Rustic Romance at Devil’s Thumb Ranch

October 21, 2016 by Carl Kerridge

When you venture into Rachel’s and Alex’s world, you are met with so much love and acceptance. It’s hard for it not to be contagious. Their “Rustic Romance” bloomed for 13 years before they took the plunge to say I Do’s. It is my pleasure to call them dear friends and a part of my family.

Devils Thumb Ranch, Colorado – There’s no better place to have captured the union of these souls. Their rehearsal party was hilarious! The mic was opened to all the guests to choose a roast or toast to the couple, and we heard some pretty hilarious stories. From mischievous parties to heartfelt memories, the connecting theme was how the couple are “designed for each other” and it was clear they are a product of many lifetimes together. The wedding day was full of mountain sunshine, delightful scenery, wild horses, the most incredible night sky and a party that went on well passed my bedtime…

Why is ‘Rustic Romance’ the exact definition for this marriage?

Sure the wedding setting was in the countryside in a rural part of Colorado, but the definition holds so much more. Their romance is so grand yet, “made in simple fashion.” All aspects of their wedding and love for each other is in its purest form. College sweethearts, they met while sitting together at orientation. They had rings fashioned in simple elegance, attire simple in it’s beauty and presence. Their vows described their lives together even more than I can. They, “love each other enough to let them go if that was how they needed to grow,” and here they stood at their wedding day. After 13 years, they are simply inspiring.

As individuals, they uplift everyone around them. They encourage others to live life as vibrantly as they do. There’s a renewing sense of “all and everything” when you’re surrounded by this couple, their families, and friends. As I try to find the sentences that describe these moments best, words fail me. There no vocabulary that encompasses all that this was and will continue to be. One guest reminded me that the essence of this rustic romance might just be a moment when we all were close to God, all His wonders, and how beautiful it will always remain.

I wish the happiest of everything to one of the most beautiful couples I know. May the world show you every bit of love that you bestow to it.

Vendors:

Location & Catering : Devil’s Thumb Ranch

Event Planner: Jolene Greenbaum Peterson

Music: Syndicate Band

Florists: Fawns Leap

Hair/Makeup: Bre Ortola Morris & Tina Merli from Alchemy Face Bar

Wedding Dress & Shoes: Anna Be Store & Badgley Mischka

Myrtle Beach Mickie and Minnie

October 12, 2016 by Carl Kerridge

It’s not often you find two souls designed completely for each other, but when a passion for Taylor Swift unifies a couple, you know they play for keeps. I am so thankful this couple chose Myrtle Beach as their wedding destination.

Christina is a Northern-Southern belle. I still can’t get over how beautiful her bridal pictures were on the bridge taken at the Dunes Club in Myrtle Beach! Her groom, Nathan, is a man of many talents. From playing in the band, swinging golf clubs to keeping a smile on Christina’s face, he just rocks it. One of my favorite moments of the day was their first look. As Christina came around the corner, the two joined hands and made a pinkie promises to each other before turning to see the other. When Nathan saw his bride, all words left him because of her beauty. Christina rested on the arm of his chair and presented his groom’s gifts, Nathan kept saying that they were the best presents ever. That softness and gratitude engulfed the two of them and was shared through the entire day.

You could tell the couple planned each symbolic and meaningful moment for themselves and their guests. We couldn’t have asked for better weather either. I loved their portraits on the golf greens and the sunset. One in particular mimicked the bride’s mother’s wedding picture. Her father was holding her mother in his arms. For generations to come, I hope they share enjoyment at seeing the images side by side.

Myrtle Beach has been the couple’s favorite vacation spot and its vendors helped their ceremony and reception become a masterpiece. The bride and their families baked approximately 3,000 cookies (a Pittsburg tradition) as the couple’s wedding favors and I think that everyone who came from out of town would agree they had more than enough sugar to take with them for the drive back to Pennsylvania.

As for every couple meant to be, there was Disney’s Mickey and Minnie….oh, and of course a Rolls Royce!

We hope you had a blast in Hawaii!

Vendors:

Hair/Makeup: Artistry on Location

Location & Catering: The Dunes Club

Entertainment: Paul Grimshaw Band

Wedding Cake: Coccadotts Cake Shop

Wedding Favors:Bride’s Family

Wedding Dress: MB Bride

Getaway Car: RSG Event Designs

Wedding Carriage Ride

July 12, 2016 by Carl Kerridge

Someone’s favorite Disney movie must have been Cinderella, and why not? Cinderella and her prince got the wedding carriage ride, so our Myrtle Beach couple did too!

Kerri and Jeffery are a fun couple. I couldn’t have thought of any better way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Everything about this wedding was magical, from jumping the broom to the sparkler exit. Adding the harpist for the ceremony created so much ambiance to the wedding too. The large group shot with the horse and carriage, was one of the most hilarious parts of the day. Not wanting to startle the little pony, I asked everyone to quietly hip-hip-hooray and put their hands in the air. The entire group did just exactly that! It was awesome!

