Natural. Candid. Real. Beautiful. { The Blog. }

[ They make my heart smile ]

It happened again.  Here was (notice the past tense) me: I, Christi Traster, do solemnly swear that I will not again be convinced to shoot a wedding. Mmmmm hmmmmmm. Not that it's not a wonderful and amazing thing to capture the love between two people on their wedding day - it is an absolute privilege....

....it's just not my thing, y'all. Well, I made it my thing for Jennifer and Patrick.  

Have you ever met a couple for the first time, and you look at them - you watch them interact - and you say to yourself, "Holy smokers...THIS is what it's all about." That's what happened when I met Jennifer and Patrick. They knocked my socks clean off. I'm not kidding - not a day has gone by since their wedding that I haven't thought of them with a smile on my face. They are the real deal. Beautiful on the inside - check 'em out on the outside...

[ CLICK ON THE IMAGES TO VIEW THEM LARGER ]

Jennifer is amazing. UHH-mazing. Sincere. Authentic. Down to earth. She's sunshine - bright and warm and just radiant. Joyful. Really. Okay - I'm gushing... let's move on, or I'll never finish this blog post. Ahem. 

I love love LOVE this next shot - it's so Jennifer (or Jennifuh, as Patrick's kids call her - oh, and don't get me started on how amazing she is with the kids):

First moments in her dress...

 

 

The next photo is one of my faves - Jennifer's sister looking on...

Patrick has a multitude of brothers - at least 4. But I think maybe 5? Such a fantastic, huge family with so much love for each other. I am for real, my friends - I cried multiple times throughout the day. O. M. Gooodness - the speeches at the reception? Oh, the speeches. My heart was a big ball of a sappy mess. Focus, Christi. You have a job to do here - stop with the sappy. I was so caught up in their happiness.

Patrick is a twin - his brother Paul gave an amazing speech at the reception. Not a dry eye...

Jennifer's Uncle surprised her (and everyone else, for that matter) with a horse and carriage ride with her Dad down the aisle. It was beautiful. Another big ball of sappy moment for me...

Isn't he handsome?

 

This next one may be my favorite of the day - I'm telling you. They're the real deal. I can't say enough about them.

And this next one is just plain HOT...

Jennifer and Patrick - the love between the two of you was evident from the day that I met you. It was an absolute honor to be a part of your wedding day. 

xxoo

Christi

 

{ Ashleigh + Steve }

Something I swore I would never do....shoot a wedding.  Yep.  I did it.  After multiple (but of COURSE, polite) declines, there was something about Ashleigh that made me say yes.  Persistence maybe?  It went something like this:

"Hey children's photographer - I want you to be my wedding photographer."
"Um...no thank you.  I don't do weddings."
"I don't care.  I want you do to do mine."
"No thank you.  I want to keep my focus on one thing - and be really good at that one thing.  So I don't do weddings."
"I don't care.  I want you to be my wedding photographer."
"No thank you.  I'm flattered.  But no thank you."
"What do I have to do?  Beg?  Plead?  Bribe?"
"No thank you."
"Please?  Pleeeeeease?  C'mon..."
"It won't be traditional.  It won't be posed.  It will be candid and natural - that's what I enjoy and what I'm comfortable with."
"YES! YES! YES!!!!!!!!"
And then she gave me a big hug and a kiss - not really.  I think she may have if we weren't talking on the phone....

So, let's cut to the chase.  Here are a few of my favorites.....

Let me first tell you that Ashleigh has some serious pizazz, some serious sassiness, a lot of energy and an adooooorable-ness that just makes you want to be around her.  Moving right along to the part about pizazz - her choice in bridesmaid shoes below...not to mention that her bridal shoes were Tiffany blue patent leather Manolo Blahniks - wait until you see them.  Smokin'!

I loved Ashleigh's flowers - simple, yet so pretty.  Love the green.

I love this next shot - one of my favorites.  Love the blurred buildings in the background.  Steve looks so handsome, doesn't he?

And I love his genuine smile in this one.  He was laughing at his groomsmen.  Love it.  So real.

Check 'em out - there they are in all their glory.  The Manolos....

I love the next 2 photos - both the same photo, but with different post-processing.  I can't decide which one I love more. 

I'm speechless when I see the next series of photos.  Ashleigh and Steve go together so well.  They just compliment each other perfectly.  See for yourself..... 

The next one is another favorite - well....aren't they all?  Yes.  Yes they are.

Spunky and spontaneous they were - they followed my lead and really did whatever I asked them too. 

Ashleigh - would you mind to take off the Manolos for a sec and jump off of the steps for me? 

She didn't even hesitate.  Gotta love a girl like that.

Check out the height on this next one - Steve's face is priceless.

Okay - last ones.  The bling....so beautiful.  Beeeeeautiful.

Same photo - just different post-processing....giving it sort of an antique look.  So pretty.

Ashleigh and Steve - sharing the day with you was absolutely my pleasure.  Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your wedding day.  Enjoy your sneak peek!  XOXO