The Root Photography Blog

Erica + Shawn : The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes Wedding by Lisa Stoner Events

February 3, 2016 by Jensey 2 Comments

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!! :)

Andrea + Mickey : Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts Wedding

February 3, 2016 by Jensey Leave a Comment

FAVORITE. ORLANDO. WEDDING. EVER.

A little over a year ago, Andrea and Mickey were the first-ever wedding at the incomparable Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts! It was a little intimidating being the first to photograph the newest Orlando landmark, but oh how I’m so stinkin’ proud of these photos!! Andrea and Mickey made our job so incredibly easy, and their glamorous wedding is one I’ll never forget!

I have to also give a shout out to the amazing vendors who made this day such a dream, our pals Jeffrey Stoner of Stoner Video, Patricia of LeJeune Artistry, and of course Tracy of Eventfully Yours at the helm! And we can’t forget Greenery Productions whose touch elevated every aspect of the day to the next level!

Their romantic ceremony took place at St. James Cathedral in downtown Orlando.

The silhouette on that dreeeeeeeess! <3

One of my favorite photos Nate took all year; so timeless! <3

Ready to swoon a little bit more? Mickey made his bride’s bouquet! These guys have a strong love for bees and subtly incorporated them in Andrea’s bouquet, their wedding cake, and of course, their wedding hashtag #meanttobeegriers. :)

Andrea and I are kindred Disney spirits. She’s obsessed with all things Minnie Mouse, and I love that she found her Mickey! :)

F A V O R I T E!!!! Dr. Phillips Center, you are an absolute dream to photograph!

Andrea and Mickey’s guests were treated with a once-in-a-lifetime dinner in the Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater.

Yes. Their guests would grab an empty wine glass and a living statue would fill it for them!

From there the wedding reception moved to the DeVos Family Room for some serious dancing!

Andrea and Mickey’s wedding took place just before Christmas, so of course this jaw-dropping dance floor centerpiece had mistletoe hanging from it. Their guests loved sneaking to the center of the dance floor to steal a kiss! :)

Andrea and her bridesmaids serenaded Mickey with a choreographed dance to “Mickey,” complete with pom poms. You know the one- “Oh Mickey, you’re so fine, you’re so fine you blow my mind, Hey Mickey! Hey Mickey!”

If the DeVos Family Room couldn’t be more amazing, the windowed wall with the stunning view of downtown Orlando completely OPENS! I think our ears are still ringing from their guests’ reactions! :)

Andrea was surprised with a mariachi band just before the night ended, because, why not? ;)

And of course Mickey arranged for it to snow in downtown Orlando! Most magical wedding ever, I tell you. Andrea and Mickey, thank you for letting us be a part of it all! :)

Kellie + Derek : Dixon Art Gallery Wedding in Memphis, Tennessee

October 26, 2015 by Jensey 4 Comments

This is our second fall now not living in Tennessee, but our first year not taking a trip back to see the leaves change! It’s hard to plan a yearly trip now since fall is our busiest time of the year, but I’m so thankful we were able to make it back last year for Kellie and Derek’s wedding. This wedding was a favorite of last year, not just because of the gorgeous leaves and the abundance of stunning details all thought up by this creative bride, but also because I’ve known Kellie since I was a senior in high school and she was a freshman. :)

In high school, I took French 1-3, but senior year I decided to take Spanish 1 just for kicks. I was the only senior in a class of freshman, but the girls I met in that class made it one of my favorite classes I ever took! This is now the second wedding we’ve photographed with a bride that was in that Spanish 1 class with me, and we’ll be photographing our 3rd this December. So crazy and so incredibly wonderful!! This was our second wedding at the Dixon Art Gallery in Memphis and I’m still swooning over this location.

Kellie, I wish we could repeat your gorgeous wedding every week. Thank you so much for bringing me home. :)

The only thing more beautiful than that lace gown is the woman wearing it!

And now an abundance of gratuitous detail shots. :)

This dresser greeted their guests and held the programs for the wedding- How cool is that? Also, Kellie designed and made her own letterpress invitations and programs.

Love a groom who knows how to bustle. <3