In today’s wedding industry it is very important to network. I could go on and on about why it’s so important but most wedding professionals know why.

A few weeks ago, Samantha of Samantha Jackson Weddings, hosted a wonderful meeting at 600 South in the New World Landing in Pensacola, FL.

There was a fantastic turnout with over 50 area vendors spanning from Destin to Perdido Key.

Caterers, photographers, calligraphy artists, an ice sculptor, wedding planners, DJs and cake makers alike attended!

If you are a vendor that would like to attend the next meeting or a bride in need of area vendors for your wedding you can contact Samantha here for more information.

Samantha asked me if I would mind taking some pictures at the meeting so I wanted to share a few.

No matter how many times I said so, you would NEVER believe how many times I laughed (and nearly cried) and Scott and Sarah’s Wedding.

Scott and Sarah are two of the most laid back and friendly people I have ever met and I must say I have never had more fun at a wedding and with quite a funny story to tell below!

They were married at Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church with the reception to follow at Hemingway’s on Pensacola Beach.

Sarah insisted that I ride with the wedding party in the party bus to the reception. As we came over the bridge we saw an amazing sunset and I kindly insisted that the driver pull over at the toll booth. He was much obliged!

The cool breeze and beautiful starry night were like a dream!

And this is where my funny story comes in. It’s not uncommon for guests to want to turn the camera on the photographer. After much harassment.. (joking of course) I usually give in because rarely do those pictures ever get seen by anyone other than myself! This particular time, I will especially, always remember! I’m notorious for showing the pictures to guests as soon as I take them. So when I pushed play and held up the picture for the groomsman on the left in the picture below to see.. he laughed so hard his drink spewed ALL over my camera!

In his defense he felt HORRIBLE and it did absolutely no harm.. but it sure gave us all a great laugh! Seriously…. I still laugh looking at that picture!

Scott and Sarah, thank you so much for an amazing night!

Be sure to click on the image below to view their slideshow!

So often I get frustrated because my precious little girl, whom I love with all my heart and soul, stays SO sick. I am always behind on editing because she is home sick with me. I find myself easily irritated when she is whining and constantly wants to be in my lap. I mean I’m not kidding.. I get NOTHING accomplished.

At the end of October while in Virginia shooting a wedding with Jason Lanier Productions, Don, another photographer on the team gave me a different perspective to look at. As we sat at the table, I believe we were eating breakfast, one of the team members asked me if I was going to have more children. My response was.. “Are you kidding?! I’m so frustrated that Kaydence stays so sick I couldn’t possibly want more children! I couldn’t handle it!!”

That’s when Don said something that nearly made me cry. His response was, “Instead of being upset and frustrated that she is sick all the time, maybe you should be thankful that God felt you could handle taking care of a special little girl with such high needs.” I honestly said, “WOW! I’ve never even thought of that.”

Don’s sentence is so true. So often we dwell on the problems and frustrations that we have but we never stop to think that these problems and frustrations are teaching us valuable lessons and making us stronger individuals. I personally often forget that although Kaydence is sick all the time, there are plenty of couples that would give anything to be able to have even a sick child.

So this year, as I sit down to break bread with my husbands family, instead of being sad that I can’t visit my mom and the rest of my family.. instead of being upset that Kaydence is already sick again, I will be thankful that at least I have them as a part of my life and thankful that God gave me such a great family and trusted me with a child as precious as Kaydence!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

When Kim told me her wedding was at Rutherfords 465 I was SO excited!!

You see, Andy and I had a small intimate wedding ceremony in my hometown with plans to have our big ceremony a year later.

I planned for it to be at none other than Rutherfords 465!

However, God had other plans of our darling little girl being born 10 months to the day we got married! So the big ceremony never happened.

Instead, Kricia and I were able to celebrate Kim and Aaron’s perfect wedding day at Rutherfords 465 and we had an awesome time. The ceremony was beautiful. The reception area was decorated perfectly with mulitple shades of my favorite color.. PINK and everyone had a great time dancing and celebrating!

Thank you Aaron and Kim for allowing us to share your wedding day!

Enjoy!

I must say that I have been amazingly blessed this year to have the most down to earth and sweet couples imaginable. Drew and Jill are no exception!

I started the day with Jill getting ready and then after we arrived at the church we started with the guys pictures!

Drew and his groomsmen were definitely comfortable in front of the camera and even suggested a few pictures that they would like which is SO rare from the guys.

Jill and Drew decided to see each other before the wedding so we were able to get pre-ceremony photographs as well as after ceremony photographs!

Here are just a few of the fantastic images from their wedding!

Make sure you click on the last image to view more in their slideshow!