Category Archives: events

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Ford + Shannon = Gondola Ride by the Fabulous Alison McIntyre

We met Alison, Rochelle’s cousin, in Venice, Italy and had a great time chatting with her.  She loves photography, so of course many times, while heading to the rehearsal dinner, we were side by side, photographing another great building or details on a wall. 

Well it’s funny because we get so focused at times that we never know when guests are snapping pictures of us.  Actually she was getting Rochelle & Massimo on the gondola but did a great job of getting us in action.  And I have to say, I love this shot because it shows all the excitement around them but they’re so obviously lost in each other; so unaware of us or everyone on the bridge. 

Ford & Shannon Steeves Working on Venice Italy Gondola

So bravo Alison for a great shot!  And thanks for sharing it with us!!

Visiting with Jessica & Jay

Last summer we had the pleasure of photographing Jessica & Jay’s beautiful St. Croix wedding.  Hard to believe it’s been a year.  They were one of the sweetest couples ever…..been together for 10 years and so in love.  We really had a great time with them and their guests. 

Jessica & Jay in St. Croix

Jessica & Jay in St. Croix

They’ve had an eventful year & on July 18th welcomed Hadley into their world.  Ford & I are so excited for them.  They’ll be fabulous parents & we can’t wait to photograph her!

Jessica and her new baby girl HadleyJay & his new baby girl Hadley

Hadley as a newborn

Isn’t she adorable!?!?!  And can you believe how great Jessica looks after delivery?  Congratulations Jessica & Jay, we really look forward to seeing all of you soon!

 

Free Destination Wedding Photography at Fly Away

In honor of the new blog, Shari Bare and myself are offering two couples the chance to win free photography for their destination wedding.  All the details can be found on the blog but basically, if you’re having a destination wedding somewhere unique or even as beautiful as Hawaii, let us know about it.  It can be your first wedding, your second or even your re-commitment ceremony, we want to know the details.  So check it out and we look forward to hearing from you!

Syndicated on Alltop - The Best Blogs Around

Featured in Alltop

We are excited to share that Alltop, the blog newsfeed that consolidates all your blog categories into one location, has added us!  We feel very honored to have been added to the wedding category with the likes of Elizabeth Anne Designs, Martha Stewart Weddings, Southern Weddings Magazine and Style Me Pretty.  There are also some other fabulous photographers syndicated, such as, Allegro Photography, Critsey Rowe Photography and Thomas Geist

They also loved the destination weddings & honeymoon blog, Flyaway Photography, so it’s being syndicated as well.  If you haven’t checked it out, definitely stop by. 

Italian Love Story - Rochelle & Massimo - Virtual Album

Here is their breathtaking Virtual Album.  It’s 21 mins. long but it is gorgeous! 

And the great thing is I have it in mp4 format as well, so I’m so excited to get that to Rochelle & Massimo for their iphones.  I love modern technology!  Enjoy and leave us a comment below.  We love hearing reactions from our couple’s friends and family.

What do weddings and fraternities have in common?

Recently one of our grooms, who is a PiKappaAlpha, mentioned that planning a wedding was a lot like pledging a fraternity.  At first I thought he’d totally lost it .  But being a southern girl who grew up with college and Greek Life always being in the same sentence, I gave it a second thought.

[Rush Week] - engagement.  You make the announcement to family and friends.  There are the dinners and parties to celebrate.  The feeling that the whirlwind is just beginning.  But you’re so elated you jump in with both feet.

[Pledgeship] - planning.  This is the time when you’re learning everything you can about weddings.  Like those pledges who carry their manual or pledge book with them, memorizing all that they can between classes, the bride carries her binder with her everywhere.  She is determined to know everything she can about themes, color ideas, gowns, photographers and somehow fit it all in between work, friends, family and fiance. 

But fortunately, hopefully like the fraternities and sororities she has a…..

[Big Sister or Big Brother] - the planner.  The one who listens to all these ideas, sorts through and helps the bride narrow her choices down.  The one who answers questions, helps carry the stressful load when she feels overwhelmed with information and decisions.  The shoulder to cry on when she feels she can’t make another decision or will even make it to the big day. 

Now what about that unspoken, nasty word that no one on campus wants to hear?  It’s dreaded but a definite part.

[Hazing] - what the guy feels during all those months of prep.  Let’s face it, us women are into registering, the showers and pre-wedding parties.  As our groom pointed out, all of that reminded him of hazing or going through a rite of passage before he could get to THE DAY. 

And finally after all the planning, anticipation, excitement and tears, it’s arrived…..

[Initiation] - wedding day.  The bride, just like that pledge, has hoped and dreamed of this day.  The day where all eyes are on them and everyone is admiring their months of hard work and planning.  She takes a deep breath, hugs her Big Sister or Brother and walks down the aisle.  For the bride it’s satisfaction that she made it through months of planning and for most grooms, he’s lost in her; forgetting all the ‘hazing’ he endured because of his love for her.  And just like those pledges, they’re both now members of a special organization called marriage.

 

July 4th - family fun in sarasota

After a day of miniture golf, off shore race boats at the bay and ‘linner’ (that’s lunch/dinner) at Cha Cha Coconuts at St. Armands Circle we headed back over to the bay for fireworks.  It was packed with sailboats, tents, and people lounging on the shore all in anticipation of a great show. 

*and fyi, Victoria & I tied for 1st place in mini golf!!  the guys were speechless.

boat in sarasota bay

Yes, hot, sweaty but still feelin’ the love!

hot, sweaty and waiting for fireworks

We passed the time playing cards and people watching.

deck of cards

Patrick always in his shades…….just like me!

