Wedding Photography ~ Gaby & Genaro ~ Charlotte Wedding Photographer

This past Saturday I shot a wedding in Phoenix, Arizona. It was one of the most beautiful weddings that I have ever been to and one of my favorites too. Partially because of the beautiful vintage details that I so adore. Partially because of the gorgeous ceremony & reception location. But mostly because it was my brother that was getting married. Genaro & Gaby have been “talking” and dating for about 7 years now and have finally tied the knot. Houses in the morning for most Romanian weddings are usually packed with a lot of people and are just chaotic. Chaos, to me, is beautiful. This time, I walked into Gaby’s home to photograph her getting ready and there was just silence. I was in some state of shock because it was not what I was used to. She even had time at some point to just lounge out on the couch with me and my second-shooter, Jenny (a.k.a my BFF), to chat for about a good 15 minutes. She had such a peace about her, and I was just sooooo excited that she was marrying my brother. They are truly a match made in Heaven. They have been through so much and really truly deserve each other.

To Gaby & Genaro: I would like for you both to know that marriage isn’t a fairytale like many make it out to be. But it will be. The first moments of your life together will have some obstacles. But it is up to the BOTH of you to overcome them. Whatever those obstacles may be, you help each other overcome them. After all this is a partnership, isn’t it? Wake up every morning and make the decision to make your spouse happy today. Think twice before saying something you might regret later. Remember, it takes 1,000 “I Love You’s” to make up for 1 “I Hate You”. ALWAYS lift each other up, especially in front of others. It is the most loving thing you can do for one another. And when you decide to have children, remember that BOTH of you made that child. Being a parent is a partnership, an one of the most important jobs in the world. The best way you can love your child and be an example to them is through your love for each other. After 7 years of marriage to Alin, I can tell you that I love him now more than I did the day that I married him. I have found my heavenly soul mate and I pray nothing less than for you to discover that in each year that you are married.

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How gorgeous are these shoes!?!
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Some behind the scenes on how I got the next two shots. That is me in the window and Jenny (second shooter) and Anca spotting me.
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Is it me or is it ridiculous that some can be blessed with such thick lashes? No. For Real. Those ARE hers.
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I LOOOOOOOOOOVVVVVEDDDD her bouquet!
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And Genaro looked stunning in his suit.
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They opted to see each other before the ceremony and so this was his reaction when he first saw her.
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Gaby’s beauty is undeniable.
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We found this beautiful Ice Cream Parlor and they were so gracious to let us take pictures inside. I LOVE the colors and the details.
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Their kids are going to have such perfect teeth.
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OMGoodness Gracious, Gaby.
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For someone who hates being in front of the camera, he is pretty photogenic. No?
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Seriously, guys. Are you kidding me?? You two are somethin’ else.
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We wanted to re-enact this move from their engagement shoot here.
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Quite possibly my favorite shot of the two of them.
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Gaby in the Bridal Suite before the ceremony.
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Going over her vows before the ceremony. Funny that she has her pages typed and numbered. Even funnier was Genaro laughing at her font.
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Charlie was the ring bearer, but I dressed up all of my boys in tuxes and sneakers. How cute are their Converse sneakers?
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Gaby wanted to go down the aisle with mom AND dad. Forget tradition.
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Anca, Gaby’s sister, said some beautiful words to them which made Gaby tear up a little bit.
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Sarah, another one of Gaby’s sisters, sang beautifully.
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Me & Genaro’s dad, a pastor, preached a brief sermon.
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Genaro then sang a song to Gaby. Genaro & I used to sing together in church and I still, to this day, am amazed by his God-given talent to sing.
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Gaby’s father also said a few words.
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Bridesmaids’ bouquets. Aren’t the colors just delicious??
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Flower girl (and my little sister), Gianna.
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Diggin’ up a storm. Gold anyone?
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Isn’t it great that each father got to pray over their child?
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The ceremony and reception took place at the Wright House. Isn’t this courtyard absolutely gorgeous??
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Just Because ~ Kari & Jay ~ Charlotte Portrait Photographer

Kari & Jay have been together for 9 years and have been married for 3 of those. They’ve never had any professional photos done, not even for their wedding and so they decided it was to do a session together -just because. These two are just cutie-patuties. I wanted to put them both in my pocket! I hope you like them, Kari & Jay! You guys were so much fun!

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I LOVED me this mint green wall.
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Everytime they tried a ‘serious face’, they would bust out laughing.
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Like here.
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I brought my own cruiser along for the shoot. And we had tons of fun with it. After many takes and a very impatient woman driver, here’s what we got.
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LOVE this! The train came and went so fast, we literally had moments to run over by the tracks, me manually set my camera (to get the blur motion), and shoot away before it went away! Whew!
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A fun one of Kari.
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Hot Shot Booth ~ Gaby & Genaro ~ Charlotte Wedding Photographer

I am still in Phoenix and what a trip it has been so far. We all arrived in Phoenix with my 3 boys who’ve developed a terrible cough on the plane. My two oldest got over it quickly but then my one year old boy Oliver, continued with this terrible cough and went in and out of fevers for about three days. Only yesterday was Oliver finally himself. Me, on the other hand. I developed a cold and then lost my voice for about two days after which now I am gaining back but am having terrible coughs myself. Do I miss my family and friends in Phoenix? Yes. Terribly so. Would I ever move back. If my health is going to go back to this again (like it so often was when I used to live here), then no thank you. But never say never right? Who knows what plans God has for me? Anyway, long story short. I need a vacation from this vacation.

I have much to post and I will work on more blogging when I return home on Thursday, but I only have CS3 available to me at the moment and it will not recognize my 5D Mark II files, so I am posting the “Hot Shot Booth” photos that I took using my sister’s 1D Mark II camera at my brother, Genaro’s wedding, since they are the only ones I can open now.

I have been working on getting this “crazy photo booth”-like option added to my wedding packages for the past few months, and I was too excited to finally try it out this past Saturday for my brother’s wedding. Most of the guests were also friends of mine so it was real great for me to hang out with everyone once again:)It was one of the most beautiful weddings that I have ever been too, and I will post tons more from their wedding later. But for now, enjoy these!

Francois. I gotta’ love him. He’s my brother, God bless him.
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These are some of the cousins my brothers and I grew up with in Chicago. Loooong history there. I love how awkward my uncle looks doing this.
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Mug Shot!
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Our little sister Gianna with the gorgeous bride and my new sister-in-law, Gaby.
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Our cousin, Cipriano. ‘Nuff said.
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Me, Alin, and our two oldest boys. Love ‘em all like craycee!
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Melissa, you already had your turn!
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Gaby’s mom. Seriously, this woman is such a busy bee! And the sweetest woman on earth!
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Our Living Waters Church youth pastor! Fun times.
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Way to improvise with props.
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The bouquet toss.
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The official bouquet toss.
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Where are you going with that?
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Our Hot Shot Booth is now available at an introductory price to add onto any wedding package for current and future brides. Please email me at caroline@carolineghetes.com to inquire!