Embracing the Unexpected
Im so excited for today’s blog post because Cami & Sebastian are two of our closest friends. They’re practically our dogs second set of parents and they live 4 houses down from us! I almost cried when Cami invited me over one night and then asked if I would be one of her bridesmaids AND her photographer!!
Buuuuut, it wouldn’t be Cami’s life if a curveball wasn’t thrown at her the week of her wedding and the day of.
The week of the wedding, Cami’s dreamy floral gown decided to take a solo trip in the mail, and it even took her maid of honor’s suit along for the ride. Cami’s friend called in a favor to Jeans Bridal for a rush-fit fix. She ended up choosing a beautiful lavender/gray tulle dress that paired so well with her Betsey Johnson rhinestone boots. And in true USPS fashion (haha) the MIA dress resurfaced months later. Now we’re planning some anniversary pics with the original gown!
And the morning of the wedding, the warehouse storing her flowers caught on fire, some rentals never got delivered, and her friend who was in charge of bringing their beloved dog Iris to the wedding got Covid which meant no Iris, and a morning run to Starbucks resulted in a speeding ticket! Friends pulled through for them though in what ever way they could, so even with all the mishaps, Cami & Sebastian still had a fun day!
It can be really exciting to be both the photographer and a close friend of the couple because truly tiny details suddenly have so much more meaning. Take the anime coffee mug in this post for example. That’s actually our cup, but Cami comes over a few times a week to make coffee and she always uses this mug and sometimes takes it back to her house with her. She slept at our house the night before the wedding, so in the morning we made some coffee to go and she grabbed her favorite mug! To the average viewer, it’s just a coffee cup, but to me, it’s a piece of our everyday friendship.
Cami & I also always flip each other off, so it was only natural that she did it a few times during photos!
First Look and Wedding Portraits
Forget the cliché First Look shoulder tap – I suggested Sebastian should be on the ivy steps (which is what Cami really wanted), facing the door so all Cami had to do was swing the door open, walk out and bam – magic happened! They were all in for it, and the joy on their faces was something you’d never get from a shoulder tap!
Sebastian & his groomsmen wore custom green suits, but us bridesmaids + the flower ladies had our outfits handpicked by Cami! But remember…Laura’s, the maid of honor, suit went missing alongside Cami’s wedding dress! So we had to swap some things around. Laura ended up having to wear my outfit Cami had picked out, so Cami came over to my house and we actually shopped my personal closet to pick out what I would wear instead.
Sealed With a Kiss and a Shot
Their friend Sean officiated the ceremony which took place on the lawn in front of Old Wide Awake. Cami and Sebastian had read each other their vows privately before the ceremony, so it was short and sweet! After the first kiss, the couple handed out mini bottles of liquour for the wedding party to take a shot with them before processing down the aisle – and I got handed a small bottle of apple juice because I don’t drink and they always ask me in a baby voice if I “want some juice”!
Informal and Intentional Backyard Wedding in Charleston
The reception was a very informal affair, which fits Cami & Sebastian! That doesn’t mean that they didn’t do things without intention. Cami carefully curated the twisted colorful candles for a bit of whimsy, and they both went to many, many thrift and antique stores leading up to the wedding day hand picking different colors and styles of vintage glass goblets for their guests to use all night as well as take home as wedding favors. They’re both in the liquor & wine industry, so they served the good shit (-;
For dinner, they had Dough Boyz come and make everyone pizza! Cami ended up changing into a short hot pink dress halfway through the reception – and it wouldn’t be Cami if she didn’t fall on her ass at least once.
FAQ: Keeping Calm When the Unexpected Happens
What if something goes wrong on our wedding day?
Embrace the chaos! Cami & Sebastian’s story proves that even with unexpected twists, a positive attitude and a supportive team can turn challenges into an unforgettable day.
How can we handle last-minute fashion emergencies?
Be resourceful! Cami’s lost dress led to a rush fitting, and even the maid of honor’s missing suit was swapped for a different style. Shop your and your friends closets, and get creative, or find a local formalware rental store!
Any tips for infusing personality into an informal reception without it feeling chaotic?
Plan with purpose! Cami & Sebastian’s informal reception had intentional touches, from handpicked glass goblets to the quirky choice of serving top-tier drinks. Inject your personality into the details, and let your reception reflect your unique love story.
