CT PhotoMemories Weddings

Liberty Barn Church Wedding: Nancy & Jon

2011-05-27T06:00:00.016-04:00

She's been planning and dreaming of this day for years...Nancy made sure every detail was decided and planned to a "T" throughout the many months from the moment she gave a resounding, "YES" to Jonathan's proposal.

To take a line from her sister's toast, "There once were 3 princesses..."

Nancy fit that description exactly...and although there was laughter and fun with the stories told, it was evident that she isn't just a "princess" on the outside...She radiants sincerity and kindness...she is genuine and real...and that, in and of itself, is only a small part of why Jonathan loves her so completely.

And Jonathan...he is a pillar of strength and stability. He has guided and protected, loved and cherished her...for so long. Together they have already weathered tragedy and sickness, pain and loss...and through it all, they have remained each other's constant!

Jon & Nance, it has been an honor and privilege to know you...to watch you with each other...to see your concern and unconditional love of family. Thank you for the opportunity share your most special day...

Despite a season of incredible rain...for days and days on end...it was as if God said, "Let the clouds be still for just a day..." And so the sky parted and the sun shone brilliantly...

The contrast between the brilliance outdoors to the richness inside was breath-taking...

All of her "girls" waited on her and were thoroughly soaking in the day alongside Nancy...as she prepared to see Jonathan...

She was radiant as she walked down on her Daddy's arm...

Jonathan & Nancy had some incredibly special moments during their ceremony...one of which, those who wished, could pray a blessing over their rings...it was overwhelming to see the outpouring of love in the room for this couple...

The church itself gave the feeling of reverence, promise and hope...

When the ceremony ended, everyone had a few moments to collect themselves and we were able to snap just a few images before we headed to the reception...

and it was wonderful to take some time to breathe in the fragrance of the bouquets created by Flowers on Orchard Lane...they were absolutely gorgeous!

We needed just a few more "together" pictures and Jonathan & Nancy were happy to oblige:)

Scioto Reserve had a beautiful backdrop for the celebration that followed...

The entrances were memorable...the toasts were unforgettable...the dances were touching...

laughter...tears...more laughter...more tears...

And then...Jonathan and Nancy led their guests into a celebration like none other!!!

Friends and family joined in...and the festivities lasted well into the evening...

Thank you again, Jonathan and Nancy, for the privilege of "photo-journaling" your day...You are an inspiring, endearing and generous couple...

I know that God will bless your marriage...may your love grow more and more each day!

Please be sure to link over to AnneMarie to see her perspective of the day...and come find CT PhotoMemories on Facebook to see more images and comment:) Enjoy the following slideshow that "tells the story" through our eyes...

Mr. and Mrs.....coming soon...

2011-05-02T21:40:00.002-04:00

Be sure to link HERE to see a few engagement shots before their Big Day!!!

Mr. and Mrs....coming soon....

2011-05-02T21:33:00.001-04:00

Nancy and Jon have gained a special place in the hearts of Anne Marie and myself. We met them way back in the fall and after smiling and laughing our way through that first meeting, we've become even more impressed with the both of them, with each interaction.

Nancy is everything she appears: beautiful, sweet, sincere, compassionate, loyal, encouraging, and let's not forget, extremely organized!!! Jonathan is strong, confident, handsome, protective, kind, and incredibly supportive of his bride!

To say that we are excited to shoot this wedding in just a few short weeks is an understatement! We had our "get the last minute details" meeting this past weekend and we couldn't resist getting a few images of them just interacting with one another...

Jon and Nance, we are UBBER excited to see you in a couple weeks! We know that God is going to bless your marriage in incredible ways!!!

p.s be sure to check over on the facebook page for one more sneak peek picture not posted here:)

Accordion Books

2011-02-20T17:29:00.000-05:00

These little 3 x 3 books are adorable...Anne Marie and I discovered them awhile back and thought they would be such a lovely addition to any bookshelf to display a summary of the wedding day...but, also, what a sweet little keepsake to have in your purse or book bag to share quickly with family and friends...

They come in all sorts of colors and are custom-designed...you can include parts of the vows or a special verse...the date or your names...Or, you can just showcase your favorite pictures from the day...

I'm thinking of working a couple of these up this spring time for Mother's day! It's a special gift!

