S. Carter Studios

If all your photographer friends were honest they would admit that there are certain couples they wait on the edge of their seats for in hope will call as soon as they are engaged. For me, River & Collin were definitely one of those couples. Not only are they RIDICULOUSLY good looking but they have genuine hearts filled with love for each other, for their families, compassion & devotion to the Lord. Add it all up and it’s a knock out combination! Josh & I hung out with them several times over their engagement and got to know them well. Their engagement session was one for our record books, I mean a couple who is up for field photos, water balloons and high class downtown pics all in the same few hours, truly awesome! I knew their wedding would be an incredible event and I was right. They flew me to Indiana and as soon as I got there I knew I was part of the family. For starters, one of the bridesmaids was waiting outside with my name scribbled on the back of a pack of eyeliner to indicate the Town and Country was here for me. We arrived just in time for the rehearsal where nervous giggles and many, “I can’t believe it’s finally here”‘ statements were heard. River herself picked me up the day of the wedding, nervous, excited and happy to take me to grab some McDonalds for breakfast. It was wonderful to watch her undergo the transformation from bride to be to BRIDE! She looked absolutely breathtaking, with a dress to die for & a smile to match.

They opted for a first look and it was wonderful to be there as she shared a journal with him that she’d been writing in during their year long engagement, I melted my heart a little when she shared that it was inspired by my gift to Josh on our wedding day.

I gave them some privacy and took a few detail shots.

A note: the rocks below were handed out to the guests as they entered the ceremony. The pastor led the group in a prayer and asked them to silently pray for the new Mr and Mrs. The rocks were collected at the end of the ceremony and are displayed in their home!

While we waited for the ceremony to start, the guys  were pacing back and forth in a room listening to the US men’s world cup game (which we sadly lost) praying for a history making victory!

Don’t they look great as newlyweds!

After a joyous exit, we traveled to a property about half a mile down the road and I hit the photography jackpot! A private residence that we had complete access to and around every corner it got better and better! I could have literally shot there for HOURS.

I was IN LOVE with her gown. Beautiful on, in motion, laying still & easy to “poof”, just ask her Maid of Honor.

One of my absolute favorite all time wedding photos EVER taken.

and after they tore me away from that gorgeous place we had a great reception. These glasses were the same used at Collin’s parent’s wedding!

Happy to end this post with this: gorgeous, suave, classy & not afraid to get a little messy! Thank you so much my friends, Josh and I wish you the very best and can’t wait to make more memories with you!

Yes, it’s time for another rendition of Brasil team love-a-thon! First it was: Kyle, Julie, Naomi, Collin, Travis & David: now part 2 of Julie and Stephen! I met Julie on that trip and loved seeing her smiling face, especially when she was talking about Stephen. Even then, I think we all assumed they would get married. And I was thrilled when she called to tell me she wanted me to be there to celebrate with her! They couldn’t have picked a more beautiful location than The Inn at Kelly’s Ford was breathtaking and though the rain ruined our fun a little it provided some gorgeous clouds and cooled things off! I think the (many) images speak for themselves so enjoy a little bit of the Cinderella-esque wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Boice!

Such bold and vibrant colors were a dream to shoot!

Classic Julie wasn’t so bad either, lol.

aaanddd…more detail lovin

Love the engagement photo guest book!

So, the truth is that we faced some very ugly flood-like rainstorms during this crazy day. Inbetween two big storms we had a ceremony, well part of one, but I’d have to say that it was totally worth it!

One of the best reactions I’ve had the pleasure of being a part of!

Totally worth it for THIS entrance!

inbetween these two pictures it rained, a lot, and so we moved things inside, and in the end they were just as married as they would have been if we’d stayed outside. Plus, look at those faces!

a brief carriage ride for the newlyweds

Loved those moody skies!

My absolute favorite from the whole day

A great meal was served, toasts, cake AND dancing! Lots of hilarious dancing.

See, they agreed that the dancing was hilarious.

I snuck them out for a few more pictures and then they had a beautiful escape and traveled the whole 50 yards to their honeymoon silo!

It was brilliant and beautiful. I’m so glad I could be there!

Where to begin with this couple. Our friendship began when we took their spring engagement photos in 2009.  We bonded over shared love for the movie Hocus Pocus. I saw them during the year at James and Johnna’s wedding where they tore it up in the Photo Booth. Always excited and bubbly, we all looked forward to their wedding. Now, if you travel often you can imagine that it’sn ot always very fun or exciting to be gone every weekend and sometimesy ou dread the trip even if it’s worth it. I was battling this feeling when I woke up for my freakishly early flight to Atlanta for their wedding but as soon as Candace and her wonderful mom picked me up from the airport those thoughts completely disolved. It’s very unusual for the bride to be one to pick me up so that was quite a treat. They treated me like family and that’s what I was for the rest of the weekend. Family just as much as any other guest who was there. I joined their family and friends as we celebrated at probably the most laid back, simlpe wedding celebration I’ve been to in years. Enjoy a whole slew of photos from their event including lots of happy details!

