Laura and Drew married: part one

June 19, 2013

It is hard for me to put into words my feelings about my sister’s wedding. I love her dearly and we both had prayed for this day to come. There are so many emotions that are wrapped up in the planning, dreaming  and waiting. I watched her faith grow and be tested in the waiting for the man that God had chosen to be her husband. The excitement in my heart made me smile and soak in every minute the whole week leading up to their wedding as I believe that marriage is an amazing gift from God. I was thrilled it was Laura and Drew’s time to become husband and wife.

Laura described our parent’s farm as one of her most favorite places on earth. And what better then to get married there. My parents and many hands had the farm looking beyond amazing. All the ideas and details had turned into reality as the tent went up, lights were hung, signs in place, and the guest arrived traveling from all over. The feel for the wedding was a combination of elegance, rustic, and natural elements. This was perfect for Laura and Drew.

The day started with a family brunch sitting around our kitchen table together. The wedding day finally had arrived. One by one the bridesmaid arrived, hair done and makeup put on and then it was time for Laura to step into her wedding dress that made it from Colorado. As she stood there in the mirror looking at herself in her dress the tears came. For her and for me. The reality of waiting was over, she was so getting married.

Laura was stunning and ready to see Drew at their first look. However we stopped for a few minutes as the timeline allot for bridal portraits. I think Drew would say it took a little longer then a few minutes as he waiting by the tall beech tree to see his bride. Then Laura followed the path through the field down to where Drew stood. The best part of a first look is that you spend the rest of the day side by side with your best friend, enjoying every moment together. This is what Laura and Drew did.

Then it was time for me to put down my camera as the ceremony was about to begin. It was sprinkling and the umbrellas were up as guests were seated in the back field. The amazing part was the rain stopped as Laura and her father arm in arm started the long beautiful walk together down the tall green path cut just for this moment. We all watched this beautiful moment as a dad escorts his daughter down the aisle and gives her away to the man standing and waiting for his bride to arrive. It was emotional. Tears of joy and happiness were present.

Out in the field, surround by family and friends Laura and Drew made a commitment to the Lord to love, protect, and cherish one another as long as they both shall live. Their words spoke of a commitment to choose love and a vow to spend a lifetime together. Something they both had been waiting for and they were now officially husband and wife!

Well, I knew there were too many photographs to make it into one blog post; so there will be a part two of Laura and Drew’s wedding. I must thank everyone, starting my parents and Drew’s parents, friends and family who traveled, everyone who helped in the numerous details before, day of and after, Daylene for shooting with me, and most of all for Laura and Drew! Thank you! It was such a joy of mine to photograph your wedding and to be able to stand up beside you as you committed yourselves to one another. ENJOY!!! And part two is coming!

Yes, all the envelops were hand written in calligraphy by our mother.The laurel wreath became an identifying theme for their wedding.This might be my all time favorite dress photograph!A touch of feathers on her dress.The tradition started when my mother receive one of these handkerchiefs from her mother in law from her mother on her wedding day.

My mother carried on the tradition and it’s Laura’s great grandmother who added all the lace on the handkerchiefs.

Each bridesmaid received one with their names on it.

Getting ready!Love this moment!I loved having this time with only my sister to photograph her. Something I will always remember.I LOVE their reactions….Checking out his bride!Daylene’s angel  above of the first look.Love this one that Daylene captured!One of the cute flower girls! She was ready to wear her dress at nine o’clock in the morning!The other cute flower girl!Hair done by Jamie Halcott of Baltimore Bridal BeautyAmazing color, I loved the flowers!Laura has the sweetest girlfriends who traveled to be there for her.

They truly the best faithful, and loving friends one could ask for!Signs in place, wreaths hung, flowers on display!A family friend, Elsa who is an artist hand drew a map of the farm!These amazing urns are from the Floral Studio and were gorgeous!Music played and the guest waited as the anticipation grew for the bride to walk down the aisle.Love these shots capturing the moments of Laura and our dad.Look at all the emotion in these two photographs.

Daylene did an amazing job covering the ceremony by herself!She was so happy to hold Laura’s bouquet.

The KISS!!!And then the confetti toss!