Matt & Krysten ~ November Wedding

2010-11-12T21:41:00.000-05:00

Can you imagine marrying your childhood sweetheart?

Maybe you are someone who has done just that...and if so, then you know how special that is!

I met my husband in college, I know many others who have met their spouses online, at church, at a work function...but how special would it be to marry the person whom you've grown up with? the person that you have memories with that span into your childhood years?

What a privilege it was to be a part of Matt & Krysten's day. They've known each other since childhood, through moving away and as "fate" or divine intervention would have it, found each other again!...

I watched Krysten's facebook messages through the countdown over the past months as she eagerly anticipated becoming Matt's Mrs.!

I witnessed their excitement as they hid from each other all afternoon all through the clubhouse where they said their "I do's".

And, I was overjoyed to see their tears, laughter, smiles and just incredible contentment when they walked in, hand in hand to their reception.

Matt & Krysten have fun and loving families too...sisters and brothers were all included in their bridal party and they hovered over each of them throughout the day, offering help, snapping pictures, giving hugs...

They also have fiercely loyal friends, whom I could tell love them both. They will definitely have the support and encouragement that will surround them throughout their journey of marriage.

The details are always a favorite to share first...Her dress was lovely..

And family pearls and topaz ring gave it that delicate touch...

Her bouquet was so fragrant...

But seriously...check out these SHOES...I couldn't NOT have had more fun taking pictures of these shoes...

The girls all were getting ready in the locker room of the clubhouse...the sparkles applied...getting Krysten into her dress...

You could tell that the girls were having a blast!

I so appreciated their willingness to be fun and enjoy the moments with Krysten...

In talking with Krysten, having special pictures with her dad was really important...I don't know if being the baby girl of the family has anything to do with it, but I will say that it was incredibly sweet and makes me smile when I think of my baby girl and her daddy...

After this meeting, we took a few more snapshots and then shooed Krysten off to hide so that we could get a few of the groom...

Krysten's nephews held a sign to announce her coming...and her flowergirl had a sweet shyness about her...

The ceremony was flawless...thanks to Marilyn of Marlo's Rentals. She is an incredible wedding coordinator...sweet, thoughtful, thorough, detailed, and deliberate. She was a JOY to work with!

And as the sun started to fade outside, Matt & Krysten grabbed hands and ran outside for some quick shots...it was brisk, but oh so worth it!!!

We headed back inside for some touching toasts from family members and friends...

and watched the first dances...

the mother/son dance being one, the likes of which I've never seen before...

and I KNEW that they shared such a deep love for each other...it was so very touching.

Mr. & Mrs...

Matt & Krysten...thank you for allowing us the opportunity to partake in your day...we were both privileged and honor to be there. We pray that your marriage is as lovely, fun, contented and joyful as was your wedding day!!

Please click over to my facebook page for a few extra images that I've shared in an album...

And, don't forget to stop over at AMWeakleyCreative to see the day through her eyes...I am so grateful that AnneMarie and I get to photograph weddings together...Couples don't just get a photographer and a second shooter, they get their entire wedding as seen through two sets of eyes and hearts...what Anne captured is breathtaking!

Please watch a slideshow of our combined efforts as well...

Doug & Anne ~ October Wedding

2010-11-06T23:11:00.000-04:00

I have a place in my heart for blended families. I come from one and therefore, I understand what all those dynamics mean. I have such respect for those that commit to working together and stepping out in faith on a journey that can be difficult.

Anne was so composed and organized on the day of her wedding. I kept giggling as I watched her text her future husband back and forth...I felt like I was watching a couple of teenagers...the way they kept hiding from each other and constantly having this little smile on their faces.

Doug is absolutely, 100%, utterly smitten with Anne...I saw it in their engagement photos...but it just oozes from him in person. Even to the point, that the moment she met him at the end of the aisle, he bent down to kiss her...until that is, he realized that they hadn't been pronounced anything yet...It was endearing!

I'll start off with some details and then continue with the story...

There was a baby grand piano in the auditorium...what better setting for a pair of shoes???

Her dress was lovely...flattering...flowing ruffles...

and a long row of gorgeous buttons...

Her flowers were elegant and simple...classic...timeless...

as was she...

