Jeff and Laura Beth: wedding! :D {alexandria, la wedding photographer}

On January 16, one of the cutest couples I’ve ever photographed got married: Jeff and Laura Beth Matthews :D. Their wedding day was full of fun, surprises, and laughter and here it is for y’all to see :D.

It was a mild, January day in Louisiana, but the morning was an exciting one. Haha.
First off! While I was still sleeping, Laura Beth, Jeff and anyone who wanted to join them ran a 5k!! Haha! LB loves doing active things and running a 5k the morning of her wedding was the perfect way to start the day. Haha. Then! The power and the fire alarm went off simultaneously in the hotel where everyone was getting ready (The Parc England), fire fighters came (but the fire was a false alarm), and bridesmaids got stuck in the elevator. It was crazy. Haha. Going up and down stairs using my iPhone flashlight and opening doors for firefighters wasn’t what I expected for that day, haha, but the power finally came back on and we were able to get things rolling :).

These three rings are actually just their wedding bands! The two on the right are hers. I love the dramatic contrast in these two images :D. And yay for bark and moss!

Laura Beth’s wedding planner (Mandy Cathey of Mandy Cathey Weddings) designed her bouquet in jewel tones and it was GORgeous!! Loved loved loved it.

And these charms from her maternal grandparents were such a special addition to her bouquet: one was her grandmother’s from the Tennessee State Fair from the year LB was born and the other was her grandfather’s fraternity pin :).

And because time was short, I didn’t get to capture Jeff getting his gift from LB (a painting she had a friend do of their three dogs, which he loved), but I did get to capture her getting her gift from him :). And here’s Laura Beth herself looking stunning and showcasing her infectious smile :D.

Her new initials 😀

One of Jeff’s nieces was the deliverer, so she got a hug. Hehe :D.

Laura Beth’s mom came in to put on her beautiful sapphire necklace :). Beautiful necklace for a beaUtiful bride!!

Love this shot 😀 😀

She was so excited!! 😀

Then her father came to see her :D.

Laura Beth wanted a picture of her niece wearing her shoes. Precious :D.

I love this shot of LB; gorgeous, happy, and bright 😀 :D.

There were very few times I had to direct LB (or Jeff!); she was just completely herself and made my job incredibly easy :D.

Here’s Jeff! Waiting for his bride to arrive for their first look 😀 :D.

Looking dapper 🙂

Their grins 😀 😀

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Yay hugs <3 <3

Their story…

“We met through a mutual friend at the Rotary Club meeting. Jeff was sitting next to Laura Beth and he poured a glass of tea and it spilled into her purse that was on the ground between them. Jeff blames it on the ice coming out of the pitcher too quickly, but Laura Beth likes to think he was in awe of her beauty. They were friends for a while before they began dating. Jeff proposed on Christmas Eve in Charleston, SC. Laura Beth and a miniature donkey almost ruined the surprise. The full story is worth hearing in person.”

These two go so great together. Watching how sweet they are to each other and what fun they have was the most precious thing :D.

Giddy with excitement 😀 :D. She kept saying “You look so handsome!” It was adorable :D.

Jeff’s words…

“LB is one of the most outgoing people I have ever known. She makes friends easily and loves any type of social situation (provided she is getting lots of attention 🙂 ). She is smart and very dedicated. I love that LB loves to laugh and be silly. I love that she is strong willed but always thinks of what I want. I love that she is active and energetic. I love that she is so loyal to the people she cares about. I love that she wants to give and get affection.”

Her face 😀 😀

Laura Beth’s words…

“Jeff is kind, clever, and absolutely hilarious. He cares deeply for his family and friends and our three dogs. Jeff will find the good in someone, and he always seeks to better himself. He is an excellent cook and partner in crime. I can completely be myself with Jeff, and he encourages me to pursue my career and interests. I often tell Jeff ‘You’re the best.’ To which he replies, ‘I’m not the worst.’ That right there is why Jeff is my forever.”

His face!

Some of their favorite things to do together are play with their dogs, take trips to visit family and friends, eat delicious food, and bike ride :).

And I think dance can safely be added to their list. Haha. She said “Let’s do our happy dance!” I approve :D.

😀

Flying in…

…for a veil hug. Hehe 😀

They were just such a joy to photograph :D.

😀

There I am in the bottom right corner! Haha.

Capturing this :).

They looked so fantastic :D.

😀

Everything about this :D!!

Showing him her shoes. Hehe 😀

Stunning.

A favorite :). So lovely, Laura Beth.

More veil fun. Hehe :D.

They seriously killed it; I was having so much fun capturing them just being them :D. And “them” is gorgeous. Haha :D.

Swoon 😀

James Bond and his alluring bride? :D.

Sigh 😀

Love this one 🙂

Then the rest of the gang joined us :D.

Jeff and his men looking sharp :).

😀

Jeff’s best man was his dad :). George Matthews.

And he had LB’s brother: David Graham :).

And his good friend Brett Estes :D.

His brother: Patrick Matthews :).

They did a picture like this at Patrick’s wedding :).

And his other good friend: Chuck Lalonde :D.

Selfie. Hehe 🙂

Laura Beth’s adorable little nephew and ring bearer! 😀

Had to get a picture with their special little people. Hehe :D.

SO cute how she posed for Mom :D.

Then Laura Beth and all her girls! 😀

They were just too fun :D.

Laura Beth: “Ok, now Blue Steel!” Hahahaha. So great.

First there’s Laura Beth’s best friend and maid of honor: Aggie Stephenson 🙂

Happy dance time again. Hehe 😀

Then there’s the happy Masey Stubblefield 😀

The fun Molly Baade 😀

Haha 😀

The sweet Abby Peterson 😀

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And the lovely Arielle Abyeta 😀

Too cute 😀

So pretty, y’all 😀

Everbuddy! Haha 😀

Can’t forget the junior bridesmaids and the precious littles! Hehe 😀

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Time to go freshen up before we head to the church :D.

We went to the church by trolley! :D.

😀

Hey, y’all 😀

There it is!

The girls hung out in a back room until ceremony time :).

The guys waiting to be summoned :).

“Gooooin’ to the chapel” 😉

Sweet 😀

🙂

😀 😀

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Husband and wife. Yesss 😀

Yaaaay! 😀

Happy people 😀

Goofy sister in law faces for the win. Hehe 😀

Cooling off. Hehe 🙂

Marriage license is signed and it’s time to go to the reception!! 😀

Their reception was held at The Parc England’s restaurant right across the street from the hotel: Bistro On the Bayou! 😀

Woohoooo! 😀

“L is for the way you look at me” 🙂

Faithful Mom. Hehe 😀

What is making LB look so surprised?…

These socks. Hahahaha. The guy on the left sock who is also wearing it is Macey’s husband Kris. Kris is known for wearing crazy socks plus since highschool, he and LB started a tradition of taking a “prom photo” together at any gathering with their friends. Haha. Put those two things together? You get this! Hahaha.

And of course an “updated prom photo” had to be taken. Hahaha 😀

The NEXT surprise was David Bowie (Chelsea Phillips)…

…and Freddie Mercury (Maggie Hoyt-Rupert).

David Bowie is LB’s favorite musician and with him having just passed away, this tribute completely made the evening for her.

She joined them. Hehe :D.

Now back to your regularly scheduled programming ;).

Recognize these two?! 😀 I photographed Mark and Miranda’s wedding last summer and it was through them that Jeff and LB discovered me! 😀 It’s so fun seeing clients/friends at weddings :D.