My clients are seriously some of my favorite people on earth! Every couple that comes to me, whether they find me on the internet or they’re dear friends that I’ve know for years, come with a very unique story. I love the whole process from listening to them when we first chat about their plans to the reactions they have when seeing their photographs for the first time. The whole timeline is such a wonderful celebration of their personal tale.

One of the more creative stories is that of Susan & Bob. I met Susan two years ago this summer when I got a job as an art teacher at a local daycare. She teaches Pre-K and does an AMAZING job at it! We hit it off immediately! Both of us are super creative and crafty, so you can imagine how we gabbed on and on about fun stuff. We even collaborated on THE BEST Dr. Seuss themed parade. GO RED TEAM!  😉

Not too long ago, I heard a rumor milling around the daycare that Susan had a boyfriend. Not long after that a good mutual friend of ours pulled me aside & offered to pay me to get pictures of the newly engaged couple! I was abosolutly thrilled for Susan and her beau whom I had yet to meet. I knew that he had to be something extra special! Though the engagement pictures didn’t happen it wasn’t too long after that that Susan officially asked me to do their wedding photographs.

I arrived at St. Daniel’s church to find Susan & all of her bridesmaids ready to walk down the isle. Susan was glowing in her gorgeous gown as she walked down eyes glued on Bob. From Susan’s church choir serenading them to Bob’s nephew marrying them the ceremony was overflowing with special moments. You could feel the excitement radiating from everyone who attended and was evident in the giant hugs that were given in the receiving line.

Afterwards we ventured to one of the most creative venue’s I have shot to date, the Rosamond Gifford Zoo! We stopped by the penguin tank, hung out with some fish, and even got saluted by an elephant! (As a side note, Susan would recommend that if you want to do pictures at the zoo…wear comfy shoes!)

Susan’s reception theme was zoorific complete with animal print balloons, an zoo animal cupcake tower, and stuffed zoo animals on each table for the kids to take home! It all came together so well, I couldn’t stop snapping shots of all the cute details! The rest of the evening was a mellow & joyous time of family and friends. It was the perfect fit for Susan and Bob and I was so privileged to be part if it! Thank you!

xoxoxo,
Mabyn

The Details
Hair: Sherry June
Makeup Artist: Nikki Cafarchio
Dress Designer & Store Location: David’s Bridal
Jewelry: Jewelry on James
Veil or Hair accessories: David’s Bridal
Shoes: David’s Bridal, Crocs
Bridesmaids Dresses: David’s Bridal (Watermelon)
Grooms Attire: Men’s Warehouse
Ceremony Venue: St. Daniel’s Catholic Church
Reception Venue: Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park
Additional photo venue: Elephants, Penguins and Tigers, oh my!
Florist: Whistlestop Florist, Minoa
Band: Rock Carbone Band: Morris and the Hepcats
Caterer: Zoo
Cake: Anna Banana’s Bake Shop (Anna O’Brien)
Event Designer: Us & Friends; Alicia Gagnon for the Zoo. (She was so nice and helpful that she made everything so easy!)
Wedding Coordinator: Catherine Muhl
Invitations & Stationary: DIY :Catherine Muhl, Kari DeJarnette, Renee Grevelding, Susan Owen, Robert Eaton
Other: Balloons: Mickey’s Balloons

Music
Special Ceremony Music: St. Daniel’s Church Choir; Amanda Carnie, Bill Verity (Organ)
First Dance: Two Is Better Than One (Martin Johnson/Boys like Girls)

Bride & Groom
How did you meet?
Christmas Eve Dinner. Introduced by my co-worker Sonali Wijesuriya
How did your fiance propose?
Came to my classroom. Luckily the children were outside playing!
Tell me a bit about the planning process for your wedding (how did you pick the venue, colors, funny stories, etc..):
Susan: St. Daniel’s is the church we attend. I sing in the choir there. The zoo was not our first choice for the reception, but that was a very good thing because I couldn’t imagine a better place to celebrate!
Bob: Fire Drill!!!!!
What details at your wedding had special significance?
Susan: Wearing jewelry from my fiancee and that had belonged to my mother, grandmother and neices. Having my friends from the church choir sing. Having my best friend in my wedding.
Bob: Having my children bring up the gifts to the alter. Having my nephew Father Christopher be the officiant.
What was the most memorable moment(s) of your day?
Bob: When Susan said I Do.
Susan: Having him put the ring on the wrong finger. Duh. I never did know my right from my left!
Funniest memory from your wedding day?
Susan: Dancing
Bob: Seeing Bob Mayer’s (ring bearer) bootinere flower quickly fall apart until only one leaf was left.
If you had to do it all over, would you change anything?
Susan: I would wear different shoes!!
Bob: No, nothing
What was your favorite wedding purchase?
Susan: The stuffed animals for the table centerpieces.
Bob: The cross Susan wore around her neck.
Where did you go on your honeymoon?
Orlando FL. Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Studios. (Fabulous!!!)
Any advice for future brides & grooms?
Involve as many people as you can. These are special times with family and friends. Don’t be a control freak! Be creative.
Anything else you’d like to add that will help me tell your story?
Susan: Never say never! Love can happen anytime!
Bob: Half the fun is getting there! Have fun with the planning.

 

Cool stained glass and reflective floors! I was in photographer heaven!

The kids at this wedding were just TOO CUTE!

Yummy reflections!

Susan is just radiant!

One of my faves of the day

SO COOL!

It was so hot that little Bob’s flower pretty much fell apart

How amazing are all of these details! Eek! I love them!

Anna’s cupcake tower  was amazing!

He’s got some serious mooooooves!