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Sarah + Chris :: Wedding (Houmas House Plantation)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! I hope you had an amazing holiday!! I am starting this year off right with a wedding post! I shot Chris and Sarah’s wedding a little over a month ago at Houmas House Plantation and I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect location, day or couple. Everything went smoothly and I had an incredible time with these two and their friends and family. Houmas House is by far one of my favorite venues to shoot at. It has the perfect elements of everything you could possibly ask for in a Southern wedding. It’s always gorgeous weather there too!! Sarah and Chris have been extremely pleasant to work with from day one. I enjoyed getting to know them at their engagement shoot and loved photographing Sarah’s stunning self at her bridal shoot. I absolutely love how Chris makes Sarah laugh constantly and how obviously in love they are with each other. Couples like that make my heart melt over and over again. I am so lucky I get to be a part of REAL LIFE love stories!

I am love with how their wedding photos turned out and hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Sarah and Chris, you know I adore you both!!! Thanks for being an inspiration to me and countless others. XOXO

IN LOVE with these gorgeous Manolo Blahniks!! Sarah is truly my kind of girl.

Her dress was purchased at my favorite local bridal gown shop, Bustle, and I am loving the sparkly reception shoes!

I am a huge fan of candy bars. They are always so adorable and colorful! They happy couple spent their honeymoon in Paris (JEALOUS!!) and themed the candy bar around the Eiffel Tower. SO ROMANTIC.

Sarah and Chris spend a lot of time in Cabo and they discovered their love for a particular tequila that is sold there. They not only had their groom’s cake designed after the bottle, but brought in one for everyone to have a shot! SO COOL and original!

One of the many things I love about Houmas House is their Turtle Bar they have in the middle of their property. It’s so awesome for the groom and his groomsmen to hang out, relax and have a few drinks and laughs before the big moment. Not too many venues cater to the guys of the wedding, Houmas House does!! (They also have a pool table!!) Love this shot Deirdre captured:

The lovely bride getting ready to see her prince…

Sarah and Chris opted to do a FIRST LOOK. One word: YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, then you already know I am HUGE HUGE HUGE fan of doing a First Look. And I never ever get tired of saying it. If you asked me for one single piece of advice on your wedding day, I would say to you, “Do a FIRST LOOK!!!” — I have been shooting weddings for many years and I can honestly say the First Look is one of the most genius ideas ever created. I don’t know why people haven’t started doing it sooner!

It gives you both the opportunity to have a very quiet and intimate moment together with NO ONE ELSE around. (Except me and Deirdre.) We don’t talk to you the whole time and I am very strict on not letting anyone else be there for it. It’s a super intimate and special moment you won’t get to have at the alter when everyone is staring at you.

I also love it because it allows us more time to take more photos in a relaxed atmosphere. Not having to worry about rushing off to the reception is SO COMPLETELY WONDERFUL.

Because of a First Look, we also get the opportunity to take all the bridal party photos beforehand… letting you both get to your reception THAT MUCH SOONER!

With Sarah and Chris I was even able to get a few family photos out of the way.

Love this shot Deirdre got right before they walked down the aisle. So peaceful.

Love the look her dad is giving her right before giving Sarah away.

Cocktail Party! The happy couple was able to attend their cocktail party because they did a First Look and we weren’t having to take photos. It’s amazing to be able to spend every moment of your special day with your guests that have come to celebrate.

Congrats Sarah and Chris!!!!

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