Stacey Bode Photography

Wow, wowwww, and WOW!  I surely don’t have the right words to sufficiently describe how thrilled I am to post these photos.  Not only was this a beautiful beach wedding in South Carolina, but I’ve also known the groom for about 12 years, AND he used to be my boss when I worked at the biomedical company.  How crazy awesome is that??!!  All my worlds came together in the coolest way.  Steve and Christina are both such laid-back, lovely people.  I couldn’t be happier that they found each other.

I have to fill you in on some of the fabulous details.  Everyone stayed at the luxurious Charleston Place Hotel, and it was so cozy that I really didn’t want to leave.  The ladies got all gussied up at Salon Solace, and the guys got massages and an old-fashioned shave at Gents Barberspa.  Then we all headed out to Folly Beach for their sunny ceremony.  I was lucky enough to get some time alone with the bride and groom for some photos on the beach before we drove back into Charleston for their elegant reception at Anson Restaurant.  The decorations at the reception dinner were deliciously pretty.  I think my favorite new wedding colors are hot pink and navy.  For real!

Steve looked so dashing, and Christina was an absolutely breathtaking bride.  However, what was most apparent was how much these two people love each other.  Just doesn’t get any better than that!

If you want to see more photos of this incredible day, please check out the slideshow at the end of this post!

To view a slideshow of more images from Steve and Christina’s gorgeous wedding, please click HERE

Before leaving Charleston, I got to spend some more photo time with them shooting their Day After pics.  Stay tuned to see those….

As if Sara and Scott hadn’t already earned their share of awesome points during their way cool Halloween wedding last year, they also now get credit for allowing me to get to know their friends Cassie and Keith better.  A couple months ago, I got a voice message from Cassie.  It was one of those messages that was so lovely and sweet that I probably kept it on my phone longer than I should have.  She was hoping that I might be able to photograph an event she was planning.  She and her hubby, Keith, were going to renew their vows in celebration of their 10 year anniversary.  What a fabulous reason for some photos!  I don’t throw around the word “blessed” too often, but I do feel really blessed that they wanted me to capture this day for them.  It was a beautiful event that included their two adorable sons, family, friends, food, and even a loud train that crashed the ceremony.

Here are some of the images I snapped, and there are more pics in a slideshow at the end of this post.  Woo hoo!

Cassie has one of the brightest, warmest smiles you’ll ever see.

It’s a cutie-pie sandwich!

I love this one of the boys spying on mom and dad.

Their celebration was held in downtown Acworth, which had some really charming places to take photos.  Yay!

Cassie put out some super pretty decorations.

I was a little obsessed with all the wonderful mirrors in the space.

The whole gang!  Gotta love people that are okay being a little goofy.

Keith and Cassie talked about how important their boys are to them, and presented both of them with a special engraved tag to wear around their necks.  So cool.

She brought a gift certificate that she wasn’t able to find on her original wedding day.  If I have the story right, I think she was pretty upset when it was lost 10 years ago….and I believe Keith found it on this day when they renewed their vows.  Isn’t that wild?!

The boys were so cute checking out the trains going by.

Thanks so much you two, and here’s to another fantastic 10 years!

To view a slideshow of more images from Cassie and Keith’s heartfelt vow renewal ceremony, please click HERE

Elegant, sophisticated, joyful, classic.  These are just a few words that describe Hastings and Lee’s fabulous wedding day.  The event began at the majestic Peachtree Christian Church, where excited anticipation grew.  The bride and groom had loved ones assist them with the last details of preparing for the ceremony.  Adjusting the tie.  Getting the veil just right.  Family and friends began to arrive in sharp, dapper attire and fancy ball gowns to witness two wonderful people commit their lives to each other.  Pretty cool, huh?  These two are such a loving couple, and I am super happy for them, and happy to share some photos from their big day with you.

The flowers were from Your Flowers by Isabel.  Really pretty!

After the ceremony, everyone moved on to the Four Seasons Hotel for some dinner and LOTS of dancing. The hotel staff were all so friendly and accommodating.  I also have to give a big shout-out to my fantastic second shooter Robin.  She’s the best!

Here, the guys are belting out “Mustang Sally” with the band.  The dance music all night was performed by Infinity Show Band, and they were awesome.

