You read correctly…SIXTY years of marriage ~ wow right??!   Long story short, this family has a long time history of friendship with my father, which led me to photographing a Wedding for them a few years back ~ here they are!
(The first picture  is still one of my favorite pictures ~ I love when we get to photograph our pets in the Wedding pictures! And they’re expecting their second baby now too! ~ Congratulations you guys!)

Recently, the parents of that couple asked me to photograph their parents Anniversary party and I was really excited to see them all again!  The event took place at the Lakeshore Country Club out by Charlotte beach and what a beautiful day it was for this celebration.

There were a few little girls, and even a baby…and lots and lots of friends and family to wish them well.   I was glad we were able to get a group shot so they could look back and see all the smiling faces at their party.

Here’s the Anniversary couple!

Mingling with friends and family

There were 2 cakes, one for them, and one for baby Olivia’s christening.  The Anniversary cake topper used was their very topper from their Wedding cake 60 years ago!

Babies are so much sweeter when they’re not fussing   Pack and Plays are a life saver…Sleep tight angel

Brunch time…the food looked amazing and everyone said it was delicious; a wonderful variety too!

Sometimes, there’s nothing sweeter than a little girl eating watermelon…look how cute!

These two were so cute cutting their cake as everyone watched them celebrate a milestone in their lives.

Toasts were made, smiles were shared, and memories were captured.

Congratulations Bucher family!  Thank you for inviting me into your celebration again ~ you’re all SO incredibly lucky to have each other and for having this most incredible reason to celebrate. 

When I first met with Renee, she had her sister with her and guess what?  They’re twins!  I had these two beautiful faces smiling back at me as we looked over my portfolio and I remember the amazement I felt in seeing something so incredible right in front of me.  I’m adopted so it’s a huge difference between not looking like anyone, compared to looking almost exactly like someone else.

I was thrilled that Renee chose me to photograph her Wedding and I couldn’t wait to do their Engagements.  Thankfully, they picked Fall which is my favorite time of year.  (It used to be Winter, but it just doesn’t snow like it used to)   They had such an amazing chemistry right away…they were so relaxed around each other and barely noticed me at all…which is ideal for my style of photography.  The more candid, the better I say! Once we were done, I knew it would be hard to wait for their Big Day.  Seeing Renee for the first time was overwhelming.  The anticipation a Bride feels on her Wedding day is so beautiful; I think it’s my most favorite time for photographs.  They were getting ready at the Woodcliff Inn and Spa

and when I walked in, I was greeted with hot pink everywhere!  So fun!  Renee had just gotten her hair done and was about to get her makeup finished; and then soon into the dress.  Speaking of dresses…each bridesmaid had their own hot pink dress to wear while they were getting ready, and Renee had a white one.  What a great idea ~ that’s a new one for me!

After taking some candids, I hurried upstairs (yes, there were TWO floors; incredible hotel!) to photograph the dress ~ stunning.

Time to get ready!

I love how Renee’s mom has her hand on her shoulder…you could feel their bond instantly.

Her one sister helped her put on her jewelry, and the veil and the other sister helped with the garter and the shoes!

Beautiful Renee!

Ok, so I’ve never had the opportunity to do this before ~ The First Look!  Renee and Brandon decided to see each other at the hotel so they could be together in the limo with their party on the way to the chapel.  Great idea.  The Woodcliff has a beautiful new fountain out back so we naturally decided on that location.  Picture Perfect.
She was a vision, and he was filled with excitement to see his beautiful bride.

Ok, we’re on our way to the University of Rochester Chapel!

Proud papa

Congratulations Mr. & Mrs!!!

Off to take pictures!  Lots and Lots of them!

They went to school at the University, so they wanted it as a backdrop ~ what a fun group!

Look how Brandon is just lying there enjoying it

Sisters!  “A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost.”  ~Marion C. Garretty

A few moments around the grounds…these are the pictures we look back on …we’re so lucky to have photography.

Rings!

Got a bunch more in front of the school, and some details, and then headed to our reception at Casa Larga!

Brandon’s smile + Renee’s laughter ♥ = Happily Ever After…the happiness between these two takes my breath away.

