LAUREN & NATHAN

Hey Everyone! Was it hot enough for you this weekend? I know it was for me. I am looking forward to cool autumn days. But first we have to get through August. And I’m counting down!

We had a wonderful wedding this weekend which was fortunately indoors. Lauren and Nathan were married on August 2 in the Wightman Chapel at Scarritt-Bennett.  

We’ve done lots of weddings at Scarritt-Bennett and we know how to get around the place pretty well, but we still always go to the rehearsal because every wedding is different. For instance, this wedding had two readers, one flutist, a guitarist/singer, plus the 4 piece orchestra.   All important things for us to know so we can get the audio just perfect.

We were also so happy to be working with one of our very favorite people, Wedding Planner Mary Natalie!  She is so much fun to work with, and we know that she will keep things moving and keep us informed of what to expect during the day. She’s great!

The first thing I noticed about Lauren, besides her pretty rehearsal dress, was that Lauren was a very happy, happy bride.  All brides are happy.  But there are different kinds of happy. There is the Nervous Happy, the Quiet Happy, the Emotional Happy, the Calm Happy….. There is no wrong way to be happy.  Lauren was just happy happy,  happy,  happy, happy, happy.   She was glowing.  And that was the night before the wedding.  I could only imagine how happy she would be on the day of her wedding.

Nathan was pretty happy himself.  On the wedding day, per usual, I hung out with the guys before the ceremony, and Lynette and Amanda were with Lauren.  Lauren and Nathan decided to not see each other before the wedding, so I didn’t get  a chance to see Lauren in her dress until she actually walked down the aisle. I knew it was going to be a beautiful dress, too, so it nearly killed me to not run down the hall and take a quick peek.  But I didn’t.  Besides, the guys were pretty entertaining.  Nathan didn’t seem nervous at all.  He seemed READY.

As it came time for the ceremony and guests started to arrive, I could see just how special this ceremony was going to be. The chapel was overflowing.  I was in the balcony for the ceremony.  Lynette was up front, and Amanda was with Lauren until she walked down the aisle. That’s the first I saw of Lauren.  Anyway, part of my job was to get Nathan’s reaction when he first saw her walking down the aisle. Since I couldn’t see Lauren, I had to watch for a reaction on Nathan’s face to know when he saw her. He gave a nice big smile, and that’s when I knew he had seen her.  Lauren looked beautiful!

The ceremony was very touching. Nathan’s Dad played the guitar and sang during the ceremony. That was a nice touch.  Lauren and Nathan also took communion.  It was a beautiful, solemn, and happy ceremony.

The reception was held at Loew’s Vanderbilt. Amanda and I covered the reception and Lynette went  home after the photo shoot at the chapel.  Amanda and I ran up to the reception hall while the guests were in the lobby enjoying hors d’oeuvres. When we opened the door to the reception hall, we both gasped. It was decorated beautifully!  I’ve never seen so many burning candles in my whole time as a wedding videographer.  And the flowers! They were gorgeous.  I hope that I was able to capture the beauty of  the room on video. I hope that I was able to do it justice. It’s important to us that Lauren and Nathan get to see the room as it was before the guests entered. We don’t want them to miss one single detail of their wedding day.

And, of course, I had to find the cake. And, as you would expect, it was gorgeous. And tasty too!

 Patton James was the entertainment for the night.  Patton James is a swing band, but  they also played top dance tunes that got the crowd out on the floor and dancing.  I was impressed by how easily they took requests, which also keeps folks out on the floor. I know we got some really great dance footage!

One thing I would like to add regarding the reception, was how extremely nice the Loew’s Vanderbilt wait staff was to work with.  Believe me, not all wait staff are nice to us!  We’re merely vendors there to film the reception. We aren’t guests.  But as for me, after a full day of working a wedding, one of the first things I need when I get to the reception is something cold to drink!  And usually I don’t get it until we get to eat.  But at Loew’s, all I had to do was ask a waiter if he minded if I had a glass of water. Not only was he gracious with this request, but he also brought a glass of water to Amanda and to the photographer’s assistant as well! Trust me, he didn’t have to do that. So if he treated me this well and I’m only a vendor, then I can imagine how well the guests were treated. That’s why Loew’s Vanderbilt is our newest Vendor in the Spotlight!  

Anyway, the evening went smoothly, everyone had a wonderful time, and too soon it was time for Lauren and Nathan to make their exit. They looked so happy as they ran out between guests holding sparklers and they hopped into a vintage Jaguar that just happened to be waiting for them.

We totally enjoyed our day’s experience. We couldn’t have asked for a nicer couple, family or group of friends to work with.

Thanks goes out to Lauren and Nathan for choosing us to record their day for them. Best wishes to you both!

OMG! I have only three hours left before I have to start my Monday!  So I’m going to bed……

Comments

[Mary Natalie Hester]

Ok Ladies... I spoke with Lynette on the phone today and told her how a sadness fell over me as I took my elevator ride back up to my suite Saturday night (sorry had to rub that in one more time) after the reception. Now looking back at your images I remember why- what a beautiful day with such a happy/blessed family that I will miss dearly!! I love working with you ladies and I cannot wait to see the incredible video that you will produce!! I enjoy working with you so much!! Thanks for a another great day together. Looking forward to the next one.. Mary Natalie