Last week I returned from San Jose where I photographed Drew and Jana’s lovely afternoon wedding at Freedom Hall and Gardens.
Many of you probably already know that Drew and I went to high school together – quite a few years ago now, but we’ll not talk about that. haha! Like most of our generation we stayed in touch loosely online over the years between school, moving around (mostly me in that case), and other various things in life.
Last year when Drew decided he was going to propose to his girlfriend Jana, he reached out to me beforehand.
You guys might remember when I shared with everyone the engagement photos of Drew and Jana. Drew’s plan of a surprise proposal worked incredibly well. He talked to Jana and explained that he was going to have me come do some “couples photos” of the two of them so they had some nice photos of themselves. She liked the idea and no reason to suspect a thing.
But when Drew signaled to me that this photo was going to be the proposal, and stepped back and got down on one knee, Jana was so surprised she took a step or two back in shock when she realized what he was doing.
It was really sweet.
But anyway, you guys are supposed to already know all that… cuz now they’re married and I’m posting about their wedding day!
My weekend at the Smoot-Price wedding started with the rehearsal at Freedom Hall and Gardens. I have shot several other weddings here (one of only two places I’ve photographed more than once). So I know how they do everything and have an idea of how lighting/etc will work – which makes things quicker and easier for me.
Rehearsal was a breeze as everyone walked through the order of events for the wedding day and we all caught up on life between rehearsing and then later at dinner.
The wedding day started as normal for me – hanging out with all the girls as they started their hair and makeup. Drew later told me he was surprised when I texted him that morning for the girl’s contact info when he realized how early I was heading to the hotel.
The morning was hilarious as all the girls spent the majority of the time talking about stories and laughing. I’m going to save a lot of comments for the photos below, as usual, too.
That evening’s wedding ceremony was beautiful. The day started out a bit cold and windy compared to the hotter weather just two days before. At one point we were a little concerned that we’d all be out in the cold for the ceremony. Fortunately we were wrong.
Anyway, click past the break for just over 350 photos from Drew and Jana’s wedding rehearsal and wedding day!
I’ll talk a bit more about the day in the captions.
Getting the rehearsal started off.
Heading over the ceremony location.
Double checking the order and names of everyone in the ceremony
Thankfully the time of day for the actual ceremony will be different. Imagine how harsh this light would look!
Getting ready for a second walk through
Jana and her dad, practicing their walk down the aisle and handoff to Drew.
The coordinator. Talking them through all the parts of the ceremony
Afterward Jana was explaining the decorations and everything for the wedding. She made nearly every part of them! Amazing, right?!
The family was sitting and chatting before dinner as Jana was dealing with the decorations.
Wedding day morning! I’m there first thing pointing a camera at the girls… always thrilling to have a photographer and huge camera in your face, right?
The ladies, laughing and talking with Jana
Hair and Makeup being handled by Kristie that morning
Meanwhile all the bridesmaids were piled on the bed relaxing
Jordynn making sure to keep her game scores up while the other ladies were busy running around
Tara’s turn!
Getting her toes done by her step-mom! Jana was doing her wedding day right.
Team effort, actually
Mom stopping by to make sure that Jana was doing good and see if she needed anything else
Tara’s youngest had just woken up from a nap so she joined the part with us in the main room
Getting started on makeup
Mrs. Smoot and I stole the dress for a bit and ran off to the other room to get some photos
Jana was going for comfort with some flip flops! Super smart, too, considering walking on the grass in heels isn’t easy for anyone.
Jordynn helping Grandma Wendy steam the dress train
Time to let out those curls
Grrrr!
Quick visit from her brother Adam to run through the order the ceremony! How fun to officiate your sister’s wedding!
The girls, opening their bridesmaids gifts
Jessica, putting a bit of makeup on Jordynn
Kristie’s tools are completely different than mine, but no less important
Jordynn and Gabriel hanging out. I remember being the bigger older cousin when I was her age :)
All the ladies loaded up and ready to head to the Hall
Do everything in one trip… Jordynn knows what’s up.
The bouquets that Jana made for the ladies
Time to get the bride laced up!
touching up Jordynn’s hair, too
Checking that Jana still has some movement after getting laced up
Perfect!
Jana gave the girls flasks. Not spilling was key to filling them.
