i honestly don’t even know where to start. every wedding is about the couple. every wedding. i’m the observer. buuuut, sometimes there’s something about the entire experience that sweeps me of my feet and i can’t help but revel in it, and this was one of those weddings.. the sights, smells, emotions, the people and the activities all came together in an amazing weekend that i will be talking about for years.
a few months ago a gifted, fellow photographer KC Ramsay contacted me about photographing his son’s wedding. it was to take place on the bride’s family farm, under a giant oak tree in farmville, va. there would be dogs, horses, a pond, lots of family and friends… and yes please tell me more, but really.. you had me at oak tree. he also had so much love in his description of the couple i knew right away i wanted to be part of this. i talked to annie and john on the phone together and was instantly in couple-love.
i could not WAIT until the wedding. the idea of getting out in the country thrilled me- even just the drive out was great. the lights dropped off after richmond and from there on out it was rolling hills, a starry sky, fresh air and a symphony of crickets. i got out of the car around midnight for gas at an unmanned station and was nearly deafened by the white noise. it was intense.
the day began at annie’s parents’ farmhouse. it sprinkled just enough to bring out that fresh earthy smell and turn the sky to a steel blue, but not enough to put a damper on a single activity. i had asked annie previously about about the “rain plan” and she said she was getting married under that tree come hell or high water. now that’s my kinda girl! fortunately neither materialized and a beautiful day evolved. in fact, it stopped sprinkling just before the ceremony and left us with some absolutely gorgeous light.
everything had such a personal and family touch. the girls drove in on an old truck truck, the ceremony was held under the tree where john proposed and many guests gathered tightly around while some sat on wooden benches that the family had nailed together the night before. the reception was a fun and casual affair with a great band, lots of dancing and some pretty amazing bundt cakes. that’s right.. bundt cakes. and one was even pumpkin (my favorite food). the wedding was so ANNIE and JOHN. it was perfect and i could not be happier for these two.
i also want to thank everyone for being so warm and welcoming. everything through and including the after party in KCs room was truly special and so danged much FUN. i am truly grateful.. great times, great memories, and i am also really grateful for my new friendship with KC. also a big thanks to patricia alder- who works often with KC and was a total dream- for coming out to work with me. i don’t think i could have come away from this day a richer person.
congrats, everyone! annie and john, you guys rock and i will be in touch very very soon!!
(presumably) in honor of annie and john’s wedding, someone decided to EAT something blue five minutes before the ceremony to show his spirit and support. i snapped this outside a few minutes before go-time while they were frantically trying to clean his shirt. he looks like a future model, no?
by kim seidl
8 comments