Stumble It!
Congrats Jessica Claire!
She probably doesn't remember this, and I've never told this story to anyone except the girls in my office. A long while ago, before the Southern Weddings print edition was born, I got some really rough news. My husband, a Navy flight surgeon, was being deployed to Iraq with the Marines... in 14 days. Ari and I, for those of you who don't know, eloped to Vegas about 3.5 years ago. We did plan our wedding (for two months) and had all of 8 people there to witness our vows. It was perfect. We didn't want a big to-do, just a fabulous dinner. So, we had an incredible wedding dinner at Daniel Boulud's Brasserie at the Wynn afterward. (Can't wait to visit the Wynn this weekend for Engage09Encore!) He was in his whites and we walked through the restaurant to applause and a standing ovation. It was a moving moment I'll never forget. Anyway, we only had candid pics of our wedding from friends. (below left in the Wynn
lobby)
When he got his deployment orders, I set out to get us some professional pics and contacted Jessica Claire. We were living in LA at the time and making the drive through Orange County to Yuma for his pre-deployment training. I tried my best to squeeze it into our fast travel plans... she was so gracious and offered us a session, wrote me the most encouraging note and made room in her packed schedule for us. But, of course he got called in early and we had to cancel. Anyway, from then on, I've had a soft spot for Jessica and her work.
We featured a gorgeous Oklahoma wedding of hers (second shot by Kyle Barnes) in our premiere print edition:
And today, Jessica is tying the knot herself! We're all so excited for you here at SW! Ms. Claire (soon to be Mrs. Norwood) is a Raleigh native, so we're right near her home here in Chapel Hill. Wishing you and your husband-to-be a blissful wedding celebration and many happy memories to come!
Much love,
and the SW Ladies
Stay tuned for a special four-part Jessica Claire feature up next...
Tuesday, October 6, 2009 at 04:00AM
Reader Comments (6)
Oh Lara! Up and ready to work this morning and I find myself gushing onto my keyboard! I can't imagine what an emotional two weeks that must have been! You should still do that shoot! I'm always trying to get couples I meet to consider doing a 5 yr. or 10yr. anniversary shoot where they hop in their wedding duds - no make-up appointments or flowers - just them having fun, celebrating their marriage!
Jessica, Congratulations! You do beautiful work and we all want to see YOUR pics!
Jessica Claire is amazingly talented, she was my first photographer obsession! So sweet of y'all to do a feature on her for her wedding day. :)
Lara, I LOVE that you are about ALL things weddings and you had a very intimate wedding in Vegas. You are an amazing business woman, and person for that matter. The work you and your SW ladies produce is beyond gorgeous and utterly stylish. (No doubt, there are so many women that would love to work as a part of your team....me included)
Keep up the fabulous work.
wow, what a beautiful story. can't wait to see all of JC's wedding photos. she will make such a beautiful bride!
Congrats to Jessica Claire!!!!
what a gorgeous wedding cake!