Sarah's Bridal Session

***If your name is NORBERT and you are Polish...you are forbidden to look at the following pictures...thank you for your cooperation ;)

Sarah and Norbert are getting married January 10, 2009 and I have the privilege of being the photographer for this beautiful couple! YAY! I actually used to dance with them in the USC Dance Company in college. Those were some of the best times of my life. 

I shot Sarah's bridal portraits last Tuesday. She looked gorgeous... especially her electric BLUE eyes! Because she has been a dancer her whole life, I told her that we shouldn't have any issues with her posture; however, we did seem to have a little trouble getting rid of those "ballet arms" ;).  She really made my job very easy AND she withstood harsh weather conditions (48 degrees and windy) and crazy ideas from her photographer :). Thanks, Sarah, for being a trooper--I think you will find the frozen, blue feet worth it! ENJOY!

Okay...now that Thanksgiving is officially over... time to decorate for CHRISTMAS!!! I can hardly wait!

 

Gabriel + Ruth Gallimore/ Wedding

Gabriel and Ruth got married September 20th in Sumter, SC. This wedding was a lot of fun. I have always thought it was a lot of fun to learn the traditions of different cultures (read on).


Before the wedding, I shot some bridal portraits. She looked beautiful!!










The groom's proud father. This is such a sweet candid. By the way, he is looking at his son :)
Coming down the isle to meet her groom!
Ruth's brother walked her down the aisle...

This is a shot of the couple kneeling in prayer after the "presentation of the lasso." This is a Mexican wedding tradition. It is a long rosary that is placed around the shoulders of the bride and groom in a figure 8 after the exchange of vows by a special person (in this case, her aunt and uncle). The loop is meant to symbolize their eternal love and bond as one. At the end of the ceremony, the rosary is given to the bride as a memento of her becoming the woman of her groom's heart and home.






Ruth is very close with all her brothers...they are all so sweet to her!

They had two sets of rings!! One set is to wear to work (right) and the other set to wear any other time. I joked and told my husband that we need talk....;)

Of course, an American wedding tradition.
There was also a presentation of watches for both the bride and groom. These were presented by two of the bride's brothers. I am not sure whether or not this is a Mexican tradition, but it was very sentimental.
Another Mexican tradition...Ruth explained this to me, so I'll try to get it right. The bride stands on a chair and the groom holds her train above his head while her family lines up to pass under the dress. They dance and sing in a long line around the room, passing several times under the dress. This is meant to be for good luck in the marriage. I love Ruth's expression in the this one!



Before the couple left for the honeymoon, the bride's family and the newlyweds held hands in a circle and prayed.
The most beautiful & important gift you can receive...