Tops in Lexington TOP WEDDINGS… 2nd year in a row!:)

Yes… so we’re pretty proud to be featured, for the second year in a row, as one of Kentucky’s TOP Weddings in the TopsinLex.  This is such a fabulous publication and we are always proud to be a part of it!  Check out our work… Kristen and Alan were the featured wedding for their “Book” Themed reception!  It was VERY beautiful and totally personal!  I loved it.  Definitely one of the more uniquely beautiful weddings I have ever seen!

Location was the gorgeous Talon Winery.

The florals were amazing by Suzi Hjorth of Magnolia Floral Design.

Cake by the awesome Martine of Martine’s Pastries.

Wedding Planning by Jackie Lee of Every Last Detail.

View the COMPLETE ISSUE HERE

Not to mention our amazing ad with another of our fabulous couples, Maureen and Chad (wedding pics to come!)

Kristen and Ben: Engaged (Talon Winery, Commonwealth Stadium UK Engagement)

Are we the luckiest photographers ever?  I think so!  I am so blessed to have not only the SWEETEST but some of the most beautiful couples EVER!!!  Meet Kristen and Ben.  They are getting married in May 2011 and we, of course, will be photographing their fairytale wedding!  We had a blast at their session!  We started off in a random field on the way to Talon Winery, spent a bit of time roaming through the vineyards, then headed downtown to Commonwealth Stadium where we were invited to photograph on the field!  (well truth be told… we asked… they said yes!!! )  We finished our evening with an exciting journey through an alley way.  Too much fun!  We are TOTALLY excited about their wedding and cannot wait for next summer to get here!

Kylie & Adam’s Talon Winery, Fall Engagement

Yes… its true we were outrunning the ONLY rain storm that has entered the Central KY area in the past 3 months… imagine that!  Kylie Taylor and Adam Chilton were such good sports though… they changed in the car and we raced down Delong road to Talon Winery!!  We even stopped off on the side of the road at a random field (good thing… that field was MOWED OVER the next week… boo….).  I have to say… their dog, Brisbane… is awesome!  Total sweetie and super well behaved!  Kylie looked amazing with hair and makeup by the wonderful Anna Crane Simpson .  The vineyards are in full bloom and Kylie and Adam of course were adorable and amazing to work with!  I, of course, am quite partial to this couple… I will give everyone THREE guesses as to WHY and the first two don’t count! LOL  (for everyone who doesn’t know… my daughter’s name is Kyleigh.. said the same.. spelled differently!)

Can’t wait until December for their wedding!!!!

Hot Wedding Trend: Using antique jewelry to jazz up your bouquet

Recently I had the privilege of photographing a very thoughtful (and beautiful!) wedding.  The bride had put beautiful sentiment into every single inch of her wedding and I was truly touched by so many things that it is hard to highlight just one.  Although, I literally welled up with tears when I saw her bouquet sitting on the coffee table of her hotel room.  It was stunning!!!  See for yourself :

Gorgeous right?  Then she laid it on me… the jewels inside the flowers, are pieces of antique jewelry from her grandmother’s collection.  The stems are also bound with a bracelet.  Instant tears… how special, and beautiful!!!  I SO wish that thoughtful things like this had been trendy years ago when I was married.  I have always kept a few pieces of my grandmother’s jewelry and will continue to in hopes that Kyleigh may want to use it when she is married.

So how does one go about attaching these pendants?  These were actually attached to SILK florals and arranged sporadically with her beautiful fresh flowers.  The floral design was created by Suzi of Magnolia Floral Designs here in Lexington, KY.

Thank you Kristen for allowing me to share your creative efforts!!  Your wedding was truly gorgeous and I count it my honor to have been there to capture the day!  Congratulations and Best Wishe as you celebrate your new life with Alan!

Kimberlee & Denver’s Talon Winery Wedding

Kimberlee and Denver were married and the gorgeous Talon Winery out Tates Creek road in Lexington. A stormy day gave way to a blue sky littered with leftover gray puffy clouds and the coolest Friday evening wedding that I have ever had the privilege of enjoying in the vineyard. It was an emotional day from the first moment when Kimberlee’s step-dad saw her for the first time to her walk through the vineyard down the aisle to the the first dance, I could barely hold back the tears. Maybe its knowing all I do about this beautiful couple and having had a year getting to know them but I was honored to get to be a part of their wedding day. If I had to give this wedding a superlative award they would get the “BEST Groom Bride, Groom and Dad crying Down the Aisle” Award!

The day could not have been more perfect, from the beautiful weather (eventually) to the gorgeous flower (from Carol Lynn Originals), to the Gorgeous Dress (I mean does she look FIERCE or what?), to the amazing cake which mirrored the design of her dress to a rockin’ party hosted by the DJ of Complete Music, the night was PERFECTLY complete!

I also have to take a minute and say, I don’t think that before or since I have EVER taken as many “couple” photos as I did of these two. They are just SO good together. I mean like ridiculously amazingly good! Some couples I have to coach or ask them to kiss or push to get what I need but these two… they have a have this connection that transcends me and I was MORE than happy to sit back and just allow that to surpass me.

