I know, I know. It’s been a little quite on this blog…so you can only imagine how busy it’s been around here! I’m hanging on though, I promise!  I actually have so much to show you I don’t even know where to start.  From sessions, to weddings, to albums to new products…we’ll have lots of posts to bring us into the holiday season.

Very Important!  All orders that you would like before Christmas must be ordered by December 1st.  No exceptions.  (sorry, I know that sounds harsh, but if I let you, then what about the others…).  So please, if you are planning on giving any photos for Christmas, or would just like them on your walls before the holiday, it must be ordered by tomorrow!!!  I can’t guarantee anything after that.

**Keep in mind that print orders are taking longer at this time.  If you have placed your order or are planning to, please know, I have seen it…there are just a lot of them…I promise to get them to you as soon as I can :)

And to lighten this post, here is a little sneak peak of what’s coming to the blog tomorrow!  Not all weddings are sunny & 70 degrees…but that doesn’t mean they aren’t perfect…

Have a wonderful Monday, and I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!!!

September 19 was the epitome of a perfect fall wedding day. Honest.  Did it help that the day was full of the most kindhearted people, a gorgeous bride & groom, special details everywhere you looked, or a ceremony under one of the largest trees this side of the country? Maybe.  All I know is that I will remember that day as one of my favorite days of the year.

I’ll admit, I knew a little what I was getting into that day.  During their engagement shoot in late April, Katie causally mentioned some of the details that she had planned…frankly, I had no idea how beautifully it would come together.  I am sure she went through a magazine or two with her mother, but everything just “said” Katie & Eddie.  Oh, did I mention that Katie’s mom wins “mother-of-the-bride-of-the-year”?  She single handily made more details for the day than many weddings combined…and every single one was stunning.

I’ll try to wrap it up because I seem to have pulled more images than ever for this post, however I do need to say one more thing.  Katie & Eddie, thank you from the very bottom of my toes to the top of my noggin for choosing me to be the photographer to document this amazing day.  It means so much to me that you would allow me to share in such a wonderful moment in your lives and I hope that you will cherish these images.  Your wedding was stunning, that’s all I can say.

I can’t describe how much I am in love with her dress.  Perfect mix of a little vintage & sophistication.

Preparations were done at the Greenhouse Bed & Breakfast in Chillicothe.  It was so great for them to all have space away from the ceremony location (bride’s house), and what a beautiful setting for getting ready!

You know how I love a good private moment :)

Seriously, I forget the facts, but it really is one of the largest trees around…maybe one of Katie’s family members could leave a little fact about it in the comments. (Edited to Add:  Justin told me that they said it was the 3rd largest White Oak in Ohio.)

Just a couple details I mentioned:

What?! Could they be any more stunning?!

A little dancing down the aisle is good for the soul…and your marriage.

Katie, you are beautiful. There is no other way to say it.

The reception was at the ever so fabulous Madison! Seriously an amazing venue…love it there!

Cakes by none other than the oh so talented, Erin of The Cake Kitchen.

They even had a photobooth!?! It was such a big hit! Even Justin & I stepped in for a couple ;)

Vendors:

Photography: Cassidy Dawn Photography ;)

Make-up: Hayley Palmer (email me for info)

Flowers: Anna Dean

Reception: The Madison, Chillicothe Ohio (740.637.0126)

Cater: Kim’s Catering

Cake: Erin Allsop, The Cake Kitchen

Band: Miesha Cannaday (and a few other talented folks!)

Edited to add:  We are leaving for Washington DC (right now).  If I haven’t replied to your email, I promise to do so no later than Monday evening, so sorry for the inconvenience.  I’ve been to DC many times, however Justin has been there once (on a school trip), so we plan to use any free time we have exploring the city…if you have an urget message, please call and leave a message, I will return your call as soon as I can.  Have a great weekend!!!

I just had to share one of my new favorite images of all time.  Really.

It combines so many things I love.  Great light, beautiful wedding attire, a little shout out to the best state ever, and of course…an adorable dog. Yep, expect this to be front and center when I finally update the website ;)

More of this beautiful wedding tomorrow!!

I met Heather & Evan last February at Schlegel’s in town.  We talked about their wedding while warming up over hot chocolate (well, that’s what I had…coffee & I aren’t friends).  Heather was describing all of the details she was planning into her day.  There’s a good chance that I crossed my fingers under the table in hopes that I could be there too.  The wedding sounded dreamy, absolutely dreamy.  To my delight, I heard from them soon after our meeting and was so excited for September 5th to come around.

