A Kentucky Wedding Weekend to Remember!
So I hope you have some extra time on your hands because you are going to need it to get through this entire post! We are squeezing a wedding weekend jam packed with activities into this post! It's all worth it, but it may take a hot minute to get through it all. But PLEASE NOTE: we saved the best part for last...
So, the last weekend of May 2014 we headed up to Lexington, Kentucky for fun times with family and an amazing wedding! Paul's cousin Haley Perdue was getting married to her long time boyfriend/fiancé (of 9 years), so we made the wedding weekend into an extended family affair!
Our first day in Lexington, was packed full of fun and educational activities! We started our little adventure with a trip to Buffalo Trace Distillery, "the world's most award winning distillery," and not surprisingly so, considering it's been around for over 200 years! We toured around the campus and learned about the different types of bourbon, how the aging process varies based on where the barrels are stored. We also got to see the bottling process which was actually really cool - and it was surprisingly a much more hands on process, i.e. people and not machines! From there we headed to the tasting which was obviously the highlight of the entire tour! My favorite was the Bourbon Cream - I know... blaspheme! But I am a milk drinker so it's only fitting. Second favorite was the bourbon balls! YUMMMM! And of course I believe Paul thoroughly enjoyed the Buffalo Trace, and we can't forget Liam aka Baby Man - who had his first root beer and couldn't get enough!
After the distillery tour, we headed to the state capital where Paul's Dad's cousin, John Minton, is the Chief Justice for the Kentucky State Supreme Court! We got the VIP tour around the capital by the Chief Justice himself! It was definitely a cool experience and quite a beautiful building as well! The highlight for us was when we got the awesome shot of Liam doing his chief justice impersonation in the courtroom! You gotta see that one!
Before we left the capital Paul caught this impromptu pic of the family all squeezed in the elevator! How fun is that!? Looks like we should be in a reality show, sitcom of something.
We were all starving at this point... can you tell?? So our next stop was a LATE lunch at Rick's White Light Diner in Frankfort, KY! It may have been because we were all starving, but this was some of the best New Orleans style food I've had! They were featured on Diner's Drive-In's and Dives, and I can totally see why. It was definitely your whole in the wall kind of place, it had an awesome atmosphere, interesting bathroom, and some awesome food! I have to say, I think I enjoyed it better than a lot of what we had while in New Orleans last year! The Muffaletta was to die for and the po-boys were definitely amazing too!
Look at that adorable baby man! He was so tuckered out from that busy day!
Day Two in Kentucky we had plans to go to Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill! We started off with a delicious lunch at the Inn at Shaker Village. Again, Liam couldn't get enough of the delicious food, and I also must say the old fashion high chair totally beats out most of the restaurant baby seats these days!
We shopped at the Craft shop that had all kinds of great local merchandise and more importantly tickets for the Dixie Belle Ferry! I think it may have been Liam's first ferry ride and he embraced the experience - took charge sitting proud in the captain's chair! It was a beautiful ride, and we had a lot of fun!
And check out the above image of High Bridge - the Dixie Belle takes you right under this "engineering marvel - built in 1877 - and standing 6 feet higher than the Statue of Liberty!
But the most fun and rewarding part of the whole trip was the opportunity to not only share in Haley and Marcus' big day, but to also play a part in capturing the memories (as videographers for the wedding) they will have from that day for the rest of their lives, and the lives of generations to come! While it was a lot of work, especially for Paul, it has been such a great experience! Check out the highlight video from the wedding to get a glimpse into what we all experienced!
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To view the full length video, with an awesome speech from the Father of the Bride, click here!
Destination Philadelphia
My cousin Marisa's wedding was fast approaching and with our Baby Man - Liam, we figured it would be a good reason to make a road trip out of the occasion. The wedding was to take place in downtown Philly, so we made a plan to continue our trip beyond the wedding, but our trip started in Philly!
Our first stop once we hit Philadelphia was of course Pat's King of Steaks, and it was definitely true to the classic Philly Cheese Steak. We tried ours with American cheese, but apparently it's supposed to be good with cheese whiz.... hmm not sure what I think about that. So we could check Philly Cheese steak off the list!
The wedding was at The Bellevue Philadelphia, and we were lucky enough to be able to share a suite with my parents. It was great considering we had Liam with us! The rooms were awesome and the living space was great for hanging out and visiting with family before the wedding.
What a great view! And of course it was great as my parents were happy to help us out so we could have some time in the city.
After settling in we couldn't resist taking pics of our little man it this posh suite!
So our first night in the city we went to the Philly's game, thanks to my brother. It was ironically the first and only baseball game I've been to this year. It was definitely a fun time, and so convenient to our hotel as we were able to take the subway! And I was happy to get my Phillies cap of ice cream, and was able to bring a souvenir back to baby man!
