Erin and Dan were a blast to hang out with. We walked from Charleston's Pineapple Fountain at Waterfront Park up Rainbow Row to the Battery and ended the walkabout session at Whitepoint Gardens and took advantage of any mischief we could get into along the way. Dan wanted to hop up on one of the cannons to defend the Battery so I completed the illusion by adding a lit fuze and taking the cap off the front of the cannon.Dan had to catch a plane back to Cincinnati so we had about an hour to shoot the engagement session. Lots of fun and we cant wait to spend their wedding day with them! {SEE ALL THE PHOTOS HERE}

We went to the beach to shoot Heather's family. The weather turned awesome as soon as we got to Sullivan's Island. When we left the house, the sky was a horrible shade of grey but got better as we made our way through Mount Pleasant to the beach at Breech Inlet. The resulting sky was Cecil B. DeMille dramatic. The shoot was primarily a maternity session but we captured the family since everyone was there and well dressed. Heather is right on the verge of having twins- a pair of girls! I think this may have been the last week to get these shots. Clay said the babies are at the proper weight for delivery. Should be any day now! We took our Katherine to the beach also to help keep Kayla company while we took picture of mommy. {SEE ALL THE PHOTOS HERE}

Just some photos of Tara and me with our clients or the other fine folks who work weddings with us. Sometimes receptions go long and the couple tells us to put the cameras away and grab a drink. Sometimes we grab a drink and dont put the cameras away, sometimes we drink and dance with our gear on. We always have a great time at weddings. We've had relationships with these couples for a year, sometimes more. They let us into their emotional and intimate moments. They open up to us and our cameras. They share their most memorable day with us. On wedding days, I spend more hours with the bride than her groom. So sometimes, it's like going to an old friend's wedding. We love our jobs!

The last wedding we shot at the Legare-Waring House had no bridesmaids or groomsmen. Katie and Ryan's wedding was a complete 180 with a huge wedding party. Ten groomsmen and ten 'maids with a flowergirl! Thank God for wide angle lenses! The wedding took place in Greenwood, SC which is about 3 hours from Charleston. Greenwood is in the heart of this beautiful state and it was very charming. We have been to a couple little towns in the heart of South Carolina and there isn't many ugly places in the state. We arrived the day before to cover the rehearsal dinner which took place in an art gallery/photography studio of Greenwood photographer Jon Holloway. Me and Tara saw this place and were amazed how close to our vision of our own studio it was. Exposed brick, exposed ductwork and antique advertisements on the walls. It was perfect! One day...

The rehearsal went very well at the First Presbyterian Church. The light in this church was great which works well with us- I dont like to use flash during ceremony. We got to see Ryan again. We havent seen him since last winter when we shot their engagement photos. Ryan is an absolute blast to be with- the kind of guy you want to hang out with. We got to meet the families who were wonderful on both sides. The wedding coordinator was awesome too. She told everyone how to stand, place their hands and everything else to make perfect photos. She was aggressive which shows experience. The pushy ones make for a day where nothing goes wrong. I personally like them like this. They make my job easy! I made sure I didnt do anything to get on her bad side. They call her "The General".

The rehearsal dinner was awesome. It was catered by a guy named Stump and his food was so good. He had pulled pork, ribs, baked potato salad and a slaw to die for. I'd highly recommend Stumps Barbecue for catering. That was some good eatin! After the dinner we headed back to our hotel and rested up for the next day.

The weather was gorgeous for the wedding day. We started by covering a brunch held at the Lander University Women's Club. Another elegant affair. I rode with Katie to the salon to cover her getting her makeup done while Tara covered the groom's half of the brunch.

After, we all met up at Katie's parents home, the site of the reception. We shot the preparations at the house and watched the band arrive as well as the other vendors who began arriving about the time we showed up. The tents were set up in the back yard and we saw the most elegant pota-john on the planet. This thing had hardwood floors, marble counter tops, surround sound as well as a family changing station. They had a brick patio set up out front lined with palm trees. Unreal!

We were to be at the church and ready by 3 pm so we left early with the bride so we wouldn't be late. No one wanted to make the General mad.

The prep and ceremony was perfect and after a horse and carriage waited out front to take Katie and Ryan to her parent's house for the reception.

With a huge wedding party comes a huge guest list. We dont know the exact count but there were a few hundred in attendance. The venue was beautiful. It was decorated and coordinated by Elaine, Katie's mom. Elaine had friends and neighbors pitching in to help with the decorating but the whole affair was done by the family. Elaine was up until 3 am putting the finishing touches to the house the night before and she even did the decorating for the church! Her hard work really showed, the wedding was beautiful.

The band had an opening act! How often do you see a band play in a backyard that has an opening act? The openers were great but the main act was General Johnson and the Chairmen of the Board. They wrote the song "Carolina Girls" and reminded me of the classic Motown groups in the way they sang, moved and entertained. They really knew how to get the crowd into it. If this band plays for your party, I can guarantee there will not be a dull moment.

The party went into a perfect South Carolina night and at the end, the couple left in an old Rolls Royce limo. We left for Myrtle Beach the next morning to spend Mother's Day with Ma Focker and company. That is where our little Katie spent her weekend while mommy and daddy took pictures.

We want to thank Lisa for referring us to this great family. We shot Lisa's daughter's engagement photos last year.

{SEE THE PHOTOS HERE}

I had the opportunity to shoot the biggest rehearsal dinner I have ever seen or heard about at the William Aiken House in Downtown Charleston. The event was for the wedding of Lawson and Sean. Their event was so big, they had two separate crews to cover the weekend. I worked with Emmy and Christina of Peacock Events of Charleston. Another team would cover the wedding day for photography, wedding planning, catering, etc.

Emmy really out-did herself on this event. The venue was spectacular. There were a lot of people who attended the dinner. After the dinner, the live band started up and a couple hundred more showed up for the drinks and dancing.

A beautiful set-up, wonderful family and a great crew to work with. A great way to spend a Friday evening!

{SEE THE PHOTOS HERE}