Lexington Wedding Photography: Jeremy + Tracy

Tracy was a particularly beautiful and photogenic bride, and I hope I wasn't overly gushy about how much I was in love with her gown -- all that taffeta that floated behind her wherever she walked. It was a challenge not to fill this post with just pictures of her! The camera loved her! We started off the afternoon at her parents' home with these first bridal shots in her childhood bedroom.

I love, love, love it when a couple chooses to do the majority of their portraits prior to the ceremony. It gives us more time to get some great photographs. As you can see, the "first look" moment is still very special.

Such stunning windows at First UMC... and a stunning couple too.

One of the reasons why I love shooting at the First United Methodist Church is the spectacular architecture! What texture!

I so enjoy witnessing the happiness of the wedding ceremony...

Off to the Carrick House for the reception...

More joy....

Coordination and beautiful florals provided by Alicia DeBoor of Great Expectations....

It's no secret that I'm supremely sentimental. I tear up at every wedding I shoot. The moments differ from wedding to wedding and at Tracy and Jeremy's it was during the mother-son dance. I can't say that it's a traditionally emotionally grabbing moment for me at most weddings, but on this evening it hit me that I could be in Mrs. Graham's shoes in a couple of decades. Having just become the mother to a son this summer, it suddenly changed my point of view and the emotion of it really caught me off guard. I love the way she's looking at Jeremy below and I think I'll be looking at my little guy the same way in a few years when I'm surprised to find him, all grown up and getting married himself.

Thank you, Jeremy and Tracy, for the opportunity to document your wedding day! I appreciate your kindess and wish the best for you as you embark on this next stage of life together!

Ceremony: First United Methodist Church, Lexington

Reception: The Carrick House

Lexington Children's Photography: M+M

It was a pleasure to photograph these two again! Mom told me she'd be happy with just one good picture of them. I hope we got a few more than that...

ahhh, all that blond hair and blue eyes!

Do you wonder what she's thinking about here? Oh to be two and carefree. ;-)

Killer blue eyes! M, you look like you're five going on fifteen!

Lexington Wedding Photography: Katie and Ben Are Married!

She worked at the bank where he was a customer. His loan officer suggested they go out to lunch on a blind date. The rest is history. A few years later they were gathered with their closest family and friends to become husband and wife.

While she loves her hot pink heels, he's more comfortable driving his pick up truck in cowboy boots. Nevertheless, after the ceremony when she gave him a peek of her garter (bedecked in camo with a deer charm), he exclaimed something to the effect of, "This woman really loves me!"

There is no question of their love though -- you can see it in the way they treat each other, in the happiness shining on their faces when they're together. When a bridesmaid delivered a card to Katie from Ben she said, "Awww, he dotted the 'i' with a heart!" explaining he's not a very gushy kind of guy. When Ben opened Katie's card, out slipped a letter. Ben was immediately wiping his eyes. Yes, it was a special day to celebrate a special love. And it's such a privilege to get to document moments like these for such kind people.

I want to give a special thanks to my wonderful college friend, talented photographer, Jan Graves, who traveled to Kentucky from Arlington, VA to visit and help me document the day. Many of the great detail shots in the inspiration board above are hers. FYI - the pendant on Katie's bouquet is actually a piece of her grandmother's costume jewelry (one half of a pair of ear rings) that young Katie would dress up in and declared she would one day wear at her wedding! I just had to share that.

Here are some of the others who contributed to a beautiful day:

Florals: Nancy Frederick

Hair/Make-up: Tabitha Crabtree

Cake: Leigh Sipe

Ceremony: Southern Hills United Methodist Church, Lexington

Reception: The Red Mile

Catering: Bluegrass Bayou

Louisville Wedding: Dave + Alex

If rain showers on your wedding bring blessing, then Dave and Alex will have buckets and buckets throughout their marriage! I drove through quite a lightening and thunderstorm the morning of their wedding! I shouldn't have been surprised because their wedding coordinator, Hollis Starks, had told me earlier in the month that it would rain on their wedding day. I was surprised that she would have such a strong intuition about the weather, but she filled me in that the Farmers Almanac was unusually accurate and I have to hand it to her, she was right! (Thankfully I was early and the weather tapered off by the time we were ready to begin photos)

The rest of the day was beautiful. From Alex's gown, to the amazingly creative florals by Boston's Floral Coutour, and the color-saturated reception at River Bend Winery, there was much for the eye to enjoy. But a wedding is more than just beautiful details, it's about the significance of the day, the establishment of a new family, and the joy shared in fellowship with family and friends. Alex and Dave had this in abundance as well. I think you will be able to see this in the photos below!


Alex and David were married in the historic Calvary Episcopal Church in downtown Louisville (on 4th street). And yes, those are peacock feathers in the bouquets!

Alex discovered her bridesmaids dresses in Israel. The tops can be worn seven different ways, including off the shoulder! They looked extremely comfortable! I loved the peacock paired with the men's gray suits.

Don't you love how the red pops against the teal?

I really enjoyed their wedding party, game to try some fun shots!

Hollis found these beautiful black birdcages that served as striking centerpieces and pulled off the "Moroccan" vision Alex and Dave had for the reception. Guests were treated to a Greek menu, reflective of a place special to Dave and Alex as the site of their engagement!

One of my favorite candid moments captured during the day (above). I was so glad they took time to enjoy several dances together on the dance floor -- (it's harder than you think given the number of guests you want to visit with).

Dave's two best men gave toasts, both touching and humorous.

Everyone had a great time on the dance floor, singing their hearts out!

Congratulations, Dave and Alex! Enjoy this special time in Ireland!

Here's the reason...

Here's the reason for my silence this summer... this 13-month-old loveable bundle of joy finally came home on August 22! Over the past week he's been a sweetie (just as he was when we visited him over the course of several weeks in Albania), seemingly adjusting well to his new home and family. The nights, on the other hand, have been a tad more difficult. Blame it on jetlag, or -- as we learned yesterday -- double ear infections, the fitful nights are hopefully temporary! In the mean time, we are grateful to have our family under the same roof, back in the good ol' US of A! We are so blessed. Stay tuned for pics from Dave and Alex's Louisville wedding!