There are lots of wishes by couples getting married. One is for nice weather.  We all know sooner or later we get some rainy days.  If it happens to you don’t be bummed.   Golf umbrellas are wonderful.  Cheap painter’s plastic drop cloths are a wonderful thing if you want to keep shoes and the bottom of the gown clean.  Go for it!  The dress is going to have to go to the cleaners no matter how careful you are!

Clouds, wind, rain…… with a little imagination can provide some really stunning images.  Like this one of Stacy and John.

Left Left Left Right Left

Here we were in the moment of the ring exchange with the priest conducting a very solemn set of vows between bride and groom.  Her ring safely in place, she places his ring on his finger.  The priest goes through the whole thing then steps down and whispers in her ear.   You got it!  Ring on the wrong hand!  I’m just sayin’……. couldn’t you whisper in her ear a little sooner?  

Stacy laughed after-wards saying she was sure it would become a funny story over time.

Sometimes the no flash misfire can be fun.  Lights from the DJ

Stacy and John you are indeed blessed with family and friends.  All day you were hugged and loved on by all of them!  What a great way to start your marriage.

Wow! Internet! I am so behind on blog posting.  One of my unique weddings this year was Marvin and Kara.  They planned, shopped, and worked hard to bring about Kara’s vision of their wedding.

They booked Community Christian Fellowship for the ceremony.  They blocked out the light on the windows and doors with brown paper.  The black and hot pink drapes were made and hung by them.  The aisle was created from 108″ muslin.  There was no detail left unturned.  All the florals were done by Clazzy Designs.

Lights out!  Candles, candles, candles…..it took a team to light them all.  This is the view to the rear door.

Rock Island Arsenal and Heritage Hall for the reception

This is only the tip of the iceberg.  There were tons of details and decorations plus lots of personal touches.

You meet some really great people in this world in some rather unique situations!  I always have joked about photographing a wedding in jeans.   This one was in jeans, t-shirt, flip flops, and wind blown hair plus no makeup and glasses instead of contacts.  Fortunately I had camera equipment and charged batteries in the car.

To all the guests that must of wondered why I was so inappropriately dressed….. my apologies!

Jen and Caleb…… may your marriage be blessed beyond your wildest dreams and imaginations!  I am editing the last of them.  I will burn the DVD and get it out to you tomorrow.

Much Love,

Studio D Photography
Donna Blundell

I am convinced the place to meet nice cute guys is at weddings!!  Both of these gentlemen sported no ring (didn’t notice a significant other) and were a lot of fun to be around.  So!  Ladies!  Don’t miss any opportunity to attend a wedding!

I am teasing a little bit, and a little bit not.  I had a chance to be around both young men.  Wow!!  Great personalities!  I’m just sayin’…….  

Donna Blundell

Photographer and part time matchmaker

Here we go!  A fun day at the winery!  Gorgeous weather, beautiful bride, and a handsome groom!  Cannot ask for better than that!!

Oh my gosh!  It was a good pore cleansing day in the sun!  Talk about hot!  Jake and Ashley were married at 4pm at Lavender Crest Winery.

The Tangerine Calla’s were from Clazzy Design as were all of the florals.  You are seeing right. I did indeed put the earrings on a calla.

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.

Right from the top of this post let me state very clearly, “This is my blog, and I journal. I have the right and the ability to state my views very plainly. This is one of those times.”  “Fasten your seatbelt, it’s going to be a bumpy ride,” says the redhead.

I am angry.  This season alone I’ve been contacted about 4 different photographers not showing up or canceling at the last minute with no offer for substitution of photographer. Neither do they offer to find another photographer to complete their assignment.  THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE.

Tonight I was sitting at a restaurant having dinner. I had been photographing portraits today, attending a dress rehearsal for tomorrow, and photographing for another vendor.  I was hot, sweaty, and had windblown hair.  Dressed in jeans, a t-shirt, and flip flops, and to make matters worse no makeup, and glasses instead of contacts.  Can we all say grungy at the same time?  My phone rang, and the DJ is asking me if I know a photographer that is free to photograph.  The wedding was starting in two minutes, and the photographer was a no-show.  No one  knew why.

I got there in 25 minutes and was very embarrassed about my appearance.  I got out of the car running  and setting my camera at the same time.  Bottom line……..they get photos.  A brother-in-law captured the wedding.  We re-staged  dad and bride in the processional,  ring exchange and the kiss.  Then did formals and all the reception events.

To be fair there are a few situations that would prevent a photographer showing up and also not calling.  Serious injury enroute, serious illness of self or immediate family, or death.   I can assure you that didn’t happen to all four photographers this season that crapped out on their weddings.

Today I felt so bad for the couple.  It is stressful to be standing there 2 minutes before the ceremony and not know where your photographer is.  It was an outside wedding.  It was hot.  The pastor is standing there waiting.  The guests are all assembled and waiting.  The bride was beautiful with flawless makeup and hair. Everything had been planned and done.

They had no chance to view my work, interview me, discuss my fee, and really had no clue if I was some nut that just said I was a photographer.  Talk about grace under fire………both bride and groom were extremely polite and calm.

What happened to commitment?  What happened to a person’s word being something you could believe would happen?  What happened to caring about the damage it would cause when you choose not to show up? What happened to decency?

Being a wedding photographer means some serious commitments.  It means a contract this is fair to both parties.  There are NO do-overs in wedding photography.

I am extremely harsh in my words in this post, but it is horrible that we keep hearing this type scenario, and we are a small area.  This is so totally unacceptable!!

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.