Baton Rouge Wedding Photography at White Oak Plantation
I don’t even know where to begin with blogging this Baton Rouge Wedding Photography, you guys. I feel so incredibly lucky to have the job that I do. And get to meet the people that come my way in the doing of it. Stephanie and Kris were definitely one of those couples that instantly just made me feel like family. And not like the “cousin that you only see twice a year on holidays and kinda have to be polite to” sort of family, either. The family that you can completely just be yourself with. Not think twice about what you say or do around, and just have an absolute blast with. Every second you’re together. I never doubted for a moment that Stephanie and Kris were happy I was there with them. Trusted me with every part of their day, and wanted me to have fun along with them.
That, my friends, makes a huge difference in how a wedding day goes.
The happiest people I’ve ever met are the ones who are just glad to be a part of whatever life throws at them. And these two are *those people* personified. There were hiccups in the wedding day. Like there are on every wedding day. But nothing phased either one of them. And I don’t think they or anyone around them stopped smiling for the entire day.
We had rain, causing the ceremony to be moved indoors at the last minute. We had crazy trolley drivers trying to drive the wedding party here. There and everywhere but where they needed to be, we had a puddle-ridden park when it came time for formal photos. But NOTHING was going to make this day any less than perfect. Stephanie and Kris were happy, and in love. Surrounded by friends and family. And there was an open bar just over the horizon!
What’s not to be excited about, folks?
My second-shooter Ashlin Buford and I started out the day during the getting-ready preparations. I knew Kris and I were going to get along just fine the second I saw him. Because he greeted us in his hotel room wearing his Canadian boxers (Stephanie and her family are from Canada). While getting ready to write his love note to Stephanie. Ashlin hung out with Kris and his crazy guys, while I hung out with the girls. Who were no less fun, let me tell you. One of the funniest moments came when the girls were all trying to help Stephanie tie her sash. Which she’d ordered online, and necessitated a special tying method, apparently.
No one could remember how it went, so they all crowded around an iPhone to watch a video instructing them on how to get the thing tied! Soon after, Stephanie’s dad came in and saw her for the first time in her dress. And I loved that moment and the look on his face. Those two have such a great relationship (as you’ll see). Some of my favorite photos of the day are the ones with Dad in them. His big, man hands buttoning the tiny, delicate buttons of her bustle made for such a beautiful photo here.
Stephanie and Kris exchanged letters and gifts right before we headed out for formals. Those moments were so sweet and funny. Stephanie got Kris a beautiful watch, and some hilarious socks in case he got “cold feet.” Kris got Stephanie some beautiful jewelry, and I loved seeing her face light up as she read his letter to her. It ended in a laugh, naturally. Safety tip, folks: you should always, always marry someone who can make you laugh!
So then we were off to the park for formals…eventually. After ten minutes of waiting in the downstairs hotel lobby, and after one confused phone-call to the shuttle company, we realized they’d shown up to the wrong hotel to pick everyone up! It was around this time that Stephanie realized she hadn’t put on her garter yet, so what does she do? A woman after my own heart, she and her girls put on her garter in the middle of the hotel lobby. How funny is that?
So then the shuttle finally shows up – a nice, shiny southern trolley/bus. So pretty, right? Except–oops–Steph and Kris are doing a first look. At the park. So, they can’t ride together! How does Steph end up getting to the park? With me, in my mini-van. I loved that she was so laid back about things running late and not going to “plan”–we just chatted, with her in her poofy white dress, the whole drive. We even got honked at a time or two!
After everyone arrived (with the trolley being just a wee bit late since, you know, they ended up driving in the completely wrong direction–again), Steph and Kris finally got their first look. And holy cow, was it fun. Kris and Steph both took a swig of a little pre-wedding celebration from the groomsmen’s flasks, and then got their first look on. The expression on Kris’ face seeing Stephanie was priceless! He was so enchanted.
A few crazy, laughter-filled rounds of wedding party photos later, it was time to head to White Oak. Once again, Steph was cool as a cucumber when we realized that due to the recent rain, the ground was too saturated with water for an outdoor ceremony. Chairs and decorations were moved inside to the front parlor of the plantation, and everything was so beautiful. Roses and Lace handled the decorations for both the ceremony and reception, and she did a great job of moving everything indoors at the last minute and making everything look just gorgeous.
Okay, so now one of my favorite moments of all of the wedding moments, ever.
I told you Stephanie and her dad were close, right? So many little hints into how close their relationship is were apparent throughout the day, but none more so than when Stephanie realized at the last second before heading down the aisle that she had to, um, “go.” Music was playing, folks, and Stephanie asked her dad to hold her dress while she made a last second dash to the back room of the bridal suite.
Stephanie’s dad didn’t bat an eye, guys. He took up Stephanie’s dress (after some initial confusion as to where, exactly, the end of the dress actually was), and held it for his little girl. I absolutely loved that moment, and was so happy that Stephanie was down with me capturing it. It really says a lot about what a great dad he is, and how he’d do anything for his little girl. I love capturing moments like those, because they aren’t just photos to show what Stephanie’s dad looked like at this time in her life. Those kinds of moments show what their relationship is really like, and will forever show what kind of man he is.
The ceremony went perfectly–with a little hilarity ensuing just as Stephanie and Kris drank their ceremonial wine, when a guest’s chair toppled over suddenly–and soon they were man and wife!
And then came the reception. The reception, guys! Nobody parties like Canadians, I tell you. Nobody. And they had all kinds of fun traditions I’d never heard of before – there were men dancing in (empty) trash cans, special Canadian dances “I Knew the Bride When She Used to Rock and Roll”, and “The Last Saskatchewan Pirate”, and then there was Stephanie’s brother’s dance with a broom, which is a Cajun tradition performed when a younger sibling gets married before the elder. He had that dance choreographed! It was hilarious.
The energy and fun of this night was just incredible – and both the bride and groom had so many great friends and family that were all SO close with one another! I mean, how great is your sister to help you drink just before you start another dance, while you’re holding your dress up? And a husband that fans your feet because you’re hot under your dress? Stephanie even had a friend come all the way from China with her mom to attend the wedding!
The night eventually wound down after a ton of fun, and love from friends and family–and Stephanie and Kris made their way through a sea of bubbles blown by their guests to board the bus back to the hotel. The party did not stop there, either! As you can see by the final blog photo – they were just getting started!
I’m so, so glad to have been a part of this epic wedding for these two. I loved every single second, and can’t wait to see where their lives take them from here!
Bayou Rose Photography specializes in wedding, engagement, family, and documentary style family photography in Southern Louisiana, and surrounding areas including but not limited to Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Prairieville, Gonzales and Lafayette.
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