Mr. + Mrs. Karlen//Roswell Love

blog-7 Have you been to a wedding where the groom sang a Michael Bublé song for his bride as a toast to honor her? Or where the reception included glow in the dark necklaces and wayfarer sunglasses for the guests?! And those are just a few of the details that made Tyler and Emily's wedding amazing! I loved everything about this wedding- the flowers, the dresses, the ceremony and the amazing dance party reception.  Tyler and Emily are absolutely 100% in love, and seeing them see each other for the first time was like watching a movie about the perfect wedding day.  They both kept saying that this was the best day of their lives, and Tyler could not stop telling Emily how beautiful she looked and how excited he was to marry her.  And Emily's smile the whole day made my job super easy in getting pictures that reflected that happiness.

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Emily's hair and makeup done by the talented Claudia Mejerle and her flowers (which, like her hair and makeup, were really that beautiful in person- amazing!) were done by Roger Wasserman of Design flowers.  Such great people!  P.S. if you are wondering what those flowers are that are in the center (with the dark center and white petals) they are Anemones.  I don't know how to pronounce it but I do know that they are gorgeous!

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I think I might have to give Tyler the "most excited groom to see his bride for the first time" award.  I wish I could see the video of it because he could not stop saying, "oh my gosh you look incredible. you are amazing. this is the best day ever..."  It really was the sweetest and was one of those times that I thought about how significant videography can be.

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Every bridesmaid picked out their own necklace with the same type of look and they looked sooooo good together.  Emily's jewelry was made by Jessica of Fine and Fleurie, one of my favorite artists.

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For the sneek peak pictures I just post a few of the couple on the blog- but I had to include this one of Primrose Cottage taken by awesome second shooter and friend Alyssa Alig.  Primrose Cottage is a beautiful venue and the lights and fountain and flowers were gorgeous!

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And now for a shot that has never been on my blog before- a bride and bridesmaid doing some serious mixin' up at the DJ's table.  With neon wayfarer style sunglasses on.  Maaaaaybe one of my favorites:) a HUGE shout out to Joel Rabe of Lethal Rhythms Entertainment for his work as the DJ in making this reception one of the best I've been to (I actually told Emily it was the most fun reception I've been at second to my own wedding!).  If you are looking for a DJ to make the reception a blast and not play cheesy music this is the company you should check out!

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It's no secret that I am a sucker for laughing pictures.  I do get formal pictures of everyone looking at the camera for sure, but if people start laughing and having a good time I start a snappin' because I think a good laugh or smile is such a picture of someone's heart.  Super gush.  So of course Emily and Tyler were amazing to photograph because they are just happy people! And I don't know what happened here in the picture below but they were having fun.  blog-6

Epic bridesmaid bouquet toss- Barbara you were so close...

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Emily's dad handmade all the dowels for the streamers used for Tyler and Emily's departure and the easels used as centerpieces for the reception.  Father of the bride award goes to Mr. Ewalt.  And the Rolls-Royce that Emily and Tyler left in?  incredible.  You guys are amazing and have great family and friends- can't wait to go through all the pictures and share them with you!

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Stephen + Megan//8th grade foes to married love birds

 

Megan told me at their engagement session that Stephen had written in her 8th grade yearbook "he hoped he wouldn't have any classes with her in high school..." Megan I'm pretty sure that needs to be framed in your house next to a wedding picture!!! Stephen and Megan started dating in high school and both attended the University of South Carolina.  Their wedding was full of USC pride, with a special surprise from Megan for Stephen's groom's cake.  Stephen has a hat that he loves and has completely worn out.  Megan told Stephen there wouldn't be a groom's cake while secretly scheming to have one made just like his beloved South Carolina hat.  After they cut the wedding cake, Megan told Stephen about the surprise and how it was even a peanut butter and chocolate cake even though she told him that couldn't be done.  The cake was awesome and such a fun and thoughtful surprise for Stephen... major points Megan!!

Megan and Stephen's wedding party had to be one of the best to photograph- they all had so many ideas for pictures and really fun faces and poses that my second shooter, Stephen, and I were just cracking up with all the pictures we got.  The reception was held at Primrose Cottage, a beautiful home in Roswell with so many rooms with interesting details.  There was an amazing red antique tub that we had lots of fun using for a photo op, and the guys were sure to find other interesting spots for Facebook pictures:) One of the most original ideas from this wedding was the gift room at the cottage.  Megan and her mom decided to showcase wedding dresses from both Megan and Stephen's mothers and grandmothers.  The dresses from the different generations were on body forms in the gift room with pictures of each bride wearing the featured dress by it.  It was so beautiful to see the styles from different eras and to have such a rich family history present through them.  I LOVE personal details like that!

Much thanks to Megan and Stephen for a.) being so kind and awesome to work with, b.) having such fun friends, and c.) being totally in love people despite 8th grade yearbook messages!! I hope Jamaica is treating you well and you're getting lots of sun and rest after a crazy fun wedding:)

Megan had her "something blue" added into her bouquet, arranged by the talented Kim McNaron of Holland Daze... such a beautiful bouquet!

Megan and her sister taking deep breaths before the ceremony started- one of my favorite moments!

Here is a picture of the room with the dresses of each mother and grandmother in it- how awesome is that?! P.S. I think the lace sleeves are going to make their way back into the wedding style world sometime sooner than we think!

Again Megan, great job with the hat groom's cake idea!! The hat bill was even torn up like his... Amazing work by The Baking Grounds Bakery!

Reception pictures are so much fun to take, mostly because there are so many priceless moments to capture.  The picture below was Megan and Stephen with Megan's dad, all hugging and talking to each other.  Love it.

One of the best things to see is a bride and groom having a moment on the dance floor surrounded by so many people yet totally into each other as if no one else is watching (except the creepy girl with the camera...That's me!) A lovely evening with a lovely couple who are totally in love.  Congratulations Megan and Stephen!