Invitations:  Word Shop

Calligraphy: Diane Neumann (Bride’s Mother)

Ceremony: Misty Glen Farm, Fallston, MD

Reception:  Misty Glen Farm, Fallston, MD

Dress:  The Bridal Collection

 Shoes: Seychelles

Rings: Engagement Ring and Wedding Band, Miro Jewelers

Earrings, Etsy Store: Not One Sparrow

Ring

Veil and Hair pieces: Veil, Wedzu

Hair Piece, Jessie Capstick (Friend of the Bride)

Hair Stylist: Kym Rodda (Friend of the Bride)

Makeup: Caylan Clifford (Friend of the Bride)

Bridesmaid’s dresse: Own choices: J. Crew, Nordstroms, Modcloth, Ruche, Anthropologie, BHLDN

Bridesmaid’s shoes: Their own choices.

Earrings, Etsy Store Not One Sparrow

Bracelets: Kith & Kin

Hair for Bridesmaids: Jamie Halcott of Baltimore Bridal Beauty

Groom attire: J.Crew Suit, Bedstu shoes

Groomsmen attire: Macy’s

Flowers:  The Floral Studio

 Cake: Kathy Deane (friend of the Bride)

 Music (ceremony/reception):Ceremony, Cocktail Hr, Dinner, The Mudpatch Family Band, DJ  Andrew Walker (Friend of the Bride)

 Catering:  Laurrapin Grille

Rentals:  Loane Bros, Tent, chairs, glass and silverware

Lounge Area, Chandelier, Rusty Love Vintage Rentals

Wedding Day Coordinator:  Angela Mangione


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De Neumann

O WHAT A DAY! I love and will treasure each of these amazing pictures !!! When pictures capture the unspeakable joy and delight one experiences when a daughter is married and family and friends gather to celebrate together, treasures are made.

Photographing my sister’s wedding

June 17, 2013

In January the planning and discussions for planning my sister’s wedding began. It started with first deciding the location and moving down the list of exploring vendor options. My sister and I had many conversations about her photographer and the idea of me possibly photographing their wedding. Just because I am family I did not want her to chose me with out looking into other photographers. I sent her a list of ones that I love their work and would photograph  my wedding if I did it all over again. However Laura came back and asked me to be her photographer, as well as her matron of honor. I could not be more honored and yet I knew that I needed a plan to be able to work, set the camera down to be present, and to enjoy the day.

Here are some of my thoughts that helped me stand by her side and document their wedding day!

First learn from others. I had read how Jasmine Star photographed her sister’s wedding. Also last year I was the third shooter for Char of Char’s Photography for her sister’s wedding. I saw first hand how Char handled both roles. She was amazing both standing by her sister’s side and behind the camera. Char gave us clear roles and responsibilities for the day that was so helpful.

In order for me to fully commit to shooting their wedding I needed to find a second shooter that my sister was comfortable with style and being in front of the camera. Also the second shooter would need to be someone who will take charge and be confident when I would be in the photograph myself or could not cover a part of the time, like the ceremony. Though I did ask my sister if I could pick up my camera once I was down the aisle to photograph her and my dad. Yep I asked. I did not need to worry as Daylene of Daylene Wilson Photographic was the person for the job. Daylene’s present, understanding of her role and knowledge of the timeline were all things that allowed for me to be present and not feel like I needed to be everywhere.

As I was in Maryland before the wedding I planned on taking time on Thursday to photograph my sister’s details: her wedding dress, shoes, and jewelry. I love photographing details and knew that I wanted to use the barn as the backdrop and that it would take a little longer. My sister and I had this pocket of time to spend together, talking. This would give me more down time in the morning that I could be present and not miss out on shooting her beautiful details. Plus my sister had dreams of not being able to find her dress. I was not going to be responsible for it missing.

I also photographed the invitations another day before the wedding. My mother spent hours hand writing all the beautiful calligraphy and I wanted to make sure it was photographed to its fullest! I know that at most wedding I do not have this ability; however my goal was to make time and this served as a way for more time in the timeline.

Another way that allowed me to be present was creating a timeline that allowed for downtown as well as time for Daylene and I to photograph the day. The day started with making time for a family brunch together and a first look was included too! I will share a general timeline in another post.

I also knew that I could not be responsible to do my hair. Jamie Halcott from Baltimore Bridal Hair and Make-up was amazing!! I have been in numerous wedding and I usually do not like my hair. Not this time, I LOVED my hair and she had it completed with a half hour and it lasted all day. Jamie was an artist and extremely talented. I would recommend her to anyone!!!

