Six Peeps

October 27, 2007

Jersey Shore: Wendy & Brian

I remember when Wendy first came into the studio for a consultation. I never try to pressure people to sign a contract while they are there. But when Wendy told me that she was going to make a trip to New York to look into other more local photographers for her wedding, I was sure I would never see her again. There are so many dang photographers in NY.

A couple weeks later my phone rang and it was Wendy asking to come into the studio again. She couldn’t find a photographer in NY/NJ that she really jived with, and thus asked me to make the trip out to Jersey for her wedding. I was just tickled to death about that.

So back to the Dallas birthday party. I literally got 2.5 hours of sleep that night. Took a cab to the airport, jumped on a plane to Chicago, got there at 9:00 AM. Had a 40 minute layover. I went and enjoyed a loaded Chicago Dog and fries for breakfast (splurge day!). Then I bought some licorice and caramel corn. Ate it all before taking off. Had the nicest nap on the plane. Woke up when the wheels touched in Newark. There was a Dunkin Donies at the airport, so I indulged in three donies, a chocolate glazed, jelly filled and a strawberry glazed donie and some of that famous Dunkin coffee.

Then I met up with my town car and rode into the Jersey Shore. Holy dang (I like saying that, since returning from Dallas) I had time for a quick jog! i jogged for an hour along the coast and returned to my hotel with plenty of time before the rehearsal dinner… and it goes a little something like…this:

Before anything, meet Wendy and Brian. I found out at the wedding that Brian and I went to college together. He was on the baseball and wrestling team at UNC. Super duper nice fellow.

A couple quick shots from the Rehearsal Dinner: I arrived at the NJ Fish House. These are the first peeps I ran into.

I tried my best to be polite and say “no thanks” to all the good food - clams, oysters, calamari, clam chowder, crab cakes, etc…. but Wendy, bless her heart, would not let me get away with that. She insisted that I eat, eat, eat. She even tried the following day at the wedding but it was no longer splurge day, so I sadly stuck to my self control.

Mmmmmm….

I like watching gift giving

Wedding day - everything went silky smooth. I got up in the AM and ran for an hour, came back to my B&B and had a hot cup of coffee on the deck. Man I would love to start every morning like that. Eventually I found myself in my “zone”. So funny how as soon as I see a wedding dress hanging on the wall, I go into some sort of trance that lasts all the way up to my reception slideshow. I don’t talk much. It’s nice! I love my job.

It’s hard being at the mercy of other’s goodies on a non-splurge day. Nice AM spread! Is that cool-whip I see in that glass?

bridesmaid

Wendy!

This could be my most favorite candid moment of the whole day. Wendy and her mom… (shot this one at 1.2!)

Next thing you know we’re on this crazy nice bus that had amazing natural light.

We found Brian, just hangin around on this bridge.

This flowergirl looks like she really wants to go outside

I couldn’t resist taking this one:

The birds were totally strutting their stuff… in the air…

and on the catwalk…

“did someone lose their child???”

There’s something about this moment right after the father of the bride gives away his daughter that I love capturing.

Time for a little reception!

Just lemons:

More amazing fresh seafood

This good lookin red-head was flirting with me all night (don’t tell Jenny!)

CONGRATULATIONS Wendy and Brian. I know you two are in Africa on your honeymoon. Wishing you safe travels and good times!!! Thanks again for having me all the way out to the East Coast, and especially for treating me so well!

Oh yeah one more cool thing… after the wedding, I felt like a cocktail. The B&B was just a little bit far from any watering holes, but I remembered that they have these cool old, rusty beach cruisers available to guests. I jumped on one and went for a solo midnight cruise. WOW it was so cool. I didn’t know where I was, really, but all I remember is how quiet it was, all I could hear was the sound of my tires rolling on the street. The stars were really bright because there weren’t a lot of buildings or lights. It was pitch black, actually… and I just cruised! Finally I got to a bar and grill in an neighboring town. Inside were a bunch of the wedding party watching the Rockies play! I had a salad and a martini and cruised back. Between that, and Texas, and despite all the crazy running around on planes, trains, and taxicabs, it was a cool weekend tour!

October 27, 2007 |