A wedding creation flown in from England and fit for royalty.   There are not enough adjectives to describe the beauty of this wedding gown.   These are from the bridal shoot.  The wedding images will go up later.

The theme of the day was, “don’t step on the dress”!!  Two dads walking you down the aisle?  Let one hold the bouquet for you.

It was Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and every possible fairy tale of the white knight rescuing the beautiful princess all rolled into one.  Across the grass Kristy walked.  When she reached the head of the aisle Drew turned, and neither of them looked any place but in each others eyes.  Drew stood gazing at Kristy with tears rolling down his face.  She smiled the softest smile knowing in her heart that she had accomplished her goal… she was beautiful in his eyes. Captured by Tony Patrizi

Captured by Tony Patrizi Drew knelt before Jack and Elly speaking his vows to them and presenting a gift symbolizing his vows. A new family was created before all attending.

Oh the joys of an outdoor wedding when it is threatening rain.  We had sprinkles several times throughout the day right up to the beginning of the ceremony, but it held back on the rain.  They had just kissed for the first time, and Kristy just melted into Drew’s eyes.  I am sure they didn’t know the rest of us were there.   Pastor Gary Ellis officiated.

Oh, Internet!  What can I say?  I was madly passionately in love with the dress!  If I could have managed to pull it off, I would have stolen Kristy away to just photograph the dress over and over the entire day and night.

Ok……. let’s give some love to the other vendors that helped create this fantasy:

Photography……. of course that was Studio D Photography
Wedding and Reception Florals….. Hignights
Let’s Play Dress Up Shoot…. Damian and Milan Flower and Gift Shop

Makeup… was by the divine Erin Kay Seddon
Linens…. the ever fabulous Tita’s Linens By Claudia

Cupcakes and cake were from Hy-Vee’s   (no one told us which location)

The arch…. A1 Rentals

For sure I will post more images later.  Time to get ready to go lunch with a friend and not do wedding stuff for a few hours!

Story continued……..

Expression say it all.  A brand new family was created at 5:30pm July 4th, 2010 before God and in the presence of family and friends.  If the truth be told, Kristy, Drew, Jack and Elly have been a family in their hearts for some time now. Love radiates from them when they are near each other.  Their smiles are a little less brilliant when they stand alone.  It was our pleasure (Tony, David, Steve, and myself) to capture the day.  Blessings rest in abundance on this family.

The very capable Tita’s Linens By Claudia. I say capable because event WOW and POP always come from this company if Claudia is allowed to have her vision be brought to life.  Bouquets by Highnights.  Image by my assistant Tony Patrizi.  In case I forget to tell you, Tony, nice job.  I am going through your images now!

Captured by Tony Patrizi

How in the world do you ever tell Jack “NO”?  Captured by Tony Patrizi

Drew was very reserved, shy, and always hiding from the camera :)  YEAHRIGHTSUREUNHUH!
Captured by Tony Patrizi

Captured by Tony Patrizi

ha ha ha….. Jack and Elly are cute and cuddly children.  Cameras were shoved in their face all day by “everyone”.   His face says it all…..ENOUGH! AND WHY IS MY SISTER HUGGING ME AGAIN??????

This sneak preview ends with these two images of you in the arms of the other. You are uniquely made to fit together perfectly.  It isn’t an accident that you found each other.  When you are years from now into the future pull out the images we have made for you…..your heart will sing a love song  that you will be able to recall.  Your heart won’t forget.  It won’t dim.  It will last across time because love doesn’t grow old.

Love you both…..it has been my pleasure to be your photographer!

Donna Blundell

Please remember that images posted are copyrighted and not free to be taken.  We choose not to watermark or add a visible logo to prevent theft so you may enjoy the images and see our work.  Thank you! Studio D Photography.

Some stories are just fun to tell, and this one I enjoy sharing with the blog readers.  I met Rob the week before Easter at Palmer where he is going through the last months of training to becoming a chiropractor. He is assigned to the doctor taking care of me.   Since I was there 3 to 6 times a week for a few weeks I began asking questions here and there about him… it’s called getting to know someone….others would say being nosey

He asked what I did, and I shared about being a wedding photographer.  Probably more info about being a photographer  than he wanted to hear, but my left shoulder was hurt in the accident.  Holding a camera, working a wedding, and life in general all provided more info about what I did while explaining what hurt and what was making it hurt.

