Amanda and Matthew at the Marriott Waterside

There are times that being a Wedding Photographer is the most rewarding, fulfilling, and fun type of employment you can have.  Amanda and Matthew's wedding day was one of those times.  Amanda is simply gorgeous, nothing more to say.  Matt looks like he could be a model.  Put them together along with 20, yes 20 of their closest friends in the bridal party, and BAM!  It's like being at a model convention.  The ceremony was at Sacred Heart in Tampa, Sandy Rule Events, their Event Planner kept everything running smoothly, Rob Volmer of Grant Hemond and Associates was our DJ, and the staff at the Marriott did an awesome job as well!  Here's a sneak peek of some of their photos:

Niccell & Jeremy at the Don Vicente de Ybor

OK, let me just stop right here and say that the Don Vicente de Ybor is probably my favorite place to photograph a bride.  The Honeymoon Suite is un-be-lieve-able!!

A few weeks ago, we had the opportunity to photograph a boudoir session with the beautiful Niccell.  I will have to check with her if I can post a slideshow :).  What an amazing session!

Well, here we are a few weeks later and their wedding was no less amazing.  Niccell and Jeremy are soooo good together, great people to work with.  Tessa and her crew at the Don Vicente did a great job as always, everything went very smoothly.  The ceremony was intimate and small, and very warm and emotional.  I personally love the fact that they wrote their own vows, these weren't cliche or sappy vows, oh no, these were heartfelt and true feelings expressed in these vows.  OK!  Enough chatter, here's the photos!

Holly and Chris at the Ritz

Derica and I had the opportunity to photograph Holly and Chris's wedding in Sarasota.  We started at the Ritz-Carlton and photographed Holly's Bridal Session, then on to the Members Beach Club and the ceremony on the beach and then an open-air reception.  The flowers were provided by "Flowers by Jenny", she always does such a great job!  Ben from Grant Hemond and Associates is such an awesome DJ!  You just can't help but be happy whenever he is around!  The staff at the Ritz put on a great party and it all went beautifully!

Here's the sneak peek of their wedding:

Tina & Mike's Wedding at the Sirata

On Friday, Derica and I photographed Mike & Tina's Wedding at the Sirata.  They were a referral from one of Mike's friends whose wedding I photographed last year.  I love that, it's so great when we get to work with friends of our couples!

Anyway, here's their sneak peek!

By the way, it totally poured during their ceremony, but everybody took it in stride, wonderful thing.

-B

How much thought did you give your DJ?

Picture this (hey, that's funny, right?), you have the perfect gown, the perfect reception site.  All your friends and family look fantastic in their finery.  Your flowers are incredible, the ceremony goes off without a hitch.  Your photographer is like one of the family.  The cake is gorgeous and the food is out of this world.

Then you are about to hit the dance floor.  But...... where's the music?  Suddenly there is a tap on your shoulder and some guy you've never seen before tells you he needs to run to WalMart for batteries.  You look at him like the moron that he is and say, "Who are you and why should I care?"  He responds with, "I'm your DJ and I need some batteries so I can get this party started!  I'll be right back."

Wow, there's a nightmare just about to erupt!

I've actually witnessed this, more than once I might add.

I've seen people spend a fortune on everything, flowers, reception site, dress, jewelry, etc., only to skimp and pay $200 for their DJ, the life blood of the party!  Did they think the DJ wasn't important?  Didn't they realize how the DJ can make or BREAK your party?

Thankfully, there are Professional Organizations that can help filter the good from the bad.  Professional DJ's invest in their education and their equipment.  They have the permits, insurance and knowledge to get the job done with style and panache.  DJ's come in all styles too, maybe you want a guy in a chicken suit, or maybe a monkey suit (aka tuxedo?).  You can get that, but you will also get reliability and responsible, dedicated DJ services.

While I have many friends in the DJ business, I can't reccomend one or any here directly, that wouldn't be fair, but......  If you look just to the right of this post, well you know, right over there?

OK, here in Tampa we have a local chapter for the American Disc Jockey Association, or ADJA for short.  Their website is:  http://www.adja.org/  Here you will find lots of info and helpful searches for qualified DJ services in any area of the country.

Don't trust your party to some kid with an ipod, get a real Professional!

-B

Nicole & Amoury

It gets pretty hot here in Tampa Bay in August.  That didn't stop Nicole and Amoury from having a blast at their Fort Desoto Wedding!  It was pouring just hours before the ceremony started, but cleared up and became a beautiful day by the time they said "I do".  Here's a sneak peek of their photos: