During Wedding Season, I often get asked, "Who would you suggest for such and such service?" and this is a tricky question to answer. I base my recommendations on things like: reliability; personality; technique; skill; and proper equipment. I will only recommend a person that runs a legitimate business. I am really excited to share this particular wedding, because she made so many amazing choices and I think it might help another bride who is starting the journey.

When planning something as important as your Wedding Day, make sure the professionals you hire reflect back to you all the qualities you find most important. Keep in mind that the people you hire are giving time, and often more than you could really imagine, to make your day the best they can. They want you to have all the details exactly the way you would like to see them. That takes really talking to the various individuals that you are looking to hire and communicating every detail in your head clearly. It is true that often these vendors will have tons of experience and can quickly point out if something will be too complicated, or may even have a better idea to offer you. Be open to suggestions and try to see it as a partnership, because that is really what it is. These folks that spend weekends after weekends arranging flowers, cakes, and playing first dance songs will be part of your happily ever after. Love the people you hire on you wedding day and set them up for success because, believe me, nobody wants you to love that day more than they do, their jobs depend on it.  

And with all that said, I am going to say with DEEP appreciation, that it was a privilege to be with Andy and Sandi on the day of their Wedding. We had real moments of tears, laughter,  and all sprinkled with a year's worth of communication. I adored every second of being with them, and it did not feel like work. I felt extremely appreciated. Let me say that again, I felt extremely appreciated by both of them. I even got a little choked up when her new "husband" came over to tell me that he was thankful for everything I did.  That is the best feeling in the world to any photographer or other professional who spends that special day with you. 

Here is a nice little run down of details:

Makeup was done by:  Trish Allen of Image Insight. She was amazing and I loved watching her transform an already beautiful girl, to just elegant and radiant on her big day. Trish is a very warm-hearted person, and does beautiful work, a pleasure to be around for sure. She has a great web site and you can check it out here: www.imageinsight.me or call her at 352-215-2539.

Hair: There were several ladies' hair to be done, and Mallory Macy form 855 Salon and Spa, worked each Bridesmaids hair into perfection. Even by the end of the night, everyone's hair was still looking great. www.weddingwire.com

Then we have one of the BEST DJs I have ever heard. Beth Mitchell, is one of the few female DJs that you will come across. She came with some of the most modern and portable equipment, and setting up in two locations. She was excellent at keeping the flow going at the wedding and announcing when events would take place. I know there was an extensive list of songs, and she made the party happen for sure. Contact is on facebook under Beth Mitchell DJ Service: https://www.facebook.com/bmdjservice 

For the cake she used Confused Confections in Lexington. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Confused-Confections-Bakehouse-and-Gifts/81058774822

And incorporated each of their love of Georgia and Kentucky. 

The horse shoes came from her uncles Thourgbred farm; the Bradleys' Indian Ridge farm is home to some of Kentucky's finest horses and trained by Fred and William "Buff" Bradley. The famous Groupie Doll who won the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint in 2012 and 2013 and resides in retirement on this farm. Can you imagine, what an awesome thank you gift, and it doesn't get more Kentucky than that, does it! They also incorporated some of the wood from the barns to make signs.