Doug is one of the most patient, caring and strong man that I've ever met...he held Anne in his eyes...

And to watch him watch his daughters...you know he has a heart of a true father!

Anne's daughter sang in the ceremony and I literally caught my breath...she has the voice of an angel. I had to remind myself to keep moving and focus...my whole being just wanted to stop and listen and soak it in.

And to see Anne with her children...the reality of life is that things happen and things can be hard. This mom hasn't let those challenges get her down, nor have they made her hard...she brings such joy and happiness to her home...I was just privileged to watch them all interact.

Anne had an OSU cake made for her new hubby...and a special gift as well...I had to include the Buckeyes, folks...it was part of the details:)

I don't know where to start with the CANDY TABLE...perhaps because it was close to Oct 31st or perhaps because this was just a big kid and family affair...whatever the thought behind it...it was a HUGE success!

And in the end...they are together...

They share great love for each other and their children...

I've no doubt that their house will be a home...

Please link over to AMWeakley Creative to see the day through her eyes.

And, join CT PhotoMemories on facebook to see more images of the day!

First Look

2010-09-14T21:59:00.001-04:00

September 10th marked the 12th anniversary of our engagement!

I made my poor husband wait 3 long years before I agreed to even "think" about getting married. For some that may seem absolutely ridiculous...and looking back, if I "knew then what I know now"...yeah, well, I would say the same thing...

It wasn't that I wasn't attracted to the guy...it wasn't as if we could barely keep our hands off each other:)...it was more of my fear of all things "marriage"...

Coming from a longggggggggg line of divorce in my family, the whole idea of marriage wasn't something that I thought I was capable of doing...or rather, doing WELL. In other words...I lived through the whole divorce scene as a child and to be brutally honest, it just wasn't something I EVER wanted to deal with for myself...

That said, after finally saying YES...our big day arrived.

This was a moment that was going to tranform my life completely...I wasn't just coming out with a different name...this was life changing...and I wanted to soak it in and remember every ounce of it.

The problem was, that with all my friends and family there, there was just so much to think about...I wanted to spend time with everyone, as well as remember the flowers and the smell in the air...remember the conversations and the music...and I wanted to focus on my man, who had so patiently waited for me...

I just couldn't do it all...I wanted the pictures to journal my day, and I wanted the mental memories to stick with me...but amidst the hustle and bustle, I found it hard to just BE...

Anthony is a stronghold...he is an anchor for me...and therefore, on our day, instead of opting for the traditional waiting for him to see me the first time coming down the aisle...in front of everyone else...we chose a "first look".

It was sort of taboo, back in the day...but, I'm BEYOND thankful that we made a new tradition for ourselves.

We met in a secluded room...he waited...alone...and then I stepped in, and walked toward him. I can't tell you what that moment meant to me...to us...It was our only chance we had that entire day to spend time alone. It was a moment that was carved out JUST FOR US. It was away from everything else and we shared in a moment that was about to change us forever.

We got the chance to talk, hold hands, pray and wrap our hearts and minds around the fact that we were choosing that day to commit to each other for life...The weight that lifted from my shoulders was nearly instantaneous...

I laughed...and giggled and thoroughly enjoyed every bit of the following hours...My heart was ready and I could focus on everything else around me b/c what I had just shared with my husband to be was so precious that I still count that image as my favorite from the day.

That first look afforded me the luxury of getting all those photos out of the way ahead of timeas well...so that I could focus on the family and friends that had come to celebrate with us. It allowed for that smooth transition...it freed us up to be able to mingle after the ceremony and share in everyone's happiness for us.

Now, I don't say all this to belittle the choice of brides to go with the traditional moment of when the groom first sees his bride walking down the aisle. Whichever choice our clients choose, we are able to work with and go with the flow. Everyone has a background and a history and a dream...you don't want to forsake something that is special to you.

However, I did want to let those brides know, that there is this other option...and it is just as precious as the traditional one.

AnneMarie and I are looking forward to a few more weddings as we close out 2010...and we have high aspirations for 2011. Thanks to those that have allowed us to be apart of your big day!

Details...Details...Details....

