Caitlin & Jeff

September 8

Ontario, Canada

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From the Photographer:

“I was very excited to shoot Caitlin and Jeff’s wedding knowing that it was going to be just a little different than the traditional. We eagerly arrived early afternoon at the family farm, and we knew immediately we were in for a treat from how calm everyone was, even the dogs, who greeted us. The ceremony was held on the front lawn – the location held a special place in the couple’s hearts. Caitlin and Jeff arrived at the outdoor reception in a candy red vintage ford. By then, the clouds had lifted, guests mingled amongst the hand-picked and crafted vintage decor and the tent was glowing with garden lights, colorful bunting,  hay bails, and eclectic seating at each table.

There was a certain magic in the air that evening that I can’t really describe, you could feel the love. It was  like we were attending a long overdue family reunion more than a wedding and thats the way Caitlin and Jeff wanted it. Guests were treated to a superb meal from a local catering company buffet with an build your own appetizer burrito station, to endless gourmet salads and corn on the cob to top it off. It seemed like the buffets went on forever.  A homemade pie station ended the perfect meal.

After dinner, everyone’s hearts filled up with touching speeches (I think the photographers even cried!), we saw people hugging, smiling, and lots of watery eyes.  A little fire pit outside kept people cozy while everyone danced without any hesitation. You could hear the laughter and guests singing out loud until it was time for us to wrap up and head home. We ended the night with one last shot – the bride and groom in a bohemian tent under the stars. Everything was perfect.” – Clint Russell of Renaissance Studios Photography

Maggie & Jason

May 26

Union, Kentucky

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From the Photographer: “Jason and Maggie’s wedding was a wedding that had me excited from the moment they booked. From the invitations to centerpieces and flowers to menu, every detail reflected the rustic classic wedding they had planned for and dreamed of.  Tucked away in the rolling hills of Union Kentucky, Meadowview Farm was host to Jason and Maggie’s elegant Southern reception.  Maggie worked closely with the staff at Meadowview Farm and her florist (Inspired Floral Design) planning the menu, designing centerpieces, and adding personal touches to reflect the couples personalities.   The grand tent and exquisite food made for an evening guests are sure to remember. The party started early and went well into the night.  I was able to sneak Jason and Maggie away for a few last minute sunset shots.  An upscale southern wedding was what the couple dreamed of…and they made it happen!” – Corrie Schaffeld of 1326 Studios

Kaitlin & Victor

June 29

San Luis Obispo, California 

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1. What was the one thing about your venue that made you know it was the one?

The fact that they had one of the original steam trains that used to run around Disneyland! We rented it for the afternoon, and guests got to ride it around the ranch. Having grown up in southern California and spending our youth (and adulthood) going to Disneyland, Victor and I were huge Disney fans. The deal was pretty much set once we found out about the train.

2. Which three details from your wedding were your favorites?

1. The train.
2. The home videos we had playing above us when we had our first dance, father/daughter dance and mother/son dance.
3. All of our DIY projects, especially our handmade photobooth made by a friend.

3. If you could offer one piece of advice for other couples planning their wedding, what would it be?

Don’t stress out! I did not like any aspect of the wedding planning process, and many a time I wanted to elope. Don’t do it! It’s totally worth it to stick it out. Try and enjoy the wedding planning with your fiancé, because (hopefully) it will be the only wedding you get to plan. Just remember that in the end it’s all about the love between you two.

4. Give us the one moment from your wedding you can’t stop thinking about. 

The non-first look my husband and I did. We did a first look, but we were blindfolded – this gave us the chance to meet up before the wedding to hug, hold hands, exchange cards and in my husbands case cry his eyes out, without actually seeing each other. Even though I expected the crying from him (he’s a big baby – in a good way), it was especially sweet since we would be getting married a few minutes later.

Carisha & Jordan

November 4

Kyle, Texas

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Q&A with the Bride:

What was the one thing about your venue that made you know it was the one?

