Litchfield Plantation Wedding: I Love You, I Know

Episode IV: Litchfield Wedding

engraved forks of the special day for this Litchfield Wedding

I hope you get the IV reference??. I figured, “First met, relationship, engagement, wedding,” plus the Roman Numeral for the number four has more intensity, don’t you think? Anyways…Our journey begins “Not that long ago, in a galaxy far far away…” ok, maybe that’s all I have for you as far as a Star Wars opening, anything more and it might get a little too nerdy. However, our bride and groom love for both Star Wars and Lego at Litchfield’s Plantation House inspired the entire atmosphere for this wonderful outdoor wedding.

wedding rings balance on clock hands for this Litchfield Wedding macro photo

wedding dress hangs from light above staircase before Litchfield Wedding

floral bouquet rests against chair arm at Litchfield Wedding

lego seating chart features bride, groom, and photographer at this Litchfield Wedding

Litchfield Plantation is an elegant setting. When you drive down the pathway, Spanish Moss dangles and shades the road before reaching the Historic Home. All of the small details are treasures in their own right, however, my favorite moments are a little harder to hold on to.

The bridal gift chosen to send to his beloved, makes for a great wedding story.

groomsmen wear star wars socks at this Litchfield Wedding

bride looks down at her wedding gift before her Litchfield Wedding

groom shows off his wedding gift before his Litchfield Wedding

Sara’s gift had a traditional element just like her wedding, a beautiful jewelry box and keepsake heart locket. It was the “nerdy” gift I liked the best. Every man knows that if you make a girl cry happy tears, you must be doing something right. Christian gave Sara a specially designed mask to use while snorkeling. Complimentary, Sara gave Christian classic lego cuff-links to complete his dapper attire. That’s another aspect I love about this couple, their craving for adventure and fun is inspiring. On the day they took the biggest step of their new adventure, the sun was shining, the temperature was cool, and the view overlooking the marsh settled with a painted sky.

bride laughs with her bridesmaids before her Litchfield Wedding

bride poses with her bridesmaids before her Litchfield Wedding

bride and her mom look back at brother and father during Litchfield Wedding portraits

mother, father and bride pose for their photographer and Litchfield Wedding portraits

bride and groom share first look during Litchfield Wedding portraits

groom and groomsman pose for a silly candid during Litchfield Wedding portraits

flower girl poses for Litchfield Wedding portraits before the ceremony

In addition to Star Wars, the couple designed a Lego layout of their wedding day. It was remarkably cool and I couldn’t imagine the hours spent delicately composing the piece. Christian and Sara put together each Lego character to represent each of their guests. The thoughtfulness and connection through such simple gestures were the hallmark of the Moyer-Lara Wedding. They even found a lego male and female photographer for me and Crystal…how cool!!

groomsman and groom dance during the Litchfield Wedding ceremony

bride rides in our a horse drawn carriage for her Litchfield Wedding

bride and groom exchange rings during their Litchfield Wedding

wedding party celebrate the marriage during Litchfield Wedding portraits

bride and groom share a moment during Litchfield Wedding portraits

bride and groom kiss during Litchfield Wedding portraits

bride and groom pose with their horse drawn carriage for Litchfield Wedding portraits

bride and groom raise their hands in the air during their Litchfield Wedding reception

father daughter dance during Litchfield Wedding reception

mother son dance during Litchfield Wedding reception

sunset portrait of bride and groom during Litchfield Wedding reception

bouquet toss during Litchfield Wedding reception

garter toss during Litchfield Wedding reception

bride and groom kiss after cutting the cake at their Litchfield Wedding reception

friends write love with sparklers for this Litchfield Wedding sparklers exit

Sara and Christian choose wonderful elements to incorporate on their wedding day, this Litchfield Plantation wedding highlighted the nerd that we all love and of course, know. Now, let’s see what the honeymoon holds.

….To be continued…

bride and groom celebrate just getting married at their Litchfield Wedding

Planner and Florist – Gigi Noelle Events
Catering – Creative Catering
Hair and Makeup – Bobby Pins & Blushing Brides
Horse and carriage – Heritage Carriages
Rentals – Hotz Rentals
Lighting – MC Sound and Light

Professional Head Shots: How to prepare!

First lets define what a professional head shot is! It’s a close-up portrait of the head and shoulders that focuses attention on the face. People assume it to mean a 3/4 or full length shot that they are going to use for business marketing too. A lot of us need great head shots to make a statement about who we are and what we do. Consider an actor who wants to land a role in a movie, or a model that wishes to star in the next big fashion craze or the athlete that represents his team – Professionals need head shots to market their image and help sell their brand or business.  No business owner or professional wants to be portrayed in a negative manner because it will carry over into their reputation. The quality and style of your head shot conveys how you conduct business.

 

So, what is it that makes a great head shot?