2010-08-30T09:06:00.000-04:00

In life's moments, I sometimes get so caught up in the "action" that I forget about the environment of which I'm in. I can snap a gazillion pictures of my girls laughing and playing...I can shoot couples kissing and holding hands...I can focus on sharpness and clarity, and seeing my reflection in someone's eye...

but, if I forget to document the details, then those images get lost in a sea of anonymity. (And I'm not even sure if I spelled that correctly, so forgive me if so:) Details define your setting...they give you the specifics of where you were and what was around you...I know that sometimes you'd rather NOT know...you'd rather just focus on the emotion of the moment. I mean, because THOSE are the images that you're going to frame or enlarge in an album anyway right? And I understand that...but, there is something to be said for the details...the little snippets that, in and of themselves, carry a certain remembrance and "emotion" if you will...

My daughters had a tea party with their Nana recently...after I dropped them off, I quickly went around the table to capture the delicate and thoughtful settings...they went about their business of talking ladylike and sipping their lemonade...when I came back a couple hours later, I got just a few shots of them laughing and chatting around the table...but, what I wanted to share were those details...

even without showing you the images of the girls, I think the details speak for themselves and give you the emotion and allow you to imagine yourself there...

and so...I leave you with Tea With Nana...

A little off subject:)

2010-08-25T15:39:00.000-04:00

A little lull in the schedule here of late...due to the fact that my babies are GOING TO SCHOOL...

I kept this month a little more sparce than usual b/c I wanted to soak up as much time with my girlies as I could...How can my eldest babies be going off to school FULL time...BOTH of them?

However, this is what happens when you go out shopping with your last born, the only one of the three that hasn't left you on a big yellow bus in the morning to go off into the world, cutting the apron strings...

I bought her these...

Did I just post a pair of light-up, sound activated, princess toddler shoes on a WEDDING blog?

Ummm...YEP...I did!

It's where I'm at folks...so, I hope you don't mind...I've overloaded on Starbucks and Cheesecake factory due to my "sad" state of mind...Don't get me wrong, I will enjoy the naptime afternoons in order to speed up my editing and processing, I will soak up the quiet and lack of arguing in the background...but, I will miss my girlies...I suppose my Littlest Munchkin will keep me hopping though...and if not, we can just dance to her musical light-up shoes in the living room!!

Happy First Week of School!

Todd & Lisa - Beach Wedding

2010-07-27T08:00:00.027-04:00

The long awaited day had finally come! Lisa had a little alarm set to remind her of the exact moment that Todd had proprosed this same time last year. All the family had arrived safely by plane and gathered in Naples for the upcoming ceremony.

Lisa had everything organized to a "T"...and I mean a capital letter T! We're talkin' gift bags in the hotel rooms, hula skirts for her little jr. bridesmaids, coconut drinks at the rehearsal dinner, bridal breakfasts, ...even down to a small bag of quarters in aqua mesh bags for the meters when parking! She had thought of everything!! And, although the way she planned her wedding was far from traditional, she had such memorable & thoughtful touches to everything...even to her late grandfather's Gideon Bible to be read from during the ceremony.

And I wish you all could have seen Todd's eyes as he watched her...as he even just talked about her...you could hear his heart...he has such love and adoration for his new bride...he'd been courtin' her for 8 years...he was READY for this day to come!

I hope you enjoy these few details from the weekend...be sure to stay and watch the slideshow at the end and/or hop over to CTPhotoMemories on Facebook for more images! Let me know that you stopped by in the comments:)

This is what greeted each person as they checked into their hotel room...

After the rehearsal, in true Floridan style, we headed to this little hut for some yummy ribs and chicken and some hula presentations from the jr. bridesmaids...

Their families surprised them with a wedding cake since they opted out of one for the reception...they had such fun!

The morning of the wedding was gorgeous and the bridesmaids enjoyed a delicious breakfast at "Jane's Restaurant"...

I loved every detail...

I popped over to see Todd while Lisa continued getting ready...they wanted to wait to see each other for the first time when she walked down the aisle...

Her nieces were adorable and soooo ready for twirling in those dresses...

After the ceremony, we headed over to the HOT beach. We walked on the HOT sand, in the HOT sun...did I mention that it was HOT? Todd & Lisa were such good sports and I think it was worth it...

Then off to the Naples Princess for the reception...where everyone laughed, danced and had an awesome celebration as the sun sank in the sky over the ocean...

