I'm not sure if I've ever seen a groom smile so much as Joseph did on his wedding day. This wedding was extra fun and special for me as I've gotten to know the brides extended family pretty well over the last few years as I've photographed her cousin's wedding and I have another one of her cousin's wedding coming up in a few months. But what else made this wedding fun was watching the bride and groom not only enjoy the time spent with family but also all the fun they had with all of their many friends there to celebrate along with them.

The groom is in the Navy and a Citadel grad so I wanted to find something extra special for the rings.

Their family and friends recognized their compatiility long before they did. After 3 years of going to church together and having the same friends, one night after church Jonathon asked her to join him for dinner and they ended up talking for hours. Five months later Jonathon promised Caroline he'd pick up dinner for them if she'd come by and help him paint the house he was remodeling. As he opened up the front door, she saw that he had a candle-lit dinner set up in the bare-walled, wires exposed, paint on the floor living room. He had prepared an amazing meal. " Seeing all this, I thought he was being very romantic for a 5 month anniversary, but had no suspicions!"

  After eating Caroline was all about getting some work done but was suprised when Jonathon said he had one more thing to give her. "When he got down on one knee was when I FINALLY realized what was going on.  He said that he loved me and wanted to spend the rest of his life with me, and would I marry him?  Of course, I said YES!"

Jonathon and Caroline thank you for having me a part of your wonderful day. It was so refreshing to see where your love for God, family and friends really played a huge part in how your day evolved. I think everyone was excited to see this southern country boy and this northern coutry girl tie the knot!

Ceremony- The Hill House

Reception- Grooms family home

I think the kids at this wedding will think this was the best wedding ever! How cool is it that you get to swim at a reception.

Just so excited that the girls over at Weddings Unvieled magazine decided to feature Amy & Forrest's wedding on their awesome blog, Completely Unveiled. If your not a blog stocker of their's what are your waiting for? I just love their magazine and their blog!

Check out the entire feature here- REAL WEDDING- AMY & FORREST  

Selfless and thoughtful, these two words that Kelly used to describe her future husband Claude, might just be an understatement. Months before the wedding Claude emailed me to ask my opinion on which penthouse suite he should surprise Kelly with on the day of their wedding. Just so she would have a beautiful location to dress in and celebrate the special day with her girlfriends. I have to tell you I LOVE secrets and this one was so much fun to keep. When Kelly started to panic about where she would change a few days before the wedding, Claude sweetly broke the news to ease her fears. You can tell just by the way he looks at her that for him she hung the moon.

They each keep the other grounded and their love of great food, wine, music, family and traditions is what brought them to Kelly's hometown of New Orleans. As Claude describes it, this "wedding is an exploration of the roots that by marriage we are getting all tangled up!"

Thank you both for allowing me to capture such a wonderful moment in all of your lives. And I'm so thankful that my great friend Amanda Kraft joined my team to photograph such a fun filled weekend!

New Orleans, Louisiana

Getting Ready: International House Hotel

Ceremony: St. George's Eliscopal Church

Reception: Emeril's Delmonico

Florist: Garden Trellis

Band: Phat Hat

Pianist: English Bob

I love that Kelly and Claude included a lot of New Orlean's wedding traditions such as the 2nd Line. These umbrellas where a perfect pick for it!

In New Orleans all the guest wait out side of the church until the bride arrives by Police escort. Lights and sirens included. I'm not sure who was more excited about the moment me or the guest. I think all wedding ceremonies should start out like this!

I love the look of pure happiness on Kelly's face as they exit the church!

Here is another tradition I think should be adopted! I love the 2nd line, what a fun way to send off a bride and groom.

I'm super excited to start blogging about Claude and Kelly's wedding in New Orleans. We knew that the day of the wedding  would be full of getting ready, ceremony and all the fun stuff that goes along with a wedding. We also knew we all wanted some real fun checking out New Orleans and for Kelly to show off all the things she loves about her home town of New Orleans. What better way to have the best of it all but to have a Day Before Session! Which worked out wonderfully seeing that Kelly really loved her Rehearsal dinner dress!

We started off in the French Quarter!

The day was extremely hot at this point. I had sat down on the cobblestones to get the first shot, right as I took the shot I realized that the stone I was sitting on was hot enought to fry an egg and that my rearend was quite frankly on fire. I love the expressions I got from them both as I yelled out. My number one rule as your photographer, If I do something dumb or crazy I want you to laugh hysterically first and then ask me if I'm okay. Cause really you know you want to laugh at me.

This next one is my top favorites of the session. You quite frankly never know what you'll find in New Orleans!

Then we headed to the Garden District!

By now we are all sweaty and hot. Thank goodness Kelly loves snowballs!

I can't wait to share the rest of wedding weekend with you!