Here are a few highlights and favorite moments from the first part of this year. (The weddings from the latter half of the year will be featured in their own blog post.) This post actually was born from a question asked by one of my bride’s father. He wanted to know if we learn something at each wedding and if each wedding was unique. The answer is YES and YES! We are constantly learning something new or trying a different technique, we love that we are constantly learning and honing our art. We also love that no matter how many weddings we photograph, each one is unique. Our job is to capture what the bride has spent months planning; it’s always wonderful to see how everything came together. It is an honor and a privilege to photograph one of the most important days in someone’s life, and we hope that comes across in everything we do.
It was next to impossible to pick just one or two moments from each wedding, and don’t even think I’ve ranked these between weddings – they’re in chronological order, darling. Oh, and BTW this also doesn’t include engagement sessions, maternity sessions, senior portraits, etc; I felt this post was going to already be dangerously out of control! 
Stephanie and Nelton, March 5, 2011
The limo bus stopped at a beer distributer on the way to the reception. Of course, they had to get pictures in front of the building. The beer distributor loved having them, and even gave them a free case before they left! They also had a killer dance off to “Teach Me How to Dougie.”
Stephanie and Nelton’s Teaser
Stephanie and Nelton’s Sneak Peek
Gina and Mike, April 30, 2011
Gina looked stunning in her dress, which was her “something borrowed” from her sister. We snuck onto the golf course at South Pointe for a few portraits. Golfers offered Mike their clubs so he could take a few swings. Their favors were scratcher lotto tickets. Apparently, Mike got one of the only winners. What are the odds of that? Later in the night, a bunch of the guys broke away from the reception for a while and celebrated Gina and Mike’s nuptials with cigars. Instead of a traditional guest book, Gina and Mike had wine bottles for their guests to sign. Each bottle had a personalized label with their names and photo on it; along with the wedding dates of future anniversaries. For example, one read “April 30, 2012, First Anniversary.” I just loved this idea and know that Gina and Mike are going to relive their wedding on each anniversary as they open their special bottle of wine.
Gina and Mike’s Teaser
Gina and Mike’s Sneak Peek
Gina and Mike’s Slideshow
Jenny and Bobby, May 7, 2011
At the reception, Bobby danced with the Junior Bridesmaid for one of their “event” dances, it was so sweet! For the garter/bouquet toss, after the traditional “placement” (where the guy who catches the garter puts it on the leg of the lady who caught the bouquet) the DJ turned it up a notch. He had the two reverse, where the lady got to put the garter on the guy. Bobby’s sister is the one who caught the bouquet, she and their other sister were had a ball putting it on the guy’s leg; it was hilarious! Another key moment – we learned later that Jenny and Bobby’s wedding was the first time in something like 15 years that Bobby’s entire family had all been together. We were so honored to capture a family portrait for them, and hope it’s not another 15 years before they can all get together again!!
Jenny and Bob’s Teaser
Jenny and Bob’s Sneak Peek
Jenny and Bobby’s Slideshow
Alyssa and Jeremy, May 21, 2011
Had one of the most action-packed receptions I’ve ever seen. The DJ had a ton of activities planned that kept the party rockin’ all night. One such activity was a contest between Alyssa and Jeremy to see who could unwind a roll of toilet paper the fastest. By the end, it was an all-out-ladies-vs-men brawl – several ladies formed a human barrier around Alyssa, while another knocked the toilet paper out of Jeremy’s hands. Hilarity ensued. And who could forget Jeremy crowd-surfing to get to Alyssa after the dollar dance? Amazing.
Alyssa and Jeremy’s Teaser
Alyssa and Jeremy’s Sneak Peek
Alyssa and Jeremy’s Slideshow
Kaitlin and Justin, June 11, 2011
This wedding was more than just two people getting married, it was about three people becoming a family. During the ceremony, Kaitlin and Justin made vows not only to each other, but also to McKenzi, their daughter. After cutting the cake, Justin offered a piece to McKenzi just before smashing it in her face.
Kaitlin and Justin’s Teaser
Kaitlin and Justin’s Sneak Peek
Kaitlin and Justin’s Slideshow
Kim and Michael, June 18, 2011 
Beautiful ceremony at Heinz Chapel. After Kim and Michael’s first dance, all four parents joined them on the dance floor. It was a visual reminder of not only the joining of the two families, but how far all three couples have come, and how far Kim and Michael will go in the next 60+ years in their new life together.
