Murakami Photography Blog
Murakami Photography Blog


Get in touch with Teri and David via the main website Murakami Photography
You can also keep updated with Teri and David via their public facebook page :)

Showing posts with label Destinations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Destinations. Show all posts

Friday, July 23

Sweet Home Alabama, Part 2, The Barefoot Bride! Mandi and Brandon's Wedding!

It was a glorious day for a wedding. Sun was bright in the sky, gentle breezes coming down from the mountain, and the excitement in the air was electric.

Mandi and Brandon's choice of the Foundation Ranch near Oxford Alabama is an idyllic location for a wedding. Stunning views behind the mansion, with a lake and mountain that the sun would set behind, tall trees looming over the ceremony space in an almost cathredral like manner. Simply stunning.

Mandi chose a classic black and white theme, with alot of crafty touches that her creative mom Syndi fashioned for the reception. One of my favorite touches was a little black and white cameo brooch that Mandi was going to use in her bouquet. Unfortunatly, the brooch went missing weeks before the wedding. Teri spent the day before the wedding helping Syndi with center pieces for the tables, when Syndi struck gold, and discovered the errant brooch! Deciding to keep that a secret surprise for Mandi on the wedding day, Teri enlisted David's help from 5000 miles away to do a couple of images to go inside the brooch of Mandi's grandparents and her parents. This had been something Mandi had wanted to do, but with the brooch missing,, well, this was a last minute surprise for her! The photos of Syndi giving the bouquet to Mandi and Mandi's emotional reaction was really something.

The boys stayed in the gameroom playing pool and chilling out before the ceremony. It was such a relaxed and fun atmosphere.

The ceremony was at sunset, which gave the girls plenty of time to get ready. Their dresses were gorgeous black grecian style, and they all carried a single white rose. Bride and bridesmaids were barefoot, it was just so elegant.

Mandi chose a vintage lace fishtail style gown and birdcage veil, with her hair swept up to one side. Shoes were by 'mother nature', as she was a barefoot bride.

The sunset created an almost mystical look thru the steamy mist that was coming off the lake behind the ceremony. It was just beautiful, emotional and joyeous.

Best wishes to Mandi and Brandon, much love from Teri and David.



Alabama Wedding Venue



Amazing Silver Wedding Rings



Photo Journalistic Wedding Photography



Beautiful Wedding Dress



Amazing Wedding Dress



Groom And Ushers



Relaxed Wedding Photos



Outside Wedding Venue Near Lake



Fine Art Wedding Photography



Bridal Portrait



Bridal Bouquet Keepsake



Reportage Wedding Photography



1920S Wedding Photos



Bride And Father



Alabama Wedding Photos



Scenic Outdoor Wedding Venues



Wedding Ceremony Outside



Stunning Wedding Photos



Romantic Wedding Pictures



Contemporary Wedding Photography

Thursday, July 22

Sweet Home Alabama, Mandi and Brandon Engaged!

It's not a well known fact that Teri was born in Alabama, USA (yes, she's a true southern belle!). So going there for the wedding of Mandi and Brandon was a really special treat, both artistically and on a personal level; Mandi is family!

With the wedding day the very next day, we got to use the beautiful Foundation Ranch near Oxford Alabama for the session. This being the venue for the wedding, Teri hung around and got to help with the finishing touches on the wedding day decor using her mad hot glue gun skills.

Amazing location, a beautiful sweet bride, handsome groom, a mountain backdrop and best of all, warm gorgeous light. More of their engagement images on facebook Mandi and Brandon Engaged! :)

**Update Mandi and Brandon's wedding images are now on the blog Mandi and Brandon Married! :)



Alabama Pre Wedding Image



Romantic Alabama Engagement Photos



Alabama Engagement Pictures

Thursday, July 15

Cyprus Destination Wedding Photos, Laura and Darren

Being referred by clients to their friends is always special. We met Laura at two of our weddings (each within a week of the other!). First at Mel and Lee's rocking medieval wedding at Portland Castle (everyone in full costumes, including David and I), and I remember Laura singing karaoke (yes, I do remember you singing Laura, LOL). We met up with Laura again the next week at Gemma and James sweet English vintage countryside wedding in Weymouth. We laughed about meeting again at another wedding, and she mentioned that when she gets married to her fiance Darren, it would be in Cyprus where they have connections.

I half joked with her that we'd love to come shoot it. Fast forward to a year later, and we were sitting with them discussing their amazing plans to get married in Ayia Napa at the Grecian Sands Hotel.

We did a little pre-wedding session before heading off to Cyprus, and right away, I knew that this was going to be one of the most fun couples we have worked with. Full of sunshine and laughter. A few of those images can be viewed on our facebook page.

I have so much affection and love for Laura and Darren, as well as their family and friends who embraced David and I the week we spent with them in Cyprus. It was definitely a very special experience being there with them. Darren's sister and her family currently live in Cyprus, as does Laura's Grandmother, so it was a nice family reunion of sorts as well as a wedding. We had some wonderful nights out getting to know everyone. I almost feel I should do a report of what a great time we had with them in Cyprus, but for now, let's just jump ahead to the day of the ceremony.

David was meeting up with Darren and his best man, Tom at our hotel, The Bella Napa, across the road from where Laura was getting ready at the Grecian Sands. From the photos David took, he and the guys had a blast before the ceremony, I don't know what was going on with the oversized sunglasses, apparently wedding guest Joel from Bournemouth produced those, and they now have legendary status, lol.

