Tag Archives: Wedding Soiree

Mr. + Mrs. Michael Aoko {5 fifteen ’10}

May 20, 2010 – 10:32 am

Walking into Zandra’s room on the 10th floor of the 4 Seasons Hotel in downtown Atlanta, there was the distinct feel of determination and integrity. She knew exactly what she wanted and nothing was going to stop the year’s worth of planning from proceeding onto a flawless event.

 {{{imagine the sound of a record skipping}}}
as much as I would love to say something really amazing, the plain truth is that Zandra looked AMAZING. She was calm, focused and had a determined face that was set like flint. Like a jewel.


The team that she had hired only added spark to every minute…

Flawless Coordinating by Wedding Soiree
Jewel studded boques by Floral Matters
Hair and makeup by Scoobie West
Videography by Sterling Barley

This photo is a total Cinderella shot..I wish I would have made her leave a shoe on the stairs.


Zandra was a very fashionable bride with 3 dress changes. She suprised her new husband with the sexy little number when the DJ announced that Mrs. Aoko had a surprise for him and placed him on the dance floor as she glided her way back into the ballroom.

Many of the guests wore traditional Nigerian attire to the ceremony and as the evening progressed, more people snuck away only to return transformed. I think for some it might have been their first time in such dress. Zandra and Michael compliment each other in the same patterend fabric while her mother contrasts them in this beautiful green print.

I had asked a few of the women about the head dress, what type of fabric it was and how difficult was the process and I was pleasantly surprised when a few of the woman had to be helped in the hallway to the ballroom. The process was surprisingly quick for somone who had no doubt had plenty of practice. The material was as crisp as paper.

Just when you think you have the biggest hat….

Nigerian weddings have a fabulous tradition of a “money spray” where the couple is sprayed with crisp new bills as they dance.


Guests were treated with homemade tea in adorable little jars as the night came to a close.

A friend of mine, Julie Harnage, has been second shooting with me for the last few months and I really like these shots of hers.

CONGRATULATIONS MR. AND MRS. AOKO!
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{here’s your slideshow}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

By Shawna | Posted in wedding | Also tagged , | Comments (21)

Lakesha + Keltric Goff {05 one 10}

May 13, 2010 – 11:28 pm

Certain things stand out to me at a wedding as a photographer. The most influential factor is usually the personalities and interactions of people, because that’s what makes each wedding unique in it’s own way. There will never be 2 weddings alike because wrapped up in a 12 hour event is lifetime and experience of so many people, mixed together, gently stirred and sometimes shaken. It’s continually poured out as the day progresses and believe me, I’ve seen a many a mix. If I were to name the end result of Lakesha and Keltric’s wedding day I would have to call if JOY (great happiness) Or maybe GLEE (extreme happiness). Any word that expresses the action of expressing delight would be appropriate because that’s just how it felt…even for me.

Villa Christinaprovided the garden environment and it couldn’t have been more perfect as the random clouds held back the rain and provided shade and ever changing light. (haha, ok, that part could have been better but that’s it!)

Laura at The Perfect Stemdid an amazing job on the flowers and purple was definatly the color of choice accented with emerald green.


I love these photos of Lakesha and friends because it’s a perfect capture of the joy that filled the day. It was uncontainable.  Both her and Keltric’s friends just cracked me up all day long.  It made the day so much fun.


The first dances with the parents were very touching, I think everyone cried when Keltric danced with his mom. I know I did.


Gail and Hester of Wedding Soiree kept everything moving along and it’s always such a pleasure working with them and their entire entourage.

Ok, so this is where it went off the hook. For those of you (myself included) who didn’t belong to a college sorority, they all know a certain dance, one that’s been passed down from year to year. Lakesha’s Delta song has her placed in the middle of the dance floor with all her sorority sisters encircling here with arms joined. They serenade her and she is the center of all attention while the song is played, surrounded by her closest friends. I’ve seen it many a times and it’s a very cool tradition but Keltric’s Omega fraternity was so dang energetic and heart pumping that for the first time ever, I took off all my camera gear and danced for at least 2 songs after they were finished.  I mean IT WAS COOL!