After the couple’s wedding carriage ride, we ventured upstairs to a stunning reception room. Corina Silva did a stunning job with the design of the ceremony and receptions atmosphere. It was filled with tasteful decor, lovely personal touches, and bold colors. Who could forget the dance off?! Jeffery was so laid back and entertaining and Kerri’s choices proved to be top notch in all respects, even after the wedding.

It’s becoming more rare to receive thank-you notes. I was pleasantly surprised to open my mail box and find envelopes for me and my assistant. Every thoughtful and purposeful action of their wedding was a reflection of who the couple were as people. I whole-heartedly enjoyed our letters. I have deep gratitude and fond memories of Kerri and Jeff, and look forward to keeping in touch with the bride and groom. Last but not least, yes, they are living happily every after!

To see more of their special day, check out their wedding video in the link below!

Kerri and Jeffery’s Wedding Montage

Vendors:

Cake: Krystal Agic at Cake That Inc.

Dj: Joe Durivage at Myrtle Beach DJ

Floral Arrangements: Corina Silva

Location and Catering: Island Vista Resort

Hair: Sara at Fantastic SAMs

Wedding Dress: Bridal Nook

Harpist: Becky Nissen

Wedding Carriage Ride: S and S Carriage Rides

Wedding Details

July 5, 2016 by Carl Kerridge

The most important of the wedding details is love.

“Love is overcoming obstacles, facing challenges…” I’ve read the quotes plenty of times, I think all couples do. When was the last time you sat and consciously appreciated love by itself? When it comes to a wedding, it is so easy to get consumed in all the wedding details. In the hype of all the planning and decorating, how do you make love stand out more than everything else?

Lisa and Will, a lovely couple, planned a destination wedding here in Myrtle Beach. Lisa perfected the day and Will brought the humor. While we were shooting, I kept thinking that this is a strong woman and a strong couple and yet so easy going. It was hard not to relax into this family. So what was the difference, right?

One of Lisa’s wedding details was a golden broach with turquoise and white stones. I remember carefully laying it down and positioning it in macro shots and taking great care of giving it back to her. It was Will’s grandmother’s, and she wouldn’t be attending. I imagine it tenderly touched the groom’s heart when he saw the broach on his bride’s bouquet. It is little acts of thoughtfulness like this that speaks volumes in quite corners and years to come.

It also reminded me how it isn’t the struggles that end up defining us, but the commitment to overcoming the struggles together. How many times do we realize these truths unless they’re staring us in the face? It’s, “fighting to be together, holding on and never letting go.” I believe to speak anything of Lisa and Will’s wedding is to say that they do this, they love in the kindest of ways, and I believe they will have many joyous years dancing to, “I’m Yours.”

Before the day was over, my couple reminded me of one other very important detail….Have every bit of fun along the way.

To see more of their wedding day, check out the video below:

Vendors:

Location and Caterer: Brighton Towers at Kingston Plantation

Floral Arrangements: Kelly Byers at Little Shop of Flowers

Invitations: Kathleen at The Find Sac

Unity Glass: Etch Art

Entertainment: Chris B. at Myrtle Beach DJs

Hair: Jonas Marc Style Studio

Triton Shell Blower: Jim

Makeup: Bobby from MAC at Belk at Coastal Grand Mall

Cake: The Bride’s Mother, Mrs. Bullin

Balloons: Christine at Party Maker

Embroidered Ball-caps: Sew Wonderfully Made 4 U

Customized Paddles: Cathy at Sea Weed Designs

Wedding Dress: Dress by Impression Bridal

Tuxedos: Men’s Warehouse

Wedding Arbor: Cindy Zackman at Bamboo Arbors

Videographer: Nick Andrews Productions

Young love: Wedding at the Train Depot

November 21, 2015 by Carl Kerridge

As a photographer along the Grand Strand, I thoroughly enjoyed this once in a lifetime wedding at the Historic Myrtle Beach Train Depot. The train depot is cherished in the hearts of many locals. It began as a transport hub, bringing families to the coast. Through its journey, the depot was always a part of travelers’ memories. It’s restoration was its own love story, one that blossomed with patience, determination, and everlasting merriment. As the City of Myrtle Beach would say, it is an, “active link to the city’s past and a focal point of its future.”

Speaking about past and future, I personally knew Roosevelt before his nuptials. He supported me and my wife’s venture in to charity work under Global Awareness Project. I was not surprised when the train depot’s timeless history spoke to our sweethearts wedding plans too. The couple mixed the vintage style of the Train Depot with a multi-cultural guest list and used the area’s natural attractions and landscape to personify the wedding theme of “Endless love.”

The beauty and innocence of young love is a powerful emotion – it can leave you speechless and with very wet handkerchiefs. There’s something about when a bride lets a tear slip during her vows, it has its own volume in silence. Those tears of joy became contagious.

Don’t think this crew doesn’t know how to party, though! I saw friends doing impressions for song lyrics, female friends hoisting the groom in his photo, and “cheers” springing up in regular intervals. Tempered with laughter, the reception showered us with sass, class, and attitude!

As I relive the day, I just want to say, “Cheers with happiness and longevity to this beautiful union.”

If you would like to see more and learn about Carl Kerridge Photography, please visit my Website or find me on Facebook. Want to know my favorite photo from the day? Well of course, I’d save the best for last.