We searched high and low for the perfect venue! We live in Los Angeles and started our search in Paso Robles wine country. It was beautiful, but somehow didn’t click. We decided to check out a destination wedding in either Austin, TX (where Jordan lived during our first year of dating) or on the beach in Mexico. We planned a scouting trip/vacation, going to Austin first. As soon as we stepped off the plane all the memories of dating flooded back! We knew it was meant to be. It all came together perfectly when we saw the amazing setting of the Winfield Inn, just outside of Austin. It was rustic, vintage, naturally elegant, and came with an amazing set of planners to boot! We fell in love with the towering oak trees and lush landscape.  We couldn’t have imagined such a perfect venue.

Which three details from your wedding were your favorites?

The stationery: We made a list early on of what we cared the most and least about, and our printed materials (web and stationery) made the top of the list.  Jordan and I designed every piece of the suite – from the simple save-the-date to the hand pressed invitations to our wedding website. We spent hours designing, letter pressing using a home kit, collecting vintage stamps, and learning how pull together a website. We also designed our own guestbook in the form of an illustrated stretched canvas for guests to sign. We know not everyone will have noticed or cared about every detail, but we’re still proud of what we pulled off together!

The handmade décor:  Jordan’s mom put in a TON of work to make our wedding dreams come to life. She made over a hundred feet of fabric bunting, sewed burlap table runners trimmed in lace, and made at least a dozen pillows to grace the patio and vintage furniture we used. And, we put together table numbers with stained wood, lace trim, and address numbers, a seating chart with a similar feel, votives that we tediously trimmed with lace, and hand painted wood signs that matched the fonts we used in the invitations.

The flowers: We couldn’t stop raving about what a perfect job our florist did. She got our vision so well and incorporated all of favorites, going way above and beyond to make it all come together beautifully. We went with super simple bud vases and mason jars of flowers, but she just made it all look stunning, and the bouquet was beyond beautiful.

Give us the one moment in your wedding day you can’t stop thinking about.

It’s less of a specific moment, but just looking out at everyone who was there and thinking how surreal it was to see all the people we love so dearly in one place. We kept talking about that all night! Our wedding was actually the first time our families had ever met, so it was amazing to look up and see our family and friends who had just met smiling, laughing, and embracing one another. It really brought us so much joy to get to experience all these different pieces of our lives colliding in the happiest of ways!

Rachel & Brian

July 7

Woodbine, Maryland

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Q&A with the Bride

What was the one thing about your venue that made you know it was the one?

Circle D had a beautiful outdoor space for our ceremony and a spacious ballroom that was a perfect size for our reception. What really sold us, however, was the staff. Everyone was incredibly friendly, professional and responsive.

Which three details from your wedding were your favorites?

One of my favorite decorative details from our wedding was the a personalized hand carved vase which was given to us from a friend of my family. He carved the wooden vase out of a branch from a tree in my childhood neighbors backyard. It read “Rachel + Brian” surrounded by a heart and had two small birds perched on each side. Amazing!

My favorite detail from the ceremony was the “tying of the knot”. My brother officiated the wedding and he put together a beautiful ceremony in which Brian and I held hands as each person in the wedding party draped a braided cord over our hands. Each cord represented a vow. At the end, the cords were tied, thus binding Brian and I together in marriage. Now we have an awesome keepsake!

We gave the flower girl and ring bearer gifts at the reception after the wedding as a thank you for being a part of our day. Included in these bags of goodies were a super-hero cape and mask for Brady and butterfly wings and wand for Kimmy. The pictures which ensued after these two kids dressed up were priceless!

Give us the one moment in your wedding day you can’t stop thinking about.

The last dance! At the end of a long day (which goes by incredibly fast), right before everyone scattered, we had our final dance of the evening. Everyone gathered around, Brian pulled me close, and we quickly proceeded to rock out to “I Believe in a Thing Called Love” by The Darkness. So much fun! Perfect ending!