...and Marisa Janee of Jessica Jones Salon. These two were a perfect team!
I love the excited hustle and bustle of wedding day mornings! There were so many preparations going on, but this group kept it fun and relaxed, thanks in part to some yummy snacks and some Disney tunes! :)
While they were getting ready to go, I grabbed some detail shots of the gorgeous rings and the lovely invitations (by UPS!). How cute is this little map of Ocean Springs, complete with all the important landmarks?! This couple was really looking out for their out-of-town guests. They wouldn't want anyone to miss out on any of our culinary favorites; Caboose Cones, Lovelace Drugs, Chef Scott's, Greenhouse on Porter, and Tatonut are all clearly marked! :)
We headed just around the corner to our very own First Presbyterian Church. I know I'm partial, but isn't it beautiful?
I got to church just as the flowers (by Chez Charles) were arriving. I love these bright colors!
The bold bouquets were the perfect complement to these beautiful dresses. The subtle pink of the bridesmaids' dresses (from Bridals by Lori) was so pretty, and the intricate lace detail of Khloe's Oleg Cassini gown was truly exquisite.
And check out these Nina shoes! The platforms, the heels, the bling...so glamorous! And they must not have been too uncomfortable, because the bride walked in them like a champ! (But don't worry, she did change into flip flops later. ;))
It really was a team effort to get this stunning bride perfectly put together.
There were so many sweet behind-the-scenes moments with these lovely ladies, but I must say my favorite was when the adorable flower girl serenaded us all with "Jesus Loves Me," including all three verses (who knew?!) and sign language! It was too sweet for words.
Meanwhile, the guys were next door in Fellowship Hall putting on their fancy Calvin Klein tuxes.
Throughout the pre-ceremony part of the day, there was a lot of gift-giving going on. A joke was made in the ceremony about how much these two like getting gifts, but it's clear that they love giving them, too! There was a tie clip from the bride to her dad, new monogram jewelry from the mother of the groom to the bride, a new watch for the groom from the bride, the same new watch from the groom to his groomsmen... I honestly lost track of all the gifts! It was impressive!
While the guys stayed hidden away, the ladies came outside into the perfectly even light for some beautiful portraits.
Aren't these ladies gorgeous?
The guys were looking pretty sharp, too!
One thing I'd never done before: a father/daughter first look! How cute is this?!
Did you know that according to tradition, the bridal bouquet is the final gift from the groom to the bride before they tie the knot? This was news to me when Khloe told me, but it made for an adorable moment when Walker "gave" the bouquet to his blushing bride--without seeing her!
Guests began to arrive to the sanctuary, signing their names in the lovely DIY guestbook (which included some of the couple's beautiful engagement photos).
After they found their seats, the processional began with the bagpipe stylings of the incredibly talented Steve Collins...
...and ended, of course with this grand entrance!
The ceremony, officiated by our own Rev. Scott Castleman, was short but so heartfelt. The scripture reading was Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12, one of my absolute favorites for weddings (and one of the ones Alex and I chose for our own wedding).
Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
I think it's safe to saw that Khloe and Walker agree that two are indeed better than one! :)
The light outside was still perfect for these shots of the family and wedding party.
My favorite part of this wedding day was the portrait time with just the bride and groom. It is such a joy to be the one documenting the way a brand new husband and wife look at each other. That romance combined with a cloudy sky and beautiful trees had me in photographer heaven, and I think these are my favorite bride & groom portraits to date.
See what I mean?! It doesn't get much better than this.
At last, it was time to head just down the block to the Ocean Springs Community Center for the reception. The pretty centerpieces plus the amazing Walter Anderson wall murals made for the perfect backdrop to this fun party!
There were so many friendly faces ready to celebrate!
After a tasty dinner (also provided by Chez Charles)...
...came the precious first dances.
The cake and cupcakes by French Kiss were so sweet, literally and figuratively.
I loved the sentiment of the cake-topper, too. In a culture that often seems to elevate weddings above marriages, it is so refreshing to remember this day is the beginning of something even greater.
After the cake was cut (and gobbled up!), DJ White Hat (aka Timothy Johnson) kept the music coming, and the dance floor was packed!
There were some seriously good dancers! I was particularly impressed by the kids' moves. Check out those girls whipping their hair back and forth--ha!
After dark...
...the bouquet and garter were tossed...
...and the crowd kept partying!
The DJ warned us that there was time for only one more song, and I love that you can tell what it was from the photos. :)
The guests each grabbed a wedding wand (made by the bride herself!) to wave as the new Mr. and Mrs. made their exit.
These newlyweds were sent off in style!
I am so happy for these two. Their love for each other is beautifully evident, and I know their cord of three strands will not be broken. Congratulations, Khloe and Walker!