A good headshot should:

  • – Be taken by a professional in a studio or on location in a controlled environment at the right time of the day

  • – Depict a relaxed, natural and comfortable you

  • – Communicate your style and personality

  • – Clearly define the purpose or need you have for the image

How do you prepare for a professional head shot?

In the week prior to your photo shoot, consider taking extra care of yourself. Think about the style of shoot you want and communicate that clearly with your photographer.

Skin

The largest and most visible organ you have needs to look its best. Make healthy choices. Avoid the sun so you don’t come in looking like a lobster after a day of going for “sun kissed”. Drink plenty of water, this will make your skin hydrated to fill in lines and give you a healthy glow. Eat healthy and most importantly, GET YOUR SLEEP!

Hair

Don’t cut or dye your hair right before the shoot. It can look too vibrant and unnatural on camera. Colored hair looks more natural after 1-2 weeks worth of shampooing. A new hair cut looks its best about a week after it’s cut.

Teeth

If you want to whiten your teeth before your session, start as early as possible and use a safe whitening method. Also, you can have your teeth whitened with your dentist.

Beards

The best rule of thumb for facial hair is to commit to the look -it’s either a beard, mustache, or nothing at all. If  you’re going for clean shaven, treat yourself to a good shave that morning. If you have a beard or mustache, trim it neatly.

Nails

Treat yourself to a manicure or neatly trim your nails (yes fella’s this applies to you too!). If you choose to polish, a neutral/skin tone or clear coat won’t distract from your face. Many women enjoy french tips and designs, so……if you and your girlfriends had a spa day and you’re a rainbow girl, just be conscious of how it matches your wardrobe for the photo shoot.

Makeup

This is a big one, and we definitely recommend it. If you hire a make up artist be sure to discuss exactly what you want and clearly define your style. I wouldn’t recommend going completely bomb shell if you rarely ever wear make up. This won’t be who your client sees everyday and it’s best to stay natural to you. If you are doing your make up yourself, don’t wear it heavy. A close head shot may show clumps of mascara or heavy foundation. Think of accentuating your features in a subtle manner.

Clothing

Choose the exact clothing and accessories to wear the day before. Make sure they are clean and pressed ready for your shoot and that they fit you appropriately. I find it helpful when clients bring options, you don’t have to limit yourself to one item. Choose wisely as you don’t want to be able to tell what decade the photo came from. I typically recommend nothing with bold, distracting patterns or colors because it takes the emphasis away from you. Safe color choices include dark solids and lighter soft shades. Avoid white unless you have a great tan or it’s under something (such as a jacket, cardigan, or sweater). V-necks accentuate the neckline and are great for men and women (just watch that cleavage ladies, keep that classic beauty).

Accessories

Rule of thumb, ties look best when their tone is between the suit and the shirt. Stay away from really reflective, shiny silk ties only because it can be a distraction in-camera. As far as jewelry goes, something small, classic and also not reflective. You don’t necessarily want a client viewing your head shot only to notice your jewelry before noticing your face.

Don’t Rush

We don’t want having your head shot to be “just one more thing” you have to do. Know or GPS the location of your shoot and allow yourself plenty of time to get there. Give yourself at least 10-15 minutes to spend at the studio before your shoot. A comfortable pace will help minimize stress and bring out your best.

Communicate

You should feel that your photographer cares about you, so ask questions! We will take the time to answer and put you at ease. This is your shoot after all, we are here to support you. Look up and make eye contact with the camera. It eases camera shyness and promotes a genuine expression. As professional photographers we are good at detailing your vision. We’ll do our best to get the shots you want, but we can’t read your mind. Be honest. If you want something special or different, or if you were unhappy with a previous headshot experience, tell us. On that note, if we adjust your posture and ask you to move a certain way, we really are being that technical to give you the best image. The camera sees differently that the human eye, we’re moving you to make the camera see YOU in the most flattering way.

Lastly – stay up to date with your photos. In the digital age, things move fast and decisions are made sometimes within seconds. Make the best first impression possible!

 

Southern Bride and Rosewood Manor

Who doesn’t love a southern bride and how she plans her wedding?!

southern bride poses with her 9 bridesmaids in the upstairs parlor at Rosewood Manor in Marion, South Carolina

Alison kept traditions in more than one way and they were nothing short of elegant. One of the most thoughtful was the memory of Alison’s mother sewn into her dress. She took her mother’s wedding dress, and had a section monogramed so that she could have it with her as she walked down the aisle. Just beautiful.

Southern bride has a cut out of her mother's wedding dress sewn into her own wedding dress is mother's rememberance

southern bride enjoys the moment as two of her bridesmaids button up her wedding dress

Picking a venue in the heart of old South Carolina, Rosewood Manor hosted a grandeur atmosphere for the Scruggs and their guests. Dr. Gary and his staff go above and beyond to create unforgettable memories at their plantation home, it was simply exquisite.
an interior shot of the downstairs parlor at Rosewood Manor, decorated with a beautiful christmas tree and decorations

A view of the sitting room at Rosewood Manor, decorated with priceless antiques and christmas decorations.

