Michelle and Scott

The first weekend of the New Year brought wedding bells for Michelle Bayura and Scott Poley. The couple was married at St. Anne's Catholic Church on January 3rd. The couple is from California, so they chose St. Anne's as a substitute for their home church.

Michelle was beautiful in a simple strapless dress with a sweep train. Instead of a veil, she wore small red and white flowers in her hair, to match her bouquet. The maid of honor also wore red and carried a red and white bouquet.

The reception was held downtown at the Garrett Bullock House. The house was decorated beautifully with flowers by Mayumi Hashiyama. Also on display was a handmade gift, created with a poem and coins, dedicated to the couple by the bride's sister. Both families had a great time at the reception, which was DJ'd by our friend, Benji Shepherd.

It was a cloudy day, but the sun shined on the happy newlyweds! Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Poley!

Scott and Maria

As the holidays were coming to an end, Maria Perales and Scott Taft were starting their new life together as husband and wife! December 27th was a pleasant and warm but very windy day for the couple and their families!

The bride wore a pretty strapless dress with sparkling detail on the bodice. She carried a beautiful bouquet of red roses and greenery. Her maid of honor's dress was red like the flowers and carried a bouquet like the bride's, but smaller. However, the cutest member of the wedding party was the couple's little boy, who was dressed in a tuxedo to match his daddy's!

Friend of the studio (and Julie's cousin), Wes Carroll, played a dual role in the Taft's big day. He officiated the ceremony and DJ'd the reception. Held at the Goetchius House downtown, the reception was very intimate and romantic. As the evening moved along, everyone had a great time dancing with the bride and groom. Scott and Maria had one of the best cake smashing fights we've seen lately! They both had more cake on their faces then they actually ate as they were feeding each other.

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Taft! Best Wishes for a Happy Marriage!

Wedding Vow Magazine

The premier issue of Wedding Vow magazine it out...and we're in it! The semi-annual Ledger-Enquirer publication has two of our couples from last year: Greg and Kendall Allen and Brandon and Marianne Faison. Their photos can be found on pages 12 and 13 of the magazine in the section called "I Do-Meet the Latest Newlyweds in Your Area."

Celeste's Top Ten Wedding Songs

Being a former band geek, I am a music lover. My life has a soundtrack! I have compiled a list of my most favorite wedding songs. Feel free to adopt them into your soundtrack for your big day. Some are oldies, some are new--some you may have never heard of. They all fit the bill for a big romantic day! I've included my personal favorite lyrics from each, just in case you're in the market for a wedding song!

10. "From This Moment" by Shania Twain and Bryan Adams. I know...it is a little over used. The lyrics are so perfect, though!

I give my hand to you with all my heart,

can't wait to live my life with you,

can't wait to start...

9. "On The Side of Angels" by LeAnn Rimes. This one is from way back when my husband and I started dating almost 11 years ago.

After all the might-have-beens

the close and instant calls,

After all the try-agains, don't be afraid to fall

We're on the side of angels after all

8. "Bless the Broken Road" by Rascal Flatts. Again, another one that is over used. But...most of us have been through a few duds before finding our soul mate. This song is so perfect for that!

Every long lost dream led me to where you are

Others who broke my heart, they were like Northern stars

pointing me on my way into your loving arms...

7. "I Wanna Love You Forever" by Jessica Simpson. Okay...so it didn't work out with the guy she wrote this one about. It is still a beautiful wedding song.

I wanna love you forever

And this is all I'm asking of you

10,000 lifetimes together...

6. "We've Only Just Begun" by The Carpenters. This is the first oldie on my list. It is THE ultimate wedding song.

We've only just begun to live

White lace and promises

A kiss for luck and we're on our way

5. "Maybe I'm Amazed" by Wings. I just love this song. My mom loved the Beatles and Paul McCartney, so this one was drilled into me. The live version is great, because you can really hear the emotion in his voice.

Maybe I'm amazed at the way

you love me all the time

Maybe I'm afraid of the way I love you

4. "I Do (Cherish You)" by 98 Degrees. Poor Nick Lachey! I'm sure he's better off. This was another song that was popular around the time Joel and I started dating. I knew back then that he was the one...that's why this one is so special!

I do cherish you

For the rest of my life,

you don't have to think twice

3. "You're My Best Friend" by Queen. As cheesy as it sounds, I can honestly say that my husband is my best friend. This song is just so fun!

You're the best friend that I've ever had

I've been with you such a long time

You're my sunshine

I want you to know my feelings are true

I really love you

2. "Lucky" by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat. This is the newest song on my list. This is from the album 'We sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.' that just came out last summer. I have always loved Jason Mraz, then he went and wrote a song about me and Joel.

Lucky I'm in love with my best friend

Lucky to have been where I have been

Lucky to be comin' home again

1. "Livin' My Love" by Sam Fisher. You may have never heard this one. Back when Joel and I were dating, we frequented the Loft downtown and discovered Sam Fisher. He is fantastic. His style is like John Mayer, John Legend, Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye all rolled into one awesome guy. This song is my number one because it is the song Joel and I danced our first dance to as husband and wife. You can hear it at http://www.samsongs.com/.

