Ashley and Jordan - Again

Jordan and Ashley Wedding from Parallel Media on Vimeo.



There were so many amazing details from this wedding, and Drew from Parallel Media did such a great a job capturing the emotion of the day.



So many brides these days are opting out of video because they feel the photographs can capture the emotions, and frankly they can capture some of it. But that hug your Grandfather gives you and whispers in your ear how much he loves you and how proud he is of you... isn't caught in still images the same way.



Take a peek and let me know what you think.

Pink and Brown Wedding

Ashley and Jordan were just one of those couples that I knew instantly I would love. And I had the honor and privledge of writing a ceremony for them, and officiating their beautiful Gainesville Wedding.



Caroline Johnson photographed this beautiful wedding, that would make any gal swoon! Ashley tied in modern elegance with a classic twist. And it turned out beautiful!



And a huge Thank You to Every Last Detail for featuring our wedding!!!!



What do you think?

Wedding Planner: MasterPiece Weddings

Florals and Linens: The Unforgettable Event

Ceremony Venue: The Baughman Center

Reception Venue:Plantation Hall at Haile

Photography: Caroline Johnson

Video: Parallel Media, CO

Catering: Dragonfly

Cake: KB Kakes

Wedding First Look

One of the biggest debates for today's bride is to see her groom before the wedding or not to see him. For some it's an unequivocal no. And for others, it's a wellllllllllll, maybe, I'm not sure, what difference will it make, no, yes, wait I'm not sure.



I am not here to tell you to do it, or not to do it, but to tell you the pro's to having a "first look". And of course show you some pretty images from a first look.



My personal feelings on a first look is DO IT! Don't even think about it, do it. (Unless you feel like a bazillion years of bad luck will fall on you like a brick wall, and you will never see straight again if you see your groom before you walk down the aisle)

There is alot of emotion on your wedding day, and alot of that emotion and stress comes from not seeing your groom, your best friend, the man you've relied on your whole relationship. So the opportunity to spend 15 minutes before your wedding with him, holding him, in private, being able to look him in the eyes and see the man you love, kiss him, and tell him how handsome he looks, is a special moment. One you will never forget.



And make your day, so much more fun! And you'll get some great picture time!

Images by Jimmy Ho

 We had such a great time planning and working with Joanne on her beautfully romantical and personal wedding!!



Her and her hubby are both doctors and are so busy, so in-between patients and taking care of them, we planned this perfectly personal story on the beach with her family flown in from The Phillipines and Jay's super Southern buy yet New York Style, was a perfect blend to bring everyone to Florida, and hang out on the beach for the weekend.

Thank you to:



Venue and Catering - Ponte Vedra Inn and Club

Photography - Jimmy Ho

Officiant: Chad Reed

Florals Decor and Rentals: The Unforgettable Event

Band: Last to Leave

Wedding Planner: MasterPiece Weddings

Summer and Scott 10/10/10

Summer and Scott chose 10/10/10 for their wedding day because they are nerds (self professed) and their images are dorky and sweet and absolutely romantically spectacular!!!



Thank you Lindsey from Pure by Lindsey for really capturing these moments so spectacularly!!!

Oh and PS - I had the honor of marrying Summer and Scott! It was so much fun!

Kristin and Mark 10-10-10!

One of our amazing 10-10-10 weddings... Kristin and Mark! We had such a fun time planning with Kristin, she's very A-is-for-anal-rententive-Type Personality. So we hit it off immediately!

Her wedding was on the most perfect 10 day of the year!

 

  

Location: Haile Plantation Golf & Country Club

Cake: KB Kakes

Photographer: Powers Photography

Planner: MasterPiece Weddings

DJ: Gnys Entertainment

Oh The Places We Went

These shoes were definately not made for walking. In fact, they are what I have dubbed my "Wedding Shoes". I have found over the years, that I must have comfy shoes for working weddings. Otherwize, there is no walking at all the day after a wedding. And then my back is killing me, and then John can't stand to hear me moan and groan... so I wear something cute for the ceremony, and then the wedding shoes come into play for the remainder of the wedding...



And these shoes, these, right here...

Yes, those are holes on the bottom of the soles.



It was a silly emotional thing for me to come to the realization that I must toss these shoes, and I could have should have thrown them out months ago, because they really had, had enough. But I couldn't. They had to see me through the remainder of our season. I mean, really, these shoes had seen alot of emotion, they had been with me through alot.



63 Weddings.



These shoes made it through 63 weddings with me. That's a lot of I Do's. A lot of running, a lot of miles of running around, a heckuvalot of secret missions, love notes, emergencies, tears, sweat, and maybe even some blood, but really... just plain a lot of stuff.



