LESSLYE & JUSTIN

 Well, we did it again. We had another great weekend. Yep. The Titans won again! TEN and OH! We’re so good it’s almost embarrassing. :--)   Oh, I almost forgot, but we also had another great wedding this past weekend!  

Actually, I didn’t almost forget. There is NO WAY I could have forgotten such a nice couple and beautiful wedding. Lesslye and Justin were married on November 15, 2008 at Franklin Church of Christ in Franklin, Kentucky.  

Yep, McNeal Video took a road trip! 

  

Since Lynette and I go to the rehearsals, we left in plenty of time on Friday to drive to where the groom would be getting ready, (his parent’s house), the church, and to the reception venue so we would know where we were going on Saturday. We’ve been spoiled having all our weddings in the Nashville-Brentwood-Franklin area. Not that we’re complaining, mind you! But for this wedding we had to figure out where we were going so we wouldn’t get lost on the Big Day!  

So Lynette loaded the address to the groom’s parent’s house in her little Garmin since I would be going there to shoot his prep. And away we went. And went. . .  And went. . .  And went. Not that Franklin Kentucky is all that far, but, um, we got lost. Lynette’s little Garmin told us all the directions, which we dutifully followed, only to be told (by the Garmin) that the groom’s house was in the middle of a field! Lynette and I aren’t the brightest bulbs on the tree sometimes, but we KNEW that couldn’t be right! So after trying unsuccessfully several times, (if nothing else, we do persevere!) we decided to not find the groom’s house after all, and instead find the church.

The church was easy to find. Once Lynette went into a gas station, (while I pumped the gas!) and got directions from a very nice lady. So at least we knew where the church was. Then we thought we would head out and find the reception venue which was about 20 minutes up the road in Alvaton, Kentucky at The Club at Olde Stone. It was a beautiful club house on a very large golf course and housing development. Think The Governors Club, but different. Anyway, since neither of us trusted the Garmin, we called the groom and he gave us directions the old fashioned way! And it worked! We buzzed right up there and buzzed right back. A cinch!

We decided we would just get directions to the groom’s parent’s house in person at the rehearsal. Lynette doesn’t know this but I was about ready to toss that $%#&% Garmin out the window!

At the rehearsal I was able to meet Lesslye for the first time and her very nice family. And both Lynette and I were able to meet Justin and his extremely nice family. And Justin’s mother, Brenda, sat me down and gave me very clear directions to her house where Justin would be getting ready before the wedding. And you want to know something funny. Not ha ha funny either. But the Garmin was trying to send us the correct way, it just got confused in the country with all these little country roads. It took us to the right road, but the wrong end. Long story, um, short? But I was able to find my way easily to Justin’s house on Saturday. And I don’t have a Garmin!  

 Whew! Anyway, on Saturday due to our working hours, Amanda drove to the bride’s home to do her prep. (Amanda never needs directions. She mapquests everything, and I think she has a built-in direction thingy. Can you tell which of the three of us is LEAST technical minded! That would be me). And I drove to Justin’s home to do his prep, and Lynette and Sarah-who-is-in-training, met everyone at the church for the photo shoot.  Is everyone totally confused now? :--)

Anyway, Justin and his family and friends and cat and dogs were so much fun during their prep and photo shoot! Everyone was soooooo hospitable and friendly. And Justin did everything I asked him to do for the prep with such a sense of humor. He and his family were very easy going and laid back. I just wanted to stay there all day! Mr. and Mrs. Justin’s parents? Can I move in with you? Okay, just teasing, but I was very comfortable there. Justin’s baby nephew was even at the prep, but you wouldn’t know it because he was so adorable and sweet and didn’t cry or fuss once that I heard. Justin was so cute with him. :--)

 

Amanda told me that she also had a great time at the bride’s house for her prep. Lesslye and her family couldn’t have been any nicer and Amanda had a great experience. We are so fortunate to work with the nicest couples and the nicest families!

 

After Lesslye’s and Justin’s prep at different houses, we all met at the church for more photos.

Justin and Lesslye chose to not see each other before the ceremony, but I was able to see Lesslye in her gown before the wedding during the photo shoot, and she looked so beautiful!

Lesslye’s sister was the maid-of-honor and her dress was different from the other bridesmaids -- the back of the dress had a sash tied with a gorgeous broach. She told me that the broach had belonged to their great-grandmother! Wow! It was the perfect touch! And Lesslye was also carrying another broach from her great-grandmother. I LOVE it when things get passed down from generation to generation!

 

Even though I’m a pink girl, I also ADORE red roses. So I LOVED the flowers at the church. The church was decorated in red roses and candles. It was very lovely. With red roses you don’t need anything else!

 

Time came for the ceremony and guests were being seated and the orchestra began playing. Lesslye and Justin had two singers before the ceremony started, and they were great. After the wedding party had entered and the mothers had been seated, a bagpiper walked down the aisle, announcing through his music that the bride was about to make her entrance. Everyone was anticipating seeing the beautiful bride!

It was a full house when Lesslye and her Dad made their way down the aisle. And since Justin hadn’t seen Lesslye before the ceremony, I think he was very happy to see her! The ceremony itself was very special with the minister telling how both Lesslye and Justin became Christians, and how they met each other and fell in love. It was very sacred and touching.

 

After the ceremony, Amanda stayed behind to video the photo shoot, and I bolted for the reception venue. Lynette and Sarah followed behind. I know I was going about 80mph to make it to the reception before the guests, and I KNOW Lynette NEVER drives that fast! Lynette kept asking me before the reception if I wanted to ride with her and Sarah, and I couldn’t say NO fast enough! :--) I just like to get there before all the guests arrive if possible! :--)

And I DID make it to the reception before most of the guests! I didn’t have to wait to valet park my car and I found all the cakes in plenty of time! And if you know me, you know I MUST FIND THE CAKE!

I found the groom’s cake first. It had special significance to Justin so I wanted to make sure I got it just right.

Then I found the wedding cake in the main reception area. It was gorgeous! And yummy too, I might add. :--)

 

 And the guest tables were decorated beautifully too. The flower centerpieces were gorgeous!

Everything was very tastefully done. I also might add that the reception venue, The Club at Olde Stone, wasn’t quite large enough to accommodate all the guests, so a tent was added. It was well heated tho, which was good because it was a brrrr chilly night!

The guests were enjoying the delicious buffet, chocolate fountain, and photo booth as the wedding party was announced.   After their entrance, Lesslye and Justin immediately cut the cake.  Afterwards, they spent time visiting with guests before having their first dance.

Lesslye changed from her gorgeous wedding dress to another gorgeous dress which was her mother’s wedding dress that had been modified for this special occasion. Again, I LOVE these family traditions! And the dress was perfect to dance the night away in!

 

    

It was a great night, but all great nights must come to an end. 

Lesslye and Justin left with guests holding sparklers as they made their departure in a golf cart! 

We want to thank Lesslye and Justin and their wonderful families for allowing us to capture this beautiful day on video. We appreciate their kindness throughout the whole day and wish nothing but the best for Lesslye and Justin forever!

I'm writing this with one eye open and one eye closed, so I guess it's time for this sleepyhead to go to bed!