Jenna & Jeff: A Sky Meadow Country Club Wedding

I'm slowly wrapping up my 2010 wedding posts, and I am very excited to share Jenna and Jeff's big day. I first met Jenna and Jeff at Jenna's mother's while they were visiting from San Diego and ironing out wedding details and plans. It was a great meeting, and I was very excited to end up working with this laid back and super nice couple. Following our first meeting, all of our photo planning for the wedding was done via phone and email. So, many months later, it was great to catch up with Jenna again at her mom's as she was getting ready for her big day.

To start off, below are a couple of details of Jenna's dress and rose bouquet...


It's always fun to see moms helping their daughter's get dressed. There's lots of excitement, usually some tears, and always memorable moments. Here mother and daughter share a laugh while adjusting the dress...


Jenna's matron of honor was her cousin who shared the task of buttoning up the dress. Quite the undertaking. Lots and lots of small buttons...


Mom shared the burden...


All dressed and just about ready to go. I love these dual portraits of Jenna and her cousin taken before leaving...


While we were wrapping up, my good friend and fantastic photographer Doug Levy was busy documenting the goings-on up the road with Jeff and his groomsmen...


Here's a fantastic shot of Jeff being helped with his boutonniere...


I love the series of portraits that Doug captured at the nearby park, including the one below on the right...


Jenna and Jeff opted for a first look before their ceremony. It's fun orchestrating these looks, and always fun to see the couple's reactions...


Here's a great peek at the moment captured by Doug...


We took the opportunity to also photograph most of the group and family portraits, including this one below of the wedding party...


As well as a few portraits of the bride and groom. Look at those eyes!


Following portraits and a brief stopover at Jenna's mom's, it was then off to the church for the ceremony. Here's Jenna headed down the isle with her father...


And a wide shot of the church...


Detail of the groomsmen...


It's fun shooting with other photographers. You get different perspectives of the same moments many times. For example, here's a moment that I captured during the ceremony...


And Doug's perspective on the very same moment. I like now being able to see Jeff's expression, which I was blind to at that time...


There were lots of looks, smiles and grins between Jenna and Jeff during the service. Always fun to see. I regularly comment that I get the best seat in the church (well, lack thereof) because I get to move about quietly looking for these moments. There is one moment that all weddings have in common, though, and that is the kiss at the end...


Following the service we all headed to Sky Meadow Country Club for the reception, which was decorated fantastically in bright red, black and white...



Right after arriving, and during the cocktail hour, we snuck the newlyweds out to the back veranda for a few portraits...


We also wandered out back to this great archway for some portraits. These were amongst my favorites from the day...


Following our portraits and introductions, Jenna and Jeff shared their first dance. I love the up-lights. They typically add a lot of depth and punch to a venue...



One of my favorite "events" of the reception is the parent dances. Here is a fantastic image captured by Doug of Jenna and her father...


And a touching image of Jeff with his mother...


Formalities out of the way, it was time to party. Jenna and Jeff kicked things off...


The up-lights really added some nice color to the dance shots...


Here's Jenna surrounded by her girlfriends and guests on the dance floor. Lots of energy...


Everyone was having a great time!


And a final image of the happy couple during the last dance...


Thank you Jenna and Jeff for including us in your big day. You guys were so great to work with, and I look forward to working on an album with you next. And thank you Doug for shooting with me and for your great images.