So they had to see me through the rest of our season. Had to. Must.



And now that our season is over until January (I'm sad, but also kind of glad, we needed a mini break, and the holidays are coming up... so it's fambly time).



But these shoes had to see me though Ashley and Jordan's wedding to successfully finish their mission. And they did.



And I am proud of them. I'm proud of us, and our team!



John asked me if I was going to bronze them. Sort of silly... although I did consider it.



And honestly, just thinking about the last 63 weddings makes me a bit emotional. I started wearing them before I had Gabriel, before I knew I was pregnant. Why, in the world did I wear them so long? Its not like  I couldn't afford new shoes... nostaglia maybe? Comfort? Lazy?



So, now on the new shoes. New love. New weddings. New beginings.

10/10/10

So many couples chose October 10, 2010 for their anniversary, and really, what a fun date! It only comes up every 100 years, and really, isn't "the perfect 10" a great day to celebrate in triplicate!



We had two Gainesville Weddings on 10/10/10! They were both so unique and fun! We couldn't have asked for a better day! Normally we don't do more than one wedding in a day, but we loved them both so much we had to, there was no choice. Because, really, MasterPiece Weddings, has the best clients, ever.

Summer and Scott chose 10/10/10 because they are self professed nerds and 10-10-10 in binary is 42, which according to a popular book, is the answer to everything.



Super fun, no?



Anyway, ABC news came to interview them, as a suprise. (I knew, but I can keep a secret!)

Real Wedding: Jill and Josh

Jill and Josh an incredible wedding in Gainesville Florida at the Thomas Center. Their wedding was filled with both tradition and tons of personality!

We had so much fun working with her family who lives in South Florida and having their wedding at the historic and beautiful Thomas Center.

The boys wanted to do their reinactment of The Last Supper.

Thanks Jimmy Ho for some super fun photographs!

Lisa and Ed's Amazing Cambodian Wedding

Lisa and Ed had beautiful Cambodian Wedding, and an American Wedding all in the same day! It started at 5AM and ended well after midnight. It was an exhausting, but incredibly amazing day! Filled with tons of love and laughter!



Lindsey from Pure by Lindsey was there the entire time documenting this beautiful and colorful event! So, I stole some of the event from her blog (with her permission of course)... there is more on her blog, so please check it out! I didn't want post her entire post, it wouldn't give you an excuse to see more!





What I would like to do since this was my first Cambodian wedding Ceremony is to explain each part with the photos, piece by piece. Lisa made a gorgeous fan booklet explaining the parts and background, and I am using that as well as what guests have told me to recall so all of my blog readers, who I expect to be as enthralled as I was, to enjoy the symbolism as well. This is Part I of ??? many (hehe). I'll find out as we go, but there are four outfit changes in the Cambodian Ceremony alone, and then they have an equally worthy American wedding the same day to blog about. First, The Origins of Khmer Wedding (italics will indicate parts from Lisa's booklet): Khmer weddings symbolize the legend of the origin of Cambodia and parallels the marriage of the first Khmer prince, Preah Thong, to the naga princess, Neang Neak. The prince was a foreigner exiled from his homeland, and during his travels encountered and fell in love with the naga princess. As a marriage gift, the father of the naga princess swallowed a part of the ocean, and thus formed the land of Cambodia. Because of this background, throughout the day everyone commented how they looked like a prince and princess, and they are adorned with golden jewelry and treated that way all day long. ^--- also my first barefoot ceremony! I actually quite enjoyed walking around barefoot and comfortable in their home!

The Preparation:

The clothing was amazing. Not only is is made of gorgeous and colorful silks, but much of it is made through simple and skilled folding of the cloth into origami-like shapes. You can see that here, and it was just so stunning on her!

Hai Goan Gomlah (Groom's Processional)

At the beginning of the day, the bride usually waits at her parents' house while the groom gathers a procession of his family and friends. The procession symbolizes the journey of the prince to meet his bride the princess. The groom's procession approaches the bride's home bearing platters of gifts, usually fruits and desserts, and is led by a band of musicians and singers.

Traditionally, the mai ba (a well-respected member of the bride's family who serves as a representative) comes out to greet the procession. The various fruits and desserts are counted - the more, the better. If found to be satisfactory, the mai ba and ma ha (representative for the groom's party) run through a humorous verbal parlay which ends with the groom and the rest of the procession being invited into the bride's home.

The groom presents the bride with a bouquet and after introductions are made, they exchange rings.

Below, the groom leads his family and many guests out down the street to then travel back symbolically traveling from afar to meet his bride, complete with gifts.

I love the joy. :)

The ring exchange:

Remember there is more on Lindsey's Blog! Check it out!