This past weekend I married off Sandra Bullock! … just kidding! … her real name is Kristen, but not only does she seriously look like Bullock, she is a performer as well! And then there’s her new husband Tom, what an awesome/fun guy – both of these two just pack A LOT of personality, and it was such a blast shooting their totally action-packed wedding!
Kristen was ready for the makeup chair when I arrived, so after a quick shot of the dress, we got right to business!
It was SERIOUSLY HOT in Kristen’s Room at the Shawnee Inn. The air conditioning was apparently broken when I inquired, but I toughed it out for as long as I could to get just a few more candids of the girls getting ready before going downstairs to meet them for a quick group shot and bridal portrait before the ceremony.
Sean covered the guys getting ready, and I was LOVING these shots… especially his “Atlas” rendition of all the groomsmen holding up Tom! … and apparently they were using a TV as a mirror?!
Kristen got a you-can-tell-he’s-choking-it-back-reaction from Tom as she came down the aisle, and the ceremony location on the veranda of the Shawnee Inn was really unique!
I snuck up the fire-escape from behind to get a different angle for these next couple of shots and came back down just in time for the ring exchange and recessional.
All day they were calling for rain again – big surprise there! – but just when we thought we had “lucked out” and were going to actually get some time outdoors for bride-and-groom photos, something very unexpected happened… we got “gnatted” on! The flying little devils were everywhere, and I know there were some mosquitoes in the mix because my arms are still covered in big red bite marks!
Kristen and Tom hung in for as long as they could before we decided we had JUST enough photos of them and the bridal party, all of about 30 minutes of shooting time before surrendering to the insect army.
I’m sorry, but I couldn’t resist this animated .gif thing to demonstrate Kristen and Tom getting eaten alive. The funny thing was, most couples don’t really know how to “dip” but these two were so good at it that they even had free hands available to pick at the bugs while they posed! lol.
The absolute best thing about Kristen and Tom’s reception was the guests! There were so many talented singers and dancers in the mix, more often than not I felt like I was photographing a Broadway show instead of a wedding! Not to mention, I was also introduced to a little dance called the “Dougy” which just totally rocked my world!
Sean managed to capture another great moment when he was witness to a little bull and matador action?!
To Kristen and Tom: I know I made the look-a-like joke, but Kristen you are a completely unique individual, endearing, outgoing, beautiful. Tom, from what I can tell, you couldn’t be a more perfect match for Kristen; you’re sweet, easygoing AND you can DANCE! Don’t guys know how totally hot that is?! Anyway, congrats to you both, and thanks for putting on such a great show… err, I mean wedding!
Second Shooter: Sean Brimhall
Venue: Shawnee Inn
D.J. Chuck Russo
Dress: Pronovias