Frank Gibson Photography » real life weddings … the story of your day

kristen and steve

Monday, August 20, 2012 Posted in weddings

It has been such a joy and privilege getting to know Kristen and Steve and their families this past year. They are all SO nice – those kind of families you want to get adopted into! :D So, needless to say, when their wedding day arrived and thunderstorms loomed large over their OUTDOOR CEREMONY, no one grumbled, complained, or worried endlessly. ’It will all be okay‘ seemed to be the motto of the day. And then it happened ~ just as we were getting ready to do the ‘First Look’, the bottom dropped out of the sky. RAIN. POURING RAIN. DRIVING RAIN. (Did I mention this was an outdoor ceremony?) :0 But, Kristen was so calm – ‘It’s going to pass‘, she said. ’We’ll just wait a bit.‘ And, she was so right. A few minutes later (and after lots of prayer), the dark clouds hastily moved out as blue skies and puffy white clouds drifted in ~ yay! Groomsmen, family, and friends hurried to help wipe off seats and rearrange flowers and set-ups before the first guests began to arrive. Perfection! Now, THAT’S the way it’s done! Enjoy!!

There’s something extra special about the first time a bride’s Dad sees his daughter in her wedding dress…especially when it’s like this…

Reverend George Callahan officiated the wedding ceremony at the ‘Canoe Lodge’ on Lake Sconti.

Big Canoe’s ‘Sconti Clubhouse’ was a perfect backdrop for their reception! Every detail was beautiful!

And Joel Rabe kept everyone rocking out on the dance floor having a fabulous time!

Congratulations and Hugs to Kristen and Steve!!

Wedding Gown ~ Bride Beautiful

Wedding Ceremony ~ Big Canoe, ‘The Lodge’

Wedding Reception ~ Big Canoe ‘Sconti Clubhouse’

Florist ~ DGL Designs ~ Chris and David

Cake ~ The Sweet Shoppe Blue Ridge, Perfect Wedding Cake

Officiant ~ Reverend George Callahan

Wedding Coordinator ~ Shani Wilson

DJ ~ Joel Robe, Lethal Rhythms

mallory and patton

Wednesday, August 1, 2012 Posted in weddings

Sometimes you just know that you’re going to love a wedding. Not that we don’t love all of our weddings in one way or another but some just seem to touch that tender spot. When Mallory called well over a year before her wedding date, she was so bubbly and exuberant. Her wedding was still a good way off but her enthusiasm won our hearts and we were so excited to hear all about her wedding day plans and details. The touching part was that her Dad had recently passed away so her plans were bittersweet but even more special to us. As we imagined, Mallory and Patton’s wedding day was beautiful and we were so honored to capture these memories….

Mallory and Patton decided to do a quick First Look before the ceremony…:D

Ansley and Sam were the perfect team as Flower Girl and Ring Bearer!

The Main Hall of nearby Chattahoochee Technical College was decorated beautifully for their reception celebration with large, lime green balloon lanterns, a candy station buffet featuring freshly made cotton candy spinning into swirls, and whimsical lights from floor to ceiling!

Congratulations and hugs to Mallory and Patton!!

Ceremony ~ First Baptist Church of Jasper

Wedding Gown ~ Maggie Sottero

Shoes ~ Kate Spade

Bridesmaids Dresses ~ Angelina Faccenda Bridesmaids by Mori Lee

Cake ~ Cindy Parks, Originals to Remember

Ceremony Flowers ~ Flowers by Karen

Reception Flowers ~ Kelly H. Eubanks

DJ ~ Burke Brennan

Caterer ~ Talk of the Town Catering

Wedding Planner ~ Kelly H. Eubanks

Reception ~ Chattahoochee Technical College

grace ann and tyler

Friday, July 27, 2012 Posted in weddings

Grace Ann and Tyler’s early June wedding was just as special as we anticipated! We’ve known Grace Ann and her family since *forever* and were so honored to be a small part of this precious wedding celebration. Grace Ann looked absolutely beautiful and was remarkably calm ~ even with all the extra attention from the ‘Say Yes To The Dress‘ video team! :D And, of course, Tyler was laid back ~ ready to see his elegant bride. Such a wonderful day! Enjoy!

