Avia Photography

My photo
Columbia, Missouri, United States
Warning, the following ramblings are those of a sometimes sidetracked photographer avoiding accomplishing tasks on her list. All we ask is that if you use one of our photos from here or elsewise, you kindly give us credit. = )

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

.:justin & elaine:.

Sometimes words just aren't enough to describe what I want them to. Justin and Elaine swept into our lives last Spring when we met them for a consultation for their wedding photography--he was a musician like Brian and she was an artist (albeit much better!) like me. We hit it off immediately and when Brian (or was it actually Justin?) mentioned a pie fight in passing for their engagement shoot, we knew that the four of us were a match made in heaven.

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The two of them met at an inconvenient time in both of their lives yet they kept being drawn back to one another. They were both creative persons with huge hearts (Justin is a professor and Elaine a nurse) and everyone around them knew that they'd finally found the one.

It's hard to explain the two of them. They are the type of people to whom we loan Venture Brothers Season 1, the type of people who trade us extra pictures for one of Elaine's paintings, the type of people who drink pumpkin beer, the type of people who stage a camp-out in their backyard for their rehearsal dinner, the type who help give you feedback on your bridal show setups and take the time to help you draw them out, the type who draw diagrams on dry erase boards of where everyone will be sitting at the wedding, the type who name all of their groomsmen "best man" in the program by using different classical languages, the type who have pictures of them up with funny faces around their house, the type who'd rather scrapbook their big day than have a stuffy album of it, the type that introduce us to "Double Rainbow", the type that get us involved in side projects to help give back to the community, the type that decorate and run True/False, the type who love you to your core after only knowing you for five minutes... In a nutshell, they're just pretty much awesome. Once you meet them, your first thought is, "Wow, I think perhaps I may have met the most amazing, loving, fantastically fantabulously knock-your-socks-off people, ever."

They almost had a themed Halloween wedding but the locations were booked. Elaine and Justin grew the greenery for the girls' bouquets and she put them together that morning with her mom and friends. Elaine painted different fall portraits for each table and they sprinkled fall leaves next to them. They chose not to have wedding colors but instead put together a mix of their favorite combination. Elaine knew white dresses were over-rated so instead chose one of a different variety. Justin and his groomsmen played on the piano together while they got dressed in their tuxes. They didn't need long drawn out family portraits so they decided to do one big happy family photo with all of their relatives. They had multiple friends' very talented bands and music groups play at their reception. They made a mix CD of their favorite drive songs for all of their guests to play on their way home. They worked hard to make sure everyone was having an amazing time and cared more about their guests than themselves. They asked for more pictures of their guests than themselves. They had what seemed to be over a dozen toasts, all by friends on the verge of tears. They partied like it was 1999. As corny as it sounds, the love and mutual admiration was palpable in the air that day. Justin and Elaine are one of the most loved and appreciated couples we have ever met. Why? Because Justin and Elaine love big. We know that firsthand.

What an honor, you two.

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Elaine: "Pumpkin beer? You sure? They're really good! You know you guys can just be a guest if you want, right?"

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Crafty and oh-so-cool, right?

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Their backyard transformed into total awesomeness for the rehearsal dinner. Jealous.

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A nice florist just GAVE them the flowers that morning because he said he was going to throw them out anyway since he had no use for them and they were going to go bad. Talk about bouquets on the thrift!

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Morning shots make everything go well!

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(Elaine got a call on her way out the door to go to the church that she had just won a free manicure. Good signs!)

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So, funny story. After the wedding Elaine's nephew (this adorable one) was told by his mother that he had to smile for the photographer when they got their pictures taken. He promptly walked up to me, tugged on my shirt and said, "Hey, lady, take my picture!" and put on a huge fake grin. I snapped a few and he walked away. Five minutes later when the family was lining up for their portrait and he was grumpy his mom reminded him that he promised he'd smile for the photographer. His reply, "Mom, but I already did!" He was right. He did just as she asked, just... well... a little earlier.

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They used some of the lights and gels that Justin has collected over the years from the True/False film fest that he helps run every year. The set up was gorgeous!

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The officiant was a long-time mentor of Justin's that had been instrumental in both he and Elaine's lives.

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I LOVE the new trend of mixed bridal parties with both sexes on each side. Why not?

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I have mentioned before that you can tell a lot about a couple by what they do once they get down the aisle. Justin and Elaine danced. *sigh* Good years to come, for sure.

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Elaine's gorgeous handiwork.

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Elaine had been planning on making the cupcakes the morning of the wedding with her bridesmaids and friends. Thankfully, they talked her out of it and Uppercrust was called who kindly obliged with adorably fall cupcakes.

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Ted Tarkow (for all you Boomba Hey peeps!) looking the most normal we have ever seen him.

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They wanted to honor Elaine's grandparents somehow because they had been married so long. Instead of doing something formal they did one of those dances where the couples who have been married the longest are the ones that end up on the dance floor. She was correct, her grandparents ended up the winners of the evening. What a great idea!

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Justin and Elaine, thank you for being so amazing. We are privileged to know you.

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