I kicked off our holiday season – and wrapped up our 2007 wedding season – in style with Suzanne & Andy’s lovely ceremony at St. John Catholic Church and reception at the Omni Severin Hotel. My day started on a positive note at the Omni, where my wonderful friends from Stacy & Mary Photography greeted me in the lobby before we headed up to the bridal suite to capture Suzanne’s preparations. The couple enjoyed a quick first meeting in the ballroom before it was time to head down the block to St. John’s.

The ceremony was beautiful as always, even more so thanks to the staff of BoKay Florist, who squeezed in more decorations in a limited time than I’m used to seeing there. To keep the bridal party out of the cold afterwards, we took a trolley up to Stacy & Mary’s studio for their signature fun shots. Not surprisingly, the whole gang had a field day posing with the props left behind from all the Halloween photo sessions, especially a mounted deer.

The Omni looked gorgeous all decked out in holiday style plus the wedding design, and Carrie Sprague spoiled the vendors once again with a wonderful dinner. Once the party got going, Jeremy Gearries of DJs Direct (who along with Carrie referred the couple to me) did his usual magic on the dance floor while Stacy & Mary got more fun shots at their “photo booth.” (Check out the one of yours truly below.) In addition to the usual cornucopia of desserts and drinks, the couple surprised everyone late in the evening with a self-serve hot dog station, complete with chili & cheese – yum!

Photo by Stacy & Mary Photography

It was apparent at their rehearsal dinner at McCormick & Schmick’s downtown that Terri & Nick are a charismatic couple with a rich variety (I heard English, French and Italian spoken – sometimes at the same table) of loyal friends and family who think the world of them. Their ceremony took place at the beautiful Woodstock Club in the cocktail room in front of the fireplace. The mostly standing room only crowd added to the fun, free-wheeling atmosphere with drinks in their hands, applause when Nick and Terri each entered, and heckling and laughter throughout. After some gorgeous sunset shots with the newly married couple, I headed inside to capture a long and spirited cocktail hour as well as an extravagantly designed ballroom courtesy of Tim Kelley of Palmer Kelley Design.

One thing I can honestly say I’ve never seen in over 500 weddings is stand-up comedy as part of the dinner entertainment. My favorite quip was when comedienne Mel Fine complimented the hair, makeup, etc., then added, “And Terri looks great, too!” As the jazz combo kept the guests entertained, I went around with a microphone at Nick’s request and was impressed with how many people were happy to wish the couple well on video. Cigars and canolis were a great way to cap off this Italian-flavored evening. It was a joy throughout the day to finally work with Randy & Joanna of Randall’s Photography after our studios’ 35 combined years in the business. Much thanks to our mutual friends at B&C Digital Media for putting us together by referring Terri & Nick to me!