The courtyard of the church hosted the reception and it was just gorgeous!

Awesome bridal shoes. Candace LOVES shoes. Really, she does.

A little surprise for the groom.

If you know Mike and Candace well you probably already know that they love the Lord, each other and people in general very much. This was so clear at their rehearsal dinner when they went around to the over 40 people in attendance and personally introduced each person and shared what an impact that person had on their relationship and why they were glad they were there. Including me! It was such a beautiful thing to see and be a part of. They just don’t make them like that all the time. Way to go Lumpkins and Thurmans! Example 2: Moments before walking down the aisle, Candace is filling out Thank You cards.

Okay, getting to the really good stuff.

These guys were killing me. Such a great group and so happy to pose.

A sweet moment as mom was dropped off by her sons.

After all those months, all that planning, all the waiting, they became Mr. and Mrs. Everyone was thrilled!

It was like a midafternoon dream. Gorgeous light shining, beautiful couple. No RAIN! It doesn’t get much better than this!

One of my all time favorites.

Oh yeah, there was a reception too, lol.

Gotta be one of the very best cake smashings I’ve been a witness to. Including my own!

The best part not showing here is when Candace’s mom came to help her followed by her Grandma. Mike was arms open ready to accept her help and was brushed past with quite a look, left to his own devices for cleaning up. It was too funny.

VICTORY!! For the maid of honor of the year who flew in early that morning and left that evening!

Just as quick as it started it was all over and the newlyweds left in a flurry of bubbles and laughter. Each time I look through these pictures I relive the experience, I could do this wedding 3 times a weekend. It was such a pleasure to hang out with these awesome people!

What a day indeed. You may remember Emily’s bridal portraits and how we were battling rain, the same was true on her wedding day! Off and on we were showered putting her outdoor Winridge Manor wedding & reception in jeopardy. It worked out in the end and yes, we were all a little damp but I think everyone there would agree that it was worth it. I’ve never been to a wedding that was so obviously crafted by the bride and her family. Emily’s mother made the bridesmaid dresses, Emily handcrafted Michael’s tie. From peacock feathers to hydrangeas Emily’s stamp was all over her wedding. It was a delightful combination of sweet & sassy! I’ll let the photos speak for themselves!

My, oh, my, how I was LOVING this vehicle!

See the picture below: a groom tearing up as he waits for his bride. Well, it was beyond welling, for both of them! Full on tears from start to finish. Emily’s started before the wedding when she accepted a phone call from him and through a tear smile relayed to her bridesmaids, “He’s just so good to me.”

The mist turned into a drizzle but I really don’t think Emily or Michael had a clue. They were pretty wrapped up in each other. It was just lovely.

It was beautiful and brief and then just like that they were husband and wife!

There weren’t many tears after that, just big joyful smiles.

Props to my intern Julie who lined this shot up!

Just a few horses in a pasture with mist rising up off of it, no big deal!

Loved their moms who held hands several times and celebrated God’s goodness together.

a sparkling exit

in the classic car

so classy. Thanks for letting me be a part of your celebration Emily & Michael It was such a pleasure to be there!

It’s a little ironic that Emily, Sharon and I were dodging raindrops on the day that we took these bridal portraits and that there were plenty of rain drops to be found on her wedding day as well. She was such a lovely bride & I think it could be argued had one of the most beautiful and unique weddings between crazy flash flooding, steady drizzle and one of the most gorgeous sunsets Virginia has to offer. Well, enough about her wedding, here some of her lovely bridal portraits that we kept unwraps until now!

She looks just like a princess waiting for a prince…

just to tease you a little, here’s a preview from her wedding! Unless you’re a Facebook Fan, in which case you would have seen this photo before they’d even left for their honeymoon!

Josh and I love to go exploring, it’s really something that we’re great at as a couple. Wandering around and finding cool things. So we decided a few weekends ago to discover Bedford, VA. It’s about half an hour from where we’re located in Lynchburg. One thing you must know about Bedford is that it shuts down around 5:00 pm, even on Saturdays. So we originally were feeling like our explorations were going to be a bust until we found this little gem. Take A Look at Bella Books!

It looked awesome even from the front, they had great and unique items inside but what made it even better was the pricing! Where some stores would take advantage of the cliental, Bella Books goes out of its way to find new homes for its products! So, if you’re in the market for table placements for your wedding, favors for the bridal shower you’re throwing, props for the next engagement session you’ve got planned, or just great books and cool decorations for your house we suggest you visit Bella Books. And don’t worry, they don’t close until 9 pm!