Patrick so cool and laidback

Victoria my little beauty who hates to look directly into the camera.

Victoria being coy

And Matt our ‘3rd’ child who thinks he’s a card shark.

matt the cardshark

This is what I do when I get bored and need to entertain myself.  Strike a pose.  Course I need to pay attention to Ford more before I do my ‘vogue’!

Shannon goofing off

And yes here’s Ford, never far from his iTouch.

Ford waiting for fireworks

Just before the fireworks began.  Course I took this with my p/s but I love the way the sun set last night.

sunset in sarasota

Hope you all had a great 4th!

Emy, Ryan & One Gorgeous Beach Wedding

This past Saturday we had the priviledge of photographing their wedding on Siesta Key, FL.  It was an intimate gathering of guests from Kansas City & Des Moines.  Originally the ceremony was set for 6pm but after checking several weather bureaus they moved it to 4pm.  Which ironically we were out on the beach with Emy & Ryan around 545pm when the downpour hit!  Everything turned out beautifully and I can’t wait to see what she has planned for their reception in DesMoines later this month!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emy & Ryan Engagement Shoot

Emy & Ryan flew into Sarasota on Tuesday from Kansas City for their wedding tomorrow on Siesta Key.  So on Wednesday the four of us met at St. Armands Circle for a few hours of fun & shoe shopping!  They are a great couple.  We all laughed and sweated A LOT but no one complained.  Oh and aren’t they a gorgeous couple!?!? 

[gallery]

Rochelle & Massimo - Venice, Italy

Well I’m finally getting up some pictures from their May 28th wedding.  I had such a hard time choosing, first I narrowed to 200, then 150 and now it’s down to my “FAV 100″.  Well 104 to be exact but who’s counting; they’re all so stunning, full of emotion, beauty, happiness, love, etc.  You’ll see what I mean.  It’s a lot of pictures & I hope you’ll scroll through them all. 

This wedding couldn’t have come together so beautifully without some of the following people:

Nicole Kaney - a fantastic wedding coordinator  http://www.nkproductions.net
Bjorn Labee & Elisa Puleo - event coordinators at the Westin Europa & Regina Hotel in Venice
Federico - Centrofiori florist
Bruno Lison - stylist at Carol's Beauty Salon
Giacomo Galletta - DJ
Wladi - Videographer

 

To Rochelle & Massimo, thank you for allowing us to be a part of your incredible event.  Both of you have such kind, friendly hearts and it’s obvious you got them from your amazing parents!  I don’t normally tear up at weddings but I have to admit there were times during the ceremony & reception I felt weepy.  But there was so much laughter too and I hope these few images reflect all the joy, love, commitment and friendship you have with each other and your families.  Enjoy!

 I love how their invitation was in English & Italian.

 

The other love in Rochelle’s life is Gia. 

How could you not love that little face!?!

 

 

Rochelle’s gorgeous handcrafted Venetian mask was stunning next to her bouquet.

 

Rochelle found a quiet moment between the stylist & makeup artist. 

Rochelle’s equally beautiful sister & Maid of Honor, Camile.

 

Loved the groom’s custom tailored suit & Italian leather shoes. 

Massimo & one of his Best Men, Christian.

Antonio, the other Best Man, helps Massimo make sure everything was perfect. 

 

The very handsome groom.

And of course the very lovely & elegant bride.

 

 

 

 

 

Rochelle & Camile walk the old streets over to San Moise Church.

Rochelle & her father wait, lisenting to the organs play Ave Maria.

The emotions flowed as she and her dad shared a moment.  The lace in her hand with the bouquet is the veil worn by Massimo’s mother.  Oh, and who doesn’t love the Prada boutique in the background!?!?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love how graceful she was getting into the gondola with her gown & Jimmy Choo’s.

 

Their parents were on the bridge above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hello Vanlentino!

 

 

The San Moise Church in the background.

 

 

The breathtaking Piazza San Marco and Basilica.

 

 

 

 

Cafe Florian, which is a historic cafe, 1720, has terrace seating with a band playing.   When they spotted Rochelle & Massimo they began playing a love waltz just for them.  So here’s to their unofficial first dance.

 

 

 

 

They were unaware of the tourists who stopped to take their picture and ask us who they were; curious if they were celebs in Italy.

I love, love, love this shot.  Notice how unaware they are of the couples behind them.  The one couple stopped to kiss while the other two women smile brightly.  Guess every woman who sees a bride can’t help it.  Somehow it reminds us of our wedding memories or the one to come.

Chasing the pigeons.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Massimo’s father with spectacular views of the Grand Canal & San Giorgio Maggiore.

 

 

Rochelle’s father, during a toast, spoken in English & Italian, surprised everyone by whistling the entire song of Ave Maria for the couple.  A truly tender moment for everyone!

The guests dined with views of Chesa Di Santa Maria Della Salute.

For the official first dance, Rochelle & Massimo made a grand entrance but while they waited Rochelle couldn’t help peaking to see what was happening with the guests.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A sweet moment with Rochelle’s parents on the dance floor.

The first course from an incredible dinner.  And yes, the groom planned the entire menu himself!

The grand wedding cake.

A sampling of the various desserts.

 

And of course the cake topper.

The dinner menu in English and Italian, of course.

It was 2am but Rochelle took a moment to hug and thank her Mom.

While Massimo enjoyed a glass of grappa with his Dad.

AJAXed with AWP