You just can’t take a bad photo of a couple that’s in love.

Seriously, how fun are these two!  Thanks so much you guys!

To view a slideshow of more images from Hastings and Lee’s stylish, city wedding, please click HERE

Not that there’s any kind of interweb blog entry coolness contest or anything, BUT this post is going to be hard to beat in my book.  First, let me start by saying that I’m lucky to have the most awesome-est mother-in-law there ever was.  I’m always saying that knowing Susie makes me feel like I won the mom-in-law lottery.  Not just some $5 scratch-off either.  We’re talking power ball mega millions.  On top of all that, Susie has had a wonderful man named John in her life for over 30 years.  He’s a super-smart, generous person, and they make such a fantastic pair.  So, these two incredibly special people just happened to get married this past weekend!!!  Woo hoo!

We headed to their place in Florida for the festivities.  In true Susie-and-John form, the wedding itself was low-key and marvelously relaxed.  However, the weekend was filled with friends, fun, and lots of love.  I’m so excited to share these pics with you!

Their friends Rick and Jinny stopped in for a surprise visit, and brought Susie this gorgeous bouquet.

Here they are taking care of the paperwork at the courthouse.

Dominic and Vilma also came out to share in the celebrating.  They are the closest thing to family without technically sharing genetic information.  Vilma made the bride and groom a lovely quilt (she made it in only 3 days too!).

Again, not a contest, but how many brides have a wedding photo with a rest room sign on one side, and a stairwell of prisoners being transported on the other side?  That’s gonna be hard to top.

This is why I should never be released from behind the camera.  Must.  Attack.  Bride!

Here’s Matt sportin’ his courthouse mannequin look.

Their ceremony was short, sweet, and totally made me cry like a baby.

Matt congratulating “the new dad”!

Who invited these goofballs?

Susie, do you even realize how adorable you are?

My second favorite post-wedding activity is chasing Fletch around the yard.  My most favorite post-wedding activity is……

…eating CAKE!  Look Evita, we used the birds you gave me!  They worked real darn well I think.

I crack up at this pic of Dominic giving Fletch the what-for after he tried to “cut” the cake before Susie and John.

I told Susie to hold her bouquet and act “bride-y”.  Here’s what she came up with.  Equally angelic and hilarious.

I love you both so very much and can’t properly express how much it means to me to have been part of your big day, and all the other non-wedding days.

To view a slideshow of more images from Susie and John’s long-awaited, highly-anticipated wedding, please click HERE

When I first met Sara and Scott to discuss photography for their big day, they mentioned that their special date was October 31st.  There’s a look of anticipation on my face when I hear this date from couples.  It’s an expression that means I’m secretly hoping they’re about to say…..”and it’s not just a wedding on Halloween….it’s a HALLOWEEN wedding!”.  They proceeded to confirm my hopes, and then Sara showed me some clips and images from her inspiration book.  My memory isn’t the greatest, but I’m sure I did a little dance in my chair.  There’s just no greater gift as a photographer than when you’re anxiously excited about snapping pics.  I think my brain was already taking photos before our meeting even finished.

Sara and Scott are such good-hearted, truly enjoyable human beings.  They were so gracious to me throughout the whole day.  The r-a-i-n tried to make things a bit soggy, but nobody was cooler about it than these two.  Everything moved along as scheduled, and we were all thrilled that we didn’t have to fall back on “plan B”.  The ceremony was outside with the rolling autumn mountains as a backdrop.  The grounds of the Southern Tree Plantation provided an absolutely stunning view.

Here are just a few images from this super-Halloween-awesome wedding day!  If you want to see more images (including some of the fantastic costumes worn by their guests), there’s a slideshow at the end of this post.  Yay!

Sara’s deep red gown was out of this world!

I’m glad we got some use out of my fancy umbrella.  Isn’t Sara breathtaking?

Sara and Scot, thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU for having a first-glance meeting!  Love it!

Scott looked so daggum cool in some of the best groom’s attire I’ve ever seen.

At the end of the ceremony…the new Mr and Mrs!

You guys knew this one was coming!  After we took this, Sara said she’d bet it makes it to the blog.  You are correct madame.

I really can’t properly explain the joy of photographing people who understand the beauty of non-traditional photos like these.  You guys completely rock my face off.