Back at the Grecian Sands, I applied Laura's make up, and bridesmaid Karen styled her hair. The atmosphere was happy and calm. Louise, Laura's mom made Bellini's for us all, which was much appreciated! Claire, Laura's sister and bridesmaid, along with her adorable little girls kept the party lively with their sweet laughter. To protect the innocent, I won't mention the bouquet incident, but will just say Karen is hysterical!

Laura was an absolute vision in her stunning Maggie Sottero wedding gown. I loved the men in their creamy beige linen suits and flipflops!

The ceremony itself was lovely, with the gorgeous Cyprus sunshine and blue waters as a backdrop. I loved how the white tarpin over the ceremony area diffused the sun, and created the perfect sort of light. Laura was the epitome of calm, until the music "Heaven" started to play, signaling her entrance thru the garden toward where Darren was waiting to marry her. But only a tiny wobble, and she was on her with with her father Grahame by her side. I think it can be said they looked amazing as they came down the garden stairs. The smile Laura flashed Darren still makes me smile as I look at it again. The ceremony was performed by family friend Maria, who the family have known for 20 years in visiting Cyprus. Her brothers own Tofini's and Evinos, the latter which Laura and Darren used for their evening reception. The food was amazing! But I'm jumping ahead there, lol.

By the time the happy couple were pronounced 'man and wife', there was not a dry eye in sight. It was very emotional.

Inside the Grecian Sands, drinks and canapes were set up, while we waited for the rooftop terrace to signal that it was time to head up for the wedding breakfast, which was a gorgeous spread and a barbeque. We kept the little ones entertained with 'tickle sticks' while we waited,, lol. The wedding breakfast was epic! I don't think I have ever seen so much meat! I suspect all of us brought back a few more pounds on us than when we left, lol. Speeches were emotional, with father of the bride, Grahame revealing a bit about Laura's childhood, he had everyone both laughing and crying at the same time. The blissful groom, Darren was next, and his love for Laura was evident throughout his emotive words. Gifts were given to the special people involved in their day, and then it was time for Bestman Tom's speech. Something he had been really looking forward to,, hehe. He did a fabulous job, and was rewarded with a kiss by his own fiance Kate.

After the wedding breakfast, everyone headed to their rooms to refresh and then head to Tofini's to gather for drinks before going down the road to Evino's for the evening meal and a bit of dancing.

We snuck off with Laura and Darren to make good use of the beautiful Cyprus sunset to capture the romantic wedding images of them. If you look closely at the image of them standing on the cliffs, you will see another couple sitting below them,, the man was serenading his girlfriend while playing his guitar, and happened to be playing Laura's entrance song 'Heaven' when she and Darren were just above them, that my friends is serendipity :) I joked that I planned that for them, LOL.

It's such a joy when two people so in love trust you to capture their day as Laura and Darren trusted us. From David and I, thank you again for bringing us into the fold and trusting us to document the wedding. I know you will have a long and happy life together, and look forward to seeing your family grow.

Congrats again to Laura and Darren!

Teri



Amazing Wedding Rings



Stunning Wedding Dress



Photojournalistic Wedding Photography



Fun Wedding Photography



Fun Wedding Photos



Relaxed Wedding Photography



Grooms Party Relaxed Wedding



Processional Beach Wedding



Beach Processional Wedding



Beach Wedding Ceremony



Wedding Ceremony On The Beach



Wedding Ceremony Outside Beachy



Outside Ceremony With Beach Views



Beach Ceremony Outside



Grecian Sands Beach Wedding Cyprus



Wedding At The Grecian Sands Hotel



Grecian Sands Wedding Ayia Napa



Contemporary Wedding Drinks



Wedding Photos With A Fun Theme



Relaxed Wedding Photos At Hotel



Modern Black And White Wedding Photos



Reportage Wedding Photography



Black And White Wedding Photography



Grecian Sands Hotel Wedding



Fun Beach Themed Table Centers



Relaxed Wedding Photos



Relaxed Wedding Portraits



Beach Wedding Hotels Cyprus



Wedding Photography At The Grecian Sands In Cyprus



Beach Wedding Cyprus



Stunning Location For Beach Wedding



Cyprus Destination Wedding Photograpers



Contemporary Groom Portraits Beach Theme



Beautiful Beach Wedding Photography Bournemouth



Cyprus Ayia Napa Wedding



Beach Wedding Flowers



Destination Wedding In Cyprus



Destination Wedding Photos Beach



Cyprus Wedding Photos



Beautiful Beach Wedding Photos



Trash The Dress Beach Theme



Fun Beach Wedding Photos



Wedding Photos Cyprus



Cyprus Destination Wedding Photography



Destination Wedding Photography Cyprus



Destination Wedding Photography In Cyprus



Stunning Cyprus Wedding Photos



Beautiful Cyprus Wedding Photography



Beach Wedding Photos At Sunset



Cyprus Wedding Reception Venues



Beach Wedding Restaurant Cyprus



Fun Wedding Reception Photos



Contemporary Groom Photos



Wedding Reception Fun Photos



First Dance Photos



Father Of The Bride Wedding



Fine Art Wedding Photography
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Contributors