My first wedding in Maine really set the bar for any others. It was an absolutely gorgeous, brisk day on the seaside. They had transformed the ballroom into a soft, twinkle lit reception. Created a beautiful arch looking over the ocean and essentially took over this small town in Maine and made it this sweet family gathering.
I had met Emily years ago when I was looking for a roommate. She was always a super sweet and bubbly person to be around. And meeting her amazing family for the first time, only affirmed where she got her lovely personality from. Tj and her had been together for almost 4 years, so it was no surprise they were getting married. But seeing them on their wedding day, literally non stop gazing at each other, smiles ear to ear, and so many laughs, really put into perspective how perfect they were for each other. The exciting is that this Sunday will be their one year anniversary and a few days ago they had their first baby. So I thought it only fitting their blog post should go up! I hope you enjoy!
KiKi
I wanted to live in Niki & Dan’s day forever. Seriously. Even though there were only 7 of us total, it was a blast to hang out and see two people that have never been to the states, enjoy such an awesome day. Especially with me as the tour guide. They had a ceremony on a secluded beach, kissed each other right as they say each other (couldn’t wait till i dos!), threw pebbles in the ocean with their family and friends after they tied the knot, sipped champagne and enjoyed a gorgeous sunset. But everything was not perfect from the start! Here is a little something I wrote the day after the wedding about everything up until the ceremony… Somehow thousands of miles away, Niki and Dan found me. They flew in from Britain to get married on Anastasia. The week they flew in, a huge tropical storm hit Florida. When they arrived to their air Bnb to get ready for their wedding, it wasn’t ready and they had to quickly relocate to a hotel. They booked an Uber to take them to their ceremony, which canceled moments before it was suppose to arrive. Once they got in a car and got half way to the ceremony, they realized they had forgotten the marriage license and had to turn around. It was also dumping rain when they arrived. Feeling helpless watching the radar, a huge gust of wind came in and blew the weather away. Opening up for a bit to take photos on what was now a completely secluded beach. What’s funny is that I’ve had couples break down over the smallest thing when they are getting married a few minutes from their home. But Niki and Dan, thousands of miles from home, having absolutely no idea where or what they were getting into, with what seemed to be everything working against them, were so incredibly happy. Hugging and giving me kisses on the cheek, making jokes, doing an American accent as I tried to do a posh British one. It was like nothing ever happened. I know there is so much that goes on during a wedding day. Whether you have 5 guests or 500. Its an emotional and well thought out day. But if all else fails, remember that you are one of those lucky ones that found someone who loves you rain or shine, Uber or no Uber, marriage certificate or not. You love them and damnit if a tropical storm is going to prevent you from shouting it from a secluded beach and putting a ring on that finger. You guys are seriously “totally awesome” (to be said in a posh American 1990s accent)
Enjoy! KiKi
Ali & Aaron’s wedding was truly a labor of love. Their friends and family came together to put on a loving and beautiful spring wedding. I was literally the only vendor there that was not a close friend or related to them. Her mother made her absolutely gorgeous bouquet, her aunt made her vintage looking, adorable cake, friends helped with hair and makeup. A close friend played acoustic guitar during the reception and another officiated the ceremony. The entire wedding even stayed on the property together, sharing a private hot springs and horse ranch all to themselves.
The details of the day were gorgeous, but the most amazing thing was my interaction with Ali and Aaron. I had met them for the first time an hour before their ceremony. Their warmth and overall excitement was contagious. And made me, the only “vendor” of the day, feel like family. They were genuinely kind and spiritual people. During their ceremony they asked their guests to remove their shoes with them. Saying that it would connect them not only to the earth around them but to each other, on a day that was so important and special. After their ceremony, family pictures were filled with a bunch of jokes and goofy poses. Their reception was filled with several speeches from close family and friends on how much they cherish and adore Ali & Aaron, how meant to be they were. The love from their guests was almost never ending and incredibly sweet to hear and be apart of. The cherry on the Sunday is that the song they danced to, one I have never heard at a wedding before, was always one I had dreamt of dancing to on my wedding day. They are two seriously awesome people and I feel so special to be the one to capture such a wonderful day.
Enjoy
KiKi
I think I can say, that this engagement session here, had the most laughs and giggles ever within an hour session. Maybe it’s because we were alone in the woods, hanging out for the first time in years. Maybe it’s because these two have been together for almost a decade. Or maybe it’s because Bj and Amy are just kick ass cool. 🙂 Either way, I had an amazing time hanging out with these two and cannot imagine what kind of fun we are going to have in November for their wedding. Check out all the giggles and twirls and a couple climbs up a tree below.
Enjoy!
KiKi
Hearing Alyssa and Drew’s story as high school sweethearts reminds me of a real life version of a romantic movie from the 1990’s. It’s adorable and sweet and their bold and beautiful wedding day did everything to compliment it.
The rustic lodge they were married in was decorated with richly colored glasses and greenery. Medieval candelabras and wooden accents were scattered to create a warm and inviting feel. Their heartfelt speeches filled the cozy room as some people warned next to the brick fireplace huddled together.
On top of the gorgeous details, nothing makes me smile more than a wedding with doggie guests. Alyssa and Drew started their day with a first look at a frozen lake with their pup. The three of them came together as a family and were married in front of a backdrop of snow capped mountains. The night ended with a golden sunset walk through the woods. It was such a gorgeous day. Enjoy!
