My life’s journey never ceases to amaze me. This past weekend I photographed the wedding of two sweethearts that I had the pleasure of teaching while doing my ‘student teaching’ before graduating from college (with a teaching degree mind you. lol) Who knew that six years later, I would be their wedding photographer!?!?
Before I proceed with their wedding sneak peek, I couldn’t resist showing y’all this picture: hehe. Please don’t kill me Kelli!
Brian and Kelli both were a part of the 2005 SC State Champion FFA Wildlife CDE (career development event) team that I was so privileged to have been a part in training as assistant advisor to Frank Stover, Jr. at Pelion High School.
But fast forward five years, Facebook has taken over the internet world, and Kelli and I reconnected. I was so excited to hear that her and Brian, who had started dating while I was teaching, were still dating! Then after about a year of ‘being friends’ on Facebook, she contacted me about my photography, and well, here I am 🙂 I also had the pleasure of photographing their engagement session about two months ago! They are one fun couple to hang with.
Last Saturday, June 18th was their wedding date. I ventured to their homeland in Norway, SC for a small outdoor ceremony and reception surrounded by the closest of their friends and family. So special! Another family member opened up her home to Kelli to prepare for her debut. I must add here too that the other lady in the picture above was Kayla, Kelli’s BFF. And the little snippet of a face and hands you see in the following picture is also Kayla helping her into her gorgeous dress! Kelli used hot pink in the wedding details to accent the outdoor/ country theme.
Kelli, I can’t even explain in words how gorgeous you were! It was all perfect.
Tootsie is such a diva. I’ve never dealt with any client like this before. She thought she was too good for the camera! lol But through all the running around, I managed to capture these shots of Kelli’s little bridesmaid at heart. She watched as her mommy got into her beautiful dress.
Again, simply a stunning bride. Brian is one lucky fella! Tootsie is in awe as well.
And here we have the most handsome groom “so fresh and so clean, clean.” lol I say that because the poor guy was running around like a mad man all day before his wedding helping finalize all the beautiful details. Brian, you are just too sweet.
More details from the day. I LOVED, loved, loved the canopy net protecting the cake. Looked so elegant and Southern.
And the view of where the ceremony took place. This was snapped just after the ceremony before family formals began. Yes, that would be a storm brewing. But it yielded some awesome lighting for family pictures!
Brian seeing his lovely bride approaching him.
And Kelli seeing her handsome groom. Awww.
Presenting… Mr. and Mrs. Brian Yongue.
So after the ceremony and making it 3/4 of the way through the family formals line-up, I had to split! This photographer does NOT deal well with being outside in lightening storms; I blame that on the college summer while working for the US Forest Service– I was out doing my work and a storm blew in on me unexpectedly. And… I’m pretty sure my equipment wouldn’t deal well with being drenched. So to the house we went– me, the bride and groom, and a couple others. All the rest ran to the tent where the reception was to take place. Ran. I never stopped the photo taking though; it’s all documented. Here is Kelli checking out the torrential downpour and storm that has unfolded wondering how she would make it across the way to the reception. After about ten minutes, we finally had a little break in the rain, enough that I covered my gear with a blanket and had someone run me out to the tent with an umbrella. This second photo is what was underway when I made it there. So… we all just kicked off our shoes and had a big ‘ole time! 🙂
But alas, Brian and Kelli made it to the reception and were all smiles!
And with the help of Party Time DJs and Robert Elwood, the reception proceeded wonderfully amidst the high winds and rains.
Before I had my gear packed to leave, Brian and Kelli returned to the party for one last goodbye to everyone so I of course, grabbed them for one last shot of the evening too… just to document that it was still drizzling 🙂
Brian and Kelli, as you drink one more electric lemonade in Key West, know that I thank you both for remembering me in your search for a wedding photographer! I enjoyed being a part of your beautiful day!!!