The dancing went on and on from that point thanks to Urban Legends DJ, DJ TRON I almost had a hard time getting back into “photograper mode”.  No thanks to Jerome, either. Lol


Bubbles and a white Rolls Royce finished off the event and Mr. and Mrs. Goff rode off happily into the moonlight.

Congratulations Lakesha and Keltric. Thanks for such a fun wedding!
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{HERE’S YOUR SLIDESHOW!!}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

By Shawna | Posted in wedding | Also tagged , | Comments (16)

Love gives us a fairytale {Ashley + Sergey} 05.30.09

June 5, 2009 – 11:19 am

We started out at the Marriot Hotel on 14th street with hair, makeup, friends, food, butterflies, vow writing, last minute checks and a few tears. I love the getting ready stage of weddings. The excitement is tangable and I get to be connected to the source, the bride and groom. I never get tired of weddings because each one is a rush in it’s own way.  Ashley has a head of hair that would make Godiva green with envy.  Gillian Hudson from the Muse Salon turned each woman’s head into a masterpiece.

Ashley pulled out her laptop and wrote her vows on the spot. I wouldn’t recommend waiting till the last minute like this but she didn’t have any problem pouring out her heart to her knight in shining armor.

This shot is in the elevator, it’s the ceiling turned upside down. I always try to look for different perspectives, reflections or a way to see things that we would normally miss. It’s easy to do when you become conscious of it.

Shirley from Country Designscreated more than a few beautiful boquets and centerpieces.

The couple agreed to meet before the ceremony, which I absolutley LOVE. Not only because it lets us do most of the photos before but because they are able to express their emotions and verbalize the feelings in an intimate setting. It also helps to calm the nerves once they see each other and they are more “present” during the Ceremony. Sergey is waiting in an upstairs room and The Wimbish Mansion. Anxiously waiting.

Long, long veils are my absolute favorite.


Ring bearers and Flower girls always add an element of surprise. Kids usually don’t put up any kind of front or pretentiousness whatsoever. They are real and I adore it when they don’t always follow the plan. The youngest ring bearer was hit with total stage fright when he looked down the aisle and decided that he wasn’t having any part of it. It makes my heart ache a little at the same time it makes me smile.


In the middle of Ashley and Sergey’s vows, the maid of honor graceously fainted. I’ve never seen anyone slip back with such ease and control. I’m posting this picture not to embarrass anyone but to point out a few things. 1. Remember to eat on the wedding day. Darling Jen was so busy taking care of other people’s needs that she forgot her own. Fuel for your body is important on such a long emotional day. 2. I was so impressed at the way it was handled, by the officiant and by the ever awesome coordinating team, Wedding Soiree. The officiant calmly and spontaneously spoke about remaining steadfast and focused even through unexpected circumstances in marriage and Gail Johnson stepped right in with a chair for assistance.  I will also mention that there were about 10 doctors in the family that were present and Sergey’s uncle from Ukraine immediately leaped from his chair to her aid.  By the end of the ceremony, she was feeling much better.


Mark from Baker’s Man did such a fantastic job on the groom’s cake that I didn’t think it was the actual cake until someone told me. Awesome!

I love it when the DJ doesn’t let the Bride and Groom get away with the typical bouquet/garter toss.  Chris from Lethal Rhythmslet Sergey dance around and approach Ashley and then he stopped him and told him he had to crawl across the floor on his knees.  Good fun!

I also have to give a serious shout out to some of my favorite videographers, SCG Productions.  These guys rock at what they do and they are always fun to work with.  The catering was exceptional as always from Bold American Catering.  Thank you also to Dean Ruiz for shooting with me, he is going to be a first time father any day and he still showed up and gave his all. 

Thanks for a wonderful wedding, Ashley and Sergey!  I know St. Lucia is being good to you. 

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{HERE’S YOUR SLIDESHOW}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

By Shawna | Posted in wedding | Also tagged , , , , | Comments (7)