Nothing could stop this day from being magic, not even a hurricane. This wedding was probably the most feel good story I can think of from 7 years of shooting wedding days. It began the week of the wedding. Hurricane Lee was fast approaching and tensions were at an all time high. Typically we have back ups for rain days but nothing could prepare the team for creating a whole new wedding and the scramble of finding a new venue in a couple days. Morgan and Brad had planned their day to the T with a dream vision in mind. Years of planning have to be restructured. So when their venue had to cancel due to the damage the hurricane could cause to their dome tent, they had no choice but to move that vision. A miracle happened. They were offered a restaurant space belonging to the Westfield golf course where their caterers Cask and Kettle served on a daily. The unimaginable task? To transform it a wedding venue and a flip from ceremony to reception.
Let's first begin with how the day started. Well it rained and rained hard. I went into the day feeling a ball of nerves because we had to make it the best day possible despite the circumstances. We got ready at the Hilton Saint John, another change to the itinerary. However, we had everyone there that made it a personal story including their little baby girl and fur baby. It was extra special. Now for the adventure of the treacherous drive through a hurricane to the venue. I even got stuck in the parking garage because I somehow lost my ticket and my tap payment wouldn't work on the machine. After telling the parking attendant, " Hey I have to get to this ceremony! Its a big deal!", he let me go with a warning. Lesson learned. Now I had to change my mindset.
Finally arrived to the Westfield Golf course and ran in getting fully soaked. As I opened the curtains to the ceremony. Wow!!!!! Just see for yourself. Palmer weddings and events outdid this transformation of what was a bare boned restaurant space to a magical vortex of romance. Unreal!!!
After the ceremony, we headed outside while the room was being flipped for dinner. A MIRACLE HAPPENED!!! Hurricane Lee decided to take a slight detour just for portraits. It was truly what we needed even if it was for 30-40 minutes. Remember, we all anticipated being indoors all day because hurricanes don't typically care if it's your wedding day. Lee was a one of a kind storm, thank you!
After walking into the reception.....again.....WOW!!!!! Palmer weddings and events somehow did it again and you couldnt recognize the ceremony nor the restaurant space. It was a whole new venue filled with so much love, tears and laughter. Truly amazing!
As this beautiful intimate night went on, it was down pouring again but I needed to do one last thing. With the summer of rain, this was the moment that I wasn't passing up. I asked Morgan and Brad reluctantly if they would like to go out in the hurricane with an umbrella. They said a big "yes!" not understanding what it was I was actually doing. We searched for an umbrella for about 10 minutes but it had to be clear! We found one! Now it's time to put the manifestation to reality that I've been dreaming of all summer. While outside, I got my light and started playing. Still unsure what I was doing, Morgan and brad asked if it worked. "It's going to work", I replied. Truth....I was having a few technical issues. 5 minutes later, just like that, it was MAGIC on the back of my camera!! I got the shot of my dreams and theirs. Someone once said to me. "You captured the entire day in one image!" I didn't see it that way at first but then I realized that the story was inside that one image. Every time I look at it or Morgan and Brad looks at it, they will think about the day that started with panic and uncertainty. They will remember a day turned out to be even better than they imagined.
Thank you both for trusting me with your day and to all the amazing vendors who stepped up....We did it together!!!!!
The DREAM TEAM!
Venue: WestField Golf and Country Club
Getting ready location : Hilton Saint John
Who is your wedding planner or point person?Where is your dress from?
cake decoratorWhere are you flowers from?DjJoe Forestall
CatererMake up artistHair