KELLY + ASHER - Revolution Mill Studios Wedding

Normally, I don't begin a post with an illustrated ring shot, but I love this one SO much because it has such significance to the couple... AND it's such a timeless, romantic song lyric. : )

Kelly and Asher both grew up in North Carolina, but they currently live here in Athens, where they are both working toward their PhDs at the University of Georgia. The Modern Skirts is a band that is native to Athens, and they ROCK. If you haven't heard any of their music, go listen to the song that Kelly & Asher chose for their first dance together. I just died when I saw that the couple had incorporated a quote from their first song into their program cover. So touching!

Kelly and Asher were married on an absolutely gorgeous (and non-humid!) day during Labor Day weekend at Revolution Mill Studios in Greensboro, NC. They had their Jewish-Christian hybrid ceremony (yes! my second within a month of each other!) outside in the courtyard. Kelly's grandfather and a rabbi co-led the ceremony together. The day was also very special to Kelly's parents, because Kelly's grandpa also married them in 1976 on the same day that he married Kelly and Asher. So sweet! I'm going to keep things mixed up a little and start with the guys first:

Hiding from the groom before portrait time. : )

This little guy passed out before the ceremony even started! Precious.

To me, there's nothing more heartwarming than a groom's face as he sees his girl walking down the aisle.

Such pretty blonde curls!

The crowd got a chuckle when the last bridesmaid was set to leave the ceremony by herself and instead got escorted by two friendly bystanders. ; )

Congrats you two! It was such an honor to share your special day!

LAURA + JEFF - Bryn Mawr Wedding (Part II of II)

Laura & Jeff were married in the backyard of Jeff's parents' home in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. First, a "there's no place I'd rather be than here with you" shot...  : )

Laura and Jeff are two of the most selfless people I know. They met registering voters at a Barenaked Ladies concert and the rest, they say, is history. ; ) Jeff - a talented writer and researcher - works as an urban planner in Philadelphia, and Laura teaches at West Philly High School, where she's created a couple of ahhh-mazing rap videos to keep her students amped up about school. Watch the current one about success for a real treat (she's the one in the orange!).

There are so many special elements that went into this wedding. The pair comes from different traditions, and out of these, they created a unique Jewish and Presbyterian hybrid ceremony. They honored each other's beliefs in such an elegant and respectful way. More to come on the details during the post ...

I LOVE their wedding bands - Jeff designed Laura's!

The dress is special because it was also worn by Laura's grandmother and mother...

The groom's parents preparing for the day ahead. I adore this moment.

There wasn't a mirror in the room where Laura was getting ready, so she just used her sister's Macbook's Photo Booth. Love it.

Jeff's mother sees Laura for the first time:

... and then Jeff does. : )

I grew up going to Laura's family's house every other weekend. I always love their extreme goofiness!

Jeff's sister's sons... Sam & Max. How ADORABLE are they?!

The chuppah was decorated with pieces honoring the loved ones who have passed away in Laura and Jeff's lives.

The ketubah (Jewish wedding contract) was absolutely gorgeous!

Jeff and Laura wrote their own vows. They are both eloquent beyond belief and had me crying like a baby behind my camera...

It is a Jewish wedding custom to serenade the wedding couple with seven blessings, focusing on joy, celebration and the ongoing power of love. To add their own spin, Laura and Jeff invited seven friends to offer them personal blessings:

Breaking of the glass - MAZEL TOV!

Designer extraordinaire Mark Kingsdorf of The Queen of Hearts Wedding Consultants did a BEAUTIFUL job with all the details and made sure the day went off without a hitch. He was also a pleasure to work with!

They had colorful flip-flops available for all the ladies with sore feet at the reception - genius!

Okay, this is THE coolest wedding favor I've seen to date: Jeff and Laura actually recorded a CD for their guests! They are both talented musicians - such a creative personal touch! Go here to listen to their awesomeness. : )

Love Jeff's face here during the hora. ...

Laura's parents' turn - such HILARIOUS facial expressions that I had to create an animation:

Sarah, Laura's twin sister/maid of honor/AND one of my good friends, gave such a heartwarming toast...

LOVE.

Laura's father mimicking Laura as a child. ... So funny.

Friends of Laura and Jeff made a guitar-themed cake and cupcakes to acknowledge their passion. SO fun!

Jeff placed a Krenzel, or crown, on his mother's head and performed the Mezinke Tanz, a dance to honor the parents who have married off their last child.