Through the Eye: Wedding bells, rain drops, and lightning cracks

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of shooting my first solo wedding. I knew the couple from school and I worked with the bride at Starbucks in Chicago. They were both really fun so I knew it was going to be a riot. They were having it at this amazing old plantation outside of Jacksonville, near the Swanee river (yes, the same one we've all heard about in songs). When they asked me to photograph it I was thrilled. Not only because I would get to be part of their wedding day, but also because I knew this location would promise some amazing shots. I headed into it feeling prepared but knowing there would be things I didn't expect. Boy, was I right. You'll see why.

We started the time off partying it up with some of their closest friends. (First unexpected thing, they ended up being friends of mine as well.)
Then came the bachelor party. All the guys piled into two cars and we were headed off to have one last night of wild debauchery with the groom. Just kidding! I believe racing go carts was the agenda. However, we didn't quite make it there.

Unexpected thing #2
This was the usher's car after it hit the best man's. OUCH!

A couple shots of the groom's pad.

Unexpected thing 3: I couldn't have imagined just how beautiful this property was going to be. When we arrived it had just finished raining and the light was shooting through the clouds so beautifully.

From the rehearsal on, things really picked up steam. Here are some of my favorites from the rest of the wedding.

The rings...love

The ceremony started perfectly outside but some began to wonder...
But these two couldn't be bothered...

Then came the pitter patter of raindrops and out came the umbrellas. (Unexpected thing #4)

Just after this ceremony everyone ran into the house to try to wait out the storm. It wasn't too promising so they decided to move the wedding into the house.