Sometimes, words fail. That is when the memories take over.
A classically beautiful wedding from Jeffrey and Julia Woods …
Jeffrey and Julia Woods are to weddings … what love is to marriage. A team. A fusion of style, emotion and tradition … with hearts full of passion.
After looking and looking and looking at the images from this wedding, I honestly felt as if I knew Ashley and Andrew’s family. I felt as if I had seen every kiss, felt every hug and shed every tear of the day! I am a total sucker when it comes to grooms’ expressions. Usually it’s when the bride is walking toward him. I am a die-hard advocate of getting that one essential shot. This time, though, it was the photo of Ashley’s Dad & Andrew’s handshake. I can almost hear the impassioned “I promise … I will ……”
Ashley and Andrew exchanged vows on the 5th of July at the Cathedral of St. Mary of Immaculate Conception in Peoria, Illinois. A wedding day filled with love and laughter with a tiny bit of nervousness … as all wedding days should be. An elegant dinner reception followed at the Peoria Country Club.
The exquisite cake was provided by Barb Evans, an independent cake creator and owner of the Wedding Cake Connection.
from Ashley’s mom … “Their cake was based on a Martha Stewart design. We made some changes to the original decorating design to reflect Ashley and Andrew’s personality. Ashley’s 5 layer ivory fondant cake was customized by adding their monogram, a lace pattern that worked back to the French lace in her gown, a heart pattern reminiscent of her grandmother’s sentiment “you’re a part of my heart”, and a design that replaced small flowers with tiny grape clusters to represent Ashley and Andrew’s appreciation for fine wine. This was a beautifully serious cake with a sprinkle of personality and humor. The cake was staged on a grand piano covered in an ivory lamour table linen topped with a pearl embellished gold lace table runner. Professional lighting was used to highlight the cake’s display.”
Again, from the bride’s mother … Lieutenant Andrew Crawford is an Air Force F-16 fighter pilot. He injected his spirited personality and Air Force background in the form of the traditional fighter pilot tuxedo shirt. It is customary for some fighter pilots to remove the back and the sleeves of their tuxedo shirts and replace that fabric with a wild and crazy print. When the dress jacket is on, what is seen is a white collar, shirt front, and cuffs. Once the jacket is removed, the sleeves and back POP with color and the party begins! Andrew selected a material reminiscent of the combination of a vintage aloha shirt print and a 1940’s pin up girl pattern. Betty Grable meets Waikiki! It was playful, colorful, and the perfect expression of Andrew’s personality.
Ashley’s wedding color palette was based upon the rich raspberry hue of the bridesmaids’ gowns. (Just a quick sidenote – I had no idea there was a “p” in raspberry!)
Do you see what I mean about Jeff and Julia’s photography? I feel like I was there!
Just as important to me (as a mom) is the groom’s expression when his bride walks toward him down the aisle … so is that shot of daddy’s little princess as they dance their dance.
I’m quite sure that the groom’s mom feels the same way about her dance with her charming little prince!
The Country Club of Peoria was transformed into a posh party venue, thanks to Beth Maxwell of Save The Date and event coordination by Cloud Nine Weddings of Chicago.
And what classically beautiful wedding would be complete without the ever-scrumptious Godiva chocolates!
Our heartfelt congratulations to Ashley and Andy! Thank you for sharing your wedding day with us at Style Me Pretty.
{to see the full gallery, click here!}
Jeff and Julia … what a spell-binding story you capture … not only in the events and emotions of the day, but in the very essence of those you photograph!