A view of the living room at Rosewood Manor with beautiful interor designs of antiques and art

A lovely setting in the Rosewood Manor's dining room, crafted with hues of blue and trimmed with frosted christmas decorations

To add to the authenticity of the occasion, Alison and Jamie were wed in Marion’s First Presbyterian Church. It is a classic establishment with warm hues that dance against wood shutters. Not to mention an impressive organ sits behind the alter, overlooking each ceremony that enters its doors. Jamie’s father conducted the ceremony and he choked before pronouncing the couple as husband and wife. With a laugh the couple kissed and began their new chapter together.

The groom and his groomsmen pose in front of the First Presbyterian Church in Marion, South Carolina

This southern bride stands at the alter with her groom while a large pipe organ framing the background at the First Presbyterian Church in Marion, South Carolina

This southern bride marries her beau in front of friends and family at the First Presbyterian Church in Marion, South Carolina

A 1977 burnt-orange corvette sat outside the church, ready to take them back to Rosewood Manor to celebrate with family and friends. The Vistas Band performed in fantastic blues-brothers-style and performed pieces that had everyone giggling. Who could forget the duet with the little flower girl? It was a great celebration to ring in the holidays.

This southern bride kisses her husband in front of an orange 1977 corvette at the First Presbyterian Church in Marion, South Carolina

The Rosewood Manor is captured at night while stars twinkle and the wedding party dances under a canopy of lights.

southern bride and her groom dance under a disco light at the wedding reception

The Vistas sing a duet with the grooms daughter at the wedding reception

 

Once there, the crowd partied until the cold encouraged everyone to retire and go inside for a night cap. But before Jack Frost could have his say and as every southern bride does know, the night could only end with a sweet tribute to Sweet Home Alabama.

southern bride, groom, and daughter sing a tribute to sweet home alabama at the wedding reception at Rosewood Manor

Love, Time, and Sweet Moments

Love knows no time, it only knows how it feels, it relishes sweet moments while unfolding.

a wine bottle as a wedding gift to celebrate the love of the bride and groom

wedding rings balanced on a vintage chest board

That’s probably the most elegant way I can describe a union that waits patiently for the right time. Tessa and Andrew are a beautiful representation of what love looks like when everything has been carefully crafted. Unlike love, timing is everything. Time is a measurement that is as strict as it is graceful.

Tessa and Andrew picked a lovely date to be wed at the Members Club at Grande Dunes, incorporating their love of golf, elegance, and family into a single venue. Friends and family flocked all the way from England to see the cherished couple’s first kiss, first dance, and first moments as husband and wife.

friends and family pose for a group shot in from of the members club at grande dunes before the two love birds get married

the wedding party get ready to ride off on golf carts for photos at the members club at grande dunes

the bride looks at the camera and smiles during the wedding ceremony at the members club at grande dunes

There’s more, I don’t know if there’s a way to properly describe the immersion without seeing it for yourself. The couple set aside a special song for the bride’s niece. Her niece was recently wed, but didn’t get to have her own first dance. Before the night was over, the young couple were invited to the floor to share a loving moment in front of family and friends too.

This was impactful – The love and consideration my bride and groom could have for the rest of their family and friends. It’s the same love that withstands the test of time, it sets the example for all to see. The support of their union is incredible. Between both sets of parents, over 100 years of marriage and good fortune wove around the room.

the groom dances with his wife, smiling and looking at her with a lot of love

the grooms parents dance at the couple's reception

the brides parents dance at the couple's reception and look at each other admiringly

the bride and groom share their reception with another newly wed so that they can have their first dance too

The bride poses with her niece after inviting her to dance in her own newly wed dance

With an atmosphere of love and fun, the couple pose for a portrait in front of the big glass doors at the members club at grande dunes.

The icing on top would have to be where they went for their honeymoon – Disney World! Again, it is freshly renewing to think about this beautiful love, tempered with wisdom and patience, that still sings like the heart of a child.

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Calvert, may all your dreams come true!

 

The bride and groom look at each other with love as they pose for a portrait near a willow tree and pond at the members club at grande dunes.

Referral Program: We’d Like To Meet Your Friends!

Carl Kerridge Photography Referral Program featuring gifts for client referrals and black and white images of one of our brides.

Our referral program is a great way for our wedding couples to get additional gifts from their wedding day. It’s a great way for all of our clients to enjoy special memories with new products that are exclusive to our referral program!

 

Tell your friends, family, and co-workers about Carl Kerridge Photography! When they become part of the CKP family, you’ll receive a very nice “thank you” gift and always our gratitude. All the details about the our referral program are above. Have a question or other inquiries?

Call: 843-333-1212 or E-mail: [email protected].