Married: Leanne & Rob | Brookstreet Hotel & Marshes Golf Course Wedding

Leanne & Rob’s wedding at the Brookstreet Hotel & Marshes Golf Club was a whirlwind to say the least.  After picking-up Linda Luu-Keifl (my super talented 2nd photographer / assistant / bride whisperer), we joined Leanne in her gorgeous suite at the Brookstreet Hotel, where both she and Rob were getting ready (different rooms, of course), for the wedding at the adjacent Marshes Golf Club.

I had a few reasons to be nervous for this wedding.  Not only was in my first of 2011, but it was also my first time coordinating & shooting a “first-look”.  For those not familiar with the concept, it’s a break from the traditional approach where the bride and groom see each other for the first time as the bride comes down the aisle.  With a first look, we arrange a beautiful meeting spot before the ceremony, where the bride and groom can see each other in private, and they can have a few minutes to talk, share their excitement, and have a moment to be together before the big day gets really rolling.  The added benefit is that we can do a lot of the photos during this time, which lets the couple go straight to enjoying time with their guests after the ceremony.

I guess I should also mention that the forecast was kind of scary, too.  With the first look planned for the middle of the golf course, the threat of thunderstorms made me a little uneasy.  Thankfully the weather gods smiled down on us, and the rain held-off just long enough to get the 1st look done.  The first drops started falling the minute we had Leanne in the Marshes clubhouse.  Phew!

For Leanne & Rob’s first look, I brought Leanne to a nice bridge on the Marshes golf course, while Linda took the golf cart to fetch Rob.  With Leanne’s back to the direction from which Rob would be approaching, I took some bridal portraits and generally tried to keep her busy and “chilled” while we waited.  Once I got a text from Linda and saw Rob approaching, I slowly started backing-up (to give them space for their moment), and to capture the 1st look using a long lens, so their moment was private.  One of the coolest moments was the instant that Leanne could hear Rob’s feet walking down the wooden-planked bridge.  Her face lit-up, and she said “he’s coming, isn’t he…?”.  Love it.

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