Day 2 in Philly: We had some time to sight-see and visit with family before the wedding! We got to see the LOVE sign, and I must say it wasn't as impressive as I imagined, but that was another must-do that got checked off the list. Liam really enjoyed it!
And the day continued with a fun visit with family! I was able to meet up with my cousin Beth and her daughter Ramona, who was born just three weeks before Liam! It was a lot of fun, so awesome to get to see everyone! Ramona is a cutie pie, and she and Liam had fun - I can't wait to see how they are together as they get older!
And before we put the camera away, my Dad had to have his photo of all the men, including baby man in their "flat caps!" It'll be fun to share all these photos with Liam one day!
The wedding was fast approaching, and we were getting ready to head to the wedding. Thankfully my parents made arrangements with my Dad's cousin Valerie to watch Liam and she volunteered to take both Liam and Ramona! Thank you again Valerie! You were an amazing baby sitter and it was also very nice to visit with you and catch up for the short time we were able to spend with you!
The evening continued with my cousin Marisa's lavish wedding! It was by far the most extensive wedding Paul or I have ever been to! The ceremony we slow to start (in a funny way), but was a very sweet ceremony! And from there we went to an awesome cocktail hour with shrimp cocktail and oyster, dim sum and sushi, and delicious cheese and meats, not to mention the various items served throughout the room. And the reception was even more pleasing with a delicious salad and shrimp cocktail, a pear sorbet palette cleanser, and a delicious fillet and crab topped white fish! Absolutely amazing! But it didn't end there, they had a 12 or 13 piece band that had no problem getting everyone on the dance floor between courses, and a closing with a delicious piece of vanilla wedding cake with raspberry filling with a scoop of chocolate chocolate chip ice cream! And you'd think that would be enough, but you could also take a little desert night-cap with you of eclairs and other sweet pastries! Mmmmmm...
The evening wound down with more family shots, and we were out until brunch the next morning!
Day 3 in Philly: Started off with an extensive brunch! We were excited as we wanted to be able to show off the little ones. Beth brought Ramona and we brought Liam and both of them got to visit with all the cousins and extended family. It was nice for everyone to be able to gather one more time.
Liam wore his tie and cardigan for the occasion! It really was wonderful to see everyone!
It was our last day in Philly, so we decided we couldn't leave without doing a little more sight-seeing!
First we went to the Philadelphia Art Museum to see the notorious Rocky steps! So cool! The funny thing is the Museum is more visited because of Rocky than because of the exhibits...
We checked Rocky off the list and one last stop before we headed to NJ and NYC! The Liberty Bell! I hadn't been there since I was a little girl and it was definitely cool to see if as an adult. And it's exciting that we were able to take Liam to all these cool places, even if he won't remember any of it.
And last, but not least we decided to stop at my childhood home, in Delran, NJ! It was pretty much on the way, and very cool to be able to share with Paul.
It looks pretty much the same, except they tore down the awesome tree I used to play on that was in the front yard. Was pretty cool to drive through the old neighborhood, even if it was only a small part of the trip!
Next up, NYC here we come!
See more photos from our Philly Trip! Click Here
An Unconditional Love! Derrick and Jesus are Married!
Our close friends Derrick and Jesus were married a couple weekends ago! Paul met Derrick in college and they have been best of friends ever since. And when we met Jesus several years ago we knew our good friend Derrick had found his soul mate!
I love their love as it's so clearly meant to be. I recall years before Derrick ever met Jesus, he told me he could never imagine meeting someone he could spend the rest of his life with. At the time and even now, I couldn't comprehend his way of thinking! I honestly feel like there is someone out there for all of us and we are bound to unite with someone in our lifetime and hopefully that love would continue for a lifetime!
Well Derrick and Jesus definitely found that lifetime love in one another and the ceremony was one of the most emotional I have had the experience of being a part of! Paul was the photographer of course and there are so many wonderful pictures it was so hard to narrow down!
Derrick rented out a beautiful house on Lake Norman (part of our long weekend), and it was a great place for such a fun and loving occasion!
Derrick and Jesus' closest family and friends gathered for the occasion and it was definitely a memorable day and evening! We couldn't have asked for better weather either.
I can't say enough about how sweet and thoughtful the vows were. It was absolutely impossible to hold back the tears! But even through all the emotion they are all smiles. Following the ceremony we jumped right into the party. It was more like a family gathering where everyone could mix, mingle and just have a good time.
Congratulation Derrick and Jesus! Here's to a lifetime of laughter, love and snuggles! We love you guys!
Pretty Stoked!
