Travis Dew Photography

My main man “C” is now a big brother!  I was supposed to hang out with Mama and Daddy on the day his little brother was born to help welcome him into this world….but “C” was a little impatient and things happened without me!  I got over there on Halloween – and, as usual, Mama looked fantastic…house was decorated with a spooky spirit….and all was calm and settled.  “C” and “C” – I look forward to seeing you in about 3 months.  And let the record reflect….Big brother almost shed some tears when I left….I’LL TAKE IT!

 

For those of you on the Eastern coast…..you know exactly who Sandy is right about now.  Fortunately for us here in Charleston, we only got wind and rain from her….lots-o-rain.  Caroline, I’m not sure if you’re quite willing to believe it yet….but they do say that rain on your wedding day is ‘good luck’.  The beautiful thing is – although it rained buckets all day….the downpour turned to drops….which turned to a drizzle….right before the ceremony.  And then, I don’t think you even realized it….but there was a beautiful sunset during your reception!  So….even though she tried…Sandy couldn’t mess up your night!

It was perfect….the Hugenot Church, the guests, the hall.  The bridesmaids’ dresses were navy in all different shades and styles….each girl’s shoes were a different color with flowers to match their shoes.  The colorful mix was a welcomed sight after the day’s rain and gray skies.  A great night with a happy couple enjoying each and every guest.  CHEERS – here’s your sneak peek.  And, yes, Polly and Renee…..you made it!  (Please check out the sweet flower girl ‘admiring’ the bride.)

 

St. Philips’ Preschool might be one of the sweetest, little schools around.  Lee and Angela have got the whole system down pat and it’s a great, downtown school.  Nice facilities, sweet teachers…..and lots of cute munchkins running around HAPPY.  It’s fun to see bicycles, strollers and dogs waiting in the breezeway while parents are inside dropping off their children.  Everyone is kicking it old-school around there.

Here is a sneak peek of my morning shooting their “school pictures”…..love every minute of it…(even when it seems my camera has a monster sitting on top of it!)

Happy 2nd Birthday to these cute little munchkins.  I met them about this time last year and it is SO FUN to see how much they’ve grown….who is chatty, bossy, funny or quiet.  Mama and Daddy are rock stars and juggle their little sippy cups and snacks with finesse  – and even commented that perhaps having three 2-year olds was easier than having one….um, wow.  You are definitely my heroes.  Here’s your sneak peek….

Years ago….before I got crazy with children…I was a paralegal.  I loved it – it was hard, stressful work with lots of deadlines and satisfactory completions.  One of the lawyer’s wives and I were pregnant at the same time….she was due before me….but went into labor a month early.  I, too, went into labor a month early – similar scenarios…..and I’ll never forget our burst of laughter after she said to me jokingly – but in a serious tone – “Copy Cat” – Not sure whether it was her tone…or the fact that I had nothing to do with my water breaking…but funny none the less.

I worked with her husband….but I played cards once a month with her and we enjoyed ourselves some laughter.  Time went on and next thing you know…..we’ve got teenagers and I’ve got a completely new profession…SO GREAT to see you guys the other day.  I know, I know – “L” and “W”….it wasn’t exactly where you wanted to be or what you wanted to do…..but it hopefully scored you a Smoothie King visit!  Here’s your sneak peek.

This sweet couple…..came to me by another sweet couple (who will be up here soon….I promise…) but they called me in order to capture their boys at ONE and THREE.  I arrived at our agreed upon spot…..and luckily was a little early…..only to see a big, yellow school bus pull up and unload about 35-40 students….so we promptly changed our plans.  Turns out our new location was super fun and the boys were plenty happy….we even ended the play date with….CUPCAKES!  Happy birthday sweet guy….here’s your sneak peek.

Anyone out there automatically saying, “Wha’ chu talkin’ bout Willis?” when you see this?

It’s such a small world….when this sweet bride first contacted me – she said she was going to be in town on a certain date and I asked her to meet me at my church because I was there doing some work.  She asked where to meet…..and it turns out she used to be involved as a Youth Leader there.  Crazy.  So fast forward to time for her bridal portrait…..and the weather couldn’t have been more ‘FALL’…..cool, crisp breeze…..falling leaves…..and her dress, bouquet, hair, shoes and necklace – just right.  We did the shoot at her grandparents’ house….and I got a kick out of her ‘joking’ grandfather who said, “Why are you dressed like that!?”.  Sneak peek of a GREAT October wedding to come…..thanks for having me!

Well…..wow.  So this is the calm, cool and collected bride……with the calm, cool and collected parents, bridal party, groom’s party, grandparents, guests, etc.  Couldn’t have been a more stress-free event.  The ceremony was in a quaint, little Episcopal church about an hour and a half away from Charleston.  Most of the guests….arrived by Durham SCHOOL BUSSES.  Now that’s how you provide a designated driver for your guests….Right on.  The reception was under a grand tent at the beautiful Oaks Plantation and everything was perfect.  The placement of food, seating, bar, dance floor….everything was free flowing and comfortable.

Everyone….and I mean EVERYONE…..had a blast.  I have such an interesting vantage point….because I’m all over the party from the beginning to the end…able to watch the personality of the party turn from “I Luuuv Beach Music” to “Whoooo Let the Dogs Out?…..Whooh Whooh Whooh!”  How many weddings do you go to….that include yellow Durham transportation, Rice-Crispy treat wedding cake, a joke-telling bridesmaid, biscuit bar, a buried bottle of bourbon, flower laden dog collars, and hoola hoopin’ on the dance floor?  Yep – not many.  Not one guest was sitting on the sidelines…..everyone was dancing, laughing, and carrying on…FABULOUS.  Congratulations John and Laughing Lee……it was the BEST!  Here’s a sneak peek…

Oh….”Bury the Bourbon” is a tradition that insures good weather on your wedding day!  One month before the wedding – you bury a bottle of bourbon at the site of the reception …..while enjoying your good weather – dig ‘er up and enjoy that too!

CATERING – Cru Catering 843-5342433

FLOWERS/DECORATING/DAY-OF SERVICES – Out of Hand – 843-856-3585

BAND – Intensity – 800-922-2057

TRANSPORTATION – Charleston Style Limo

HAIR – Salon 101 – 843-793-2437

MAKE-UP – Stella Nova

 

Before my husband and I had children….I was always intrigued about the thought of having more than one child and seeing how different they would be.  I now know how crazy it is how three people can come from the same parents, same household….and each be their own little individual selves.  I can only imagine how much fun it is with twins.  These two had many similar thoughts….but would go about the ideas in much different ways.  Enjoyed our Fall morning together….here’s your sneak peek!

This is sweet, happy-go-lucky, laughing LEE.  I hope that I don’t jinx myself by saying this…..but in the years I’ve been shooting weddings…..I’ve never had a Bridezilla….not even close.  So I have to go on t.v. shows and imagination…but Lee is like the Anti-Bridezilla.  Laid back…..smiling…..she and her mother on the same page……awesome.  Here are some from her bridal portrait…a sneak peek of the FABULOUS wedding to come later.