July 27, 2012

Cecile & Ganten Get Married: The Seaside Reception

After a the wedding day preparation, a beautiful ceremony and the formal portraits were over, it was time for Cecile and Ganten to celebrate with their closest family and friends at their seaside cocktail hour and reception.





Upon the newlyweds' arrival, they were were greeted warmly by their guests and shared a beautiful first dance.






The music changed to an up-tempo, and Cecile & Ganten shared an energetic dance with their moms, as well as Cecile's brother and godfather.  Let me tell you - these people have got some moves!
































After a few dance moves, Cecile and Ganten cut into the most beautiful wedding cake I've ever had the pleasure of photographing, which was made with love by the very talented Cathy Dart of For Heaven's Cakes.




Family and friends gathered around the stage for a few heartfelt toasts from Cecile's mom, the maid of honor, and best man.




Cecile's godfather took to the stage.  I understand he is very close to the Gussack family and was a colleague of Cecile's father.  In fact, he invited all colleagues and family members of the Armadillo group to step forward as Ganten was pinned into the family.  The legacy carries on!





And then the celebration was in full swing!  The further the sun set, the more this party rocked, which was headlined by the incredible band, MVP, all the way from Atlanta!





And just when you thought the evening couldn't get any better, Cecile joined MVP on stage and surprised everyone in attendance by cranking out a killer beginning to "Proud Mary!"  She was incredible!  The band took over, and she, Ganten and all their guests danced their hearts out!






After the cutting of an armadillo-shaped groom's cake and the completion of the garter toss and the sweetly rigged bouquet toss, Cecile & Ganten left the reception during a rose petal send-off. 


But this party wasn't quite over.  The newlyweds completed their most perfect day with a trip to where their love story all began - at Brogen's, where they met.  I left them kissing sweetly on the bar.


Cecile and Ganten...  My heart smiles thinking of the two of you on your wedding day.  You are an incredible couple supported and surrounded by amazing family and friends who love you so dearly.  May you share a lifetime of happiness and crazy good love.  It was an honor to play such a special part in your big day, and I look forward to seeing my two new friends in the near future.  xo


A big, warm "thank you" to all the vendors who made Cecile & Ganten's wedding celebration a success!

Hotel: Sea Gate Inn
Dress: Allure from Bride Beautiful - Atlanta, Georgia
Shoes: Kate Spade
Hair: Tasha Shaw of Jamison Shaw Hairdressers - Atlanta, Georgia
On-site wedding planner: Cathy Stout - LaGrange, Georgia
Photographer: Jennifer Tacbas - Jennifer Leigh Photography
Assistants to Jennifer: Brittany Carpenter & Sarah Simmons
Ceremony & reception decor: The new Mrs.Cecile Kirby!
Tent & Rentals: Beachview Tents Rentals 
Catering: Festive Occasions by Janet Brown
Cakes: Cathy Dart, For Heaven's Cakes 
Band: MVP from Atlanta - booked via agent Matthew Thomas, EastCoast Entertainment

Cecile & Ganten Get Married: Before, During & After the Ceremony {Saint Simons wedding photographer}

After Cecile and her bridesmaids finished prepping for the wedding ceremony, it was time to capture all the beauties with my lens!  First, we have the gorgeous bride, looking absolutely stunning in her lace Allure bridal gown.


Then add the mother of the bride and the mother of the groom...



Enter Cecile's fabulously fun bridesmaids!



While Cecile awaited the arrival of family members from both sides, I traveled down the street to see what the guys were up to.  I found them happily hanging out, snacking, sipping on Natty Light, fully dressed and ready for their portraits!  



Dad Kirby was an amazing assistant.  He even held the porch flag when necessary.  I just love this pull back shot showing him in action!


Showtime was getting near, so we all headed back to the church for some last minute portraits with close family.




And then...Cecile and Ganten became husband and wife!



Don't you just love a groom who dips his bride for their first kiss as husband and wife?  Time to bring the wedding party together for a few moments that had us all smiling and laughing.





Before we headed on over to an amazing reception to celebrate the newlyweds, we had to make one very important stop.  Someone very close to Cecile's heart may have been missing on her wedding day, but his spirit was with her every step of the way.  Cecile's father passed away in 1997 from a brain tumor.  Gerald was an amazing husband to his beautiful wife, an incredible father to his children, a highly respected surgeon and a well-loved friend to so many.  We wanted to include him in some portraits in a special way, and visiting his memory bench in Neptune Park was the perfect way to do so.





Coming up next: The celebration of the year - Cecile & Ganten's fabulous seaside reception!

A big, warm "thank you" to all the vendors who made Cecile & Ganten's wedding celebration a success!

Hotel: Sea Gate Inn
Dress: Allure from Bride Beautiful - Atlanta, Georgia
Shoes: Kate Spade
Hair: Tasha Shaw of Jamison Shaw Hairdressers - Atlanta, Georgia
On-site wedding planner: Cathy Stout - LaGrange, Georgia
Photographer: Jennifer Tacbas - Jennifer Leigh Photography
Assistants to Jennifer: Brittany Carpenter & Sarah Simmons
Ceremony & reception decor: The new Mrs.Cecile Kirby!
Tent & Rentals: Beachview Tents Rentals 
Catering: Festive Occasions by Janet Brown
Cakes: Cathy Dart, For Heaven's Cakes 
Band: MVP from Atlanta - booked via agent Matthew Thomas, EastCoast Entertainment