I found out Rob has the girl of his dreams all picked out and they are scheduled to be married pretty soon.

The young man has made a most excellent choice, but I get ahead of myself.  Once I found out they were engaged the wedding photographer in me wanted to know more.  Every visit a little bit more was shared.  I asked if they had done an engagement session with their photographer. Rob explained that they were over 5 hours away from where they would be getting married and where their photographer was.

Long story short….. we got together Sunday afternoon and guess what we did? Duh!

Oh, the sweetness of having the camera pointed at them when Rob shot Melissa this priceless very Rob “look”.   He would have NEVER got it right if we tried to pose it. It would have just looked contrived and  awkward.    He probably would have never even agreed to try for the look for the camera.

I was a captive audience listening to their hopes, plans and dreams for the future while we visited after the shoot.  No crystal ball here, but I am positive as a couple they are strong.  Add to that the feeling that Rob will be very successful in his practice as the years unfold for them.

I love what I do.  Is isn’t work, but instead it is a passion in me.  Getting to peek behind the public mask we all wear is filled with surprises.    Loving another and the emotions that are involved leak out in spite of all attempts to keep them private.  People in love bubble over.  No exception for Rob and Melissa.  She will be his very beautiful bride coming down the aisle, and he will be the tall handsome groom standing at the altar wowed by her beauty as she comes to join hands with him for the rest of their lives.

The million dollar smile was not for the camera. It was for Rob!

It was family and friends that surrounded the bride as she dressed for one of the biggest days in her life. She chose not to see Andy before the ceremony.

She laughed, and hugged, and smiled that huge smile that only a bride can manage.  Quietly the veil was in place, shoes were stepped into, item by item was carefully put in place.  I like the softness of the image of her putting her earrings on.

Andy and the guys were outside, inside, here, there, and everywhere.  Each new person arriving managed to ask him if he was nervous.  He said no, but he got very quiet before the ceremony.  Not in a bad way… just reflective over what was about to take place.

Suddenly everything they had planned and worked on happening on their wedding day began to happen, and before grandparents, parents, family, and friends they announced their vows.

Andy’s dad owns a mint condition 1930 Ford.  Andy’s dad is also the family photographer at every event, so he asked if I got a couple of shots he really wanted.

That’s Andy’s dad playing chauffeur.

Anytime they looked at each other there was no rest of the world for them.  They were totally lost in each other’s gaze.

We also had some amazing very limber young men on the dance floor later in the evening. 

Trinity Lutheran in Moline
The Davenport Raddison
Heller Cakes
SAS Entertainment
Ruby Media

As wedding vendors gather it is always a chance to see what they are doing that is new.  Ruby Media was with me all day and it was great to chat and catch up.  We had Dennis from SAS, and it was a first time meeting.  Heller Cakes…… it was yummy as always.  The pastor at Trinity Lutheran was sharing with me there are plans to increase the lighting in the sanctuary.  Good news!  He also delivered a beautiful message and very rich eloquent vows for the couples to pledge to each other before God.

I saved my comments about the Davenport Raddison to last. I love the front office Coordinators and the Event People at the Raddison.  It always goes off without a single issue. Always!  They are warm, attentive, and efficient…….and a lot of fun.  Applause from Studio D…. you always make it a special event!

By now  Jessica and Andy  are probably in Maui sitting on the beach in their swimsuits having a couple of exotic drinks!

LINK TO PROOF SITE choose jessicaandrew   and the password is the groom’s last name in lower case.

One of our more popular panaromic albums 9 x 12 opening to 18 x 12.  Photographic paper has a linen weave in it to prevent center seam cracking.   Cover is canvas printed with our design.   Our layouts are carefully thought out for each album presentation.  Forty nine images in the book and one on the cover.

This a photographed image rather than showing layouts.  You get less quality in this image than the actual book, but this is a better representation of an actual album until you see one in the studio.

Canvas cover on this 9 x 12 panoramic album that opens to 9 x 24.  Every layout is custom, and the colors are unique to each wedding.    The couple is on their way in to pick up their album, and I am typing as I wait. It is always fun to watch them see it for the very first time.