La Dolce Blog | Florida and Destination Wedding Photographers Melanie & Bradford Watson

Nashville Wedding Photographers | Susan & Jason’s Countryside Wedding

Melanie — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 16:18:05 +0000

What can I say folks, these past few months have been flying by us at warp speed it seems. Its hard to believe we shot this sweet countryside wedding all the way back in May. Susan & Jason were married in their hometown of McMinnville, TN on May 15th just two short weeks after the devastating Nashville floods. McMinnville is an hour outside of Nashville and luckily for Susan and Jason, fared much better than the Music City did during the flash flooding. Although the flooding had subsided in middle Tennessee, torrential rains were still a daily occurrance. Wedding day or not, the sky was coming down. We were able to get outside for some pictures when the rains were taking a breather though and get some really dramatic shots of the storm rolling through. We love how sweet this couple is and their wedding was a perfect reflection of the two of them. Susan looked stunning in her Kenneth Pool gown from The Bride Room in Nashville and the boys were as dapper as they come in classic black tuxes. Below are some of our favorite images from the day.

Susan & Jason, we know you are both a perfect fit for one another. We loved every moment with you and are so happy to call you friends. We wish you oodles of happiness whether you are traveling the world together or just snuggling at home on the couch.

Lots of love,

Mel & Brad

I fell in love with the baby cows in the pasture across the street. How cute were they!?

Home made Sun Drop cakes were boxed up as favors for the guests. For you non Tennesseans, Sun Drop is a citrus soda only available in TN. It is Brad’s absolute favorite and he claims it punches Mountain Dew in the face.

Susan’s family and friends did an impeccable job with the catering. Everything was homemade and tasted like heaven. Krispy Kremes were also bagged as favorites. Yum to the max!

Even the flower arrangements were done by friends. Susan used my 2 favorite flowers, peonies and ranunculus, in her arrangements. I love this girl!

Jason is an incredibly talented musician. During the reception he performed a song he wrote just for Susan about their wedding day. It was such a beautiful moment.

As the party started hopping, Hawaiian lays were passed out to celebrate their upcoming Hawaiian honeymoon.

Orlando Newborn Photography | Baby Ailey has arrived!

Melanie — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 17:48:31 +0000

Just before heading out on our crazy long road trip, Bradford and I had the privilege of photographing one of the sweetest little newborn baby girls you ever could meet. She was only 9 days old and a tad over six pounds but little miss Ailey already knows how to steal your heart. We are so happy to share a few of our favorite photos from her newborn session with you. We can’t wait to see this sweet little girl grow and blossom over the next year as we document her first year of life.

Enjoy!

Jacksonville Wedding Photographers | Katie & Adam’s Engagement Session

Melanie — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:27:52 +0000

Fact:

Katie & Adam are dog lovers.

Katie & Adam are two dog lovers in love.

Katie & Adam met with us, also dog lovers, and it was like instant dog-lover-photographer-client kismet! Sparks flew and little doggie angels sang when our worlds collided.

Okay so maybe it wasn’t quite as magical, but you get the idea.

All mushiness aside, when Katie started telling us how her Boston Terrier Jax was going to be the ring bearer at her Club Continental wedding this Fall instantly the conversation moved from wedding world to the canine world and we were all hard pressed to move back into wedding land. Did I mention Katie’s mom is also just as in love with fur babies as we are… and quite possibly one of the coolest MOB’s we have ever met. Honestly, when we met Katie and her mom during the initial consult we fell in love right away. Katie is gorgeous, hilarious, obviously a fur baby mama, and a kindred spirit without a doubt. Here mom was all those things as well and from what we had heard of Adam, he was going to make us fall in love with him too. Don’t worry Adam, its cool, manly, chest bumping love… nothing girly. We knew they were going to be one of those couples that made our job so much easier simply because we love being around them. We were right.

The day we shot their engagement session, we were constantly racing to beat the impending downpour, but you never saw Katie or Adam sweat once. They were so calm and happy just to be in eachother’s arms. We love how their session turned out. So many moments filled with laughter and sweet soft moments when you could really see how much they adore one another. Here are some of our favorites.

Katie & Adam…. we can’t wait to do it all again in October! (minus the thunderstorm that is)

Katie has the best laugh ever.

Amy & Jason’s St. Augustine Wedding | St. Augustine Wedding Photographers

Melanie — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 02:01:38 +0000

What can we say about Amy & Jason… well they are a total riot to start. We had an amazing time cutting up with them on the streets of St. Augustine for their engagement session and knew they were going to be a ball of laughs on their wedding day too. Sure enough, they did not disappoint. Not only was their wedding fun, but it was steeped in history from the hotels where they got ready to the ceremony site and reception venue. Each location was a historic relic revived in the center of the oldest city in the United States. The Koi watched as Amy & Jason stood on a tiny stone bridge pledging their life to one another. On a steamy spring day in April, surrounded by the people they loved most, Amy and Jason became Mr. and Mrs. Although their wedding was not without its hiccups, nothing could get to these two as they joined lives and committed eternity to one another. After all the formals had been shot, the four of us walked a few blocks laughing and shooting on the way to the reception and we remembered exactly why we liked these guys so much. They are silly and sweet and make eachother laugh like no ones’ business. They are 100% completely in love and it just doesn’t get any better than that. A couple who are truly engrossed in one another and you can see their eyes light up just from a simple glance at their other half. It is photography magic. We arrived at The White Room and the party was in full swing over looking the bay and we were so happy to be there to capture everything. Etherial swags of chiffon draped the reception room while crystals and chandeliers added just the right touch of sophisticated ambiance. We love a crowd that knows how to party and this group was alive and dancing in no time. The night ended with sparklers and our happy couple being whisked away in a horse drawn carriage to start their new life together. It was truly a night filled with love. Amy & Jason we wish you both oodles of happiness and abundant laughter together. We know you two will never be bored as long as you are side by side. We know your Hawaiian honeymoon was perfect and we hope life only gets better from there.

In love,

Mel & Brad

Vendors that made this day so lovely:

Bride Getting Ready: Casa Monica Hotel

Groom Getting Ready: Hilton Historic Inn

Ceremony: Lightner Museum

Reception: The White Room

Event Planner: Ashly Olivier of Olivier Events

Florist: PRI Productions

Lighting and Decor: PRI Productions

DJ: Paul Brace of Brace Entertainment

Bridal Gown: Love Bridal Boutique

Bridesmaid Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid

String Quartet: The String Group

Catering: The White Room

Cake: Sweet Weddings

Horse and Carriage: Avalon Carriages

Featured // Steve & Simina’s Wedding on Completely Unveiled

Melanie — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 17:17:05 +0000

Another gorgeous wedding we shot was featured on the ever fabulous Completely Unveiled blog today!! Thanks so much to Kirstin and all the incredible people at Weddings Unveiled for showcasing Steve & Simina’s lovely wedding. We adore this couple and hope you all do too. Please stop by the Completely Unveiled blog and leave them some lovin.

xoxo

Mel