Introducing my current nominee for most unique wedding of 2014!
Every wedding is special in its own way. Sometimes it’s the wedding dress handed down by the bride’s mother; or the hand picked flowers that bring bursts of color to each space; or the way everyone contributes to a loving wedding weekend; or the way the couple engages their guests at the end of their ceremony; or the location filled with friends and family; or the cookies made in paisley, grateful dead lightening bolts, and acorn shapes; or a very personal ceremony by Lizard the Wizard. Taylor + Carmine had all these things and more!
I had the pleasure of meeting with Taylor + Carmine a few months before their wedding while they were in Eugene suit shopping for Carmine and dress shopping for their 1 year old daughter, Phlox. This was a new experience for me – since the little family lives in Cave Junction I didn’t have a lot of access to them for in meetings and pre-wedding photos, but also Taylor’s Mom, Cindy, was a big part of the wedding planning and she lives in ARKANSAS! Initially I was concerned that the distance would create communication problems with the planners, but everyone was so dedicated to this wedding going smoothly that it was simply the most relaxed (in a very good way) wedding weekend ever. I left for Southern Oregon on Friday morning, picking up my second shooter Stevi Sayler in Eugene, with time for a quaint lunch in Ashland before heading up into the timber and arriving at Green Springs Inn early in the afternoon. Taylor + Carmine had already picked the general location for their first look so we went with them to scout the exact location at Tub Springs State Park. After a rehearsal that I’m soooooooo glad I didn’t miss – quick tangent: I always do my best to be at the rehearsal for any wedding that I photograph. Every once in awhile I have a couple that says they’re not having a rehearsal and I can’t begin to understand why. After all the planning, preparing, and resources they’ve put into this day they don’t want to practice the actual ceremony part. Noooooooooooooooooooo!!! A rehearsal answers so many questions for the officiant, couple, wedding party, family, and gives your photographer and/or videographer an opportunity to spot visual problems. It doesn’t mean that you have to have a fancy rehearsal dinner if that’s the real concern, but please for the sanity of everyone, including yourselves, please have a rehearsal and run it all the way through at least twice. End tangent. – I was so glad that T+C had a rehearsal and that we were there for it because this was quite different from any of the other weddings I had photographed before. Both Taylor + Carmine would weave all the way through the three tiered amphitheater style seating instead of walking straight to the front, and their ceremony involved a lot of movement as they walked to the four corners of a large alter. The rest of Friday was open so we scouted a couple more locations and then enjoyed the rest of the evening at the lodge.
Saturday was busy with executing all the planning and preparations. Streamers and tablecloths, bells and gems, flowers and dresses, music and laughter… and some crying. Taylor got ready in a big cabin set back away from the rest of the group. A couple besties, her sister-in-law, cousin, and Mom joined her on the deck for hair, make up, and champagne. As I mentioned earlier one of the things that made this wedding so special was that Taylor got to wear her mother’s dress. Altered by Cindy to fit Taylor’s frame and style, it was so wonderful to witness and document her stepping into the dress. I took Taylor to meet up with Stevi and Carmine at the first look location and couldn’t have been happier with the magic and emotion that unfolded. I love it when couples, especially Grooms, are expressive during this time and completely forget that the photographer(s) are even there! Soon it was time for the ceremony. Carmine came in first with little Phlox in his arms, Taylor was escorted by her parents while her brother played the guitar and sang “Here Comes the Sun” …I almost died. You know it’s a good wedding when you can get the photographer to tear up within 5 minutes. “Oh my god, she’s the SUN! …she’s just so beautiful and happy, and Carmine is so happy to see her! Ok Amanda, focus focus focus!”
At the end of their ceremony Taylor + Carmine literally danced their way back through all their friends and family while everyone rang bells and cheered for them! Yay!!!
The reception was filled with food, cookies, cake, music, dancing, and heart felt toasts; surrounded by their friends and family it couldn’t have been a more perfect day. Congratulations to Taylor + Carmine Sciulli!!!!!
– Vendor Love –
Venue + Catering // Green Springs Inn
Cake // Sugar Rush
Rings // Yaneese Jewelry
Band // Patchy Sanders
Photography // Amanda Photographic
Carmine’s Suit // Nimbus
Officiant // Lizard the Wizard
Taylor’s Dress // Her Mother’s Dress (1977)
Floral // Hand picked by bride + Ashland Farmer’s Market
Decor // Made by friends + family
Inspired to start planning your perfect celebration? Please contact me for full details + booking 🙂