We had the most perfect, warm day, and guess what?  The wedding was every bit as dreamy as I had expected.  Heather & Evan did a wonderful job planning all of the details of the day.  I love looking back at the pictures and remembering little aspects of the day: Heather’s anticipation while she waited for Evan to walk up during their first look, their crazy, sweet bridal party…I think I made a few friends that day, the stunning ceremony…in one of my favorite churches to photograph.  Everything about the day was perfect…here’s a little look at what I saw.

Elliott Mathis did it again.  The flowers of the day were stunning!

You know I love when the bride & groom decide to see each other before the ceremony.  It’s also soo romantic!  One of the first things I noticed about Heather when we first met was her face when she would look up at Evan.  Adorable. For example, see bottom photo left & right ;)

The entire wedding party attire came from She Said Yes! in Chillicothe!

Heather’s gift from Evan…so sweet!

Evan’s a firefighter in town, and he had a couple visitors right after the wedding…loved that!

The poor couple got pounded with birdseed…I mean, really…it was everywhere!

I’m a sucker for a great car.

The reception was held at The Madison in Chillicothe.  It was my first time shooting there, and I was in love!  I can’t wait for more wedding receptions here, the venue was gorgeous, the staff was amazing, and the architecture…well, you can’t beat it.

Cakes from the oh, so fabulous…Erin of the Cake Kitchen!

Evan & Heather now share an anniversary with his Grandparents. They did the sweetest dedication for them.  Heather was also wearing Evan’s grandmother’s pearls that she wore on her wedding day.  The whole thing was so beautiful…and yes, I may have teared up…just a little ;)

I don’t know where to start on the reception dancing.  Hands down it was the best dancing reception I have ever been to.  I do believe it was a combination of 2 things.  One: Amazing guests that have crazy awesome moves. Two: the most amazing DJ’s I’ve encountered thus far. (plug time)  Rick & Dawn May (info below)…will here on out be the premiere DJ’s for Chillcothe and surrounding areas (in my mind)…they are so talented…and so great at what they do.

As a photographer, I am going to let you in on a secret…we aren’t big fans of the gimmicky dances.  It’s true. Dollar dance, generation dance…YMCA…ugh.  However, Rick & Dawn made them so fun!  The dollar dance contained fast paced current songs, and it was not only entertaining, but funniest thing I’ve seen in a while.  Oh, and the hats below where a huge hit during the YMCA.  They played the perfect mix of classics & down right great dancing songs.

So just know, if you are going to ask me a suggestion for a DJ…I will only have one answer.  Rick & Dawn May of May Audio Visual.  They are the best.  Oh, and I might beg you to hire them, so I can work with them again. :)

You can’t end a wedding without a little Journey. It’s just wrong not to.

Heather & Evan, you two are the best! Thank you so much for choosing me to spend the day along your side, capture memories that would help you remember this day for years to come.  I am more honored & blessed than you may ever know.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Vendors:

Photography: Cassidy Dawn Photography ;)

Flowers: Elliot Mathis, Chillicothe Ohio (740.775.1220)

Attire: She Said Yes! Chillicothe Ohio

Church: First Presbyterian Church, Chillicothe, Ohio

Reception: The Madison, Chillicothe Ohio (740.637.0126)

Cater: Touch of Class catering, Brian Curtis (awesome pasta bar!) (740.626.7100)

Cake: Erin Allsop, The Cake Kitchen

DJ: May Audio Visual, Chillicothe Ohio (740.701.0732)

One more thing: Brides, we are booking fast here at Cassidy Dawn Photography for the 2010 wedding year.  We are currently over half-way booked for the year…and days are going quickly.  If you were hoping we could photograph your wedding day, contact us soon so we can reserve your date!  We’d love to be there :)

All weddings are an honor to photograph.  To be chosen to document one of the most memorable days in the lives of a couple is overwhelming.  Not only do I get to spend the day so close by and watching the little details of the day…I am the one that is to capture it, so that years down the road their children & grandchildren can see what the beautiful day was like.  It’s an honor.

This wedding was nothing short of that.  Katie & Brandon are so adorable together.  I photographed their engagement session last fall and knew that their wedding would be a day filled with love & laughs.  I was right.  Katie has the cutest, most contagious laugh.  I can’t help but smile every time I hear her.  In fact, if I have a bad day, I think I am just going to call her up and ask her to laugh for me…she instantly puts me in such a wonderful mood.  If we lived closer, I’d probably drive the poor girl nuts…I’d insist on getting together every other day :)

It was a beautiful day in Jackson, Ohio, and I couldn’t have been surrounded by better people.  Thank you for making me feel as though I was apart of your family…it was a wonderful day!

Justin caught this great shot of Alyssa, the flowergirl.

Katie’s laugh. Love it.

Great bridesmaids! Oh, and Ashely…I am soo planning on visiting you in Hawaii before your husband is stationed somewhere else ;)

Love this shot of Katie & her dad.

