Wedding: Kamee & Yongki – The Barn at Pisgah Hill – Grady, Alabama

If you watched the TV show Friends, you might remember the episode where Phoebe says Ross and Rachel will end up together because Rachel is Ross’s lobster.  She explains that it’s a known fact that lobsters fall in love and mate for life.  When Rachel discovers that Ross had a major crush on her in high school and was willing to step in when it looked like she was being stood up for prom, Rachel plants a big smooch on him.  Phoebe of course exclaims, “See, he’s her lobster!”  Which explains why, after 10+ years on and off, no one was really surprised when when Yongki married my BFF Kamee – everyone knew he was her lobster!

The bride who loves the color blue wanted a simple, rustic wedding with vintage touches.  Through her friend and wedding planner Rae Culver of LeRae Events, Kamee booked The Barn at Pisgah Hill, which was not far from where she grew up. Rae also handled the floral design, and Courtnie at Poppy Pedals worked on the lettering for the invitation.  Knowing Kamee is a die hard Sex & the City fan, I incorporated a little something special into a ring shot (brownie points if you recognize what it is!):

Kamee knew that I’m all business when I shoot weddings (though I have dropped it low on occasion 😉 ), and I almost never use a second shooter, but she wanted me to be able to have fun with her (and be in some of the pictures) too.  So we decided the best solution was to bring in a second photographer, but not as a backup – it would have to be someone I’d be completely comfortable with handing the reins to whenever I decided to put down the camera.  I knew just the person to call: my Pittsburgh buddy Joe, super experienced photojournalist and all around good dude.  He was even familiar with some of Kamee’s family because he hung out with her younger brother Brad and me when we all met up in Washington D.C. to run the Marine Corps Marathon about a month before the wedding.  With Joe there, we could get pictures like this…

…and I could stay with Kamee as she put on her Saja gown, and get pictures like this:

Yep, these are my peeps.  Wouldn’t have ’em any other way.  Weirdos.

After a slight rain delay, it was time for older brother Bentt to walk her down the aisle, where younger brother Brad was the officiant (if you see him around town, just call him Reverend Buttums):

I spy someone familiar in this shot from Joe (oh wait, that’s me!):

After the ceremony, everyone moved into the candle and chandelier-lit barn for the reception to nosh on Southern favorites like fried cornbread from Red’s Little School House, and cake (with edible lace appliques) from Decadent Endings:

Toward the end of the night, everyone braved the cold and went outside to release wish lanterns:

Big hugs to the Kwakers and a shout out to my homie Joe for helping out on this one (photo by ***surprise*** the bride herself!):

Venue: The Barn at Pisgah Hill

Event Planning & Floral Design: LeRae Events

Wedding Gown: Saja

Wedding Invitation: Poppy Pedals

Catering: Red’s Little Schoolhouse

Cake: Decadent Endings