Let me tell you a tale of how being up at 2am scrolling around Facebook can get you work... hahah
So I couldn't sleep and saw Stephanie update her status saying she still needed a photographer for her Florida wedding in December and since we were still open on her date, I saw an opportunity to see the sun again before April so I was ALL over it. Ryan and I pretty much only go on vacation when we can book a job in that location so this worked out really well.
Stephanie and Mark both work at HSN and met at work. They work the night shift so I got to know Stephanie over Facebook chat in the middle of the night since I always work late as well. I'm so happy all of this worked out because their wedding was wonderful but more importantly, they are lovely humans and that's my favorite kind of person to photograph. They both just seem like the kind of people who would do anything for anyone and that's just a good attitude to have towards life.
They had a small wedding on the beach at the Bilmar Beach Resort in Treasure Island Florida and the whole day was just super relaxed. I'm sure I sound like a broken record by now since I've been shooting a lot of small weddings this year but gosh, I just really love them! It's all so laid back and casual and I think that atmosphere is nice. I also really love shooting portraits and it leaves a lot of time for that which is fun.
After the wedding we went to Clearwater and stayed there for the rest of the week. If you want to see stuff from our vacation, you can check out my instagram. www.instagram.com/HollyGauper
So to start, see that awesome paper flower in her bouquet? She randomly decided to make paper flowers while we were talking online one night and with I believe only had one failed attempt and TADA! Super awesome paper flowers. I'm just super impressed with her extreme origami skills.
Diamonds are getting a run for their money. If I could go back, I probably would have opted for a bigger stone of something other than a diamond. I absolutely LOVE this blue ring.
I want to address just how awesome this braided side bun is. I now want to wear a side bun every day of my life.
Stephanie's mother passed away recently which adds some heartbreak to a day like this but there were touches of her everywhere with the record player, photos and her necklace which was a really nice way to incorporate her into the day. It's a tragedy to lose someone you love but she married into a wonderful family and even though we just met them all for a day, it's so easy to see that Mark is a kind, great man and I think being truly loved helps heal a lot of things when your heart is hurting.
Oh gosh, Marks parents are just the best. His mom was just so happy and adorable the whole day and his dad was so friendly and had such awesome stories. I just adore people from the south :)
The walking down the isle shot is always one of my favorites. It's just this great moment when the nervousness of the ceremony and standing in front of everyone wears off and you just sorta realize what just happened and this burst of happiness always explodes out of people.
Typically, I explain how to properly twirl a dress and it takes a couple tries but she was a natural and this was one of the first shots! It is just perfect and one of my top 10 favorite twirling shots. This one's going on the main slideshow of our website ASAP! Twirling is always one of my favorite things because it gets people moving and typically, people can't help but laugh and smile and have a good time with it so it loosens up the mood and always has such a nice energy to it.
These next 2 shots are a fun way to show the same thing shot by two different perspectives and lenses. That's why it's always fun shooting with Ryan since we have such different styles. I think this actually shows that off quite well too. Ryan's work is often much more soft and romantic where mine has a more dramatic flair to it.
The reception was at Bubba Gump Shrimp and was that a wonderful idea they had? Why yes it was :) On our road trip in 2010 we fell in love with this place. The food was awesome, the staff was super friendly and the cake that had was just chocolate cake, but it was somehow memorable because it's making my mouth water just thinking about it right now.
This was an awesome day filled with wonderful people. It was great to get to know everyone and see two lovely people become family. We are honored to have gotten the opportunity to be there and although I was pumped to go to Florida in December when I first booked the job, I'd do this over without the vacation attached to it any day.