I was so glad that we were able to get them to enjoy some of their cocktail hour too!  Lots of time in between…great planning!  I hurried inside to see the room before all the guests piled in ~ wow, stunning!

Look at these centerpieces!  I definitely have to find out who did these.

mmm, cake!

Announcements were made and they went right into their first dance.. Brandon is STILL smiling

Toasts and Prayers

Beautiful flowers ~ and I love when there’s something sentimental attached to the ribbon

Cake cutting…very sweet..no one got frosted

Father/Daughter dance…they always bring a few tears to my eyes too

Mother/Son…and p.s. she had a fabulous iridescent dress!

Dancing!

The night is starting to come to an end…lots and lots of dancing pictures and really fun times ~ Congratulations Brandon and Renee; Happy Honeymoon, Happy Marriage, Happy Lifetime!!

Congratulations Chanh & Tommy! What a fabulous celebration!  You are blessed with an abundance of friends and family who love you and I consider myself extremely lucky to have witnessed and captured such a special occasion together with you ~ Thank You!

And by the way…rain on your Wedding day is good luck~ “It comes from several cultures mainly from the Hindu with the idea that a wet knot is harder to untie. Since marriage is often referred to as tying the knot.” ♥

After arriving at the church and photographing the details inside; I peeked out the window waiting for the limousine to arrive…I couldn’t wait!  As soon as it pulled up, I rushed outside.  All the beautiful girls started to come out one at a time until suddenly, there was Chanh; basking in light.  Gorgeous!

All the giggly girls hanging out before they come down the aisle

There’s nothing sweeter than flower girls… (sigh) ♥

Especially when they get more than half way down the aisle realizing they were supposed to be throwing rose petals!  So cute, the bridesmaids were whispering to her “throw the rose petals” … and just as she was at the end of the aisle, she did! 

Here comes the Bride!

Congratulations Chanh & Tommy!  What a beautiful ceremony!

It was raining pretty hard ~ lots and lots of good luck! ~ but while we were photographing formals at the altar, I kept checking to see if it had let up even just a little bit.  Eventually, it DID!  We hurried outside for some fun Wedding party shots, and then all of a sudden it poured again.  Thanks everyone for rushing out there! These are fun!

I love umbrellas in pictures … personally though?  It would be so much more fun if they were a crazy color or pattern ..hint hint limo drivers!

This was my first time to the Webster Golf Club and I have to say; they did an amazing job!  They were all extremely attentive, courteous, and professional and the food was outstanding!

Simple and elegant centerpieces

Let them have cake!

I LOVE kids at the Weddings…especially when there’s a bunch and they’re all playing together.  These kids loved having their pictures taken and they were so cute running around dancing and playing.  I look at them in a whole new way now that I’m a mom…as I look off into the future not believing that my little baby is going to be running around like these kids too!  I don’t want to rush anything, but I’m excited for it just the same

Sweet sweet Molly … I adore this bridesmaid!  She referred Chanh to me after I photographed her Wedding and I’m so very thankful for the recommendation.   They are SO cute together and looking at them brings a huge smile to my face. 

There was a brief pause in the rain so we headed outside for a few pictures by the garden.  It was still a little drizzly…but we were at least able to get the garden in the background while still being protected by the overhang.

Shoes!  Chanh chose not to have pictures getting ready before the ceremony and those are some of my favorite shots … BUT we got a fun picture of the shoes on the dance floor ~ and look at all that tulle!

SO many dancing pictures … these guys could P.A.R.T.Y.!  And by the way; every Wedding reception should play ‘Just Dance’ by Lady Gaga … just sayin’ …it gets the party started!   The D.J. has a lot to do with it too…WOW, Joetta with ‘Go Sound Systems‘ did an amazing job; fun and personable and a few tricks up her sleeve!

Congratulations Chanh & Tommy!  I had an amazing time celebrating with you and wish you a lifetime of happiness and laughter.  Have fun!

Please check back in a few weeks; I’ll have information posted about seeing all the images in a viewing/ordering gallery.  Until then, enjoy this little recap!
If you didn’t get to see their Engagement photos; here’s a recap of that too ~ really cute! Click here