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.

We get really excited when we hear it is Milan Flower & Gift Shop. Damian rocks! Unique. Fresh. Unexpected. Innovative. All are words I would use to describe their florals.

Tita’s Linens By Claudia, Milan Florist, and The Renwick Mansion…..  thank you!  You surpassed my expectations with your generosity for yesterday’s shoot.  The Renwick is a grand ol’ lady with much beauty and history in her heritage.  She deserves to look elegant, warm, and inviting.  Claudia, Damian,  Dr. Joe and Angie…….. thank you.

We cannot show the real reason for the shoot yet.  We will!!  Promise!

Shadows, shadows, shadows. Shadows everywhere.  Shadows are fun to play with. As a kid did you ever create funny shadows and let your imagination run wild? Shadow boxing? Dancing with your shadow?  No?  Guess what?  As an adult you can still be young enough to play with shadows.

There are lots of shadows in this image, but the ones I was after are the ones in the gown.

It was chilly, misty, rainy, along with a menacing cloudy sky.  In spite of all that and some plans altered  to keep Kristen out of the elements it was a beautiful day for the bride and groom.

Church - Redeemer Lutheran
Reception - Davenport Country Club
Florals - Damian Parizek of Milan Florist
Transportation - QC Trolley
Photographers - Studio D Photography
Cake - Le Cake
Reception Music - SAS Entertainment

Something blue took on a new definition at this wedding.

Kristen and David chose to see each other.  She had planned to have a great photo session before the church in her parent’s back yard, but the rain prevented that.   We did manage to check for no rain “at the moment” a couple of times and find a window of opportunity for them to have their first time seeing each other in the gazebo.  Kristen wasted no time coming down the steps and pathway to the gazebo where she called David’s name and asked him to turn around.

David broke into a huge smile, and checked out all angles telling her all the while how beautiful she was.  Brides melt when the men they love say things like that. Our promise is to shoot a few shots and then leave them alone to have quality time before the day begins.  This time we wanted to stay and keep snapping.  We didn’t, and we left reluctantly.

The extremely talented owner of Milan Florist “Damian” created all the florals for the bridal party, the church, and the Davenport Country Club.  Mom’s wrist corsage shows above was so stunning and fit her look perfectly

The bridal bouquet also created by Damian.

The last two images are at the Davenport Country Club.  One has to look very hard to beat the service and staff there.  Most excellent!

Tables, chairs, sashes, and napkins were draped by  - Tita’s Linens By Claudia.  Sorry for the late post on the vendors but not verified who the vendor was until Wednesday night late.

Proofs may be seen by clicking on this link, and the password is the groom’s last name in lower case.

Lexie

View Slideshow of more images

Rebecca

ViJay with Rebecca

The images were created to showcase Quad Cities Waterfront Convention Center and the QCWeddings.com Annual Fall Bridal Show

Concept shoots are fun, and this one proved to be no exception.  Lexie always enjoys time in front of the camera.  Erin Seddon is a makeup artist I recommend frequently, and we wanted to hookup to capture some of her work for various things.  The last part of the equation is Skellington Manor in the District in Rock Island.   They were perfect because I wanted a location out of the box and not seen 400 times.  After a while locations become very “ho-hum” when everyone uses them.

It was magic time.  Everything jelled. The three of us laughed, joked, planned, shot, and suddenly it was almost 3 hours later.

Skellington Manor is the old Masonic Temple in Rock Island. It enjoys a very 1930’s- 1940’s feel to the architecture and the lighting.  Most have not seen the upper floors yet.   There’s a little surprise about to be unveiled in the next few months.   Would you like a little sneak preview?

Remember “Terror In The Woods” ?  Surprise it has moved into town, and it is being set up for Halloween.  It takes months to move, upack, set up, and prepare for the season.  The second and third floor has some surprises.  There is and old theater complete with stage, curtains, and a balcony.  There are hidden rooms, closets full of horrors to be put in place.   Theme party?  Goth wedding?  Mystery theatre night?  This is the place.  I’ve invited myself back to photograph when it is all set up.

Erin in the short time we have known each other has done the makeup for an intimate shoot and several others for Studio D, and booked several of my upcoming weddings.  I am tremendously pleased with how people show up for the shoot looking their absolute best.

Look for more photos on Erin’s site, and of course Lexie will more than likely facebook ‘em!

I am joining together with a makeup artist, florist, and a location to do a concept shoot.   Lighting will already be set for another model who will be very avant garde in appearance.   I am looking for a bride that loves to play dress up and will get back in her dress for the camera.

Dates we are considering are the 27 of june and the 11 of july.   Let me have a shout out if you are interesed.

I’d consider more than one based on your love of being YOU in front of the camera.  You come play, and Studio D will give you images to have and hold and PRINT.

Steve, Andrea, Lexie and I got together 9am the day after their Saturday May 30th weddings.  Back in the gown and the tux.   Andrea wore a bird cage veil, a fascinator, and then added a veil.  For the day after shoot her hair was down.  Day after shoots are a lot more relaxed because the gown is already ready for the cleaners. No worries about getting it dirty at this point.  The couple is alone with the photographers with no schedule to keep, and they are riding the huge wave of love from the day before.

The day of the ceremony her hair was up and beautifully tucked in the bird cage. Five Star Salon did a supurb job.

The classic car arrived from Klimme’s to wisk our bride and groom away in fitting style for our bride.

Flowers were by the very talented Damian of Milan Florists.  Two weeks in a row he’s been the floral designer for weddings we have captured.  Lovey, beautiful, esquiste… and he stays to make his presentation to the bride.

We could go on and on with images, but in the interest of not writing a novel………

Quad Cities Trolly wisked the bridal party to the reception and stayed to shuttle guests

Video was captured By Tom’s Videography (great to see him again)

Black Tie Entertainment provided a beautiful love story they are so famous for, and music flowed beautifully.

There were individual cakes on every table with a beautiful chocolate covered wedding cake from Sweet Perfections.

The groom is in love with Barq’s Root Beer in the bottle.  A pallet was shipped from Louisiana or Mississippi..never did get that story fully.  Every guest got to enjoy a cold Barq Root Beer.

Still deep in processing.  It will be a few days before the wedding goes to the proof site.  The couple left us yesterday to drive to Detroit and leave on their honeymoon with assurances they would not be near a computer until they got back.

Our surprise guest at the reception was the Brandenburgs from Brandenburg photography.  They finished their wedding and came to join the bride’s parents to help celebrate.  Great to see them as well!

Handmade for the party

a bridal fashion show

a sink full of Bud Light

The Home Kid’s

What do all these images have in common.  See below!

Heather, of course!  Saturday she had a double header…….. a shower at noon……. and a batchlorette  party in the evening!   She’s on the downhill side of counting days now!  Their wedding is just around the corner.