The only thing better than yummy autumn details are yummy, autumn, Halloween details!  I went a little insane over the Nightmare Before Christmas cake toppers.

Scott and Sara, I am beyond happy for you both!

To view a slideshow of more images from this delicious Halloween wedding, please click HERE

The weather wasn’t the only thing beautiful about this day.  Nancy and John planned an event full of relaxed, simple elegance.  The morning began at Glenn Memorial Church on the Emory campus.  A completely majestic place, inside and out.  When we arrived, Nancy was was assembling flowers and sharing laughs with her ladies.  When the guys showed up on the other side of the church, there was no shortage of joking around between them.  There’s something so cool about the ritual of getting ready for a milestone in your life while being surrounded by your friends.  As the ceremony time approached, the anticipation grew, but the mood remained light and excited.  Joy really is wonderfully infectious.

I had the pleasure of having my friend Robin Nathan second shoot for me on this day.  We’ve worked together before, and at Nancy and John’s wedding, she commented on how cool all my clients are.  I have to whole-heartedly agree.  Robin took this fantastic shot of the church.  It’s so nice working with someone who is not only talented, but also understands the important balance of being professional and having a blast.  Yay, Robin!

Nancy couldn’t have looked more exquisite.

It would be an utter crime to pass up a shot with a cool mirror AND a gorgeous bride.

I love images of the groom waiting before the ceremony.  There’s just something about capturing that emotion.  This one of John may be my all-time favorite.

Here’s Nancy waiting around the corner just before walking down the aisle.  I love her playful look!

These ladies know what’s up.  Fierce posing….check.

Total goddess.

I adore this next shot because it’s such a naturally romantic pic.  I told John to get close to Nancy, like he was trying to gently kiss her neck.  Apparently, John lives by the philosophy of “Try not.  Do…or do not.  There is no try.”  I hope he appreciates that Empire Strikes back quote.  I mean, he did have a Darth Vader groom’s cake.  Holla!

It’s shout-out time!  Oh Wahoo Grill, you are the bees knees.  Other folks who are the knees of bees are Sloane Warren, who did makeup for Nancy and all her gals; Southern Sweets Bakery, who made the yummy wedding cake; and Highland Bakery, who created the “sci-fibulous” groom’s cake!  Yes, I just made that a word.

Thanks for everything John and Nancy!  What an incredible start to your new life as hubby and wife!

To view a slideshow of more images from this captivating autumn wedding, please click HERE

Time really does fly when you’re having fun, which says a lot about Jessica and Taylor’s wedding, because it seems like I blinked, and the evening was drawing to a close.  The big day started at All Saints Church, where people gathered and hugged Taylor on the way in while Jessica and the ladies partied (I mean “hid”) in the limo.  I knew it was the start to what would be a fabulous event.  Their families were so welcoming and excited.  The kindness of Taylor and Jessica’s parents has obviously been passed on to their children, because both the bride and groom took time out of their celebrating to ask if I needed anything and if I was having a good time.  Yet another example of how lucky I am to work with the BEST people.  I was so thrilled to be there to take photos of their special day.  Here’s a little sample, and there’s a slideshow with more images at the end of this post.

When I saw this wall in the church, I nearly did a cartwheel.  We took the posed family photos up near the altar, and then I asked Jessica if we could do wedding party photos along this wall.  She seemed just as enthused as I was, and so we took some shots that make me swoon.

There’s nothing wrong with traditional, lined-up wedding party photos, but I’d rather take some with less “sigh” and more “KA-POW!”.  Here’s their wedding party demonstrating extreme amounts of KA-POW!

Jessica and Taylor have completely spoiled me.  Rotten.  Sometimes, I’m lucky to get 10 minutes for portraits with just the bride and groom.  It’s understandable considering how busy a wedding schedule can be.  However, I try to urge all my couples to allow some time for these types of portraits because during most of the event, the bride and groom are pulled in so many different directions.  You don’t want the night to be over with only a handful of photos of the couple, since they are what the whole day is about.  I got TONS of time with Jessica and Taylor.  We even brought along the wedding party and were able to use a special location just for these photos.  I can’t believe I had never been to Lenox Park before.  It’s fantastic!  Here’s what we did with our playtime…

While we were shooting here, Jessica and Taylor told me that they used to live in this area and even got engaged in this park.  They couldn’t have picked a better spot for their wedding portraits!

