For each wedding I photograph I like to come up with an idea for a series of pictures that I will only use for that couple. For one couple it was blowing bubbles with chewing gum, another taking pictures in and around a beer truck, or a self-storage lot with blue doors, and for the silly Leah and Tanner it HAD to be sticky fake moustaches.
I’m glad I brought out the staches at the beginning of my portrait time with them. Playing around with them gave both Leah and Tanner something to fidget with and a focus for the nervous and wonderful pre-wedding energy. As you can tell, they are super comfortable with their playful, silly side. The really rocked the stache.
A few weeks before Tanner and Leah’s wedding my offspring (5 year old, Henry) stumbled upon the package of assorted facial hair (with muy cheap adhesive). When I informed him the mustaches were for a wedding he got really upset. He told me that I could do a photo shoot with him if we could open them. Having a photog for a mama has made Henry none to pleased with the idea of my camera rearing her head. I was surprised when he offered me the chance to shoot him (albeit a TF shoot which is not as advantageous to the photog as the model, in any case I jumped at the chance).
Here’s my Henry sporting the stache he borrowed from Leah and Tanner.
Back to the wedding day! When I entered the hotel room where Leah and her women were getting ready this lil’ chunk-o-love was waiting for me on the bed. Oh my goodness, so damn cute!!! She’s one of the bride’s nieces (both of which are sugary cute).
I’m all about the details. Leah had personalized charms on each bouquet. I totally dug ‘em.
First look at the Capital.
Surveying the organic produce. It had to be done. They got married on a Farmers’ Market day, really, surveying produce just had to be a part of the equation.
We worked our way to the Overture Center where Tanner and Leah’s ceremony was at.
Oh my sassy women! I had so much fun with you all!
In the quiet moments between the big events lies magic. Seeing the bride twirl her niece just minutes before the ceremony started helped set the tone.
Lots of couples light a unity candle. It’s become more popular to mix sand. I’ve even seen a couple blend salt and sugar (for the bitter and sweetness in life) into a bowl of water. Never had I seen the blending of wine. Tanner had a red wine and Leah a white. Super cool. I just kept thinking, “I hope the blended wine doesn’t taste like garbage.”
The ever lovely, Britta doing her MOH (Matron of Honor) schtick.
Who doesn’t love the first kiss!
A little detail that arose from falling apart flowers. Honorary bridesmaid (or BB), Taryn, made the petals into a heart on the table at the front of the ceremony. I think I would have swept the petals into the trash, but rockstar Taryn added to the day’s character.
I get so tired of the traditional family portraits. This one is way more interesting, artistic and fun. Devon and Reese were able to move about, too. Anytime kids aren’t asked to “sit still and smile pretty” for pictures I’m a big fan.
Thanks for braving the rickety stairs outside the Masonic Center to get these mood-filled shots. Totally worth it!
Tanner and Leah,
The weather was beyond amazing for your big day! Not sure who you put the request in to, but it sure did work.
Sharkey and I had fun photographing your wedding and getting to know your guests at the mock photo booth. You really have great people in your life!
I’m glad you guys interviewed a few photogs while in the planning stage. I think couples get a real sense of who they want to work with (in addition to the sample portraits) for their special day. I remember meeting at Panera and how quiet you two were. The vast majority of times I can sense if I’m going to be hired for a wedding by half way through the “meet and greet” consult. I had NO idea with you two. It was a nice surprise to find out you were drawn to my work and my personalty. I think we were a great fit and being a part of your wedding was an honor.
Best wishes to you two. I’m fairly certain that if you can rock a stache in wedding portraits you can take on the world together.
Warm regards,
Christy
This award goes out to the the most inconsiderate hikers at Devil’s Lake (hopefully you two were just oblivious and not thinking “Dude, we’re not gonna wait 30 seconds until that goddess of a photographer takes the picture. Hell no! Let’s continue our very important hike that can’t be delayed half a minute.” That would be sad if one or both of you thought that). I do have to give the two random wedding photo crashers credit for at least recognizing my status as a pixie-goddess.
Yesterday was a crappy day. Not a “semi-crappy,” or even “mostly crappy-” it was a full fledged crap-tastrophe of a day. Then again, yesterday couldn’t have been all bad because an amazing woman gave birth to a highly anticipated little girl.
by Christy
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