Please click PLAY to the see the whole story in a slideshow!

Todd & Lisa - Engagement Session

2010-06-15T15:44:00.001-04:00

She was my daughter's 2nd grade teacher this past year...she was everything that my little girl needed...a gentle spirit, a compassionate heart, organized and motivated, genuine and sweet. To say that I am grateful for the year of time and energy that she invested into my daughter, is an understatement. She is adored by all her students and rightly so.

I was honored to be able to spend an evening with both Todd and Lisa for a fun...out of the classroom...engagement photo shoot.

They've been dating for over 8 years...their wedding is planned for July in Florida. I am so excited to be able to document their special day as well...Together they've biked and walked the beaches of Naples...learning more about each other...becoming best friends. And one day, not too long ago...after a bike ride along the paths...he asked her to dance...there on the beach...hand in hand...and he asked her to spend the rest of her life with him...she said yes...

I hope you enjoy a few of my favorites...

I did NOTHING to those eyes...Lisa, you are beautiful!!!

They went for a bike ride...and he asked her to dance...the rest is history...

Please check out CTPhotoMemories FACEBOOK page to see even more photos from our evening together!!!

Braden & Heather: Milton Ridge, Maryland

2010-06-07T06:50:00.001-04:00

He won her love...

He earned her dad's respect...

He had the loyalty of many friends...

He had the support of a strong family...

And you could tell in his eyes, that he was the happiest man on the face of the earth on the last gorgeous Saturday in May.

Weddings are pretty just because they are, with the flowers and dresses and all that goes into making the day great...but Marriages are BEAUTIFUL when you can see the love, the compassion, the commitment in the eyes of those that are betrothed. Braden and Heather had it in theirs...the way his eyes held her...the way she reached for his hand...not many words needed to be spoken, they just knew each others' heart and the feelings they felt. It was a privilege to witness their day...to be apart of not only the celebration, but the beginning of a lifelong journey...

The place, Milton Ridge, was a photographer's dream...the textures, the backgrounds...down to the quaint little cottage that Heather got ready in...

Her friends fluttered around her, graciously asking for things they could do to help...Heather, was a picture of a calm and serene spirit...

We definitely had some fun with the girls...

But, let's not forget the guys...THEY were awesome!!!

But, amidst all the fun...came the "moments"...that just took your breath away with the evidence of the fact that these two were meant for each other...

This one is probably my favorite of the day: I just love their feelings so clearly shown on their faces!

Soon, the dancing began as did their life as Mr. and Mrs.

Thank you Braden and Heather for allowing us to be a part of your day...

To see the day through Anne Marie's eyes, check HERE

To post more images to your facebook profile, check out CTPhotoMemories Facebook Page

Lastly, enjoy a slideshow from both Anne Marie and me.

Zac and Sarah: Grace Wedding

2010-05-26T13:07:00.015-04:00

My best friend, Anne Marie, and I had the opportunity to photograph a beautiful wedding last weekend. The bride had been the flower girl at Anne's wedding about 13 years prior. And there she was, walking down the aisle again, still in a white dress, but this time...a bride.

I think my favorite moment was getting to watch all the girls and Sarah at the back of the auditorium waiting for their turn down the aisle...and then, when at last it was Sarah's turn...her dad held out his arm to his daughter, all grown up...and escorted her to the front, where Zac waited, eyes fixed on her.

Here are a few of my favorites from the day...from the details...to having some fun with the bride and groom...to their send off at the end...Be sure to check out Anne Marie's Blog for the full story!

Here is a slideshow of our work together!

Wedding Gallery

2010-05-25T16:27:00.009-04:00

Please enjoy just a few captured moments in this slideshow...

Please click on the links below to see snapshots and slideshows of specific weddings:

Matt & Krysten
Doug & Ann
Todd & Lisa
Braden & Heather
Zach & Sarah
Matt & Brynn

Reminiscing

2010-02-02T16:37:00.000-05:00

Just remembering back to this couple:

I so enjoyed photographing their special day...

She still, even after half a year has passed, has stars in her eyes over her guy!

Wedding Album Design

2010-01-29T16:26:00.000-05:00

Taking one of the most memorable days of your life and trying to condense it down into something that you can keep for years to come is a challenge...but, very worth the effort.

