Having spent months in recovery, after my surgery, it was so so SO very wonderful to see Chelsea and Ted.  I had my best friend at my side to help me photograph AND a couple that consistently reminds me why I have worked so hard at this job.  They beam of true love, but they also are the embodiment of treating others the way you want to be treated…  Loving & respectful- I wish them the very best on their new journey.

The first night there, while we very rarely do this, I headed to the rehearsal dinner.  Now, this was not the usual sit around a table and stare at each other style… This was in fact an actual HOEDOWN!  Thinking we’d be “fashionably late,” Travis and I showed up… and the hog was already scarfed down for dinner and the bride offered me beans in a cup lol.  It was a blast…  but what can I say, I am a sucker for country music, little fiddle, little plaid… and excuse to be themed out.  I could tell the wedding was going to be great.

They chose to see each other in advance…  It was a beautiful moment and charming Ted surprised Chelsea with a necklace I had just read about on her blog the night before.  They were as photogenic as always, just no mud football this time, and then off to the actual ceremony.  Bagpipes and rose petals both filled the air… Everything was straight from the heart (except for the moving van that we could not get to leave lol, inside joke see photos).  The reception reminded me of an old musical movie, with a checkered floor, and chandeliers that lit the perfect evening.  I hope to see these two again soon, they are slightly contagious to be around .  Thank you so much for all you shared with me and my camera!!! Love you both!

Chelsea and I during the Hoedown

Some of the talent that contributed to the event:

Florist: Charles House – University Florist

Dress Shop: J Majors

DJ Company: Joe Bunn/Kevin van Sant (Ceremony/Cocktail hour / Jerry Hudson (Bagpiper)

Wedding Planner: Melanie Ingool – Kate Foster Productions

Cake: Sugarland

Reception/Ceremony Site/Catering: The Carolina Inn

A well wish to the new Mr & Mrs

So, def my all time fave ring bearer pillow!!!  I have a soft spot for ring pops
Walking up for the first time to see her groom!!!

Names: Chelsea Elizabeth & Ted Steve Theodoropoulos

What do you do for work? Chelsea – Enterprise Media at Bank of America / Ted – IT Sales at TEK Systems

How did you meet? We met through an acquaintance. His height caught my attention; I had to make sure I was introduced!

What gal wouldn’t be thrilled that her man noticed her blog post about jewelery…. Points for Ted!

What inspired your wedding decor, etc? Even though I grew up in Upstate New York, I’ve always felt like a Southern girl at heart. The Carolina Inn is a Historic hotel located on the University of North Carolina Campus. With Ted being a Tarheel, it was an easy sell. It’s dressed in vintage Southern decor with the sweet aromas of fresh-cut flowers. Actually, when I first stepped inside, I cried! I wanted to play off all that this Historic beauty had to offer. It’s quaint, romantic and simply perfect.

Beautiful couple… Tell us about your ring! It’s a round brilliant cut diamond with a pave band. Not only is it beautiful, but Ted picked it out so I love it even more…

How was your experience with Socialite Studios? Joelle has been an absolute joy to work with. From the moment I called her to inquire about photography, she put me at ease and has followed through on every promise. It was so refreshing to cross ‘Photography’ off our to-do list that easily! She’s gone out of her way to make us happy and we’re beyond grateful.

Love this shot of the girls before the ceremony

Also, when the bridesmaids all got to see Chelsea after her photo shoot

If you could relive one moment from your wedding what would it be? If I could relive one moment from our wedding day it would be standing up during our ceremony. I held Ted’s hands, the sun was shining, birds were chirping and we had the attention of our closest friends and family. It was the moment I had envisioned and it couldn’t have been more beautiful. It was an incredible feeling.

Finally!!! WoohooSo here I am wayyyy to excited to see the guest book… I didn’t know it would be there, but they CHOSE their cute behinds for the cover ahhh, that is so something I would do… I greatly appreciate their funny selection!  The book was filled with photos from that awesome engagement shoot I love so dearly!

First dance, super cool floor!

Aww mom and son moment

Everyone had mad dance skillz

If there was something you know now, that you can share with other brides what would it be? Embrace every single moment throughout your day. I literally carried around my Flip Video during the pre-ceremony and reception to document and capture the day. Even though I had a videographer, I ended up taking over 100 videos. There’s something special about raw footage that has your own personal touch.

Went to visit the wedding night suite- got a shot of them lounging for a moment… I don’t think they wanted to go back to the reception once they realized how cozy it was up there!

How was the Honeymoon? The most wonderful vacation we’ve ever had! We went to Le Blanc Spa Resort in Cancun, Mexico. We got spoiled with phenomenal service, plenty of sunshine, delicious food and the opportunity to meet some great people.

We agreed on this as our fave from the sneak peek, we were playing in the leaves, but it was a given the girls would win because the wind kept blowing all of the leaves towards Craig… Luckily we got a few shots before we were buried .

Strolling the beautiful historic district in the sunset.

Congrats to the new Mr. and Mrs. N Love finding cute homes and colorful spots for portraits!

Love this little table that they set up for the studio

Here are some of the details and the people that made it happen:

Hair/Makeup: Stella Nova Mount Pleasant

Music: Ascend Entertainment (AJ Snow)

Wedding Planner & Florist: MOD EVENTS (Claire Huff/Katie Able)

Officiant: Mark Irvin

Cake: Three Little Birds

Reception/Ceremony Site/Catering: Boone Hall Plantation/Cotton Dock & Hamby’s Catering

Melissa: 25  Andy : 26
Melissa works in the Mount Pleasant location for Stella Nova Spa & Salon.
Andy works in Industrial Sales.

