We're starting the 2020 wedding season off strong with this one folks. This blog is long and I've spent all day trying to find images to cut from it to make it shorter and I just can't make myself do it.
If you follow me on social media, you probably already saw me gushing about this sweet couple in the sneak peeks I posted ahead of posting this, but I can't remember shooting (or even attending) a wedding where there was as much laughter, personality, and joy crammed and jammed into every nook, cranny, and corner of the wedding day. Forgoing the normal first look hubbub, Melissa and Josh started the day setting up the venue together and saw each other through the getting ready process. We did have a little final form first look prior to portraits so they could really get some one-on-one "ooo bby you look so good" time in before we moved along with the official timeline, wrapping the bulk of their portraits and family formals before the ceremony even started.
And let me tell you, this ceremony was one for the books. I have NEVER seen a ceremony so perfectly tailored to the couple getting married. Saramonies blew me away with her thoughtful and personalized officiating. A wedding ceremony that touches on the history of the couple and references so many cornerstones of the relationship cuts to the core of what a wedding is really about; the union of two peoples' lives and histories into one shared future. I felt like I knew Melissa and Josh better after the 15 minute ceremony and I was so hyped to see them be married.
Post ceremony we wrapped the portraits and dinner was served (Mission Barbecue - absolutely delightful) and the dancing portion of the evening began. An admirable attempt at a bachata from the bride and groom kept the mood light for the transition into the coolest father daughter dances ever. I won't even spoil the final moves, you'll just have to scroll ahead to see the end of the dance off.
A short break for cake and a sweet speech from the bride's bestie Melissa (hard not to be best friends with someone who shares your name) gave us a tiny window for some sunset portraits of Melissa and Josh before the dance floor opened officially with a rabbit plush toss (instead of the gorgeous bouquet from A Country Rose Florist - definitely too nice to just throw around willy nilly) and a high energy dance and sing-along to the "Time Warp" from the cult classic film, The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The party continued into the evening, with much merry making by all, thanks in large part to the fabulous DJ services (Amplify Entertainment) and the kickass photo booth team (Picture This Events) offering loads of entertainment until the final guests were wrapping up the party by rolling away tables and sharing lots of heartfelt goodbyes.
Vendors-
Venue - The Space at Feather Oaks, Tallahassee FL Photography - Kaylin Goodman Photography (Lana Baughman Photography Second) Photo Booth and Videography - Picture This Events Officiant - Saramonies
DJ/Band - Amplify
Caterer - Mission BBQ Bakery - Publix
Florist - A Country Rose Florist and Gifts