One of my favorites!

Thank you Katie & Brandon, I absolutely loved every minute of your wedding day :)

Coming soon to a blog near you ;)

I had been anticipating this wedding since I had photographed Jessica & Tom’s engagement photos in April.  We had such a great time, and I knew the wedding would be just as wonderful.

I was right. Despite the rain, everything went just according to plans…if fact, I think the rain made the day a bit more romantic. The idea of planning for so long and praying it doesn’t rain, then getting to the day and simply not caring at all…all you want is to marry the love of your life. Nothing can bring you down.  It’s a bit of a sweet thought, really.

However, I was pleased that the rain stayed away enough to do our portraits outside… :)

Jessica & Tom have a love that was so evident the entire day.  Their first look before the wedding was one of the sweetest I’ve ever documented…I can hear Jessica’s laugh of happiness now.  They took in their wedding day and didn’t let it fly by without taking a minute to take in the importance of the day.  I love that about them.  Jessica & Tom, thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. There was no where else I wouldn’t have rather been on July 25, 2009.

Flowers by the ever-talented, Nathan Cutright.

Oh, sweet Jessica. You are absolutely stunning.

Loved this series of their first look…to cute!

Notice the cards…Jessica & Tom met while working at the Library in Athens during their first semester…loved that idea!

Image on the left: Justin Drummond

Image on the right: Justin Drummond, oh and it happens to be one of my favorites of the day!

Couldn’t help but post this again…oh, and Jessica, these are my favorite bridesmaid dresses ever. Navy blue, different for each girl & Ann Taylor…does it get any better?!

Crazy delicious cake: Erin of The Cake Kitchen…oh how I wish I had a piece now, so yummy.

The reception turned into a little garden party after some dancing, I loved being outside enjoying the weather and their awesome guests.

Another perk of the day, we had so much fun together that one of Jessica’s bridesmaids (Emily) called a few days after and asked me to photograph her wedding this October!  I absolutely can’t wait to see so many of them again :)

Vendors:

Photography: Cassidy Dawn Photography ;)

Flowers: Nathan Cutright

Hair: Hair by Leanna, Columbus Ohio

Church: Trinity United Methodist Church, Chillicothe, Ohio

Reception: Sunroom @ The Brick, Frankfort, Ohio

Cake: Erin Allsop, The Cake Kitchen

Just had to share this image with all my faithful blog readers!

This image has quickly become one of my favorites, ever.

More coming soon!

On July 24th I felt like one of the luckiest girls in the world.  Not only was it the most perfect summer day in my ‘old Kentucky home’…but I was honored to photograph the wedding of Cacey & John.  It was hands down one of my favorite days of the year.

Justin & I lived in Maysville, Kentucky, during our first year of marriage.  Not only does that town hold a special place in our hearts (and will always be our ‘other’ home), but the people we met there will continue to be some of our very best friends, forever.  One of those lovely people we became friends with was Cacey, we even actually worked together at the Miniatures Museum.

I can honestly say that Cacey has the most beautiful voice of anyone I know…she’s a trained opera singer.  Her love of music led her to meet the love of her life, John (*awesome* story about how they met below).  John is the Music Director and Conductor of the University of Kentucky Symphony Orchestra.  Their love for music, their family & friends, and each other were evident on their wedding day, and I pray I captured it for them to remember that day. Here are a few of my favorites.

A few details of the amazing Clarke home:

I *love* this car shot Justin (my second shooter/husband ;) captured…I think I may have to frame it.

These shoes are *very* special to the sweet couple.  While they were running the finale of Act II in La Boheme, Cacey’s character, Musetta, was throwing a hissy fit (as directed by the director, of course) and as she was kicking and screaming, her shoe flew off, hit the ceiling, landed on John’s head as he was conducting, then his music stand, and they had their first date the next night.  She had been flirting with him for weeks and he didn’t realize it till she hit him in the head with a shoe.  So cute!

Gorgeous couple!

Love this series:

You know I love when my couples want to do a big group shot!

This couple means the world to me…and I just couldn’t help but post these two images.  By the way, the image on the right completely captures Kaye (one of my Maysville Mommas!)

Ok, I have to stop now…I just browsed through and found more I would love to post…however, I will refrain.
Cacey & John, Thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to photograph such a wonderful day in your lives.  It was such an honor to spend the evening with you and your sweet family & friends.  Oh, and I’m so happy Paris was everything you thought it would be…and more :)

Vendors:

Photographer: Cassidy Dawn Photography

Catering & Cake: Patty Cake’s

Flowers: A Flower Affair – (606) 564-4418

Musicians: The Niles Quartet from the University of Kentucky Symphony Orchestra

more coming soon!