Dave + Corrine - A New Years Eve Wedding

Dave and Corrine are my people. I'm not sure how to say this without sounding too 'overly friendly'...so, let me put it like this: if they lived on my road, they'd be the couple that came over for beers and grilling out most weekends, but occasionally, we'd decide to do it up 'right' and be fancy. That's just how they are! For the last year, at every single meeting with them, I've just wanted to sit and chat...whether it's coffee with Dave or wine with Corrine. We can just sit and chat while laughing!But occasionally...ohhhhh, occasionally....we'd go all out. And that's exactly what they did for their Gatsby-themed wedding this past New Year's Eve. It was an evening of celebrating a wonderful couple with amazing friends and family who kept the dance floor open going ALL night long!Here are a few of my favorite images from their wedding day.

Corrine's 1920's make-up was flawless.  And her mom helped do her hair as they got ready for the big day

  

While Corrine finished getting her hair done, I wandered downstairs to the Thelma Keller Convention Center, where their reception would be.  The staff was, as always, so helpful in sourcing a ladder to help me with this image of Corrine's wedding dress.

 

The special moment when the bride is getting into her wedding dress.

 

Corrine's sister helping her with her jewelry.  Don't you LOVE Corrine's hair band!!!

 

Since it was a winter wedding, and because they're as low-key as you can be, Dave and Corrine opted to do a 'first look' and see each other before the formal portraits began.  I love 'first looks.'  While, yes, I do appreciate and love the tradition and atmosphere when a groom first sees his bride walking down the aisle, I honestly love 'first looks' because the bride and groom actually get to be alone for a bit on their wedding day...to say those things that they want to say to each other.

My goal is to make family formals go as fast and efficiently as possible....but sometimes you just can't go fast enough, eh?  :)

 

Corrine and Dave's wedding was small and intimate with just their family and a few best friends.

 

I'm nostalgic for my own wedding here, but I absolutely love weddings in a Christmas-decorated church.  So warm and spiritual during the Christmas season.

 

Corrine...remind me what you were thinking here!!!

 

After the wedding, Corrine and Dave headed to downtown Effingham with me for a few portraits of them alone.

 While I love the romantic aspects of this photo, I think the closeness of Dave and Corrine served to keep them warm as well...it was COLD, COLD, COLD!  We suffered for just brief period of time and then headed to the wedding reception for a few more images.  

At the Keller Convention Center.

  

If you've been to the Keller Convention Center at Christmas, you know that there are SOOO many beautiful Christmas trees to shoot with...or through!

 

Playing with her nephew before wedding party formals!

 

Dave and Corrine coming into the cocktail hour.

 

I love, love, love this image of Corrine's grandpa.

  

Corrine and Dave's first dance was to La Vie En Rose....a 1920's classic.  It was beautiful.

 

And then, Corrine and her dad danced!  Let me tell you - this family can dance...and dance they did ALL night long.  I think it might have been the only wedding I've been to where the MOB and FOB just MIGHT have out-danced the bride all night!

 

Terry with Anatime Entertainment is one of the BEST DJ's to work with in the area!  He has the magical ability to feel what the crowd wants and keep the dance floor full all night long.  Plus, it's fun to catch him dancing himself behind the DJ's stand.

It was a long night, but Corrine's younger brother managed to stay with us until the very end!

 

Dave and Corrine, I love you guys.  Seriously, if I could clone you and work with you every single weekend, I would.  I look forward SO much to seeing your relationship grow.  Blessings to you both in the years to come!  ~Kelly