Monica + Mike

Monica + Mike are beautiful people.  Period.  And not just on the outside.  They are beautiful through and through.  It seems only fitting that there wedding should be beautiful as well.  I met Monica a few months back while she was returning the contract I'd mailed her.  It was a very brief encounter, but from the sound of things, this wedding was going to be one for the books.  And it was.

This is the first wedding I've done that I have actually had assistance other than my husband.  I invited two good friends, Jen and Marj to come along with me to help me document the day.  I was not just a photographer, I was also a manager of people.  It was a very different position to be in, but one that turned into something great, because now I have all these great shots from different perspectives that I couldn't have gotten myself.

As a wedding photographer you need to be in 10 places at once.  There is just so much going on around you, and you can't miss any of it...so having a good team is key.  Especially on a wedding like this one where you are crunched for time.  You have to be at the hair salon, the grooms house, the ceremony site, and the hotel all at once.  It doesn't matter how close together these locations might be...you're not a marathon runner...you're a photographer...and you can't do everything.  So then you have to make a choice.  You can miss out on some great shots...or you can bring a team of people you trust to help you.  I like teams.  I enjoy a good team.  Teams make for good photography.

The hotel was beautiful.  67th floor overlooking Atlanta.  Can't get much more awesome than that.  The girls were jumping up and down when they walked in and saw their view for the first time.  Complete and utter bliss.

After the bride's cousin finished her make-up, we realized we were running quite late, so we decided it was dress time.  Everyone teared up when bride, Monica slipped into her gorgeous Maggie Sottero gown.

There were a lot of buttons on that baby!

What better accessory to complete the finished look than some Marti Gras beads!

Looking out the window at the stadium where they shared there first date.  I love sentimental stuff.

Dressed and ready, the bride and her girls headed to the ceremony site for one of the most beautiful first looks I've ever witness.  Monica had tears in her eyes just walking up the stairs.  They are so in love...and they've waited 8 years for this moment.

 The ceremony was performed by the Bride's brother Patrick.  His message was so beautifully written and from the heart.  My whole team had tears in their eyes.

I feel so blessed to have such wonderful clients.  It was a perfect day from start to finish.  The reception was a blast filled with more tear jerking toasts, dancing, and a photo booth ran by the amazing Laura Polmear.  (That'll be a post for another day).  Congratulations Mike and Monica.  Thanks for choosing Whitney Huynh Photography to be a part of your day.  We loved every minute of it.