**Click HERE to see the slideshow!
We have seriously waited for a LONG TIME to shoot at Barnsley Gardens! This has been a dream venue of ours since we got married in 2004, and we were ecstatic when we learned that Allison and Jeff were planning their wedding there!
(Because both of us always have something to say, we’re trying something new for this wedding post. Below you’ll find our individual comments about some of our favorites photos.)
Anne: An ongoing theme (of sorts) throughout the day was how much Allison loves to laugh. This is the very first photograph I took of her on her wedding day, and… she was laughing. It’s just so telling of her personality, and the robe and her hair in curlers make the moment extra cute.
Dan: Jeff was getting ready in another cottage. I like the motion of his belt whipping around.
Anne: I just LOVED Allison’s Ravini gown. It was STUNNING on her. I imagine that when she tried it on she heard angels singing.
All of the perfect hair and makeup was done 3ntourage’s Sarah Luke.
Dan: This was an off-moment while taking the groomsmen portraits. I had planned on doing something a little different for their portraits, but the bright sun kinda ruined my plans. To me, this moment was just a cool visual contrast between the grays/greens of the porch and the black suits with all of the guys shoes.
Anne: The colors in the ruins at Barnsley are just… astonishing! I had to work to find usable angles because there were tables set up for cocktail hour, but stuff like this was just so great.
Anne: Jeff’s daughters were there when Dan and I did Jeff and Allison’s E-Shoot, so they already knew us and were pretty excited to be photographed again. They were SO cooperative and precious… I just wanted to wrap them up in a big hug at the end of the night!
Allison and Jeff’s florist Karen Phillips (send me your web link, Karen!) was A-MAZING!
Anne: The pavilion behind the arbor where Allison and Jeff had their ceremony was really deep, so I was able to hide out in there for the whole ceremony and get these really great angles that I don’t usually have access to without being too conspicuous. Seeing Allison and her dad walk in from Jeff’s perspective was quite an honor.
Dan: This is Jeff’s face when he first saw Allison walk out with her dad.
Anne: At some point during the ceremony I turned around and saw this beautiful sunlight gleaming through the trees and the beams of the pavilion roof. It just makes me feel warm inside to see a scene like this.
Dan: Jeff’s daughters were invited up to share in a prayer of blessing over the new family.
Anne: Everyone was headed back to the arbor for portraits when I saw Allison’s grandmother wiping her eyes. I’m really glad to have captured this moment. This picture actually reminds me a lot of my great-grandmother who was very special to me. I suppose that makes me love it even more!
Dan: Typically, for the “introduction” of the couple into the reception, Anne and I post up on either side of the room. This time I opted for a different position, and went behind them and followed them as they entered. I was pretty happy with how it turned out, and I feel like you get a better sense of what it must be like to walk in facing all those people cheering you on. Trying new things pays off sometimes!
Anne: Jeff’s daughters participated in everything — even the cake-cutting! I love the way his youngest daughter is holding his finger as he reaches for the knife.
The cakes were created by the amazing artists at The Frosted Pumpkin.
Dan: The Ruins are pretty amazing. The entire place has an amazing ambience, and it’s even more true in the evening. I love how they used uplighting to play up the drama of the architecture. The contrast of the blues in the night sky with the warm tones of the bricks and lights stood out to me.
The first dance…
Anne: This is just such a funny moment to me! Kid dances are the best!
Anne: I don’t even remember who shot this. I just know that it’s really wonderful in a truly bizarre way. I’m very attached to this photo.
Anne: It was SO perfect when Jeff’s older daughter caught the bouquet! She was ecstatic, and everyone clapped and cheered for her.
Anne: This is Allison and Jeff’s pastor gettin’ down on the dance floor. This is a funny photograph regardless of who’s in it, but I think it’s so much better that it’s their pastor! Usually our “pastor pictures” are so formal. I love that this reverend was out there celebrating with everyone!
Anne: At the end of the night Allison’s dad asked me if we’d had the chance to photograph the fountain, and I was happy to say, yes, as a matter of fact… we did. I’m obsessed with the motion of the clouds and the water in this shot!
Dan: Once again, I went for a different approach for Allison and Jeff’s exit shot, and got behind them as they left. I knew there were going to be sparklers and more importantly, smoke. I set up an extra light that was firing straight at me, which would completely illuminate the smoke creating a nice glowing effect.
Anne: I don’t know if people expect the amount of smoke you get from sparklers, but I honestly think it’s WAY cooler than if you only saw sparks! It’s like Allison and Jeff are emerging from the future (?)! Ha.
Allison and Jeff, your wedding was truly a dream wedding! We certainly have to give a give shout-out to Becky, Allison’s mom, who did so much of the legwork to make this celebration a reality, and to Barnsley’s Greg Teague, who took such good care of us. We’re so honored to have been a part!
Big hugs-
