October 18, 2015

Elliston Vineyards Wedding Photography~ Jackie & Matt!

Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3035Jackie and Matt’s wedding reminded me of a wedding out of an old fairy tale book.  A beautiful bride with her handsome groom getting married on a quaint vineyard surrounded by friends, family and frolicking flower girls! It sounds kind of sickening sweet but honestly…  it was that enchanting! Later when the dance floor was going nuts it might have jumped to a modern fairy tale!

Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3036Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3040Jackie’s Allure gown was stunning and she made it even more beautiful when she put it on!Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3037Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3043Taking pictures at Elliston Vineyards inside the mansion is so much fun, it was the perfect backdrop for everything including these gorgeous florals!Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3038The ladies came dressed (besides Jackie), giving them some time for some bubbles!Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3042The guys, well they preferred some Irish whiskey!
Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3045Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3046Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3044 Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3048It was time for Jackie to get dressed, we transferred to the room downstairs that was extra pretty and also had amazing light! Matt’s sister is an amazing photographer so I was lucky to have her help me find the best light!Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3049Jackie’s Mom did the honors of the zipping up Jackie. Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3050Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3051And Jackie’s sisters put on her shoes! Love it! How often can you get your sisters to put on your shoes like that?!Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3047Matt was ready and looking so dapper! Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3052So pretty!
Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3054The guys! Jackie and Matt decided not to do a first look and to see each other for the first time during the ceremony. We used the time before the ceremony to take some pictures of the wedding party and also family members. We carefully moved Jackie and Matt around so they would not see each other! Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3056The ladies! On the left are Jackie’s two sisters and on the right are Matt’s two sisters!Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3053And then the two sweetest flowers girls- Matt’s nieces. Fairy Tale quality, right?!Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3057Sunshine, music and excitement filled the air as guests arrived for the ceremony.

Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3058
Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3059Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3060The flower girls may have forgotten to spread the rose petals but they did a wonderful job of melting hearts with their adorableness!Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3061Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3062Jackie and her Dad arrived at the top of the stairs and dramatically descended down the aisle to Matt. Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3064Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3063That’s one happy looking groom!
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Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3067Look at that setting!!! The trees, the sunshine, the American flag proudly blowing in the breeze! So, so, so perfect!Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3068Those beginning ceremony moments  where a couple are staring at each other with such adoration- the best!
Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3069Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3070Proud Parents and Grandparents looked on. Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3071Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3072Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3073Matt recited his personalized vows to Jackie. Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3076Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3074And then she to him. Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3075Lots of teary eyes- such beautiful words spoken to each other. Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3077Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3078Jackie and Matt then exchanged rings. Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3080Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3079Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3081The officiant then asked everyone to hold hands and bow their heads in prayer. Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3082Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3083Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3084And without a second of hesitation he announced what everyone was waiting for!  “Matt, you may kiss your bride!”Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3085Married!!!!!Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3086Look at those smiles, amazing!Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3087Jackie and Matt walked off behind the house and they were then surrounded by their wedding party doing a celebratory dance!Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3088While I had the whole crew together we did some wedding party pictures and even the little ones did their part!Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3089Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3090Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3091I don’t often put family pictures up on the blog but recently I have been asked if I even do them!  YES I do them and I believe in them with all my heart.  Greg and I did not do family pictures at our wedding as we got married during the height of “wedding photojournalism”. Family pictures were often considered too set up and not given much priority.  It’s to this day one of my biggest regrets and I wish I had those pictures. So now I love producing those images for my clients. I do them fast and as fun as possible so the expressions are happy and then everyone can go off to the cocktail party!Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3093The reception at the Elliston is not in the main house but in building off to the back.  It’s so pretty with the arched windows and the light wood ceiling. Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3094Matt and his grandmother made homemade Limoncello as gifts for the guests- what a fun idea!Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3095So many beautiful details!Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3096Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3097Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3098Gotta love letting everyone know their hashtag with wine corks- brilliant!Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3099With the sun about to go over the tree line and a crew of family and friends waiting to celebrate, we did portraits quickly and with great intention.  Jackie and Matt brought their A game and Elliston grounds provided so many wonderful settings in such a small area. Jackie was such a trooper going into the tall grass with her dress on! I’m so grateful as tall golden grass with late afternoon sun on it is hard to beat!Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3102Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3100Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3101Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3103Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3104We then moved into the entry way to the main house. It perfectly showcased Jackie and Matt and really gave that incredible dress a chance to shine!Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3105Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3106Love it!  That suit, that dress! Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3092Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3107Jackie and Matt were then off to their reception!Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3108Such amazing enthusiasm! Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3109Jackie and Matt went right into a sweet first dance. First dances seem to be getting shorter and shorter with the couple inviting the guests to join them on the dance floor.  That’s nice and all but personally I love when a couple takes the whole dance for themselves! They deserve it and selfishly it gives me more time to take some pretty pictures of it!Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3110Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3111Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3112Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3115Jackie’s Dad then welcomed everyone for coming. Emotions crept into his voice and as he took a moment to collect himself Jackie gave him a squeeze. After he made everyone shed a tear he went on to make everyone laugh hysterically! Good thing everyone had a drink!Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3116Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3122Next up was Matt’s best man who shared a few stories about Matt!!Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3117Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3123Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3120Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3124Jackie was not off the hook as Jackie’s maid of honor and little sister then offered up some stories from her past! The toasts were so much fun and all done with such love for Jackie and Matt!
Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3121Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3119Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3126Jackie and her Dad then shared a dance, the song was “My Girl” and Jackie’s Dad jokingly was singing to Matt and pointing at him! Adorable!Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3127Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3128Jackie’s Mom, family friend and Grandmother watching the father /daughter dance. Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3129Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3130A big hug from Jackie’s Dad!Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3131It was now Matt’s turn to dance with his Mom with Dad watching with pride. Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3132Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3133This moment. There’s a 1,000 words and emotions in this picture. It’s moments like this that remind me of how much I love wedding photography.
Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3134Big hugs from Matt’s Mom for Matt and then Jackie too!  So now that everyone has cried a gazillion times…..Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3135…it was time to dance!!!!Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3136Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3137The dance floor was full of fun shenanigans!Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3142Including when Matt did a little dance to Right Said Fred’s one hit wonder-“I’m too sexy”!!!Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3138Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3139Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3141Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3143Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3140Awww, Matt’s Grandma admiring his new ring!Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3147Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3145Everyone watched as Jackie and Matt cut their beautiful cake!Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3155Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3146The DJ then surprised everyone with The Shoe game!  Have you heard of this?  It’s a new one for me, this didn’t happen at east coast weddings!Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3148Then it was on to the bouquet and garter toss!Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3149Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3150A few guys actually looked like they wanted to catch the garter!Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3151All sugared up it was time for the dance floor to ignite again!Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3152Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3153Jackie lead the conga line!!Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3154Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3156The last dance, it always comes so fast. Everyone was singing Journey at the top of their lungs- laughing and cheering on the newlyweds!!!
Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3157Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3158Elliston Vineyards_Susannah Gill-Photographic Storytelling_3159The song ended and Jackie and Matt were engulfed in a HUGE group hug!

Jackie and Matt, it was such an honor to be part of your wedding!  I enjoyed every second of it!!  Wishing you a wonderful lifetime filled with sweetness, love and of course more shenanigans!

 

So  grateful to work with an amazing team of vendors that did such a wonderful job!

Venue-Elliston Vineyards

Cake-Primrose Bakery

DJ-Denon & Doyle

Guitarist-Bruce Brill

Flowers-Sue Boyle & Tina Smith

Dress-Allure Bridals

Hair-Phoebe Gillespie

Makeup-Emily Cela

 

comments +

  1. Andrea Garvey says:

    Drool. Drool. Drool. Everything about this wedding looks amazing. So many incredible photos that I love, love, love. What a gorgeous couple and venue!

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