Wendy & Jamal are married! Jacksonville Wedding at the Omni Hotel

This wedding left me speechless and completely changed my life.

For Wendy and Jamal, it wasn't just a celebration of their love, it was a celebration of God's love, and the generations of their family that came from all over the world.

As one person stood up at the reception and toasted, "Remember, keep Jesus in your marriage and everything else will work out." Wendy and Jamal started Day 1 exactly that way with a beautiful worship time at their ceremony as the congregation lifted up their marriage the Lord, and then at the reception at the Jacksonville Omni Hotel, the doors bust open with a full gospel choir entering and welcoming Wendy and Jamal into their party.

It was such a powerful day of worship for everyone who attended, and I'm confident every guest left a better person because of Wendy and Jamal's contagious love and they love they have for the One who brought them together. I can only imagine how together, God will use their marriage in the lives of many more as the years follow.

VENDORS:
CEREMONY: Hope Chapel
RECEPTION: Omni Hotel
CATERING: Silk Creations
VIOLINIST: Beverly Chapman
VIDEOGRAPHER: Siberian Pictures
EVENT PLANNER: Cole & Cole Designs
JEWELRY: Diamonds International
FLORAL DESIGNS: Curly Willow & Wilson's Limited,904.475.0003
CAKES: Cakes by Judy


Here's my favorites shots of the day and their full slideshow at the end:


The middle ring is a Promise ring that Wendy's dad gave her when she was a little girl.




Wendy was doing this for Jamal to see later! It means "I love you" in sign language.


I loved how Wendy's dad whipped out the iPhone right away when he first saw his princess.








Wendy started the ceremony by faithfully giving the Promise ring back to her dad. Such a beautiful moment!!


Beautiful runner!


I loved how Wendy's dad was praying over his daughter and her new husband.


My favorite shot of the day for all the reasons I talked about in the teaser.




Love this shot of Jamal and his mom after the ceremony.




Time for some fun shots around the Jacksonville Omni Hotel!












Wendy and Jamal had two receptions to accommodate their church family and other guests. Below are the two beautiful cakes from each! Cakes by Judy did a beautiful job!


Wendy & Jamal had a beautiful reception at the Jacksonville Omni Hotel!




It was time for CHURCH at the Jacksonville Omni Hotel! I love how they started their reception in worship with a full on choir and live band rockin' the house!




This was a precious part of a surprise slideshow.








And the slideshow....

Wendy & Jamal Wedding TEASER! Jacksonville Wedding.

Saturday, I didn't just shoot a wedding, I shot a worship service. At Wendy and Jamals' wedding, they started their reception with a full 50 people or so choir and live band and dancers and totally rocked the house putting God first in their celebration. Those shots are to come, but my favorite shot of the day was the simplicity of this one. After exchanging their vows, they started their union as husband and wife by lifting their hands in worship to the sweet Lord. I instantly began to cry behind the camera, I can't imagine a more beautiful way to begin a marriage than in complete surrender and praise to the Creator of marriage. At the end of the night, Wendy got up and gave a toast to her new husband and ended it by saying "As long as you follow Jesus, I will always follow you." Again, cry, tears. So beautiful.





To Wendy and Jamal, your love for each other and love for the Lord is contagious. Thank you for your example, I was completely moved by your wedding, as I'm sure everyone else was too who attended. You both inspire me to want to seek God's heart even stronger.

More pictures and the full slideshow to follow soon! :-)

Lori & Jason are married! Jacksonville wedding at Maggiano's.

When I was in 4th grade and met Lori, I would have never imagined I would one day be capturing the most beautiful day of her life as she married the love of her life, Jason. We kept in touch over the years and she was the bridesmaid in Corinna's Las Vegas wedding that I shot two years ago. Now it was finally Lori's turn and I totally adored all her pink decor. Despite a record high 100 degree weather outside that day, her day turned out beautiful and it was an honor to celebrate with her and Jason at Maggiano's at the St. Johns Town Center!

VENDORS:

FLORIST: Patricia Rock with Hagan Ace Florist (904) 268-9597
DJ: McGee Entertainment
CEREMONY: Crown Point Baptist Church
RECEPTION: Maggiano's Restaurant
VIDEOGRAPHER: Simple Wed Video
CAKE: Signature Cakes by Paul Collins
HAIR: Danielle Albarado of Nelson Crew (904) 645-8555
MAKE UP: Make Up by Sunshine

Here are my faves from the day and the slideshow at the end!




































































Two years later, it was so great to celebrate Lori's wedding with one of my first bride and grooms, Corinna and Bobby.


The next wedding I'm shooting is for this awesome couple, Wendy and Jamal, at the Jacksonville Omni Hotel!


Forget sparklers, they had true fireworks for their grand exit out of Maggiano's!


And the slideshow....