8-15-2020
Where do we even start with this amazing couple? They were some of the first to know about our pregnancy, they have kept us going with “The Office” memes during Covid-19, among so many other things that just put them in a spot close to our hearts. One thing that we love about what we do for a living is the fact that we are able to see people that we have come to know and love tie the knot on one of the happiest days of their lives. When we get the chance to do engagement sessions with our couples and meet beforehand, we find that we have skin in the game and are so invested and happy for them and that was definitely the situation here. Anyways, onto the wedding day story!
We were doing photo and video for this wedding and had our third shooter Tom with us to help cover everything so we met up with him and got there early to walk around the venue space a little and get familiar since we had not photographed a wedding out there yet. After that we went into the bridal suite to say hey to all of the girls and grab some details to go photograph while they were half way into makeup and everything still so we did that and eventually during the getting ready process the guys were ready so, after I filmed a little part of Sarah reading her card to Brendan, Tom and I took the guys outside and did the group photos and some individuals of Brendan as well. We then finished up with Sarah getting ready and took the girls outside and once we got back inside it was time to setup for the father daughter first look, and first touch for Brendan and Sarah where they would read their notes to each other. By that time it was getting super close to time for the ceremony so I left Morgan and Tom to do the Mother Son first look while I went and setup another camera for the ceremony video and was joined shortly by the rest of the team. Everything went perfectly and it held off raining just long enough for everyone to get under the covering and most of the ceremony to be over with. They said their I do’s and the priest was actually hilarious and made some unexpected jokes and everyone made their way back up the aisle and then it started raining again so we all hid out under a covered porch just around the corner while we waited to go back for family formal photos at the ceremony area and it didn’t take long at all. We knocked those out and then walked over to the green up on a hill for the full wedding party group photos and some couples photos. A rainbow ended up popping up in the background for a few minutes before it faded away, you can actually spot a little bit of in the first bridal party photo on the green.
Fast forward a little, the introductions and dances all take place and the couple’s first dance was beautifully choreographed to Frank Sinatra’s “Fly me to the moon”. Once they finished all of the dances and we got to the speeches, Sarah’s dad took the first speech to thank everyone and welcome them to the reception. He started by pulling out a long piece of paper from his coat pocket and stated that it was the receipt for the wedding day and you could tell no one was prepared for the joke because everyone laughed so loud and the couple looked so surprised that he broke the paper out like that. All of the other reception moments were perfect and once they got to the open dance floor, the dj threw out some hits by Smash Mouth and Sarah sang every single word while they were surrounded by friends. If that doesn’t perfectly describe how fun they are, I am not sure what does.
A little bit of time passed and it was time for the couples grand exit to their limo so, we got everyone lined up outside and started lighting the sparklers. They exited out and everyone cheered for them and they were intentional about stopping one last time before getting in the limo to look back and say bye to everyone which was just a sweet moment. They then got into the limo and had a few bags thrown into the trunk before the road off into the night to go on their honeymoon to Montego Bay! Needless to say that we are honored to call them friends and cannot wait to see what else happens in the lives of the Dufek family! #IdotoDufek
Vendors List
Photography - Beauty & Beard Photography @beautyandbeardphoto
Venue and Catering — Champions Retreat Golf Club
Coordination — Tracy Yahn Events
Florist — Martina’s Flowers and Gifts
Cake — Delightful Bites Cakery
DJ — Heart of Soul DJ & Entertainment
Ceremony Musician — Tom Reed
Rentals — Ranco Event Rentals and Flowers on Broad
Transportation — Celebrity Limos
Officiant — Father Kurt Miller from St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church
Dress — Justin Alexander from Adore Bridal Boutique
Suit — Joseph Abboud from Men’s Wearhouse
Groom’s Shoes — Allen Edmonds
Jewelry — Helzberg Diamonds
Bridesmaid Hair — Laura Garrett from Tease Color + Hair Design Studio
Bridal Hair — Alysia Collins (just a family friend)
Makeup — The Artistry of Marque Hill
Tanning — Blush and Glow Studio
Nails — Ocean Nails and Spa
