Two weddings in one weekend are always fun! Erika & Luke’s was great. It’s fun when you know half the guest at the wedding. Why you ask? Well collectively we’ve shot three other weddings for these families. To be honest thats what keeps us busy. It’s all about doing a great job and being asked back to shoot again for their siblings or cousins. When we arrived at the house to start with Erika and the girls it was a very calm and relaxed scene. The ladies we’re ready to go and Erika looked stunning. Then it was off to St Jude’s Church for a nice mass and some nuptials as well. Luke being track fan wanted to stop off in front of Saratoga Race Track to snap a quick bridal party. It was one of those quick shots that took all of three minutes. We don’t believe in jeopardizing the whole day with formal photos and dragging around bridal parties to the point that they become annoyed. Don’t get me wrong we do take formal photos because they are important we just don’t take all day doing them. We’ve had wedding parties come up and personally thank us, true story. But back to the blog… We then arrived at the Hall of Springs and shot some of those fun shots for a couple minutes. Erika and Luke delayed the start of the cocktail hour for about an hour so for their guests to take their time getting to the hall. This wasn’t a game day decision, it was planned. It also allowed for photos and them to enjoy every single minute of that sweet Glen Sanders cocktail hour. The party was fun and City Rhythm held it down for the evening. The Hall of Springs also busted out some sliders and grilled cheese sandwiches later in the evening. Everyones belly was full! All and all another great one in the books. Congrats to Erika & Luke and thanks for having us around to capture your day!

Enjoy, leave love.
JP

I told you she looked stunning…

I always love this shot.

Since the track did just open for their 2009 season this week…

Totally candid and real… Look at Luke playing with that ring.

Two Elario angles of the same scene here:

Probably my favorite of the day.

Classic b&w style.

Luke & the guys..

Erika & the girls..

Those blue minutes of the night.

My favorite of the night.

The photo booth is rocking! A huge success here. The guests were loving it. How bout that sweet damask print backdrop?

How many JEP brides and grooms can you count?

How fitting that this is my 200th blog post! Why you ask? Because Stephen is the mastermind behind the whole design of my blog. His company equali simply rocks! You might remember a few weeks ago I posted an engagement session with Sherry & Stephen and in that post I wrote that they had 17 days to go until they tie the knot. Well that night took place just this past Friday. Mother nature as always dictated the night and flow of things and although it was an on and off rainy evening it didn’t dampen any spirits.

So when Sherry & Stephen first told me all about their wedding and how they wanted to do it I was stoked. I really love events that are low key, relaxed, all at one location and fun. That being said this one had it all. So they said they wanted to have it in their backyard and worked their butts off to get it in tip top shape by July 24th. From ripping out a pool, laying down sod, building a sweet fire pit, re-building the stairs, major landscaping and painting these two had their hands full. I’m sure I’m leaving stuff out too. Anyway, I admit when I was at their house in April and saw what they had ahead of them I was like good luck with that one. The transformation was jaw dropping. Sure Stephen was up until 2 or 3 in the morning the night before working and the day of but it totally paid off because the place looked spectacular.

So 20 or so of Sherry & Stephen’s closest friends and family were asked to join them while they say “I will” on July 24th 2009. I have to say that Kris Ann and myself were honored to be considered in that close circle of guests. It’s always fun working for friends when there as sweet as Sherry & Stephen. So when we arrived it was absolutely gorgeous outside, the sky’s were blue and the sun was shining. Who’d a thought there was any threat of rain? We arrived early and Kris Ann was putting her finishing touches on the table and chairs. For some of you new readers Kris Ann is my fiance who happens to own one of the area’s fastest growing flower shops, Fleurtacious Designs. As you’ll see below her work is simply stunning. The caterers were on the scene doing their thing while Stephen sat on his steps sipping on a dark beer and he said to me “it feels good to not have to do any work right now.” Sherry was upstairs getting into her beautiful gown. Everything running smooth and flawless. So I shot some photos of Sherry and her daughters Alix and Cade while Stephen worked on his shave and got dressed. About five minutes after their first look guests started arriving and the rain began to drop. Rather than jump right into the vows they planned to entertain their guests with some butler passed hors d’oeuvres and cocktails. We we’re planning on starting the ceremony around 6:30 but held off until 7:15 when mother nature was kind enough to hold off on raining for about seven or eight minutes. I kid you not, when they kissed it began to start sprinkling. So now its time to eat! It had been a while since I worked with Classé Catering and I must say Brian and his crew did a fantastic job. The food was just awesome. The fire was cooking and out came the marshmallows. Then they cut the cake while everyone watched on. There were some nice words at the end of the night from Sherry & Stephen thanking each and every guest but now its my turn to thank the bride and groom for having me capture and be part of their awesome night. Thanks & congrats guys!