I remember peeking into the dimly lit sanctuary just before guests began to arrive and just as the preparation team (wonderful friends) lit the last of the myriad of twinkling candles … it was so elegant and lovely, holy and reverent… it made you want to whisper…

Grace Ann’s dad is also the Senior Pastor of Riverstone Church so it was extra special for their ceremony to be officiated by Grace Ann’s Uncle John.

We hurried before the sun went down to capture Grace Ann and Tyler in this beautiful (but quickly fading) light.

Their reception on the church grounds under the big white tent was spectacular!

Congratulations and hugs to Grace Ann and Tyler!!

Wedding Gown ~ Kenneth Poole from Bridals by Lori

Ceremony and Reception ~ Riverstone Church

Florist ~ Gardenia Floral Design

Cake ~ Confection Perfection

Catering ~ Talk of the Town

Wedding Planner ~ Laura Godfrey of Godfrey Wedding Design

Videography ~ Sean Kirkland, Pursuit Productions

jennie and daniel

Monday, July 2, 2012 Posted in weddings

It’s official. If we ever decide to do a TOP TEN Favorite Venues list, Neverland Farms would have to be at the very top! :D When Jennie and Daniel called last fall to tell us about their upcoming springtime wedding there, we were so excited! We’ve been Neverland Farms FANS for a LONG, LONG, time and knew how incredibly beautiful it was with it’s rolling fields, stretches of winding, perfectly weathered, split-rail fencing, and picturesque views at every turn ~ the perfect backdrop for a wedding celebration! And, to top off all this venue splendor, Jennie and Daniel are two of the nicest people you would ever want to meet! Yes, a pinch-yourself kind of wedding day from beginning to end!

Jennie looked absolutely beautiful in her Romona Kevaza wedding dress.

Jennie and her bridesmaids were having some fun ~ and watching out for a few fire ant hills along the way! :O

Jennie and Daniel’s FIRST LOOK ~

The lovely, flower laden garden next to Moon Barn was a perfect setting for the ceremony. Suzy Tebor, (owner of Neverland Farms), and her awesome team made everyone feel like family and kept the day running flawlessly ~

After the ceremony, guests were invited up to the expansive Main Hall for a cocktail hour, a fabulous dinner (Neverland’s specialty) and dancing under twinkling lights and a full-moon sky…

The Diane McIntosh Band was fabulous ~ no one wanted the evening to end! They graciously played a few more sets that kept the party rocking!

And, what could be more fun than an extra-long sparkler send off (sparkling long enough to run the gauntlet twice) AND homemade cookies as a take-home favor! Yum!

Congratulations and hugs to Jennie and Daniel!

Venue ~ Neverland Farms

Wedding Dress ~ Romona Keveza

Florist ~ Amy Osaba

Cake ~ Memorable Creations

Band ~ Diane McIntosh Band

Ceremony Guitarist ~ Curtis Jones

christine and matthew

Thursday, June 14, 2012 Posted in weddings

Long after Frank and I drove back to Atlanta from Christine and Matthew’s wedding in Madison, GA, we were still talking about how beautiful it was and reflecting on all the dynamics of hosting a wedding reception in your own back yard. We are always in awe of our brides and grooms AND ESPECIALLY THEIR PARENTS who are willing to take on such a monumental task! Despite the obvious obstacles of weather (the most fear and stress-inducing hurdle), parking logistics, catering requirements, and even restroom facilities for the masses, the end result is unparalleled. When all the details come together (with months of planning, creating, organizing, and help from awesome family, friends, and a fabulous behind the scene wedding planner team), it’s our HANDS DOWN favorite way to go!

Christine and Matthew were so relaxed and easy-going and their wedding day came off without a hitch! (or at least none that anyone would ever notice…) :D Enjoy!!

Christine was smiles all day long ~ her getting ready time at her home really did have that ‘Father of the Bride’ kind of atmosphere ~ how incredibly special!

Christine and Matthew decided to do a first look ~ all of our couples say it relieves those before-the-ceremony jitters!

The ceremony was held at Madison’s historic First United Methodist Church.

And then on to the Trulock Home for the grandest of receptions!

One of our favorite details of this wedding was the history behind Christine’s wedding dress. She was actually the 5th bride to wear her dress! Her grandmother’s best friend was the original owner of the dress, Christine’s grandmother wore it, her grandmother’s best friend’s daughter wore it, AND Christine’s MOM wore it! And all of these lovely ladies are pictured below! Isn’t that fabulous?!