I can honestly say that I’ve never had a bride and groom that I did not absolutely love. Honestly, I think that’s the reason I love this job the most. I get to spend an enormous amount of time with two very happy people on what happens to be the best day of their life at that very moment in time. I’ve never had a bridezilla, I’ve never had a groom I couldn’t coax into “just one more picture” (ok, maybe there was one . . . LOL!), I’ve never seen a disaster at a wedding that sent people over the edge . . . . I guess I’ve just been darn lucky!
But I think that also has something to do with the fact that I’m kinda sorta picky about my brides. I’ve been incredibly fortunate that I’ve either known my brides before I work for them or they’ve come to me from a referral of a good friend. I guess I can say that I truly have nothing but first class people as friends and clients! And Kristy and David Douma are no exception. In fact, their wedding and wedding day was practically textbook!
So let’s talk about the Bos-Douma wedding. Yeah, let’s TALK about this wedding. First, let’s talk about the bride. Miss Kristy. Whenever I think about this girl the very first adjective that comes to my mind is GORGEOUS. This girl has the most beautiful facial features I’ve ever seen. Her smile, her eyes, they are just flat out gorgeous.
But we ALL KNOW that beauty is only skin deep and it’s what’s on the inside that counts, right? The second adjective that comes to mind is EASY GOING. I’m pretty sure NOTHING will rattle her cage. This girl is calm. She’s patient. She’s rightfully concerned about everyone around her. She’s just an all in all beautiful soul. And I’m going to make a slight prediction that she’ll be the mother of all boys since her new husband comes form a family of 400,000 boys . . . and God gave her this amazing ability to demonstrate patience . . . I think I have a bet that not even Vegas would give odds on. She’s going to need that easy going attitude especially if she lets her husband teach the boys how to shoot guns. 
Oh David. You really are a special guy. You are so sweet. I could see the excitement in your eyes on your wedding day. There was something different than the first day we met. It was almost as if you had the enormous amount of confidence that screamed, “I made the best decision of my life in marrying Kristy.” I could seriously sense that from you. Congratulations!
Kristy’s dress was so pretty. I got a little bit giddy when I walked into the dressing room and I saw this.
OK why did this make me happy and why did this sub-par picture make it onto the blog and even in this post. Well let me tell you . . . 21 years ago I bought my wedding dress at the same dress store in Costa Mesa, CA. It’s a fabulous store (at least it was 21 years ago) and I just kinda got a little misty thinking that we share that little bond.
OK, back to the dress. . . . So Photographers! LISTEN UP! How many times have you been to the wedding and the bride hands you the dress before she puts it on and it’s hanging from a plastic hangar? Right about now there are MILLIONS of BRIDES rolling their eyes thinking to themselves, “I have to worry about the hangar that the dress is presented to the photographer on now?” Well not if you are my bride!
I have a very dear friend who creates some of the most fabulous fashion accessories. And as friends and employees of her’s have gotten married, she’s been the one that everyone in this area has rhinestone their shoes. Well one night as I was laying in bed thinking about this upcoming wedding, I thought, “Shelly could make a fabulous hangar for me and use it as one of her products and market to photographers everywhere! Why should the bride have to spend money on something that really isn’t even that important to anyone but the photographer trying to create a great picture?” Thus, the birth of the rhinestone wedding dress hangar by Glitzy Bella!!!!! I don’t think she has it up on her site yet but if you asked her, I’m sure she’d make one up for you to keep in your bag of tricks!
So now that I’ve given you a little peek into the bridal pictures, let’s talk about the bride and groom’s wedding and reception. The wedding was held at the Visalia First Christian Reformed Church. This church has tall vaulted ceilings and can be a bit dark where the congregation sits, but the stage is lit nicely. I really really despise it when photographers use a flash during the church ceremony. I mean I REALLY REALLY REALLY despise it. In my opinion, a photographer should absolutely not be seen during a wedding ceremony. In fact, if your equipment isn’t powerful enough to shoot a wedding indoors without a flash, you should not be a wedding photographer. So all of my pictures done during a wedding ceremony are sans flash. Sure, sometimes the white balance goes a little wonky but that’s easy to fix. The most important thing, even more important than pictures, is that the bride and groom pay attention to the service, their vows, and hopefully someone else in the pews is being touched by their commitment to each other and heads the advice the pastor gives the newlyweds. OK, off my soapbox . . . back to the wedding.
For the last few years, I’ve had one person that I’ve hired as my second shooter for almost every wedding. Kevin Ford has always done a great job for me and I hire him for his excitement to try new things and his ability to keep all my equipment rolling while I work with my clients during a time sensitive period of the day. But Kevin went above and beyond during this wedding and I thank him! I totally didn’t think of this . . . his techie guru mind set it all up and boy am I glad it did! Check out the hidden camera shots he got during the ceremony. Did you guys even know there was a camera like 20 feet away from you? Yeah, he got pictures on the stage, during the ceremony, at 1st CRC! LOL!!!
So gorgeous. SO GORGEOUS was this reception held at the Visalia Country Club in the most fabulous tent setup you’ve ever laid eyes on. I can remember back in July when Kristy’s mama said, “What’s the backup plan in case it rains.” Um, umbrellas???? LOL!!! Even though we desperately needed the rain, I’m so happy for the Bos and Douma families that the weather held up nicely for their outdoor, tent wedding in January! Talk about FAITH!!!!! I’m not entirely sure who the tent designer and lighting designer was but I’m definitely going to get the details soon and post them here for everyone to see. Let me know if you’d like some info on them before I get it up here.
These gorgeous flowers were done by the amazing and fabulous Shelly DeJong of Sweet Memories. Honestly, she does such an amazing job. And this was no exception! GORGEOUS!
I went to a wedding a few months ago that had a live band. I’ve forgotten HOW MUCH FUN live bands can be. Do NOT let the name of this band scare you. In fact, SEEK THEM OUT BECAUSE OF THE NAME! Any band that goes by the name of Mr. Rude will not only have character, but you are basically guaranteed an amazing time. Kevin and I sat down to eat dinner during the reception and right before we got up to leave the table, the band came and sat with us. We had so much fun talking to them and hearing the story behind their name. I can HIGHLY suggest that if you are looking for a live band that knows some great classic rock, this is the band for you!
As usual, I always think that a slide show of my favorite pictures tells the story the best. Don’t you?
Thank you David and Kristy for choosing me to be your wedding photographer. I’m so lucky that I got to spend this special day with you. May God richly bless your marriage and all the days of your life. Enjoy this little video montage of your day! Be sure to let it load all the way.