Lauren & Chris’ Crest Hollow Country Club Wedding

What’s sweeter than working in a candy shop? When you work in a candy shop and meet your high school sweetheart who becomes your prom date and the the love of your life FOR life!

Lauren and Chris got married on one of the hottest days of the summer. The weather widget on the iphone mockingly stated in bold numbers 100 degrees. This might send some brides into a frenzy but not Lauren. When I arrived at her house she was cool as a cucumber and giving me her big bright smile that Greg and I instantly loved when we first met her back in 2011!

Lauren’s dress was stunning. Her Lazaro gown was a piece of art work! So when you’re wearing art work, one certainly needs some Jimmy Choo’s on your feet!

The wedding invitation created by The Wedding Company of Manhasset was just perfect! Elegant and feminine! I love that bow!!!

While I was getting lost in the world of a gorgeous wedding gown, down below the ladies of the house were toasting the beautiful bride!The house was buzzing with the bridesmaids getting into their Amsale dresses and the junior bridesmaids applying their lip gloss. There is always this buildup to when the bride starts to get dressed. It reminds me of the excitement of a rollercoaster ride as the rollercoaster is creeping up the first hill. Once that dress gets on the rest of the day is go, go, go!!!As incredible as the Lazaro gown was, it was Lauren who brought it to life! This gown fit her so perfectly it was as if it was made just for her! I love this image of Lauren photographed though the reflection of her parents magnificent Venetian Mirror. The limo was waiting as were all of Lauren’s bridesmaids, flower girls, Aunt, Grandma, Mother and of course her Father whom had not yet seen his first born dressed as a bride. It took a minute or two for Lauren to descend the staircase as she was flooded with emotions. I can only imagine all the times she had descended that staircase before but never such as this.

Words cannot describe the the emotions that filled the whole house as Lauren and her Father embraced.

I tend not to show group pictures on the blog but how could I resist when Lauren’s Dad worked so hard to make his garden match the colors of the wedding!!!

While the ladies were primping and dressing in gowns with intricate zips and buttons, the men found some time for shooting the breeze and telling stories of the past in the kitchen of Lauren and Chris’ new apartment.

Eventually even the men need to get ready! I love the picture of Chris helping his nephews get into their ring bearer attire!Chris, a white limo suits you well!! Looking sharp!Chris is greeted with huge hugs at the church! This church is extra special as both sets of parents were married in this church!As the pews filled up I was thrilled to see a row of lovely ladies sporting their fascinators! I wonder if theirs’ were inspired by the recent Royal Wedding? Ta Da! Here comes that stunning bride with her proud Father! Chris and his brother’s smile is priceless!If you follow my photography you would know how much I’m obsessed with photographing hands and the stories that they tell. I love how gently Lauren’s hand is resting in Chris’ and how tenderly he is touching her with his other hand. Even though a bride and groom don’t get to speak very much to each other during a church wedding ceremony, he is speaking to her with his hands and telling her how much he loves her.

Lauren and Chris say their vows to each other.

Kiss the bride!!!

Married!!!

Oh those ring bearers did a wonderful job! They must be exhausted and what else should a ring bearer do with those ringless pillows?!

We love church exit shots!!!! Nothing like a newly married couple being applauded by all their family and friends!!!!On to the Crest Hollow Country Club for a night of celebrating.

Remember that 100 degree weather report? Well its buddy humidity was certainly along for the ride that day and we all know that humidity loves to bring those summer thunderstorms. The sky had been threatening and at times even sent down some rain. Mother nature was playing peek-a-boo with us but we luckily were able to dash out for 20 minutes to take some portraits!

Lauren chose an elegant bouquet of white roses for her bouquet! While the bridesmaids and the centerpieces were quite exuberant with color created by Spitz and Peck!

Lauren and Chris share their first dance and then the DJ called family and friends to the floor. I love this image on the right of Lauren’s parents dancing while looking over and watching the newlyweds!Chris’ brother and Lauren’s sister gave touching speeches from the heart!

Lauren then danced with her Father and then Chris danced with his Mother. These are always such special moments during the reception.

The DJ team at Xtreme Sounds did a great job of getting the crowd going all night- even literally dancing in their seats!

The children at this wedding were incredible and hands down had more fun than most of the adults!!!But as you can see the adults really enjoyed themselves too!

Lauren had a few surprises for the night and the first one was when the DJ called Lauren’s Mother to the dance floor for a very special Mother-Daughter dance!

The surprises didn’t end there, then the DJ called out Lauren’s Grandmother! Lauren was squeezing her so tight! Chris got in on the surprising too when he called out his sister for a special dance! The last formal dance of the evening was a beautiful one set aside for Lauren’s parents celebrating 40 years of marriage bliss!

During the slideshow montage Lauren and Chris enjoyed sharing memory lane with their friends and family!

Lauren and Chris’ reception room overlooked the country club’s sensational pool that looked so beautiful at sunset!

The last surprise of the night was for everyone… Since it was July 4th weekend, the country club put on a fire works display that had every in awe!!!The night was still young and the dance floor was just getting warmed up!The proud parents!!Lauren and Chris had custom wine packaged with one of their engagement pictures to send the guests home with as a reminder of their wedding day! I thought it was a wonderful way to showcase the wedding rings!