Oh Claire and Mo. How I feel so special to be able to call you friends. I met Mo almost 7 years ago at the local watering hole, Mellow Mushroom. He is apart of my great group of friends in Jax. They are not only great because they are just so fun, but that group of a dozen plus people believed in me and my career, even despite some of the weird or novice ideas I may have had at the beginning of starting my company. 🙂 Mo was also one of the first people I went offshore fishing with, which still remains one of my favorite things to do. Needless to say, they have a very special place in my heart.
A few years ago, Claire Bear came into the group with her beautiful red hair and infectious smile. Claire is not just a beautiful woman, she is one bad ass boss. She started her company in her early twenties and already has an amazing store front, another stylist and countless clients that love her talents and personality. I am so impressed by her drive at such a young age and her ability to remain so carefree along the way. So to add that to the already fun loving and kind Mo, was pretty much perfect. When they got engaged it made our whole group so happy to see two close friends start their life together.
Ya know, I could go on and on about their day and them. But I will say one thing that I really loved and let the photos say the rest. While Claire was twirling around in her wedding gown on the dance floor, with literally the biggest smile I have ever seen on her face, I went up to Mo to ask him how he was doing. Mo, putting work on his cocktail and not some much on the dance floor was looking at Claire, also with a big smile. He responded to me and said, “I am doing great! As long as she is the happiest she can be, I am.” And that’s just the kind of guy Mo is. I can’t say I have ever heard him complain or talk about himself much. He just always seems to be the one that’s happy if everyone else is. A completely selfless guy. So, congrats you two! On not only getting married, but being genuinely kind and amazing friends to me. Enjoy the blog and check out a couple things Claire had to say about the day below..
“I had dreamt of the day I would get engaged to Mo, but once it happened I was overwhelmed with the idea of wedding planning. Fortunately, my mom knew exactly where to start. Her and I worked together to create my dream wedding and the best day of my life! My favorite memory of the day was getting to ride the trolley as a new married couple, just the two of us, to the reception. It was the only moment we had to ourselves in the midst of the crazy, wonderful day.”
Nothing beats a nice walk in the woods with your pup and your love! Especially when you have it all to yourself and you manage to balance an engagement ring on your pups nose 🙂 As it starts to warm up here in CB I wanted to share my last snowy shoot of the season. Check out Kristin and Andrew (and Bella) below! Enjoy!
KiKi
Jennie & Josh have an incredibly tight knit family. You can tell by how they interact with each other. There were so many smiles and tears on their wedding day. It seemed as if every single person at the wedding had a part in their story and it was beautiful to be apart of the mix.
Hurricane Irma & Maria came into the east coast as a category 5 and displaced Jennie and Josh several months before and after their wedding. They went and stayed with Jennie’s parents and planned and put together the rest of their day over the next few months hundreds of miles from home. Jennie spent time making the cake, flowers, and decorations. It was truly a labor of love and man did they celebrate! Jennies bridesmaids wrote personalized letters to her the day of, her grandmothers broach was worn and given to her with a note as well. Josh had drinks with all of his buddies before our super goofy groomsmen photos after. It was a gorgeous sunset and with all our shoes kicked off we ran down to the beach to get some of my favorite portraits at Casa. The ceremony and reception speeches had everyone crying with happy tears. And as if everything was not already perfect enough, under a full moon and hundreds of twinkle lights, there entire wedding picked them up and put them on their shoulders during the last song. It was such an energetic wedding day and I absolutely had a blast!
Check out their fun filled, sunny wedding day below! Enjoy!
KiKi
I wish I could post photos from this wedding everyday. The ease and beauty in which Catherine and Ryan put on their South Dakota Mountain wedding was gorgeous. Even with rain almost the entire day of the wedding, we managed to adventure and photograph in some amazing spots.
I also love the adorable touches they had the day of. Their grandfather marrying them and their other grandfather, that had passed, recorded a message and blessing that they played before dinner. Catherine wore a two piece lace dress that her mother softly helped her button, while Ryan was dressed in a tux that his Father helped him straighten up. Only their family stood by their side as they were married. Catherine’s Sisters and Ryan’s Brother and Father. Where they were married, Ryan built a buffalo made of steel. And let’s just say he added an extra part to the “male” buffalo that was asked to be removed prior to the wedding day. That is only a testament to what a goofy and fun guy Ryan is. And how beautifully Catherine’s sweetness and wit compliments him.
Beyond that, Catherine and Ryan (and all of their friends and family) know how to party! I can easily say of all the couples I have photographed over 9 years, Catherine and Ryan were on the dance floor more than any other couple. And they looked damn good doing it. Twirling and dipping and at one point playing spin the bottle to who would dance next. At times they were dancing with cowboy hats on, whiskey in hand and a lit cigar in their mouth. And I am not just talking about Ryan, Catherine was doing it too. They’re just a bad ass, good looking couple. And I am pretty stoked to be the one to capture their outdoor, wooded, super fun wedding! Check out the amazingness of Catherine and Ryan below!
Enjoy! KiKi
Venue: State Game Lodge in Custer State Park
Photographer: Kara Lamm, Kiki Creates
Dress: Gown Boutique of Charleston
Makeup and hair: Melissa Dykman, Love & Beauty Maui
Destination Wedding Photographer
