Dads and Daughters

Alright, I admit it, I cry at weddings. What a cliche, right? But it's true. And typically the waterworks will start during the Father/Daughter dance. So in honor of Father's Day, I thought I'd pay tribute to all those dads out there who've given us beautiful brides to photograph over the years by highlighting some of my favorite shots from Father/Daughter dances. Here you go. Try not to tear up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(and I have to throw this one in as a counter-point to the sweet one above -- love the expression on Patricia's dad's face as he dances with her!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quite often, the song that's played most frequently during the Father/Daughter dance is Heartland's "I Loved Her First." I always, always get chills when I watch a father dance with his daughter while this song plays in the background. I thought I'd share the lyrics. You can also hear the song on Youtube here.

 

Look at the two of you dancing that way
Lost in the moment and each others face
So much in love your alone in this place
Like there's nobody else in the world
I was enough for her not long ago
I was her number one
She told me so
And she still means the world to me
Just so you know
So be careful when you hold my girl
Time changes everything
Life must go on
And I'm not gonna stand in your way

But I loved her first and I held her first
And a place in my heart will always be hers
From the first breath she breathed
When she first smiled at me
I knew the love of a father runs deep
And I prayed that she'd find you someday
But it still hard to give her away
I loved her first

How could that beautiful women with you
Be the same freckle face kid that I knew
The one that I read all those fairy tales to
And tucked into bed all those nights
And I knew the first time I saw you with her
It was only a matter of time

But I loved her first and I held her first
And a place in my heart will always be hers
From the first breath she breathed
When she first smiled at me
I knew the love of a father runs deep
And I prayed that she'd find you someday
But its still hard to give her away
I loved her first

From the first breath she breathed
When she first smiled at me
I knew the love of a father runs deep
Someday you might know what I'm going through
When a miracle smiles up at you
I loved her first

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jun 20, 2010 | Wedding Photography | 3 Comments »

Duke Gardens Weddings: Marla and Dan are married!

Congratulations to Marla and Dan who were married at Duke Gardens this May. The sunshine-filled wedding day began with the bride and bridesmaids getting ready together in a suite at the Millennium Hotel in Durham. This is always a fun part of the day for me. I loved the detail on Marla's dress and thought the bridemaids' dresses were some of the prettiest I've seen recently. Those bows were adorable -- thank goodness Marla's mom was on hand to help tie them!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the engagement session, I knew I was going to love photographing Marla in all her wedding finery. She was absolutely radiant.

 

 

 

 

 

One of the great things about having two photographers is that while I was at the hotel photographing Marla and her bridesmaids, Frank was at Dan's parents' home, photographing the groom with his family. Then he followed the groomsmen over to the gardens to get ready for the ceremony.

 

 

 

 

 

As soon as we got the word that the groom was on his way to the gardens, Marla and her bridesmaids went to Dan's parents' home too,

to honor a request by his mom for portraits on the stairs.

Beautiful surroundings, beautiful light and beautiful girls. Sometimes I wonder how we get so lucky!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wedding days always fly by so quickly. Before long, the ceremony was underway at the pergola in the terraced gardens.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After photos at the gardens, we made our way back to the Millennium Hotel for the reception. While Frank was covering cocktail hour,

I was inside the ballroom, grabbing some detail shots, including floral designs by Floral Dimensions and yet another beautiful cake by the always-fabulous

Lorie at Simply Cakes. Have I said yet how much I love this color combination? If not, let me say it now: purple and blue is gorgeous!

 

 

 

 

 

Dan's parents are champion ballroom-dancers, so naturally, the First Dance was going to be special. Marla and Dan worked hard to master the intricate footwork.

If it's possible to rock a waltz, they absolutely did (or was it a tango?). I know Dan's mom and dad are so proud!

 

 

 

 

 

 L-O-V-E.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I don't think I ever really gave much thought to the importance of having a great DJ until I became a wedding photographer. Troy Coghill did a fantastic job keeping everyone dancing all evening.

We love it when people have a great time; it makes our jobs that much more fun.

 

 

 

 

 

Dan and Marla, thanks for allowing us to celebrate your wedding day with you, your family and friends. We wish you a lifetime of love and happiness!

 

 

 

 

P.S. I'm trying some new blog templates; let me know what you think!

Jun 06, 2010 | Wedding Photography | 2 Comments »