Another part of the plan was that I had to be released from all mother duties that day. Myla was a flower girl and Lyndon as groomsman and so everyone in our family needed to be dressed and ready. Thankfully there were many hands to help do Myla’s hair and get her dressed and ready. For the most part she was on her own and did great playing with the other children who were there! She was one exhausted flower girl as we tucked her into bed that night.

Some of my last thought to share includes a promise I made to my sister to squeeze her hand throughout the day. The day goes bye so fast I wanted to take small moments and freeze them with her. Moments like her stepping into her dress and pausing in front of the mirror as tears well up in our eyes.  I also had to acknowledge that I love being behind a camera and being able to photograph her wedding would bring me much joy! I am so thankful that I had the privilege and honor to photograph Laura and Drew. More from their wedding will be coming soon! I promise, this week!

 

Hair done and dress on is how I started shooting the day.

I shot both digitally and film for my sister’s wedding, which was a first for me too!

If you could see my feet I had my Tom’s on until it was time for me to me in the pictures!

Thank you Daylene for capturing this picture of me working above and the rest of these throughout the day!

As I walked the tears flooded. There was no hiding behind a camera.And more tears… and there were some mothering moments, like put down the wreath.

 

 

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Briana

You both were stunning. And, you are amazing, Jamie, to handle all that responsibility with much poise! I love that last photo (sister/mom moment…tears for one, instruction for the other).

De Neumann

O what a day!
Beautiful family.
Beautifully glorifying God.

Nine years

June 12, 2013

I am the luckiest girl to be walking with him nine years later through life discovering God in the details together.

“We can all see God in exceptional things,

but it requires the culture of spiritual discipline

to see God in every detail,

be ready to discover the divine designs anywhere”

Oswald Chambers

 

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Baby Elias

June 10, 2013

This family is dear to my heart. Our friendship started in late 2011 with a wonderful message from Darlene updating me that God had given her a miracle, a baby expected to arrive next July. At the time, I did not know all of their journey but I know that each miracle is a gift of life from God. I was thrilled for them. Our friendship continued as Darlene was open and honest about her journey of waiting for years and the struggle it was. In our infertility journey I had been waiting two years at this point. I quickly found a friend who could understand my thoughts, dreams, desires, and fears. She is a women of faith. Her encouragement, and hope over the next year and half has been steadfast and loving towards me. Darlene’s pregnancy gave me hope that God has a plan for me as he did with her family. I have cherished our friendship and the kindness she has shown me.

I was so honored to be able to photograph their family and their love. Elias is now nine months old, about the same length of time Darlene carried him waiting for his arrival. The love she has for her son is evident in her sweet and gentle disposition towards him and the smile that never seems to leave her face. As she waited for her own Darlene would often babysit and serve other mother’s with their children. She shared the best part of being a mother is that she does not have to leave. Elias is hers to keep.

We headed out into the outdoors where they love to spend time together as a family. I might say it was the most perfect warm bright spring evening. They were awesome to follow me on a trail that was much longer then I had  expected. It was worth the photographs under the tall tall trees. I left our time together encouraged listening how Darlene is loving motherhood and her fast growing little son. ENJOY!!!

the canopy of trees was beautiful!there is another smile…showing his three little teeth.and in about two seconds that rock was in his mouth.Mama’s kisses.his little hand holding on. melt my heart.this book is read each day before nap time and he seemed to love all the sounds.

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darlene

Jamie, thank you for your kind words. and for the beautiful photos. that was such a fun, special evening! so thankful for your friendship! and for your own little miracle growing inside!

Five of Twelve

June 5, 2013

I have ran out of days in May to post my May Instagrams and our family picture. Of course this month’s family picture would be one of us from my sister’s wedding. Laura and Drew included all of us to be a part of their wedding and it was such an honor. I know Myla was asking to be a flower girl before Laura and Drew were even engaged! She was practicing tossing flowers and bounding down the aisle for months. She was ready! Being the photographer, I was determined to make sure we have at least one photograph of our family together. Many thanks for Daylene for taking these pictures for us! I was also determined to photograph Myla in her dress. I confess the last wedding she was a flower girl I did not take one photograph of her. And I was the photographer. Join me as I attempt to take one family photo a month and you do the same! ENJOY!!!

 

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lindsey

I love these so much…. for some reason though they are making me miss you guys more than usual! :-(
You look gorgeous and you are each so dear to us…

Danielle

I spy an ever so tiny baby bump! :)

I’m failing at this once again this year. April was lost to me and alas, so was May! I’m definitely recovering from packing and moving for June, though!