Paul and I photographed a wedding a couple of weeks ago, and I am pretty stoked about how the pics turned out! I've done some second shooter work with him for various weddings, but this one I felt like I brought a lot more to the table!
Check out the post here!
Married 1 Year + Together 6 Years = Super Happy!
Happy Anniversary Paul Paul! Our first year of marriage has been awesome! I feel like this has been one of our best years ever, and I can't wait to see what is to come in the future!
You have been an amazing husband and best friend, and I am so in love with you! We have had a lot of fun this year with traveling, getting things settled in our home, our careers and our relationship and I think this first year has been the beginning of a lifetime of wonderful and amazing moments!
I love you more than words will every show!
Here's to an awesome first year of marriage and many more to come! I love you!
Who Says You Can Only Wear Your Wedding Dress Once!?
I was married almost a year ago, and not more than a month before my wedding, my good friend Yarden was also married. We spent a lot of time together in the process of planning our weddings and after it was all done, we thought "this can't be the last time we wear these awesome dresses and shoes!!!
So we agreed that we would plan a photo shoot where my husband Paul (the photographer) would photograph us throughout Atlanta in our awesome dresses and shoes! We originally thought we would do it in the spring, but time kept passing and we never made an official date! But it worked out because this past July another very good friend of mine, Desi, got married to her long time love Tristan! And so now we had three gorgeous woman and three gorgeous dresses waiting to be stars yet again!
You always hear about groups of brides getting together for a night out on the town, but never have I heard or seen really awesome fun photos, and that's exactly what we've got!
Thanks to Paul (my wonderful husband and AMAZING photographer) and our friend Natalie Webb (who has been cranking out some awesome work since her recent break into the photography world). They both have an amazing eye, and I have to say it was hard to narrow it down to the 30 or so pics I included in this post! So definitely check out the full gallery!
We had such a blast, I would totally do it again! Check out the online gallery here, and definitely email Paul is you're interested in doing a shoot like this, he can even include a limo!
Thank you so much Desi, Yarden, Paul and Natalie, this was awesome!
Day Three of Mini Vaca: My Cousin Vinnie is Married!
The last evening in the D.C./Annapolis area was for my cousin Vinnie's wedding!
The day started early at Renditions Golf Club in Davidsonville, MD. While it was a dreary cold day, we had a blast! Theresa was all smiles and everyone was super excited for the big day! Paul did a great job, and we've got tons of great images for Vinnie and Theresa to choose from!
Here's a peek...
Theresa had three bridesmen, and they were great! I was surprised how attentive they were!
My cousins, the Sisca brothers, Nick, Vinnie and Damien.
Congratulations Theresa and Vinnie! It was a beautiful wedding for a beautiful couple! We love you guys!
Click here to view the full gallery...
Engagement Shoot in Downtown Norcross, GA
This past weekend we had a great shoot with Christine and Sean in downtown Norcross. It was a beautiful day, started out a little chilly and overcast, but the sun came out and it was a great day. We had a lot of awesome shots of this couple and they were very open to whatever. Downtown Norcross is such a great place for photography with multiple parks, a very cute downtown area and just an overall nostalgic and fun feel.
Here are some of our favorites! Oh and Paul was able to do some HDRs too... Click Here for the full gallery.
Can't wait for their wedding in November! It'll be quite the party!!
Congratulations to Liz and Josh! What a Beautiful Wedding!
This past weekend Paul and I were down in St. Simon's Island for a wedding! Liz (the bride) was a previous co-worker of Paul's and she asked if he would do the honor of photographing her big day. Liz and Josh were married at Villa De Suenos, a gorgeous luxury oceanfront home in St. Simon's Island. It was a beautiful estate, amazing weather, and a very sweet intimate ceremony.
We were very excited to be able to share in Liz and Josh's big day! Take a peak at some of the beautiful images from the wedding!
The location was amazing! I would love to go back for a week vaca/couple's retreat! Wouldn't that be fun!?
To see more photos check out Paul Perdue Photography!
We Finally Got Our Wedding Album!
Paul and I were married on November 13th of last year. It took us a while to get our wedding album design done, but I put the deadline of Mother's Day out there and we met it! We decided to buy an album for each of our Mom's for Mother's day and they were so excited. But after spending the money on that, we really didn't want to invest in one for ourselves just yet!
But it turned out great that we waited cause, the company (Blurb.com) we use to publish our albums has come out with a "proline" with a pearl paper. I was so excited to see that and was totally ready to order it and we did! It was delivered yesterday and look look, it's WONDERFUL!
You can check out the full digital click-through of the album here...
Paul does amazing photography and just as amazing design albums! Whether or not you have him photograph your wedding or event, he could certainly design you an amazing album! Check out his photography site and albums to find out more!