About those prices…seriously, green glass plates, a set of three for $12?

They have all kinds of stuff, kitchen ware, wall decor, china, jewelry, chairs, desks, cabinets and more. Plus their inventory is always being updated so no trip is wasted because you never know what they’re going to get in!

I’ll leave you with one last image, this China that I was almost begging Josh to let me get because it was simply beautiful! The entire set was less than $600.00, the teapot alone is worth more than half of that!

Sadly, Bella Books isn’t online but if you go to visit please let them know that a) we sent you & b) they need to get a website! haha. We had a great time there and can’t wait to return!

The memory is fresh in my mind, my face exhausted from all the smiling, the soles of my feet black from dancing with my shoes off and my glittering left hand being held gently by my HUSBAND! I can vividly recall that my excitement as we drove away from our reception. It’s hard to put into words but I plan to try. It’s the excitement of endless possibilities, the fruition of months and months of planning, the joy of having so many dear friends and family members celebrating with us. It was the fancy dress I had tried on so many times finally getting to see the sunlight (and on our day, snow, sleet and rain). The vacation that lay ahead and the comfort that I belonged to Josh and he belonged to me, officially! There is absolutely nothing like being a brand newlywed! I love that moment at each wedding when the couple clasps hands and heads into their future leaving the wedding behind them and marching forward into life together as it appears in the day to day variety without beautiful cakes and photographers following them around. This is why I stay, to the very tiring end, because the getaway is the beginning of that transition! It’s worth it to me to capture the very last minutes of that day that will forever mark the beginning of their lives as a family. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing many getaways and am happy to share a few with you! Assuming most of you don’t attend as many weddings as I do, I’m happy to provide some getaway categories with you too. Enjoy!

There are the sweet, classic getaways…

Michael & Brittany

Gerald & Erin

Justin & MaryJo

Mark & Maria

Then there’s the brave getaway (could also be called the messy getaway)

Eric & Tracy

Ryan & Kristina

Probably the messiest of all…EVER…Nate & Bekah

There’s been one foiled getaway…. Dayton & Rebekah. Planned by Rebekah’s band of brothers and the best man, they captured Dayton and tossed him into the pond behind the reception.

and last but certainly not least the glamorous getaway!

Peter & Marianne

Wayne & Lacey

Matt & Jen

Jon & Lindsay

The biggest and baddest of all glamorous getaways has to go to Josh & Michelle who took off on a beautiful Harley Davidson brought in JUST for the occasion.

Well, happy Thursday! I am excited, even more than usual to share with you today’s Take A Look. It’s about US! We’re officially ready to roll with our signature Photo Booth photography and have some great photos to share with you from the first two events we did with the whole set up. Which is quite a load really! Enjoy some photos and we’ll fill you in on the details!

First: Harner Family Photos. The Harners are a wonderful, eclectic family that we know from our church. This is actually a follow up to our 3 year anniversary give away. Preston (mom) entered to win and had to wait 10 months until her whole family could gather in one location. I’m so thankful they waited so we could customize this family shoot for them! Here are a few teasers and the slideshow to accompany them!

S. Carter Studios Platinum Photo Booth: The Harner Family from sabrena deal on Vimeo.

Second: If you follow me on twitter or if you are my Facebook friend then you know I’ve been working on Angi’s Bridal Shower for several weeks now. It happened on Tuesday and I we had a fantastic time! Here are some images from her booth!

My personal favorite from the night!

and a slideshow to accompany with even more!

S. Carter Studios Platinum Photo Booth: Angi’s Shower from sabrena deal on Vimeo.

So, we’re officially ready to book: Weddings, Bridal Showers, Birthday Parties, Office Parties, you name it we’re excited to join you. Please contact us for more info! sabrena (at) scarterstudios (dot) com.

I’d been looking forward to their wedding since Kimberly and I first began discussing it in the Fall of 2008! We took their engagement photos over Valentine’s Weekend in 2009 and they were wed in mid January 2010! Their wedding was a true joy to be involved with. It reminded me of mine in many ways which made it that much more fun! And the weather, who could ask for 50 degree weather on January 15th with the bluest skies you’ve ever seen and just snuggled between two of the worst snow storms to ever hit the East Coast! God has been watching out for them over their long engagement and had this day planned especially for them. Enjoy a few of their photos!

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.

Well, go ahead and lean back, because this post is going to be a long one. You’ve seen Gavin & Kelsey before, the infamous paint couple! We took their engagement photos on a warm, beautiful summer day and they were married on 12-12-09 a very VERY cold winter day. They didn’t let the chilly weather keep them from having a perfect celebration! There was joy and excitement and awesome facial expressions from Kelsey without pause from the first few minutes I was with them until they left for their honeymoon. I’ll interject a few happy thoughts throughout the post but for the most part I think they speak for themselves!

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.

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