Tracey & Ed's Wedding

You may remember Tracey and Ed from their bright popping colorful engagement portraits!

Their wedding took place on a warm summer evening on the Terrace at Moody Gardens. It was absolutely beautiful, with the ethereal music of a harp and nothing but the sky above them as they took one another's hands in marriage. The reception was full of dear friends, family, and fun! The couple had a table full of wedding portraits of family and friends who had been married for over thirty years (some of them incredible heirloom portraits), and gave guests seashell-handled bottle openers as favors. At the children's table, there were plenty of shimmering copper cupcakes to go around.

Tracey's florals were absolutely stunning-- not over the top tropical, but bright pinks and peaches (and even artichokes in the centerpeices!) were great with her cream/chocolate browns... and of course her gorgeous red hair and clear blue eyes. Also of note-- the cute cake-toppers! Ed's a golfer, folks ; )

Lucky for us, one of Ed's aunts left her pretty orange parasol at the ceremony, so we were able to grab it and use it for some together-pics of Tracey and Ed. The grand staircase reminded me so much of a cruise ship, with the bright evening sun shining in the windows behind it.

Marcie + Ed, the Wedding

So Marcie and Ed have been battling weather every time I've had an appointment for a shoot with either of them. For their engagement shoot, we had one of the rainiest winter days ever, but it managed to clear up (and be bone-chilling cold for Marcie in her sexy dresses) and be great picture-taking weather with the lingering clouds diffusing the bright sun.

Marcie's bridal shoot did not fare so well... we basically had to revamp and go with Plan B to shoot mostly indoors due to the torrential rains that day. Luckily Tara at The Gallery was extremely accommodating, and we were able to shoot there without having to worry about the weather... the portrait Marcie chose for display at the wedding actually ended up being one that we'd used my swanky black and white umbrella in!

Fitting, though...

The day of the wedding was great-- cloud cover, but no rain. Marcie was absolutely stunning in her vintage-inspired gown and jewelry, and Ed was smoldering and handsome in a classic black tux. Their outdoor ceremony was all set up and ready to go... and of course that's when the sprinkling began. Some of the guests even pulled out umbrellas! The ceremony went well, and JUST as the new Mr. and Mrs. were turning to walk down the aisle, the sky rang with a huge clap of thunder. I don't think it ever actually rained, but it was pretty fitting for guests to walk into the reception area to a beautiful portrait of the bride holding an umbrella.

MUCH fun was had at this reception, people... SO much fun. Buddy the groomsman (whose wedding to Susan the bridesmaid I will be shooting in January, can't WAIT!) was entirely entertaining. At one point, he and another groomsman trapped Ed in a Doug-and-Steve-Butabi "Night at the Roxbury" style bounce-dance... Karen and I couldn't wait to see what this crowd was going to come up with next.

Marcie and Ed's departure in a vintage Rolls Royce was a perfect end to the evening, with the two of them looking all vintage-swanky in the lamplight.

The exquisite florals were provided by Stephanie and her crew at Flora Bella, Marcie's look was perfected with the hair and makeup expertise of Hues by Heather, and the beautiful glowy golden up-lighting at the reception was crafted by Chris of Cafe Natalie (also responsible for the tasty dinner). It was all brought together, kept on schedule, and skillfully planned by the fabulous Kelly Balfour of Eventology Weddings. Thanks to my sweet friend and client Marianne for Marcie's referral!

Wheeeee! New business cards!

It always feels great to have something new! Here are the Summer 2009 editions of the Monkey Tree Business cards (one for weddings, one for the other stuff).

The wedding card features Alma & Stevan on the front, with a great dancing image from their morning-after session at Discovery Green. Marcie's beautiful silhouette with umbrella graces the back of the card.

The infant/child/maternity card features handsome and bright-eyed Drew from a recent session... and on the reverse side is one of my all-time favorite infant shots: Baby Kendall with an orchid. It's so hard to believe I have been photographing her for three years. She's such a little lady these days... talking and going to the nail spa with her mommy for pedicures!