Keelan's Wedding

Alright... so I know I just started uploading the beginning of my photos from California, but I wanted to post the pictures that I took of my cousin's wedding from around 2½ weeks ago. My aunt (his mom) had asked me to be her "unofficial" photographer long before moving here became a reality. So, naturally, I said yes because I wanted to help her out and I could always use a good photo opportunity such as a beautiful fall wedding. (And it was really beautiful!)



The ceremony and following reception was held at a ranch near Greenwood, Arkansas. I wasn't able to get alot of the reception because it was held indoors and most of my photos came out incredibly blurry.


The setup before anyone else arrived.



Guestbook.



Photos of the soon-to-be newlyweds in the front entry of the reception hall.



Also in the front entry of the reception hall ~ Lyndsey had this done to honor our late grandfather who died in 1997. Keelan (and the rest of our family) had no idea she had this done until the night before the wedding and it was such a sweet and thoughtful gesture.



My brother Aron was one of the ushers ~ here he is leading his future wife to her seat. My mom is ahead of them with the other usher.



Closer view of the arch before the ceremony started.



More of our family sitting in the row behind us ~ From left to right: Nataley, her boyfriend Don, Uncle Tommy (not paying attention), Aunt Robin (wondering what her son next to her is doing), Brad, Wesley, and his wife Holly.



Uncle Tommy, Aunt Robin and Brad posing.



Aron being silly with the purses that were used to save his seat until he finished ushering. His fiance Jennifer and my mom watching in amusement. Oh and the groomsmen walking to the arch in the background.



Keelan and his parents (Aunt Becky and Uncle Ken) walking down the aisle.



Lyndsey's parents.



Kara, Keelan's sister (and my cousin) was the first bridesmaid to walk down the aisle.



Flowergirls—Err, leaf-girls? They were putting leaves down instead of flowers!



Maids and matrons of honor watching the procession.



Cute bell-ringers, with mixed emotions? =P



Keelan watching his bride walk down the aisle towards him.



Lyndsey and her father making their way down the aisle.



The whole scene, minus groomsmen (there were too many heads in the way to get a clear shot).



Putting on Lyndsey's ring.



Catching a clear shot for the brief moment that the preacher stepped out of the way.



Now putting on Keelan's ring.



Lighting the unity candle.



Waiting for permission to kiss the bride.



The blurriness was a happy accident.



Mr. and Mrs. Hunt!



And in sepia tones!



The newlyweds!



The wedding party filing out.



Posing with the parents.



And now just Keelan's parents.



Keelan's family.



Lyndsey's family.



The first dance.



The guys ~ Wesley, Brad, Keelan and Aron.



The dancing train through the reception hall.



Before the wedding, my mom and I had gone to the nursing home that my grandmother lives in to visit her. Aunt Becky wanted me to get a picture of her so that she could put it in the scrapbook she was making for Keelan's wedding, just to honor her for the wedding even though she wasn't able to be there. We also got pictures of Granmama with us.



Here she is with my mom.



And with me.

It was a fun trip and I am glad I was able to be there to join in the occasion!

Muir Woods - Stinson Beach - Wine Country!

So here's the start of my California photos. I'll let them do the explaining! (A little note of warning: there are ALOT!)



Heading up the mountain on the way to Muir Woods.



First glimpse of the huge redwood trees in Muir Woods.



Another view.. I like how I caught the sun shining on the leaves in this one.



And now actually catching the sun in the photo as well.






Trio of redwoods.



Interesting angle of a tree that had fallen into pieces.



This just had a very calming feel to it. Well, the whole place did, but this spot even moreso than the rest.



Some of the trail through the woods.



I call this one.... Rebel. =P



Twisted redwoods!



Taken at the very base of the tree.. looking up at how the bark spirals around to the top.






Fire can't even kill these trees!



Catching the sun again.



Now we're headed over to Stinson Beach. This was taken during the twisty turns of the mountain road.



Someone's house on the mountain.



Stinson Beach Fire Department... with that heavy fog overhead.



A view of the beach... it was so very cold too.



Closeup of the waves.



Looking back towards the mountain, again with that heavy fog.



Driving back away from the beach through that curvy road again. This was taken of the whole beach from a place along the side of the road to stop for a scenic view.



A little closer.



Even more closer, with the waves rolling in.



Do I even need to explain?! =)



Maybe I should just stop talking...



Beautiful pink lilies taken outside of a 7-11 convenience store. I noticed them all around the area after seeing these.



This is Mount Diablo, taken back near Brentwood, CA.



Yummmm.



I can't get enough of the palm trees!!



This starts the photos of the drive up to Wine Country!



It was a beautiful drive!





Stopped at a stoplight and just took this random view of the mountains.



This is where we stopped along the way and picked up some melons (honeydew and cantaloupe) at their little farmer's market.



No idea what D & S stands for, but I liked this capture. It was found in the area where all the fresh fruit/veggies were sold.



Fallen rose petals just outside of the farmer's market. There were alot of rose bushes around the market, as you will see in the next photos...



Gorgeous rose that I found out is called Double Delight.



More roses.



Beautiful house and vineyard seen along the way (we were heading to Sonoma).



And another one!



City streets of Sonoma.



San Francisco Solano Mission.



Chapel area inside the mission.



In the courtyard looking back towards the mission.



Another view of the courtyard.



Old Italian restaurant that I was told is probably not in business anymore.



Lobby/bar area of the Toscano Hotel, a very old hotel that is no longer in service, except as a museum. If you look closely on the full view, you can see me taking the photo. =)



Dining area of the Toscano hotel. (It wasn't open to the public)



The home of the owners of the Toscano Hotel, located just outside. Watch your step on that top doorway! =P



One side of the town square in downtown Sonoma.



Sonoma City Hall. Surrounded by a park in the center of downtown.



Cute little secluded area with lots of shops (which were all closed when we walked through). Oh and that random gnome creature...



A sushi restaurant.



Pretty flower I found in the town square park.



And another!



This one was my favorite.



The park!



Going for an artistic view... while laying down in the park. It was comforting.



I was trying to catch a cool view of the reflection in his sunglasses but it didn't work out that well.



His and hers?!



Heading towards Napa.



Another house/vineyard along the way. It reminded me of my favorite book by Nora Roberts, The Villa and what the "villa" in her book would have looked like.



At the Veterans Home of California.



Napa's highway wall designs... it's a bit blurry, but you should be able to make out the vines and grapes...



The sun setting behind the trees.



First off, I love the palm trees in this photo! It was at an old naval base that was decommissioned in 1996.. Jacques was showing me where he grew up.



Captains' housing.



Just a view while driving through the base.



Old storage for small arms and artillery... not far from where Jacques used to play as a kid.



Trio of eucalyptus trees.



Old boat that Jacques says he remembers riding on at one point.



Old hospital that is now known to be haunted by a civil war soldier, and is now part of a university.



Done for the day.

More to come...