Kimberlee and DJ… Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your wedding. It truly was a gorgeous affair. We wish you many years of happiness, wealth and love! (PS… don’t loose any TOES out there in MONTANA!)

Without further Ado… Kimberlee and Denver:

Carol Lynn Originals & Events (A+ Florist!)

Because we have been in the wedding vendor community for several years now we find ourselves working with many of the same vendors over and over.  We have our favorites and we were TOTALLY stunned when we had the privilege of working with Ruth of Carol Lynn Originals this past weekend (Kimberlee & Denver’s wedding).

Not only were the flowers in stunning arrangement, the combination of flowers was something very unique and the quality was definitely nothing short of perfection.  Even after 5 -6 hours of wear and tear the bouquets were holding up well and showed no signs of wilting (even the hydrangeas and that is a tough thing to accomplish apparently) !  As a wedding photographer you learn to have a discerning eye.  You have tasted and seen the BEST and the worst.  I have shown up to weddings where the flowers were wilted before they even walked down the aisle!  It makes me so sad to see that happen KNOWING that there are some TRULY great florists in our area!

Add to that, the personal instruction that Ruth gave to the bridesmaids on proper placement of flowers when holding them, walking with them, standing with them and I truly have to say that we give two thumbs up to Carol Lynn Originals & Events and HOPE to see more of our couples choosing Ruth and her team VERY SOON!

Check out their work!

(YES those are CALLA lilies AND peonies in the SAME bouquet!  Is that cool or what?)

Be sure to give them a call at: 859.253.0545

Contact: Ruth Babcock, Carol Lynn Originals & Events, 645 E. Main Street, Lexington, Ky 40508, 859.253.0545

Kimberly and Jeff’s Signature Club Wedding

Kimberly and Jeff were married on July 26, 2008 at the Signature Club at Landsdowne.  The day was filled with cotton clouds in the sky and the warmth of July heat.  A tear filled journey down the front walk led Kimberly to her first moments with Jeff on their wedding day.  The passion was tangible and they embraced and shared a few minutes together before they began their day.  We even caught the bridal party peeking through the doors to catch a glance at their special moments together.  Surrounded by several hundred of their closest family and friends Jeff and Kimberly took their vows under a gorgeous arbor on the patio of the club’s lower level.  Rings, Vows, and a Kiss to remember with and added bonus kiss and romantic dip as the two made their exit from the ceremony.  Their reception followed in the grand ballroom with plenty food, family and fun.  Possibly one of the most touching moments that I have ever experienced in photographing weddings came when Kimberly shared her Father Daughter dance with her Step-Father Stevie.  I can assure you there was not a dry eye in the house… and that included me.  Bouquets, Garter and even a photo booth.  What a day!

I have known Kimberly for over 10 years.  We were high school buddies.  Jeff and Kimberly’s wedding was a little extra special to Troy and I.  Less than two weeks after their wedding we shared our 8th wedding anniversary.  8 years ago Kimberly not only shared our wedding day with us but she caught MY bouquet.  It was our honor and privilege to have been invited to share in the beginning of Jeff and Kimberly’s new life together.

Without further ado:

liz & josh, reception at talon winery

Liz and Josh were one of the couples who were married Saturday.  This is just a little sneak peek.  I know they are totally tanning in Aruba right now but I couldn’t resist!!!  This was taken just before Sunset.  I was able to steal them away from their gorgeous reception at Talon Winery and take a walk through the vineyards.  It was a cool crisp evening but I would say that these two warmed it up nicely!  Liz and Josh- enjoy the sun and sand in Aruba!!  I am totally jealous that we are stuck in allergy land  (read Lexington, KY) … I am dying to see pics when you get back!

Ryan & Danelle’s Wedding Photographs (Central Christian and Talon Winery)

Ryan and Danelle were married on January 12, 2008 at Central Christian Church in downtown Lexington. Their fabulous reception followed at Talon Winery off Tates Creek Road. It was a total blast. I think that Ryan and Danelle definitely will hold the record for largest wedding party for a while to come … all told there were 24 member of the bridal party!!!!!!!!!!!! HOLY COW!! It was so fun getting try to new things. We had hoped for snow alas we were on the opposite end of the spectrum.. I believe it was close to 60 degrees… I guess if there was no snow then our second choice was a GORGEOUS blue sky and a nice sunny day!! I don’t know that I can choose one thing about their wedding day that was my favorite! They had a KILLER cake done by Sugar Forest , gorgeous flowers by Ivory Rose, awesome food by Sam Sears and the crew at South Van Catering, the coolest Dodge Charger limo EVER by Celebrity and Boss Limos and of course one of our favorite locations Talon Winery!

We have spent the past few months getting to know Ryan and Nelle and they truly are two amazingly fun people!! Ryan happens to be a Neurologist at UK so unfortunately we get to see him a lot more than we had hoped but that is fine by us… he brings us chocolate so its all good! Ryan and Danelle- we wish you two all the best in life. We hope that this is just the beginning of a long, amazing and happy life together!

Stacy and Derrick

Stacy and Derrick had the most beautiful and fun wedding that I have ever had the privilege of attending! They truly are special people and it was my honor to be a part of their big day!!!! Congrats Stacy and Derrick!