Kim and Michael’s Teaser
Kim and Michael’s Teaser 2
Kim and Michael’s Sneak Peek
Kim and Michael’s Slideshow
Helen and Matt, June 25, 2011
Helen and Matt’s cake was beautiful! Apparently, it was nearly impossible for them to cut! There was a layer of cardboard on the top which couldn’t be seen. They attempted to saw through it before giving up and taking a hunk out of the middle. They played it cool though; I never would have noticed had they not told us about it a few weeks later at their Red Carpet Preview!
Helen and Matt’s Teaser
Helen and Matt’s Sneak Peek
Helen and Matt’s Slideshow
Lindsay and Andy, July 2, 2011
Their reception was unique in that each table was served “family-style.” Each table got a big platter of several main dishes as well as side dishes. I thought this was genius, guests got the connivence of not having to get up and wait in a buffet line and the meals were all served to all guests much faster than plated meals would have been. It makes me wonder why more caterers don’t do this! For the garter/bouquet toss, Andy had some tricks up his sleeve (or, more specifically, his jacket). Before he pulled off the garter, he whipped out hand cuffs, candy panties, and other assorted *ahem* adult toys.
Lindsay and Andy’s Teaser
Lindsay and Andy’s Sneak Peek
Lindsay and Andy’s Slideshow
Sierra and Matt, July 9, 2011
When we initially meet with potential clients, the meeting usually lasts about an hour. Sierra and Matt’s was three hours, but we didn’t notice because they were such a hoot! Matt, Sierra, and her sister Dana were a riot that night and on the wedding day too. We started off the day with portraits at South Park before the ceremony. At the reception, the photo booth was a huge hit! The pictures that came from their photo booth were some of my favorite photo booth pictures ever. Some of the guests were acting out entire stories in 4 frames – I loved their creativity!!
Sierra and Matt’s Teaser
Sierra and Matt’s Sneak Peek
Sierra and Matt’s Slideshow
Ashley and Kevin, July 23, 2011
Brian and I love shooting in new locations, we also love shooting in places that mean something to our couples. This was one of the lucky occasions where we got both. Ashley and Kevin love going to the movies (they go several times a week) and decided to get their post-ceremony portraits done at their favorite movie theater. Ashley also love love loves pink polka dots and incorporated them into everything in her wedding. Their big day was all about the details – Brian and I had fun running around trying to take pictures of everything she and her mom spent so much time planning!
Ashley and Kevin’s Teaser
Ashley and Kevin’s Sneak Peek
Ashley and Kevin’s Slideshow
Casey and Steve, July 30, 2011
Casey and Steve were such troupers during the heat! We went to a local park for portraits in between the ceremony and reception. After taking some with the bridal party, they scampered off to the air conditioned limo while Casey and Steve stuck around for more portraits with just them. At one point, Casey knelt down for a moment, obviously overcome with heat. Brian and I suggested that we stop, but Casey wanted to keep going! Steve ran and got her some water and then she was ready for Round Two. For their entrance at the reception, Casey entered the room first while Steve stayed outside. She took a few steps, twirled around, and pulled him in by the tie. Adorable!
Casey and Steve’s Teaser
Casey and Steve’s Sneak Peek
Casey and Steve’s Slideshow
What about you? What was your favorite moment? Leave a comment and let me know! The couple who receives the most comments from unique visitors about their wedding by October 2nd at 11:59pm will receive a 6×8 slate printed with an image of their choice fro their wedding (a $99 dollar value)*. The slates are pretty sweet if you ask me – the image is printed directly on the slate and then the edge is hand-chiseled.
Yours,
Lisa
*The nitty-gritty (a.k.a. Official Rules) – we have the sole discretion to determine the legitimacy of comments. It’s at our discretion to disqualify comments if we suspect any tom foolery or monkey business. No fair posting more than once or other shenanigans like that.
We started off with portraits at South Park. The ladies had such a great sense of humor!
I think Sierra was seriously freaked out they were going to drop her, but obviously they didn’t!
One of my favorite moments of the day- we coached the group to do this “paparazzi” inspired shot. They took it a step further by doing it in slow motion. Loved it! I think we’re going to do this shot in slow-mo every time, and for that matter, maybe other shots too. For some reason, things are more hilarious in slow-mo!
Inspired by “Reservoir Dogs” they were naturals at looking too cool to look directly at the camera.
Next we sent the bridal party back to the limo so we could focus on Sierra and Matt.
I love how happy they are here; you can tell how much they adore each other!
A fun game of kiss tag, Sierra eventually won. 
Officially Mr & Mrs!
First dance
Sierra and her dad
Matt and his mom
Sierra teaching everyone how to dance
I love love loved their cake! White tiers “dripping” with chocolate and adorned with strawberries. Seriously one of the prettiest and most unique cakes I’ve ever seen.
Their favors were personalized shot glasses.