I'm livin' my love

giving you all that matters most

I'm livin' my love

Livin' a love I've never known

Here is another lyric...because I love this song sooooo much!

You will never know how you inspire me

I bet you didn't know

I'm never going to leave

I hope you find some of this useful. Here at JE Hedges Photography...we like to help out in any way we can!

Some Favorites of 2008

Weddings at Oakhurst

Recent Weddings at Oakhurst

Planning for Your Photography on a Tight Budget

Even if you have budget constraints, you shouldn't have to go with a bargain basement photographer. Photography is important on your big day; these are not just pictures, they're your memories. Photography tells the story of your wedding...and you get what you pay for. You want to make sure that your photographer matches your personal style--not just your price range. Wedding photography is an investment in the memories of your big day.

Here are some things you should look at when choosing your photographer:

Hours of coverage-Do you want the photographer to capture those precious moments shared between you and your bridesmaids while getting ready? Do you want them there until the very last minute? One way to reduce cost in this area is to reduce the amount of time you need the photographer. Instead of taking pictures after the ceremony, think about seeing each other before the ceremony and doing all wedding party and family pictures then. This way, you don't spend an hour away from your guests taking pictures. Additionally, you can minimize the time you need your photographer by planning and organizing your reception activities. We have found, through experience, that once your DJ/Band introduces you, go directly into your first dances, eat & mingle with your guests, cut your cake, dance/mingle, toss the bouquet/garter, and do a "mock leave" that our clients do not typically need to book additional hours with us for their reception, essentially saving money for other important needs or wants. During a "mock leave", the photography team gathers all of your guests and lines them up with your weapon of choice (rice, birdseed, bubbles, sparklers, lavender, etc). You make your fun exit for the photographs then everyone goes right back into the party for a fun filled night. All of the important photographs are made and you save money.

Albums-Choose a photographer that offers albums that match your style. Your album isn't just a picture book...it is a family heirloom. You want to be able to pull your album out on your 50th anniversary and show it to your children, grand children and maybe even great grand children. The album should be a reflection of you and your big day. You definitely don't want to choose the photographer that offers the cheapest albums. Choose a quality photographer that offers a quality product. A possible way to reduce your cost in this area is to consider the size of your album and the number of pages. If you'd like to have more pictures in your album, think about getting a smaller size. If you don't mind fewer images, then a large album could be the way to go. There are many options to choose from.

A word on disposable cameras...it sounds like a great idea: allowing your guests to take pictures of what they're seeing on your big day. In reality, you get very little to work with. Even the most skilled photographer has a difficult time capturing an image with a throw-away camera. Your wedding photographer is highly trained and comes to your wedding with professional equipment to make your pictures look their best. If saving money is a concern, eliminate the disposables in favor of letting your photographer capture your guests having fun.

A personal note: If you're an avid reader of this blog, you know that I met Julie when I chose her to be my wedding photographer. The first time we talked was when I called her to schedule my bridal consultation. We fast became friends, but in the first year or so that I knew her, she was my wedding photographer. I chose her because my husband and I are anything but traditional. We wanted a photographer that could capture our personalities, but still get some traditional poses for our parents. My wedding day was so full of laughs, socializing and prepping that I don't remember much of it. When I look at my images, the day comes back to me.

Joel and I were definitely on a budget. Working with Julie, we found the package that fit us best, and went through all the things that I mentioned in the above paragraphs. Since photography was most important to us, we found ways to cut our costs in other areas in order to afford what we wanted. I thought this was important to share, because I know when I was planning my wedding...I would read an article like this and think, "What do these people know? They're the photographers. They're just trying to sell me stuff." I shared my personal story because you should know that I've been where you are. Planning a wedding on a budget is tough, but it can be done. I'm so glad that I made the investment in our pictures, because they are an important piece of that day.

A Birthday Adventure with a Fruity Ending!

Julie and I had to make a quick business jaunt to Richland, GA today. Let me start by saying that Julie and I can't go anywhere without getting in trouble or nearly getting into trouble!

When we made it to Richland, we noticed that it was like stepping into a time warp. The building had decorations straight out of the 1970's! It even smelled old in there!

On the way back, we narrowly avoided getting a speeding ticket! Fortunately, the vehicle in front of us just happened to be going as fast (or faster) than Julie at 92 mph! (No wonder Keith always drives!)

We stopped at Starbucks on the way home for a celebratory tasty beverage! Julie raced the car in front of us around to the drive through box and won! As if that wasn't enough icing on the cake, they accidentally upgraded the size of both of our drinks for free!

To end our birthday adventure...we get back to the studio to find that a friend of the studio has sent Julie an "Edible Arrangements" fruit basket bouquet as a birthday treat. That thing was so big it wouldn't fit in Julie's Fridge. Fortunately, it was cold enough for us to store it in the garage...but it didn't last long seeing as it was SOOO DELICIOUS!

Happy Birthday Julie!!!

Today is our fearless leader's birthday! We wish you all the best, Julie, and hope that this year is as great as the last!

