Orlando wedding, engagement, family photographer | Root Photography Blog
The many adventures of a cute husband and wife photography team!
We were on a “Root Lifer” photo spree towards the end of last year!! John Thomas was the first baby we’ve ever photographed, and we’ve known his sister Ellie almost as long. We met up for some photos at a preserve near our home which has quickly become one of our favorite Orlando shooting spots! :)
I. Mean. <3
Ellie is my spirit animal. <3
Ellie and JT, hope to see y’all again this year!! :)
Kate and my story began when I was a senior in high school. Much to the confusion of my friends, after taking 3 years of French, I decided to switch things up and take Spanish I. Our class was nearly all freshman girls, all of them so incredibly smart and beautiful. Spanish I became one of my favorite classes that year because of that group of girls. Kate’s wedding marks the 3rd wedding we’ve photographed of those freshman ladies! Our first Spanish I wedding was Robyn and Jake’s Germantown wedding, and then of course Kellie’s gorgeous wedding at Dixon Gallery and Gardens!
Kate and Conor’s story began when they met in college. Kate’s sorority had a date night in Atlanta to go see the Braves play. Conor, a huge Braves fan, was determined to find a date. Kate wasn’t even planning to go because of a project deadline but tried to line up a date for Conor, but that backfired and Kate ended up being his date. Seven years later, Conor proposed to Kate with his grandmother’s ring. <3
This was our second wedding at Germantown Presbyterian Church! It’s a block away from my high school and the lot where my mom used to pick me up after school. My childhood consisted of playing “school” with my best friend in empty day care classrooms while our brothers had their Boy Scout meetings upstairs in this same church!
I love that they have a door in the bridal suite where all their brides sign their names and wedding dates.
I spy our past bride Valerie 5th from the top! :)
Abundant windows and dark walls make for an incredibly happy photographer!
First look time!!
Can we just talk about how gorgeous Kate is for a second? <3
That dress, that bow, that girl! And remember what I said about my love of window light and dark walls?? Swoooooooon! My favorite portrait Nate took in 2015 on the right:
Soon it was off to a dream come true venue for me- The Peabody!!!! I grew up having Thanksgiving brunch every year in this ballroom. The Peabody was always such a special place for us growing up. :) Nate and I high-tailed it from Germantown Presbyterian to The Peabody to shoot the room before Kate and Conor arrived and we’d have to leave for more portraits. We ended up having a liiiiiittle more time than originally planned because their limo never made it to the church to pick them up!! The whole bridal party had to Uber it to the reception. I always say something will go “wrong” on every wedding day and while I’m bummed something this big happened to Kate and Conor, they totally took it in stride. Annnd it gave us more time to shoot the room. :)
Runners-up for favorites, two of mine for once! ;) I think they’re so dreamy.
Kate’s band was AMAZING and I loved their first dance to “Come and Get Your Love.” Sooo happy!
Hometown weddings always mean knowing a guest or two, but this wedding was so much better! Kate’s maid-of-honor was her sister Erin, who I always regret not becoming better friends with. I still look back fondly at our senior lunches gushing over Harry Potter together! :)
It turns out Elvis is Memphis’s Mickey Mouse! ;) I love that we’ve had *two* weddings now with Elvis as a special guest, the first being way back at Casey and Cory’s wedding! :)
There is nothing like The Peabody at Christmas. <3 Kate and Conor, I can’t thank you enough for giving me an excuse to come back home! We love y’all and wish you the best!
That time our American bride met her groom on the Disboards and moved to Ireland to be with him! Megan and Conal, it was such a pleasure being a part of your beautiful day. Enjoy your previews!!!
Their outdoor ceremony got rained out, but luckily The Attic provided the perfect rain back up location so we still had natural light! :)
Megan and Conal, we can’t wait to share more in the coming weeks!! :)
This. Wedding. You. Guys. <3
If I could bottle up a wedding day and clone it for myself, this would probably be the one.
Erica and Shawn were married at the Orlando Ritz-Carlton, a place I’m convinced is what inspired Ashman and Menken to write “Be Our Guest.” It is a favorite Orlando venue that I wish we worked at more often, but our absence just makes it that much sweeter when we do. <3
If you’re familiar with our blog, you’ve come to know Lisa Stoner, an Orlando wedding planner who is one of our dearest friends. Lisa coordinated Erica and Shawn’s day, and we were so excited to work with her that the night before felt like Christmas Eve. I’ve said in the past that Lisa Stoner is my real-life Mary Poppins. She’s gorgeous, magical, and makes wedding dreams come true. I can neither confirm nor deny that she travels by umbrella! ;) Lisa holds such care and admiration for her couples and her quality of service is unparalleled in this community. I’m honored to be her occasional colleague and proud to call her my best friend! If you’re a Root couple, Lisa Stoner Events will put you in the best care possible, bringing your event from good to practically perfect in every way!
We also had the privilege of working alongside Lisa’s husband, our (other) dear friend Jeffrey Stoner! If you’ve received our recommended vendor list, you’ll see that Jeffrey is on our very short list of preferred film makers. The photo/video relationship can be a tricky one. Given that Nate and I both photograph every wedding, it can quickly become a “too many cooks in the kitchen” situation and change the energy of your wedding day. Jeffrey is the kindest, most positive man who I swear is somehow related to my husband! He’s professional and brightens the mood of every wedding just by being a part of it. Our work styles are so similar, so we never have to worry about being in each other’s ways or clashing shooting styles. I don’t have to worry about him bossing around our brides or not being aware of his surroundings and knocking me to the ground during a ceremony (yes, that’s happened.) His end product always results in a classic film that I know won’t seem dated in the years to come. If you’re interested in booking Stoner Video for your wedding day, check out his website here!
Jeffrey and Lisa are a past Root-couple-turned-family. They are the “Godparents” to our Huckleberry and we spend every Thanksgiving together! Now, without further ado, our second #Stoneroo event! <3
This dress was a favorite- That beading! <3 In my mind Erica still wears this every day, btw.
Erica and Shawn got ready next door to each other so Nate could shuffle back and forth between the rooms. So nice!
One of my favorite bridal portraits ever! It’s even a favorite on our new site. :)
Look at this huppah!!!!!
“Lisa Poppins” getting our girl ready for her walk down the aisle. :)
Can we just take a second to ooh and aah over all those individually cut and perfectly placed ribbons?!
MARRIED! :)
We stole the newlyweds away for some photos before the room reveal.
I was absolutely speechless. <3
We had the privilege of working with None Other not once, but TWICE this month! I’ve never danced so much behind the camera. These guys are one of the best bands we’ve ever heard play a wedding and we so hope to work with them again. If I couldn’t love them more, the lead singers, Clint and Lyli, just got married! <3 I can’t say enough wonderful things about this group. Go book them for your wedding!!
Erica and Shawn, thank you so much for letting us be a part of your amazing day!! :) 