Taylor + CJ | Top of the Bay Wedding

June 3, 2014

Weddings

To kick off this week’s wedding posts, I’m so excited to share Taylor and CJ’s wedding from last Friday at Top of the Bay in Aberdeen. You may remember them from their engagement session – I know so many people loved CJ’s bowtie. Taylor and I had hit it off from the start. She was so sweet and upbeat and 100% my kind of girl. We shared a love for preppy attire, and all things bright and colorful. I had high hopes for her wedding from day one, and let me just say, it did not disappoint. Their engagement session was the first time I had met CJ. He was very quiet – he didn’t talk much and when he did it was very softly. He completely took me by surprise when he walked up to me on their wedding day, gave me a hug and TALKED to me. As a matter of fact, we talked all day. Now that I’ve had a chance to see CJ’s personality and get to know him better, I can see the man that Taylor fell in love with. Friday was such a special day, watching these two beautiful people commit eternity to each other surrounded by their family and friends, and I’m so excited to share some of my favorites and the story of their day!

Taylor had the most amazing dress, though I expected no less.

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Her shoes… ahh her shoes… how do I even explain the awesomeness? I was both not surprised and totally thrilled.taylor-cj-top-of-the-bay_0007 taylor-cj-top-of-the-bay_0008 taylor-cj-top-of-the-bay_0009 taylor-cj-top-of-the-bay_0010taylor-cj-top-of-the-bay_0015 taylor-cj-top-of-the-bay_0013 taylor-cj-top-of-the-bay_0014 taylor-cj-top-of-the-bay_0016

After Taylor finished getting ready it was time for their very sweet first look. taylor-cj-top-of-the-bay_0017 taylor-cj-top-of-the-bay_0018 taylor-cj-top-of-the-bay_0019

And then time for bridal party portraits! Such a crazy gorgeous group of people.

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Taylor wasn’t the only one with awesome shoes. CJ had custom made Chucks specifically for the occasion.
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Earlier in the day CJ and the groomsmen weed whacked this area so we could take portraits later. Thanks guys! Totally worth the effort :)

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Ahh, Taylor, too gorgeous!

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Taylor’s pearls were her wedding gift from CJ. They are beautiful. He did good!

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I love these and how bright and bold her blue eyeliner is. I talked about her blue eyeliner and mascara in the engagement session blog post. I’m so glad she was true to herself and went blue for the wedding day! She had lash extensions that were black, but the bold blue eyeliner was still there. Her sisters wore blue mascara in her honor :)

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Hey there, handsome!

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Ahh, I can’t handle the pretty.

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After we rocked out some family photos, it was time for their beautiful ceremony. Taylor’s uncle officiated and put together an incredibly meaningful, personalized ceremony, just for them.

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Following the braiding of the ropes, it was time for the kiss! But CJ wasn’t going to just go in for it… he had to do it in style.taylor-cj-top-of-the-bay_0044 taylor-cj-top-of-the-bay_0045 taylor-cj-top-of-the-bay_0046taylor-cj-top-of-the-bay_0047

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how you do it.

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Post-ceremony the lighting was perfect and we were able to utilize the front of the building for the remaining family portraits and a few of the bridal party and bride and groom!

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The sun was setting fast so we hopped in my car and drove down the road a bit to the docks. I am SO glad we did, well worth it!

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I love this chalkboard sign they had out front – and that some of their engagement photos made an appearance!

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Best groom’s cake ever? Possibly. And now I’m seriously craving donuts again.

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Party time!!!

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After their first dance there were some very special speeches by Taylor’s sisters and CJ’s best man.

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Taylor surprised her dad with their dance – to “Hold my Hand” by Hootie and the Blowfish. When she was young her dad had always said they’d dance to this at her wedding one day. She wasn’t sure if he remembered saying that, but she did, and made sure it was true.

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CJ’s mom didn’t want to do a dance, but he surprised her with one anyway. I’m so glad he did! Her joy was beautiful to watch!

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They did the bouquet and garter tosses…

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… and like I said earlier, CJ was not at all shy on his wedding day.

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They cut the cake…

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Taylor got CJ BIG time!

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He was so polite…

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NOT.

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Taylor and CJ, you guys are awesome. You had such a beautiful day and I’m so glad that I was the one you chose to document it. I hope we stay in touch for years to come and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes you! Have a blast in Georgia!

xoxo,
Brea

Vendors
Venue: Top of the Bay
Photographer: Breanna Shaw, Photography by Brea
DJ: DJ Akademiks
Officiant: Lt. Col. Gary Appel- Uncle of the Bride
Cake & Cupcakes: Beth Davis, a family friend
Dress: Sweetheart, purchased at Amanda Ritchey Bridal

 

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  1. Jennifer says:
    June 3, 2014 at 6:41 am

    This looks like such a fun wedding! I LOVE everything about their shoes and all of the little pops of color they have. Great job, as always!

    Reply
  2. Dani says:
    June 3, 2014 at 7:25 am

    I just have no doubt in my mind that they are going to have the happiest and most fun life together. I can totally tell their awesome personalities through these photos and how fun and candid they were on their wedding day. Epic cake smash, love the group shots, love the details – also I want a donut – everything is perfect!!

    Reply
  3. Laura says:
    June 3, 2014 at 7:33 am

    Beautiful work! I love the rope detail during the ceremony and those garter shots and pretty hilarious!

    Reply
  4. Krista A. Jones says:
    June 3, 2014 at 7:46 am

    I love the hat CJ put on for the kiss! And it’s amazing the guys weedwacked for portraits! This wedding is amazing Brea!

    Reply
  5. Caitlin says:
    June 3, 2014 at 8:38 am

    ahh- amazing! love all the pops of purple and both of their shoes are AWESOME!

    Reply
  6. Katie says:
    June 3, 2014 at 9:22 am

    OMG you know I love that groom’s cake!! Haha. Seriously cute couple. Great job as usual Brea!!

    Reply
  7. Jackie Phillips says:
    June 3, 2014 at 9:31 am

    Looks like a super fun wedding! I love her shoes & that donut cake!

    Reply
  8. Stephanie Messick says:
    June 3, 2014 at 10:51 am

    Love the personalities you captured in these photos! Great job!

    Reply
  9. Brooke says:
    June 3, 2014 at 11:44 am

    What a beautiful couple!!! This looks like such a fun wedding, and you captured it so well!! The Krispy Kreme cake is AMAZING and I love all of the little details!!

    Reply
  10. Karena Dixon says:
    June 3, 2014 at 12:24 pm

    Love those bridesmaids dresses! Purple is one of my favorite colors to photograph this time of year.

    Reply