Columbus Photographer's Lunch

Julie and I attended the Columbus Photographer's monthly lunch at Caffe Amici today! This group is for photographers from the Columbus area. We get together every month to discuss business and share ideas.

The group has grown by leaps and bounds since we were invited to join. There were so many people there, we didn't get a chance to talk to them all!

These things are always fun because we get to spend time with others who share the passion for photography!

Ben and Heather, December 20th

On a cloudy winter day in LaGrange, Georgia, Ben Huddleston and Heather Buchanan were married at First Baptist Church! It was a candlelight ceremony, which we haven't seen in a very long time. There were candles all over the altar as well as in the aisle as pew markers. Each candle lit by florist Vicki Rockwell and her husband!

Heather's gown was a classic, elegant design. It was a strapless dress with sparkling detail at the waist and buttons all the way down the back of a train. She looked like a movie star! She carried beautiful red roses that matched her bridesmaid's dresses. The bridesmaids also carried roses, but theirs were peachy-orange and yellow.

Speaking of the bridesmaids...they were a fun group! The groomsmen were too. They were all happy for Ben and Heather's big day, but didn't hold back on the wisecracks and practical jokes!

The reception was held at Oakhurst Farm. The hall was beautifully decorated by the White Orchid. As usual, Kimble's catering provided an elegant selection of delicious food. The bride's cake was pretty, with a sparkling 'H' for a topper, and was designed to be a replica of the detailing on the bride's dress. Instead of a groom's cake, they had a cheesecake bar! There were several different flavors of cheesecake to choose from.

The bride and groom along with the wedding party and guests, danced the night away to DJ Benji Shephard's great music. One of our favorite parts of the night was watching Heather's mom and dad boogie! They had a great time!

The bride and groom had a unique idea for their Signature Mat portrait. Instead of a white mat, they got a black mat, and had the wedding party sign it in silver. This made it an even more special keepsake for the couple to cherish.

Best of luck to you both, Mr. and Mrs. Huddleston! Congratulations on your big day!

Oakhurst Farm Bridal Show

Julie and I had a lot of fun yesterday (January 18th) at the Oakhurst Farm Bridal Show! This show is always fun because we get to spend more time talking to brides, moms and even grooms!

Julie and I personally talked with over 30 brides at the show, and many of them were familiar with our work! There were several that we'd met the past week at the January Wedding Extravaganza!

Our booth just happened to be located right in front of our friend, DJ Benji Shephard of MBS Entertainment! His great music kept Julie and I pumped up and energetic through the whole day!

Please leave a comment and say hello if you're visiting the site because you met us at the Oakhurst Show! We'd love to hear from you and look forward to working with you!

January Wedding Extravaganza

Keith, Gracie and I had a great time at the Weddings of Georgia January Wedding Extravaganza on January 11th! Julie didn't make it to this show because she was at the PPA (Professional Photographers of America) Conference. She goes every year to learn all the new trends in wedding photography, so she can bring exciting new things to brides!

This year's show was bigger and better than ever! So much so, that it had to be moved to the Trade Center's bigger South Hall to accomodate all of the vendors and brides! Thank goodness we had a triple-sized booth again! The three of us met over 80 brides during the day! It was non-stop from the time the doors opened until the last bride said goodbye!

Every year we notice a trend that is consistant amongst the brides. This year's trend is very early planning. Last year's brides planned early (12-18 months in advance). Many of this year's brides are already looking to book for late 2010!

If you're visiting our site because you met us at the show, be sure to leave a comment and say hello! We're looking forward to a great (and very busy) year with you!

Columbus and The Valley Wedding Issue

The January/February issue of Columbus and the Valley Magazine is on stands now...and we're in it! Seventeen of our 2008 brides had their photos in the magazine this year! We're honored to have such beautiful couples representing us!

You can pick up a copy of the magazine at several locations including Books-a-Million, Barnes and Noble, Publix, Dinglewood Pharmacy and many others!

Daniel and Anna

On an unseasonably warm day in December, Daniel Faulk and Anna Anderson were married at the Garrett Bullock House. It was like a beautiful, late summer day...only on December 13th!

Anna looked like a princess in her dress. She's one of the few brides we've photographed that wore a full-length veil. It was a very classic, pretty look. The bridesmaids were beautiful in basic black. Each bridesmaid's dress was a different design, allowing them to show off their individual style. Both the bride and bridesmaids carried bouquets of white lilies and roses designed by Mayumi Hashiyama.

Anna was so nervous before the ceremony. All of that went away the moment she saw her groom. Both she and Daniel relaxed once they saw one another.

The ceremony took place after sundown. It was an intimate candle light ceremony that took place at the Garrett Bullock House's fountain. MJ Stephens, the house's owner, hung white lights on the fence and in the trees at outside, which added to the romantic feeling.

Our good friend, Benji Shepherd, provided the music at the reception. He kept the mood light but romantic to go along with the ceremony. The decorations at the reception echoed the ceremony, with a black and white candy buffet. Additionally, the bride's cake was adorned with sparkling rhinestone initials, black ribbon and their proper names in black icing.

Best wishes to you Daniel and Anna! We hope your marriage is as intimate and romantic as your big day!