Album design is something that I thoroughly enjoy doing because, being someone who struggles with remembering things, I want a story to be told. I want to be able to peruse an album and just by the layout and flow, "see" the day as it unfolded...I want the memories to begin to pop as I turn each page...

Check out my current project in the album design link above. The photos are not mine...they were taken by a friend of the bride. But, she contacted me to then take those photos and bind them into an album...

Album Design

2009-06-11T21:27:00.000-04:00

Album Design is something that I LOVE to do. I love to put together photos that already tell a story and make them flow into a book. Although I enjoy working with my own photos because the story enfolds as I snap a picture myself, I am so willing to help you organize images that you may already have on your computer hard drive or CDs. Because there is a myriad of albums available, pricing typically depends on the cost of the size, type and printing of the album that you choose.

Here are just some designs that I have created in the past. Some have used photos that I have taken and others are pictures that were sent to me to create a keepsake album. Albums come in all sizes, from the hard paged, leather bound wedding albums to hinged, beautiful 5 x 5 parent books or 8 x 15 coffee table books.

I also create albums of special events (like reunions or birthday parties) or maybe a first year for a child...the options are endless!

Engagement Sessions

2009-06-10T21:12:00.001-04:00

Engagement Sessions are something that I really enjoy. Here are just some samples...but the locations are endless...downtown, small town, parks, colleges, you name it! These can take up to an hour and depends on the locations that you are wanting...pricing starts at $125.

Weddings

2009-06-09T16:22:00.004-04:00

My husband and I are going on 11 years of marriage...I will say that it is the most wonderful, challenging, inspiring, fun, and rewarding thing I've ever "said yes" to in my life!

A wedding is an event that begins a lifelong marriage journey...you want to capture every detail and moment as it unfolds throughout the day. Being a bride once myself, I found that I was so overwhelmed with the excitement, the emotion, the fun...that I missed certain expressions of loved ones or little details that occurred. I am so thankful for the images that catch those memories!

My goal is to capture the story of the day for you. I want you to be able to go through your images and watch the fairytale unfold from beginning to end.

Please feel free to contact me about setting up a meeting to discuss what you envision for your special day. I can put together a package or items a la carte to make sure we capture every element that you want to remember.

Basic package pricing (contact me for quote)
***would include up to 7 hours of coverage with two photographers (click on photographer links above), shared copyright to best images processed/touched, online gallery for professional prints, custom designed proof box with 100-200 proofs, plus a second shooter to make sure we don't miss a thing!
ctphotomemories@aol.com

Meet Colleen

2009-05-25T16:15:00.001-04:00

Meet Colleen

Hi there!

Let me tell you a little bit about myself.

I'm wife to my incredible husband, I'm mommy to 3 beautiful little girls, I'm a sister, an avid reader, a friend to some pretty awesome people, at times I'm a worrier, but, I try to remember that I'm a daughter of the King!

I love spending time with my family, surfing internet blogs and facebook, taking pictures (duh!), curling up with a good book, and gardening.

If I won a gazillion dollars...well, after saving as many orphans as I could around the world and paying off all the mortgages of my friends and family...I'd have to say that I'd probably put in a pool in our backyard, buy my husband a brand new tractor, and probably put in a Starbucks Cafe at the end of my street!!!

Can't wait to meet you and tell the story of your day!

p.s. I also enjoy photojournaling family life...if you'd like to see some of my individual works, hop on over to http://www.ctphotomemories.blogspot.com/

Meet Anne

2009-05-24T16:21:00.001-04:00

Meet Anne Marie

I am a designer and a photographer. I am a mom, a wife, a sister, a daughter, a friend. I am a student, a teacher, an athlete. I love sweet things and salads. I am horrible at making decisions. I am a child of God. Redeemed. Loved. I am on a journey somewhere. Often distracted. Generally distracted. I am empathetic and encouraging. I am overly attentive to detail. I am not perfect. I am a piece of work. My high school sweetheart and I have been married for almost 13 years and are blessed with three completely imperfect ~ yet totally amazing children. I am thankful. I am blessed.

You can check out my personal blog at http://www.amweakleycreative.blogspot.com/