Litchfield Plantation Wedding: I Love You, I Know

May 15, 2017 by Carl Kerridge

Episode IV: 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.

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.

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.

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!!

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…

Photography – Carl Kerridge Photography

Planner and Florist – Gigi Noelle Events

Catering – Creative Catering

Hair and Makeup – Bobby Pins & Blushing Brides

Venue – Litchfield Plantation

Cake – Coccadotts Cake Shop

Band – Sonic Spectrum

Horse and carriage – Heritage Carriages

Rentals – Hotz Rentals

Lighting – MC Sound and Light

Southern Bride and Rosewood Manor

March 15, 2017 by Carl Kerridge

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Love, Time, and Sweet Moments

March 15, 2017 by Carl Kerridge

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

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.

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 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!

Destination Wedding Photographer

January 19, 2017 by Carl Kerridge

What don’t I love about being a destination wedding photographer?

Their really is only one thing about being a destination wedding photographer that I don’t love – hauling lots of equipment through airports and hoping it arrives safely. But the rewards pay that off from the minute I check in.

There are plenty of reasons for couples to consider destination weddings: A mini vacation, family resorts and maybe beaches or mountains that you don’t live close to. Not only that, they can mean more exciting wedding pictures for the bride and groom! Who wouldn’t want that?

As a veteran photographer, I’m going to be honest and confess that I am guilty of shooting at designated spots that I know all wedding parties will love. I call them my “frequent flyer zones”. They are beautiful spots, have great available light and they always work! However, after 15+ years in this business, I can tell you from personal experience that I value new and inspiring locations that offer exciting challenges. Being a destination wedding photographer and traveling to a new location offers an opportunity to break out of the box, open your eyes to a fresh terrain, and tempt the visual senses. If you are one of our wedding couples planning your destination wedding, you have challenged us to work with this blank canvas and make it awesome. It’s thrilling and of course we accept!

One of the best things about being a destination wedding photographer is that when we get home, there’s a sense of newness to everything around us. Those frequent flyer zones? Well, all of the sudden we have a new set of eyes for those too. We find ourselves seeing everything “for the first time” again. Experiencing the magic of your wedding day makes its impact on us. We are able to serve you more dynamic and incredibly creative memories just because we’ve restored our mind, body and spirit. It drives the heart of every destination wedding photographer to guarantee you a successful wedding with photojournalistic and fine art images.

As water is the essence of the body and wisdom the essence of mind, then travel is the essence of spirit. To book your destination wedding with us please contact us via email – [email protected] – and we can make the travel arrangements!

St. Augustine, Florida

Norwich, England

New York, New York

Allahabad, India

Airlie Gardens, Wilmington, North Carolina

Montreal, Canada

Loveland, Colorado

Belin Methodist Church, Murrells Inlet, South Carolina

West Point, New York

Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

Winter Garden, Colorado

Dunes Club, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Wachesaw Plantation, Litchfield, South Carolina

Pawley’s Island, South Carolina

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.