These belated posts will have a different ring to them, instead of a play by play I’d just like to share a few of the memories that have stuck with me since then!

Kent & Alisha’s engagement photos were memorable because we double teamed them, not letting mother nature best us in the quest to celebrate their upcoming wedding! Their Fall and Spring sessions had us chatting like old friends on their wedding date. Oh, and one thing I surely remember about their wedding date is that it was, hands down, the hottest day of the year!

This next photo was taken by my then intern Julie! She did a great job with the guys photos! The 2nd shot is one I caught of her in action while I peaked out the window of the bridal room.

The flower girl studied every little part of Alisha that day, as if she was royalty.

Their wedding was truly a worship service. Alisha’s father served them communion and I think that almost everyone was crying by the end.

Another of Julie’s shots as these girls wanted a better view.

Her mom surprised the newlyweds and their bridal party by renting a party bus to take them from the ceremony to the reception. The reception venue was unique and awesome. The rooftop of a parking deck. I know what you’re thinking, but just keep skimming this post, it was absolutely classy, fun, original, and filled with details!

We snuck away from some alone photos and neither of them was at all concerned with the crazy temperatures!

They had incredible centerpieces!

The best possible view of the sunset over the blue ridge mountains.

One of my favorite touches were these street signs that marked some of the tables letting guests know where to sit but also serving as reminders of places that had been special during Kent and Alisha’s relationship.

This is probably my very favorite moment. During one of their engagement sessions Alisha gave me a heads up that her dad always did something crazy at each wedding (she was the last of his three daughters to get married) and that I could look forward to seeing what he’d have in store at hers. And it was a duet with her husband. And tears and laughter.

my favorite garter shot yet!

Oh man, for our last shot, there was some awesome dancing going on. What an incredible event! I hope this super late post just serves as a great reminder of the wonderful party you two planned for your family and friends!

PS. Our workflow is different now and there are some who caught a glimpse of these photos RIGHT after the wedding (within three days actually, lol) those lucky people are the Facebook fans of S. Carter Studios. If you’d like to be alerted to the newest content then join up!

I won’t lie, I have a little bit of lash envy!

They opted for a first look after having seen the great photos from Gavin & Kelsey’s and I’m so glad they did!

It gave us lots of time for photos of just the two of them and their really fun bridal party!

I wasn’t kidding about the day!

They were married at a lovely church just a block away from my house!

and after all that waiting, they became husband and wife.

We headed over to the lovely West Manor to celebrate! There were loads of great details, food and dancing.

Kimberly and I joked that she was my first Friday bride, my first red cake and several other firsts. Not too shabby to plan a wedding with such impact!

These were absolutely delicious as were the toppings located just to the left! Gotta love a make your own mashed potatoes bar.

We’ll finish this post with the best garter retrieval of 2010.

Kelsey was the only bride I was able to give her ornament to in person. She had such a fun reaction!

She was an absolutely stunning bride!

Gavin and Kelsey chose to do a first look. This gave us lots of time to take photos of them and their wedding party. This was Gavin’s face as he saw his bride for the first time.

and Kelsey’s as she walked toward her groom. PS. First glimpse as those perfect little blue shoes!

You may remember, it was really, really cold this day in Lynchburg so we let Kelsey defrost a little and took pictures of the guys first. They were great!

West Manor was a great location for the photos and their reception!These ladies were amazing, not complaining one bit and looking good while sticking it out!

I could have taken pictures of  just these two all day long. Really.

My very favorite from the whole day!

Kelsey, wow, just WOW.

BLING, bling.

I may, have had a crush on her shoes, maybe.

Oh, yeah, there was a ceremony too!

I just can’t get enough of brides on the arms of their fathers! So much significance in this one little moment.

Two noteworthy things about this image: these candles are the same ones that Gavin used the night he proposed to Kelsey, there were over a hundred of them that night! The second is explained by the photo below it.

This is how I know i have the best brides. Kelsey was so chill about this! Oops, oh well.

A brief pause to share some of their great details!

It never gets old

seeing my work at receptions!

Alex, Angi and I with the bride, me reaching toward Solomon who had rapid fired a few shots by this point. Thought it would be a funny addition to the post

This mother son dance had the whole room misty-eyed. Gavin and his mother took turns letting tears slip between laughs and hugs. It was absolutely precious.

Love this photo of Gavin’s mom showing Kelsey’s dad the little birthday cake they gave her after the first dance. So sweet of her to share her birthday with the newlyweds.

there was dancing, lots of really, fun, dancing.

The newlyweds left in a flash of sparklers to their honeymoon in the mountains of TN.

I couldn’t get enough of these super cute kiddos.

We headed up to the monogram and had some stunning light to work with.

They had their reception at the same place Josh and I did and it was the first time I’d been there since. I just think there is something a little magical about this building. I’m probably biased.

A super cute and original cake topper.

Despite feeling under the weather, she sang a song to him that she’d been singing to the Lord for years about finding her love.

What a beautiful, wonderful night. Thank you for letting me share it with you!

Total, they exchanged two gifts a piece as the minutes flew by before their wedding. Josh captured Stephen writing the note that accompanied a Bible for Leslie with her new name on it. The best part, she had bought a Myers Family Bible that he opened only a few minutes later.

Reason # 54690 that I love my husband? Photos like the two below!

The ladies were stunning!

One of my very favorite unity candle shots.

The flower girl couldn’t wait to see Leslie.

neither could Stephen. Later, I asked him what he was thinking as she walked down the aisle. His response, “Don’t cry, don’t cry, don’t cry.”

I’m glad someone was filming because I’m not sure they heard most of what Jay said. The majority of their time up front was spent just like this.

Just like that, they were married!

And then there was dancing!

Grandma started dancing here and was one of the last ones off the dance floor at the reception!

When we got to the reception site, we were told that we’d be welcome to take a ride on the golf carts to get some shots around the course. HECK YES we did.

Eventually (begrudgingly, lol) we joined back up with the wedding party to take a few more before enjoying a great meal at the Boonsboro Country Club.

One of my all time favorite wedding party photos!

After the formal dances, dinner was served and then the dancing ensued. The shot below is of Leslie’s parents dancing to the song they had their first dance to!

The fan began and didn’t quit!

The guys got really excited and lifted Stephen into the air!

The girls responded by lifting Leslie and then the guys, not to be outdone, picked up and tossed her a few times too. This photo is priceless!

The maid of honor, Holly, snatched the bouquet like a pro! Look at that height!

Even more dancing as the girls responded to the guys dance-off-challenge. I’ll let you decide for yourselves but I’m pretty sure the guys dominated.

and sometime several hours later, they said their goodbyes and went off to the Dominican Republic! You can imagine that we were exhausted and elated at the end of it all but most of all, so very thankful to have been a part of their wedding.

They watched a slide show during the ceremony from a park bench on the stage. It was a very sweet and touching time.

I loved some of the sweet dance moves I saw exhibited from Melanie’s nursing friends. She had just graduated the week before the wedding!!