Cook’s say “I do” | Ruston LA Wedding Photographer

 

Today was quite the adventure for me. Almost a year back Jessica inquired to me about shooting her wedding and asked me about traveling since she planned the wedding to be in her finance’s home town of Hornbeck, Louisiana. I have never traveled to or even through it but yes I do travel and I obliged. We’ve met in the middle in the past to take her bridals and engagements but today was the day I would actually travel to Hornbeck.

Want to know what’s in the big town of Hornbeck? Nothing. I say this with all the love in the world because well, I live in a town with a post office, a caution light, and a gas station. I’m a small town girl at heart, but whew it’s hard to find those little towns if you don’t know what you’re looking for. I indeed did finally find my way and I was doing a victory dance! Feels good when you can reach the destination.

In the beginning Jessica had decided to have her wedding like a traditional wedding should be, but recently she had changed her mind to be more low key. So Patrick and Jessica had an “I do BBQ” supper to celebrate their soon-to-be marriage. Following that they are going to honeymoon in Gatlinburg Tennessee where they will get married on the mountain for an intimate ceremony for themselves. When she called me to run the idea by me to photograph the BBQ instead of the wedding, I was happy to do it. I mean I could pack up and head to Tennessee too for the wedding ;). My husband and I are total fans of Tennessee. In fact Gatlinburg is where we went on our honeymoon 8 years ago, so it’s got a special place in our hearts.

When I got to the venue I could see Jessica and her family working away, getting the tables ready and such. What a cute little setup and a beautiful day to celebrate! I was worried about rain but thankfully the weather seemed to shift from yesterday. I loved all the little rustic touches from the burlap planters to a real wooden barrow for drinks. I went immediately to photographing all the little details.

When I arrived in the house where everyone was getting dressed I saw little Tristen in the doorway, Patrick’s youngest child. He is just the cutest thing. High fives were given of course. From here I always like to document what’s happening in action. I always do some posed stuff generally but I have to say my favorite photographs are the ones that seem like I’m sneaking in on a memory. So while I watched everyone getting ready downstairs, I caught Riley running upstairs. So what do I find but Tristen, Riley and Cadance playing. There were boards in the corner where they had been building on the house, and they decided to make a “road” for their cars with the leftover boards. I loved how they were making their own fun while the adults were still getting finished so I had to grab the moment.

Wandering back downstairs I found Jessica putting on her makeup. I always love to get makeup shots. Again going back to the “in the moment” pictures. They are always my favorite to see. I love how pictures can tell the story. How you can see the whole day unfold without any words.

Even though it wasn’t a typical wedding, I did still get your typical wedding party shots. Because in fact Jessica DID select 4 bridesmaids and Patrick, 4 groomsmen so I wanted to make sure we documented it as if we were having a wedding ceremony.

I’m also a sucker for kids and had to get those kiddos by themselves and that turned out to be just the sweetest thing.

As people started to pour in I started hearing tons of “Hey haven’t seen you in awhile”. Isn’t that the greatest when you go to events like weddings? People you haven’t seen in years, make it a priority to come together to celebrate a joyous occasion and in turn lots of stories are told, memories are re-lived, and lots and lots and LOTS of laughter is exchanged. I don’t know about you, but some of my favorite memories are when we’re sitting around the table, the porch, or wherever talking to each other. Laughing at the stories. I just can’t tell you what that does to my heart to see the memories being made. No looking at your phone to check the newsfeed or posting a picture of what you’re eating on Instagram. Nope being totally in the moment, with the people you love and care about most. That’s what I saw today. The start of the memories of Jessica and Patrick’s lives together. Families becoming one for a lifetime.

Congrats to you both and I pray for safe travels to the final destination to start your married lives together in eTennessee when you really say “I do” and not just eat BBQ. Safe travels back as the new Mr and Mrs Cook! If I were to give any marriage advice…it would be first and foremost keep God first in your own life. When you both make God first in your own life, you’ll become in turn closer to each other. Make it a priority to spend alone time together when you can. Kids require a lot of attention but they don’t need every bit, you save some of that for each other and the kids really will love that. Because it will make their family as a whole stronger. Remember you married a flawed person. When they don’t do everything right and get on your nerves so much you want to explode, remember they married a flawed person too. And the last and certainly not least is laughter. Don’t forget to laugh, it truly is the best medicine.