It’s always a privilege for Stacey and I to be part of one of the most memorable parts of peoples’ lives on a weekly basis. There’s no denying the fact that we’ve been constantly blessed with beautiful people to shoot week in and week out. But this past Saturday was, by far, my most favorite wedding to be a part of. Now before all our former clients start getting a little offended… let me give you a little background …
When my cousin Ruth called me to ask if Stacey and I would shoot her wedding, it was all I could do not to shout “YES!” at the top of my lungs. See, we had been secretly hoping for the longest time that she would ask us … and it was truly an honor when she did. 
Saturday’s wedding not only meant getting to shoot my cousin and her groom-to-be Greg, it also meant that Stacey and I were able to spend three awesome days photographing so many of our family members. It’s something that we don’t get to do very often with our busy wedding schedule, and meant the world to us…
Saturday proved to be pretty emotional for us. Stacey cries at every wedding we shoot, but it takes a little work to get me there. But during Ruth and Greg’s ceremony … even I couldn’t help it. As all of us cousins have grown up, found jobs, and moved on to the next stage in our lives, we’ve lost touch just a bit. Yes, there’s still places like Facebook for us to keep up with what’s going on in each others’ lives … but nothing could compare to the many summers we spent hanging out around grandma and grandpa’s pool, playing cards, and terrorizing Disney World. This past weekend, all but four of the cousins, along with their growing families, were able to get together and spend some quality time together. And I’m so grateful that Stacey and I had the opportunity to be there!
Ruth and Greg, you make a beautiful couple and have awesome chemistry together! Stacey and I could both see the love you have for each other with every picture we took! We want to wish you both a marriage blessed by God, full of beautiful moments and wonderful memories … and the occasional Rays game.
Here’s a small gift to you from Stacey and I. God Bless.
Ruth wore her grandmother’s diamond earrings …
Some details …
Greg’s gift to Ruth …
Greg and Ruth are HUGE Tampa Bay Rays fans …
Loved having Ruth’s sisters Becky and Rachel help her put the dress on …
Headed up to meet Greg …
It was a little bright outside for their pre-ceremony portraits, so we walked down the beach a ways, and shot underneath a nearby pier … I loved the way these turned out!
So beautiful!
Then it was on to some bridal party shots …
Could not have been more in love with Ruth’s color palette …
If you’ve followed Stacey and my blog for awhile now, you’ll know that this is a blog first for us. A family portrait! Believe it or not, we do actually shoot them. :-p And I couldn’t help but share one of Ruth’s side of them family … too many of my cousin’s to list!
In addition to her grandmother’s earrings, Ruth also made a touching tribute to her late grandfather, by wearing his wedding ring during the ceremony. It was a perfect touch …
Loved a few of these frames that Stacey caught right before the ceremony …
The ceremony was a perfect representation of Ruth and Greg’s personalities. Laid back, casual, and relaxed …
Couldn’t help getting a shot of Rachel and Becky beaming over their sister’s shoulder …
While all the guest migrated to the reception … we snuck back down to the pier for a few more shots …
Stacey was loving how the wind was playing with Ruth’s veil … such a cool shot!
Just like the ceremony, the newlyweds’ guests were treated to a relaxed beach reception that included steel drums, delicious BBQ, and a gorgeous sunset …
The first dance …
And then out for one more session. :-p We couldn’t get enough of them!
Did I mention a GORGEOUS sunset?!
Meet my grandparents. They are very serious people ..
Ruth dancing with her dad as the sun went down …
Wedding pies! Three pieces of some AMAZING key-lime pie officially knocked me off my diet for the trip …
A little toasting …
Then it was time for some dancing pool-side!
Rachel strutting her stuff …
So where most receptions would come to an end, Ruth and Greg’s was just getting started! We headed down to the Friendly Tavern for some CRAZY karaoke …
The whole bridal party sang Garth Brooks’ “Friends in Low Places”, with the rest of the joint singing along …
And yes!!! The Colorbooth made an appearance! Stay tuned later next week for some of Ruth and Greg’s Colorbooth images …