Seriously, how gorgeous are these two?  I say wicked-gorgeous!

I love firsts.  This was the first impromptu soccer I’ve seen at a wedding.  Taylor and the fellas worked their skills a bit before heading to the reception.  Yay!

This is the point in my post where I express my utter love for the folks at Wahoo Grill.  This is the second wedding I’ve shot there (and another one next weekend!), and the food and the staff are both incredible.  The original reception venue wasn’t available because of all the horrid flooding we’ve had in Georgia, but the Wahoo folks swooped in and saved the day.

Generally, I like rules about as much as I like wet socks.  I do have one rule though.  If I have shot your wedding and you are guest at another wedding I’m shooting, you will have your photo taken.  Here are two of my FAVORITE people to run into at a wedding or anywhere else, Christi and Andisheh.  Happy Anniversary, you two!

You can tell a family is really tight when they have THIS much fun together…

I’ll end this post with the photo voted “most likely to make me cry”….because it does.  So much love.

To view a slideshow of more images from this fabulous wedding, please click HERE

I have so many emotions behind this post, that’s it’s hard to even know what to write.  I was really fortunate to have met Kerrie and her phenomenal son Jonah when I photographed Bert’s Big Adventure earlier this year at Disney World.  I remember being impressed by Kerrie’s friendly and joyful personality, and everyone on the trip absolutely fell in love with Jonah.  None of us will ever forget seeing him in his Buzz Lightyear costume!  I think we’re all grateful for the memories we have from that trip.

Imagine how thrilled I was when Kerrie contacted me to say that not only was she getting married, but she also hoped I would photograph it.  As far as decisions go, that one was a no-brainer.  Few things make me happier than taking emotionally-driven photos, and I knew what an important time this was in their lives.  There was not only a wedding to celebrate, but also the fact that Jonah was successfully recovering from a very crucial surgery.  He’s quite the little super hero.

The lovely wedding was held in the back yard of a neighbor of Kerrie’s parents.  Now, when I say “back yard”, what I actually mean is “one of the most beautiful gardens I’ve ever seen”.  I think I actually gasped when I saw it.  It was also such a pleasure to meet Craig, and see what a wonderful combination of families was being created by this marriage.  I am so thankful to have been there to capture images of this gorgeous day.

Here is a small sample of pics, and if you’d like to see a few more, there’s a slideshow at the bottom of this post.

Craig was working on getting Jonah’s tie knotted for him

This stunning lady is Kerrie’s sweet mom, Judy

I lost track of how many times Jonah said “Mommy, you look beautiful”.

Here’s Craig and Kerrie getting their first glance at each other before the ceremony.  Yay!

Kerrie looked radiant and gorgeous

Craig totally has the dashing groom thing figured out

I LOVE couples that crack each other up!

This picture of Jonah makes me so happy

I often like to point out which moment at a wedding makes me cry.  Here it is…

Oh Jonah, you just couldn’t possibly be any cuter!

There are so many touching moments in Jewish wedding ceremonies, but I think this one speaks volumes about this family.

I’m completely thrilled for this awesome new Mr and Mrs.  Thanks so much to both of you.

I love weddings where I do lots of gawking. From the time we showed up to start shooting this event, we kept staring at the flowers, the incredible property, the decorations, the lighting, the cake. Of course, all those special touches paled in comparison to when we finally saw Sarah and Dan together.

Dan has one of the warmest smiles you’ll ever see, and Sarah was the epitome of a classic, yet modern bride. When they’re next to each other, they seem to share lots of those “time stands still” moments.

Whether I’m a photographer or a guest, the weddings that blow me away are the ones filled with emotion. Sarah + John’s wedding wasn’t just filled, it was completely overflowing. These two share such a special love with one another, and it was clear to see that those feelings go far beyond the two of them and spread generously to their family and friends.

I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Sarah for many years. We even went to Ireland together about 50 years ago, it seems. I was so glad to see Sarah again and finally meet John. I just couldn’t be happier for these two wonderful people. Thank you so much for allowing me to capture such an unforgettable day.