Instagrammm
Nextdoor the guys had a shot to celebrate before things got going
Drew was fully expecting to be stabbed with the needle
“No… NO I DON’T WANNA HOLD YOUR HANDDD”
Shortly after I took Drew outside for their first look, that way we could get a head start on group photos
Awee, look at that smile!
The boutonnière fell off. Drew’s expression is great
The guys, getting all theirboutonnière on
Flower girl Nora wanted a photo with the bride!
Heading back from photos
Look how sharp these three look! I saw their dad, Michael, taking a photo of his kids so I pulled them over to get a nice shot of the three of them, too.
Inside the room was coming together and everything was set up
Mmmm, cake!
We did a quick walk through – which I’m sure confused the guests there waiting for the wedding
Norah was serious about keeping all the petals in her basket..
Quick shot with the bride before heading out!
Gabriel went straight to his mom Tara right after making it down the aisle
Norah came down the aisle, immediately saw the petals, and started adding them to her basket
Jana, being escorted part of the way by her brother
“Oh look, more petals!”
Jana’s brother Michael, walking her part of the way
Then the handoff to Dad!
Drew, watching Jana come down the aisle
A hug and kiss for his daughter
Adam, welcoming everyone and getting things started
Norah… slightly bored I think.
Proud mother right there
Gabriel, lookin’ all GQ
Exchanging of vows
The rings
Those petals won’t stay put I’m telling you..
Exchanging of rings
A few last words…
And it’s official!
Mr. and Mrs. Price!
Kaleb and Jacob dancin’ their way out!
Welcome to the family!
Celebratory toast
After everything was cleared out we knocked out a few more photos
Then it was time to make poor Jordynn totally uncomfortable. hahaha
But when the guys did the same exact thing right after, Jacob and Kaleb just started laughing
But what are high school friends for, if not to make your wedding day photos really weird?
Don’t worry, we still took plenty of normal ones
Back inside it was time to for a short break while the guests enjoyed their cocktails/etc and we all had a chance to sit down.
Introducing the wedding party
Hong, gettin things started with his speech
After dinner it was time to walk table and greet everyone
Jana and her brothers
Grandma Wendy taking over video for a moment, haha!
Since there were so many kids, Jana and Drew planned a piñata for them!
This little girl was totally down to swing that bat. She was the first one up that was big enough to some strength behind her swing
Time for the boys’ turns
Jordynn wasn’t about to let the boys show her up with their swings though
Round two everyone
“Alright everyone, I’ll show you how it’s done…”
Look how hard he hit it! LOOK! Look at the bat and how much it flexed!
Success!
My old friend Margaret was at the wedding! I haven’t seen her in probably 9 years! Crazy
Jana put the sticky sequin bedazzle things from the piñata on her arms. They were there the rest the night!
Time for their first dance
Drew and Jana laughed as they told the DJ that this was their first dance together _ever_, not just as husband and wife
But you would have never known if they didn’t say anything..
Parents and friends, looking on
I know Jordynn wasn’t live-tweeting the wedding… but it would have been funny if she was…
Daddy-Daughter dance was next. Always my favorite
Drew and his mother combined their Mother-Son dance with it
Next was the cake cutting
Had to throw some muscle behind it
Jana has it under control though
I always wonder why coordinators jump in to do this… I’m pretty sure every wedding couple knows how to cut a slice in half! haha! Never fails though, nearly every wedding…
Are they going to be nice? Drew doesn’t look so sure..
Bouquet toss.. gotta get those ladies out on the floor
right to Jordynn!
Garter was next
Removing it with his teeth was a bit harder than Drew may have thought
This is the technique to use everyone… surround yourself with people much shorter than you…
Conner is unsure why he has the garter. haha!
This little girl was so sweet waiting for her turn to dance with Jana!
Longest-married couple at the wedding!
Some Village People action
Family hugs!
Me with the Bride and Groom as the night was winding down
Hand to finish the paperwork with the witnesses before the night was done!
Only a few guests were left. it was mostly just Drew and Jana at this point
Last song of the night. Jessica watching them dance
They were definitely in their own world dancing all around the floor
And that was it for the night!
A gorgeous wedding day and a great time had by everyone. It’s been fun to be a part of so many of my old friends weddings over the years. And to be able to share both Drew and Jana’s proposal/engagement as well as their wedding is definitely special.
I hope you guys all enjoyed the images! I know there were a ton of them.
And Drew and Jana, Thank You both for having me as part of your wedding!