McBee Photography - Live. Love. Be

Charleston Wedding Photographer | Film- One Shot | Laura’s Bridal

We photographers take bridal portraits months before your wedding. It ensures Mom gets a chance to pour over the pictures and choose her favorite. Photographing early also allows you to have a final dress fitting if you found that it didn’t feel quite right while walking around. But of course, I can’t put bridal portraits on my website until after your wedding! It’s sooooo hard for me to wait to post bridal pictures! Laura’s wedding finally passed and I have a gem to share with you. This is my favorite one from the day. It was shot on Fuji Pro 400 film with my grandpa’s old, twin lens reflex, medium format camera. The pictures are naturally square (120mm) and make for fun composition. I had no idea that I would get that luminous, circular sun flare OR that the wind would whisk her veil to the side at the perfect moment. It’s times like these that I step back and thank God for the small things. If you want to see more of Laura’s bridal session, The Wedding Row just published them today!

Laura’s bridal session was shot at the College of Charleston Cistern and she rocked that dress!
Charleston Wedding Photography | Hampton Park | Matthew & Dianne

Have you ever noticed simple moments in life where you’re completely in tune to the fact that whatever is happening around you is going to stick with you? It could be the way someone looks at you, an interaction between strangers unaware of your presence, or an unexpected touch. Maybe the moment is for the good or the bad, but you’re aware. Well, Matthew & Dianne’s wedding was one of those moments for me. As you scroll through their ceremony pictures, you’ll notice that it’s not a traditional wedding. Nobody gave Dianne to Matthew, they walked into the ceremony site together. Nobody “married” them; they gave themselves to each other and wrote intimate, original vows proclaiming their love and commitment. Then, the group of people gathered to witness their union stood and spoke words of blessings, wisdom, and love over them. There was a good bit of silent time, but it was meant as a time of prayer and reflection- and I quite liked it. Dianne had a gorgeous, hand painted, marriage certificate which was read aloud and signed by all present. This is the Quaker’s nuptial style, and it was the most pure, intriguing ceremonies I’ve ever documented. After it was all said and done, everyone shook hands and made merry with champagne- it was perfect. Dianne and Matthew, congratulations and cheers to a long life of happiness!

Get ready for a post on their Gin Joint reception and some advice from Dianne on planning a destination wedding. You won’t want to miss it!

Paul’s Collar/Bow tie: Catey Blue – http://www.etsy.com/shop/shopcateyblue
Quaker Wedding Certificate: Danae Blackburn-Hernandez – http://www.etsy.com/people/eDanae
Invitations: Invited Design (Diana Weir) http://www.etsy.com/shop/inviteddesign
Dress: Aidan Mattox (Bloomingdales)
Hair Piece: Bhldn
Makeup: Chery Gibson
Matt’s suit/clothes: Hugo Boss
Matt’s Shoes: Cole Haan
Matt’s tie pin: Jack Spade
My Shoes: Badgley Mishka
Flowers: Horst Wholesale Florist of Charleston, Inc
Charleston Bridal Photography | Wentworth Mansion | Sally

This bridal shoot was one of the most relaxed I’ve ever photographed. Part of that is due to Sally’s sweet disposition- I don’t think I’ve ever seen her frown! BUT, there were some things that we planned for that made this day a huge success. I’m getting these bridal tips together to share in the next week. Until then, enjoy this eye candy- shot at Charleston’s one and only Wentworth Mansion. These luxuriously detailed locations makes my job, as a photographer, feel like a kid in a candy store. :)

If you have any bridal photography questions, feel free to shoot over an email!
Charleston Engagement | Cypress Gardens | Tom & Allison Sneak Peek

This post is so nostalgic because Cypress Gardens is in my hometown and it’s where my high school held Prom. (I’ll spare you those pictures!) This swamp/garden/butterfly conservatory is a true gem of Moncks Corner. When Allison & Tom asked to have their engagement session in the Gardens, I knew we were going to make magic. This is the same garden where the movie, The Notebook, was filmed so how could it NOT be romantic, RIGHT! :) More pictures to come!
Charleston Wedding Photography | Riverfront Park & Navy Yard | Ed & Laura

Laura and Ed are off on their honeymoon and I’m left the lovely task of narrowing down their hundreds of playful, elegant, and romantic wedding pictures. It’s such a hard job, but someones got to do it. ;) Seriously, this couple had it all! They chose to have their bridal party photographed at Riverfront Park but you have to drive through the old navy base to get there. I’ll not lie to you- it’s downright scary at times BUT while driving through Creepyville I stumbled upon this gem of a building. Yes, I asked the bridal party to get out of their fancy limo to walk across God-knows-what just to take these photos. The first thing I heard one of them say was, “This place is so cool!” Yeah, I have the best clients!

I love the lines in this image below!

Finally we made it to the park and someone left a nice PLUS sign, written in chalk, for us to pose with. (Laura, you got your chalk photo after all!)

Riverfront Park is not only picturesque, it has some amazing interactive art. Some you can sit on, play on, and even swing from like giddy school kids.

The sweet grass was in bloom. LOVE this image.

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