Gentlemen - Try to top this proposal!

Kristin and John were married on October 22, 2011. The ceremony was held at Shady Grove United Methodist Church and the reception at the Hermitage Country Club out in Manakin Sabot. I think the most fascinating thing about this wedding is the proposal. Here it is in Kristin's own words.

It was very romantic! In September 2010, John began planning the proposal while he was still in Afghanistan. He was working over there for the State Department, embedded with the military. One of the soldiers in that unit used to be a D.C. Capitol Policeman and he helped make the location John selected possible. During his February/March leave this year, John surprised me by taking me for a tour of the Capitol Dome in D.C. There is a little-known tour that allows a person to go behind the walls of the Rotunda and up into the Dome itself. We climbed all the way up with a tour guide/guard until we came to the very top of the dome outside, giving us a 360-degree view of the city. I was still clueless that he had planned to propose up there and he was very good at remaining calm and his usual self. He handed the camera to the guide as if we were going to have an artsy couple's photo with the Washington Monument in the background. Holding my hands, John turned to me, smiled, and asked me to marry him. Making sure I had just heard him correctly, I asked him, "Are you serious?!" Then, realizing he was not on one knee, he knelt down and asked me again, to which I replied, "Yes!" quite a few times. This was all captured by the guide taking pictures of us! When we finally reached the bottom of the Dome again, our guide took a detour and told us to "Come over here, quick!" He led us into the United States Senate Press Gallery where a few reporters were waiting around for something to happen. When we walked in, we were ushered to the stage behind the official podium where we were congratulated and had our picture taken (courtesy of a last minute surprise by our guide!).

Ksenia and Thomas

Ksenia and Thomas were married at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens http://www.lewisginter.org/ at the Bloemendaal House on September 10, 2011. Ksenia, a native of Ukraine, and her groom were presented with the Korovai by the brides parents. This is an elaborately decorated multi-tier bread adorned with two birds, made out of dough which represent the couple, and other birds which represent family and friends. The entire arrangement is surrounded by a wreath of periwinkle, a symbol of love and purity and is usually accompanied by a shot of Smirnoff. Music for the evening was played by the talented and fun Eric Cunningham from Choice Entertainment www.choiceentertainment.com.

Mazel Tov Danielle and Adam

Daniel and Adam were married at the Hilton Hotel at Short Pump www.hilton.com/Richmond-Short-Pump-Va on July 26, 2011. I think my favorite image was her father's face when he saw her for the first time.

Jenny and Craig's Love Story

Jenny and Craig were married April 30, 2011 at Willow Oaks Country Club www.willowoakscc.org. They were by far one of the nicest and easiest couples I have worked with so I would like to share their story with you.

Bill Gilliam from Choice Entertainment www.choiceentertainment.com mc and dj for the event, had the ingenuity to confer with the couple and create a funny story based on how they first met. The following is what he read out loud to the bride and groom and their guests during the reception.

Their story involved a chance meeting, a natural disaster, a classic movie, an aging rock star and blossoming love.

Back in August of 2005, Jenny and Craig met when mutual friends happened to run into each other at a bar. Craig began talking to Jenny, but when she found out he had family in Chicago she steered him over to to another girlfriend who used to live in Chicago. After a few minutes, Craig worked his way back to Jenny and eventually asked for her number. As she jotted her number on a napkin, Craig fed her a classic line from, Forrest Gump, I'm not a smart man Jenny..." Hmm Jenny thought, cute and a sense of humor, but I'm still not all that excited about dating. A few days later, Hurrican Katrina hit New Orleans and Craig called Jenny leaving her a voice mail saying "Don't worry, they found Fats Domino and he's okay." Now she was sold and the first date ensued.

After 4 dates Jenny knew she was falling for this witty guy and, for Craig, in spite of his promise to himself not to date a woman with a cat, felt the same. 10 months later they moved in together and 2 short years later, Jenny had Craig actually washing dishes. No one knows why it took 3 more years for Craig to propose, but finally propose he did, and on their 5 year anniversary, Craig proposed in front of the Governor's Mansion in Williamsburg.

Anything But Ordinary

In my mother's house, there are boxes full of photographs that contain memories of the past. Images from my childhood, the beloved pets that shared our lives, our grandparents, aunts and uncles, friends. A fragment here, a moment there, as a collection they represent the times of my life. However, with all these images, there is not by itself that completely documents any one event in my life such that I can remember every detail. There have been many times that I've wished for a complete story instead of just an image or two. My portrait sessions are designed to capture an event or a moment in the life of your family! During our session, you should choose a location and an activity that represents your day to day life--yes, that means no posing in matching outfits on the beach or in front of the Christmas tree. Anything But Ordinary is my motto of choice. I would rather see a game of soft ball, your daughter's first ballet lesson, your puppy's first birthday party. Your family at home relaxing with the latest member of the family albeit human or four-legged, not bedazzled and frozen by a set of studio lights against a white backdrop--a segment of our precious lives that we can remember. Engagement and maternity sessions also fall under this category. Even if I am not available to photograph your wedding, you can still share in one of my portrait experiences! Portrait sessions usually last about 1.5 hours, but can be less or more depending on what you are doing. All portrait sessions are posted online for ordering prints and also include your own copyright-free disc containing all high-resolution images. Sessions begin at $350. For more information, please send me an email and tell me more about the kind of shoot you are interested in! info@amandaanthonyphoto.com

For the Love of Line Dancing....

Jessi Suttenfield and Chris Duke exchanged wedding vows on January 9 at First Presbyterian Church www.fpcrichmond.org with a reception at Westwood Club www.westwoodclub.net. Jessi showed off her love and talent for line dancing. She was amazing dancing along to the Electric Slide, the Cupid Shuffle and several other line dancing songs. Music was played by Manny Green www.mannygreen.com. There was also some break dancing thrown into the mix by one of Jessi's bridesmaids and a guest.