Enjoy, leave love.
JP

On with the post. Fun fact: Stephen designed Sherry’s ring.

Taking some much needed chill time.

Sherry told Kris Ann she wanted lots of color. Some fleurs by Fleurtacious Designs.

Since Stephen plays a mean bass I had to sneak it in somehow. How pretty does Sherry look?

Sherry and her girls Alix & Cade.

I love that Cade rocked the orange Chuck Taylors. How awesome is that grass though?

One of my favorites of Sherry.

How sweet is their first look series?

One quick shot before the rain. One of my favorites.

Wow. That table is awesome!

Kris Ann really did a great job.

Love it!

Little moments like this happened all night long.

Yummy eats.

This was about two minutes before we started the ceremony and is easily my #1 favorite of the night.

Although there was an umbrella in this photo there really was no need. Mother nature hooked us up and stopped the rain for 7-8 minutes.

Just long enough to say “I will”.

Here’s another on of those real moments.

The photographer and florist had to get in one photo!

The blue minutes of the summer evenings would be my favorite time of night.

You know you want one right now.

The cake!

Another real one. I’m telling you this just happened, I didnt ask! So I’ll close with this because it looks like it should close this post.

Its that time of the season when I get a fat box of some wedding goodness delivered to us. That box always contains the new issue of Well Wed magazine. Its always exciting because I’m usually a part of the magazine every issue. Since issue one we’ve had our work displayed and featured throughout the pages. I believe this is the  fifth or sixth issue and I’ve shot four gown shoots and we’ve had two feature weddings under our belts, needless to say we’re very honored to be part of the Well Wed family. Not to toot my own horn too much but since we’re talking numbers this is my third cover! All I can say is thank you, thank you, thank you to Krista Washburn and the Well Wed fam for making us look cool issue after issue.

Now brides! Go out and get yourself the fall winter 2009 Well Wed. Its got endless pages of information. From color schemes to wedding etiquette this should be a brides the secret weapon when it comes to planning her wedding. I’ll also ad its filled with the areas best vendors from photogs, florists, entertainment and anything else you can think of. We’re all in good company.

A note about the shoot…. I don’t know where the hell in Vermont I was but we shot at an old train station and it rocked. Krista always has a vision and its so fun working with her ideas while putting my photographic twist on it. I shot along side my buddy Vermont Wedding Photographer Barrie Fisher and we crushed it. Barrie shot (with her camera) the brown haired model and I shot the blonde. I feel like a idiot for not remembering their names so if anyone wants to give them to me I’d be glad to throw some props their way. This was shot back in April just to put a scope on how much time goes into this publication.

Enjoy, leave love.
JP

ps. Make sure you read Krista’s awesome “comment of the year” below in the comment box. Krista, the feelings are mutual.

So if you come into my office you’ll always find one of these on display. Please take one.

I pulled the hat trick here:

Some of my favorite spreads from the gown shoot.

Now here are some of my images I’ve been dying to share with you all since April. Two of my fav’s in the old cart.

This one is probably my #1 favorite shot from the whole day.

Another fav, part of the cover image series.

The tones, warmth and lighting on this are rockin.

A few behind the scenes shots. Barrie and I do a lot of waiting while the models change.

A few of me doing my thang!

Thats a wrap! Another one in the books or should I say on the magazine stands?

I spent this past Sunday morning wondering around Saratoga Springs with Alissa & Shane and taking some pics while doing so. These guys are so fun! I’m excited for their October 2009 wedding, it’s going to be a blast to shoot. Seriously photographing someone who’s a performer such as Alissa makes my job real easy. We chose to shoot in toga because Alissa & Shane met at Skidmore college and spent quite a few years in this area. Basically when it comes down to it Saratoga rocks! Make sure you come back in late October to look for their blog, Alissa & Shane promised me they would work on their goofy faces and moves for the wedding. I can’t wait to see what they bring!

Enjoy, leave love.
JP

So we’ll set it off with some nice clean b&w’s

I just love this one:

Look at Shane checking out that beautiful bling.

Like I said, they can be totally goofy. Easily my favorite series!

They can also be fun!

Another fun one.

They wanted a shot at this spot since they had many dates here.

Wardrobe change & back to school.

They used to meet up here all the time. A fun little series.

Alissa preforming a little.

Since their weddings at the hall I suggested we hit up the avenue of pines for a few. Probably my favorite shot of the dressier clothing.

Why not?

Loving this series too:

A couple more goof shots.

This might be in the running for my favorite token bling shot this season.