“Andy and I have know each other since 9th grade study hall. However, we never dated in high school. We were good friends throughout but no one could have ever told us we would be married 10yrs later!  After high school we lost touch only seeing each other randomly in the mall. Then one day I ran into our best man (Andy’s best friend & roommate) Carlos, at the grocery store near my house. After catching up, we realized we were actually neighbors.  Andy and I began to hang out. Four months later, after he brought my dog a bone, I knew he was the one .  So, our wedding was more like an early high school reunion.

“Our ceremony was held at Boone Hall Plantation, at the Cotton Dock. We decided on Boone Hall because I wanted family from out of town to get a true southern experience, and there isn’t anything more ‘Gone with the Wind’ then that long oak drive into Boone Hall. The ceremony was held on the dock and reception was held in the barn.  A one stop shop! ”

Andy was born and raised in Charleston, SC , so Boone Hall was perfect for that true low country backdrop. Melissa was born in Texas and wanted to keep some of the “lone-star” roots that run in her blood. The Bride wore the perfect pair of cowboy boots with little blue hearts on them (her something blue) that were hidden under her dress until the first dance.  Her bridesmaids wore chartreuse J.Crew dresses with a pair of trusty ‘ol durangos. The girls bouquets were Melissa’s idea and made by her mom, they were natural raw stems of cotton..  Perfect for the “Cotton Dock.”  The guys wore black, very Johnny Cash, which was perfect as they walked down the isle to Johnny Cash’s “Walk the Line.” Melissa’s mother made the classic bandanna print napkins used at each table. They wanted the whole wedding to be comfortable and relaxing so everyone could kick up their boots and dance the night away!

Andy and Melissa both picked out the ring. It is classic and has an antique look to it. The ring and bands interlock to make the set complete.

“Our experience with Socialite Studios was Fantastic. Joelle, you are too sweet and you listened to exactly what we wanted from our engagement photos to our big day! Thank you!”“Andy’s favorite moment was right after we exited and had a moment to ourselves. We had not seen or spoken to each other since Friday night and now we were married!”

Melissa’s moment was a little different… “I remember getting to the end of the dock seeing Andy and holding back tears. I remember telling myself take a mental picture of this moment. It will happen so fast. So I stood there still kind of in shock it was actually happening and looking around to remember where the sun was, what the air felt like, and how I felt at that moment. Then I looked down at the water and realized it was High Tide! The water was practically touching the dock. I guess I was still in ‘planner’ mode that I laughed to myself and thought, ‘damn, we couldn’t have planned that any better!’ At low tide, everyone would have been smelling that unforgettable mud smell!!!!!! yuck! So, needless to say it was PERFECT! and of course Andy looked so handsome ”

“MY advice: Don’t check the weather everyday the week before. You will put yourself on a roller coaster ride!”

I met Amanda at their beach home to start the day.  The first time I met her and David was during their engagement shoot, after New Years.  During the e-sesh we met half way in Jacksonville (click here to view).  I knew they would be a blast behind the camera because…umm… anyone willing to balance beam out on the bottom of a suspended bridge, for photos, has to willing to do some pretty cool stuff, right?!?!  Yea, it was a great day.  An energetic ceremony, surrounded by loved ones… A cool breeze… Even the seagulls came out to watch.  The marina venue looked spectacular in day and night, with all of the boat lights.

Towards the end of the evening, while snapping pics around the dance floor, I decided to start trying to con the bride and groom into getting in the fountain, yes water fountain, that night.  Much to my surprise, again, it didn’t really take any convincing… They were down!  I figured since it was actually slightly chilly at night, that weighing yourself down in a drenched gown might not be the ending you had in mind for your wedding night, buuuttttt they hopped right in!  I got in too, brrr.

Below are some of my favorites and some details from the big day.  Enjoy.  David & Amanda were truly a pleasure to work with.  It is always hard to put into words what each couple has in common and what sets them apart, but these two are filled with a strong/noticeable love and acceptance of each other and those close to them, they are both a joy to be around and remind me why I do this job!  Thank you for sharing your day with me…  Slide show at the end!

Florist: Kabloom Pensacola, FL (Rodney)

Hair/Makeup: Self Salon, Pensacola, FL

Wedding Planner: A Fairy Tale Affair (Catherine Fortunado)

Officiant: A Warner Wedding

Cake: Sweet Creations by Sharon

Ceremony/Reception Site: Deluna’s Landing

Caterer: Mike D’s Catering

My mom said this looks like a Disney movie, hmmm it kind of was .

Names: Amanda & David Duncan
Ages: Amanda 25, David 26
What do you do for work? Amanda is the company manager for Secret Wishes, a line of boutique children’s clothing, David is general manager of a Fastenal branch, an industrial construction supply company.

How did you meet? We both moved to Pensacola in 10th grade, so we were the only seniors in a 9th grade p.e. class (which we needed to graduate), we talked all semester, and he asked me out at the Senior Banquet.  I knew I wanted to marry him almost as soon as we started dating.

What inspired your wedding decor, etc? I just wanted something simple, light, and airy.

Tell us about your ring! David proposed to me with his Grandmother’s ring, which is really sweet because he said when he would be naughty as a child, she would always say “I cant wait to meet the girl you finally marry, because she will have to be a special girl!”.  But she passed away before I got to meet her, so it was special that he used her ring.

How was the Honeymoon? It was great, we stayed out at a beach house for 5 days, not great weather, but it was nice to lay around and rest and watch the waves from the beach house.How was your experience with Socialite Studios? Great!  We really enjoyed taking the photos, and all the ideas Joelle had!

If there was something you know now, that you can share with other brides what would it be? Don’t stress!  It really is just another day, make the most of it, have a good time, try to stop and take the moment while you can, it will be over fast!

The get-away car!

Fountain adventures…. woohoo!