this summer.

Jessica even decorated the bottom of her shoes! I love creative brides!

Some of the beautiful bride in her dress. As a photographer sometimes you just get lucky with unbelievable lighting that lets you capture shots like these. Her dress is by Solutions Bridal.

Flowers in a light plum color and white- absolutely beautiful thanks to Prange’s Florist.

Jessica had mentioned a long time ago that she was in search of the perfect cupcake- and here is why. In lieu of a traditional wedding cake the couple had cupcakes provided by Cakes By Pam Greenwell with an anniversary cake topper. How fabulous.
cupcakes

And this pretty much says it all- the theme of the day:

The Rustic Manor just after sunset. Amazing sky, amazing venue, amazing day.

Congrats to Jessica and Sam who are celebrating their nuptials on a week long honeymoon. Many more of the couple, the ceremony and their celebration coming soon!

Emily had her stepfather and mother walk her down the aisle.

It’s so great having a second shooter- Jenna was in place and was able to capture one of the sweetest handoffs.

I can’t get over just how amazingly cute these two are together- just check out how he is holding her pinky during the ceremony.

And look at John looking at Emily while the pastor speaks about the bond of marriage.

Emily and John making their way down the aisle as husband and wife.

Some of Jenna’s images of Emily and John….

And I just love these intimate moments…

Emily and John were up for anything, and even braved this rickety dock for this photo.

And just in case John forget the most important words of the day….

Emily was such a beautiful bride, and everything about this wedding from the location to the ceremony to the favors was so very intimate and exquisite, and just so very Emily! Jenna and I had a fabulous time and loved being a part of this couple’s special day. Enjoy the first sneak peek- more of the couple will be posted soon!

The ceremony and reception took place at Finz Waterfront Restaurant in Stuart, FL on the Intercostal Waterway.

Some of Emily’s fantastic details- and look at that cake! Simple, beautiful, and delicious.

Always a traditionalist, Emily chose to wear her grandmother’s pearls for her walk down the aisle. I don’t think I have ever seen a happier bride on her wedding day.

Calla lilies- in white for the bride and yellow for the attendants- perfect for a midsummer afternoon wedding.

John showing off the bling,

Shannon and Mel were lucky enough to find a home in historic McIntosh that the previous owner had already restored. The two of them are incredibly proud of their beautiful home and will be holding their August wedding ceremony there with a reception to follow at Steve’s Cafe Americain in downtown Gainesville.

Not only do they have a beautiful home to be starting their lives together in, but a magnificent neighborhood as well. We didn’t have to go far from their front steps to capture these stunning photos.

Look at them look at each other- absolutely what love is all about.

I love the story behind Shannon’s untraditional engagement ring. Shannon and Mel found this ring in Germany while at a local market- and according to German culture the stones symbolize the joining of two families into one. It symbolized everything that they believe love is about. Mel bought the ring, and because it just felt like it was the “right time”, he proposed to Shannon in the church in Germany where Shannon’s parents got married.

We snuck over to their neighbor’s yard for this shot- and I LOVE these wildflowers! They are taller than Shannon!

McIntosh is known for its several hundred year old oak trees, so of course we had to incorporate one of them into a photo.

Shannon and Mel, I cannot wait for your wedding, and thank you so much for inviting me to be a part of your special day!