Kristin & Chris are an absolutely adorable couple though, and it’s easy to see exactly why they are such a great match when they’re together.  Initially it seems like a classic case of opposites attract – Kristin is this totally girly, fashionable, organized and classy girl – and Chris is totally a man’s man, laid back & easy going, taking it one day at a time.  Kristin works an office job, Chris spends his days out on a boat getting dirty & catching fish.  But yet… they fit together so perfectly – like two little puzzle pieces.  They are so much fun to be around and I really really loved being a part of their big day.

They decided to get married at the Four Points Sheraton down on Okaloosa Island – just a hop & a skip from Destin’s Fishing Village where Chris works.  The Four Points Sheraton is like the little hidden gem of the Emerald Coast – it’s on the Island so it’s out of the way of most of the hustle & bustle of Destin, but still close enough to the heart of Fort Walton Beach.  It sits on the main road, but what you don’t see is that behind it is this gorgeous little garden area that leads down to the most beautiful white beaches and gorgeous emerald water.  You really get the best of both worlds with their green grass areas & gardens AND the beaches!  We tried to utilize every bit of it, too!

Also – there were so many little details of Kristin’s wedding – I couldn’t possibly post them all in this blog but I’ll highlight some of my favorites, including her absolutely awesome deep purple shoes!  I absolutely love the colored shoe trend, and the purple has by far been one of my favorites!  Very unique, very awesome and so very Kristin!  Purple shoes + Kristin + Chris = one very happy photographer and make for one awesomely cool wedding

These flowers were so gorgeous. The colors go together so well, and are my favorite color combination for this fall!

Now, here’s where I have to brag on Chris a little bit.  I love this man.  I really do!  This man, are you ready for this ladies… made all the men’s boutonnieres himself!  HOLY CRAP!  Now, how many men do you know that can or will do this?!  That is some serious L-O-V-E!  I gotta give him some props – it is well deserved.  He not only made them, but made AWESOME ones, and did a helluva job!  Now, I will have to say – this far exceeded my expectations, and I do not think it is in any way reasonable to expect most men to be able to do this.  Which makes Chris that much more awesome   Yay for Chris!  I love that he totally got the colors down pat (yes, he coordinated that himself), and that they represent him so amazingly being that he is a fisherman.  (By the way – the purple is also partly a way of incorporating their love for LSU, that’s right – he’s a good ole’ southern boy!).  A *crafty*, thoughtful, manly man.Ok… that’s taking it a bit too far… I’ll stop now   You’re welcome, Chris!  Oh, and can I just also throw in here that Kristin got TWO rings on her wedding day?  How freaking awesome is THAT?!  (Hubby – are you reading this?!)

And in case you didn’t get a chance to see what absolutely AMAZING blue eyes Kristin has from their engagement pictures… check it out here.  We had some awesome weather, and something about being on the beach really makes her eyes pop:

And this is the best… at the last few moments of sunset, when everyone is waiting & it’s finally just them… and they relax & fall into their own little world for a few moments…

So if you’re considering visiting the area, or checking out wedding venues, don’t let this one slip past!

Four Points by Sheraton – Destin/Fort Walton Beach (located on Okaloosa Island)
Highway 98 East
1325 Miracle Strip Parkway, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
(850) 243-8116

And here to finish it off is the video…

Kristin + Chris – Married! Four Points by Sheraton from Bella Vita Photography on Vimeo.

Anyways, Tama had an awesome wedding with quite the bridal party & a “House Party” – apparently this is a Texas thing  A true Texas girl, she had a great show of support from all her friends & family – many of them also coming in from Texas.  To make it even better… Dustin is from a little town not too far from where I grew up in North Carolina, so needless to say I felt right at home!  An added bonus, another one of my beautiful brides (who is next on the “To Blog” list), Kristin, was a guest at the wedding.  I love it when that happens!

We had been hit with a little cold snap before the wedding (although nothing like the cold we’re suffering through now!), and even had a cold windy snap after wards, but as it goes… the weather was absolutely amazing the day of the wedding.  It never fails  And of course, it’s always a little windier on the beaches, but of course… perfect perfect weather, and a perfect beautiful breeze.

So let’s get on with this show and see some pictures from the day of!  Starting with my favorite trend of 2009… Shoes to match your colors!

What an amazing couple Dustin & Tama make… you can see sparks fly when they’re together

Here’s the couple, Kristin & Chris, who I had the pleasure of photographing at their wedding just after this wedding.  I love this picture because every time I see it I can’t help but think “Sometimes you feel like a nut, and sometimes you don’t”.  That totally sums this couple up lol.

Getting back to Tama & Dustin – this next picture just gives me goosebumps.  You’d think nobody else in the world existed in this moment…

As you can see, the beaches, the ballroom everything was gorgeous.  If you’re considering having a wedding locally or even a destination wedding, this is a fantastic place!

Check it out:

Embassy Suites by Hilton, Destin/Mirimar Beach Hotel
www.embassydestin.com

570 Scenic Gulf Drive
Destin, FL 32550
(850) 337-7000

And of course, it wouldn’t be complete without a little video.

Tama & Dustin – Married! from Bella Vita Photography on Vimeo.

Anyways – Markie & Aaron were in town on a speedy weekend, planning their destination wedding that will be taking place in Destin & Grayton Beach this summer, and seeing the town (ok, probably less seeing and more planning from the sounds of it).  We got caught in the rain the first day, so this is actually “take two”!   Because they’re from out of town, and had to leave early It was morning time, which in Florida weather translates into “hotter than Haites”, but I thought we fared pretty well considering!  We went out to Village of Baytowne Wharf, one of my many favorite shooting locations because of all of its fabulous “nooks & crannies”.  It’s just across Hwy 98 from the Sandestin Hilton Beach Golf Resort & Spa.  It’s got fabulous shopping, dining, and just plain fun around every corner.  With a French Quarter feel, every 5 steps you take you’ve got a gorgeous new scenery to work with.

So, here’s just a little sneak peek, before I wrap up editing & then it’s not a sneak peek anymore   I had a really hard time picking my favorites, but here goes.  And yeah… the watermarks are a new thing, but I’ll make a prettier one in the future I promise

Of course, it’s not complete without showing the rock

More later!  LOTS more!  In the meanwhile, check out Village of Baytowne Wharf. They also are home to the Solaris, which hosts weddings & receptions.  We’ve always loved their ceremonies, service & food!

I’m sharing my recipe for Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars – I’ve got tons of chocolate chips, and tons of pecans, so I’m off to bake some. Now, if you’ve never tried these, then you MUST try them (and don’t come knocking on MY door ’cause I can eat an entire batch, and down a gallon of milk along with it in no time flat!). And just to clarify – I HATE pecan pie, and I LOVE these…

So… cheers to calories, chocolate & fatty goodness!

Crust –
1 1/2 cup Flour
1/2 cup Butter — Softened
1/4 cup Brown Sugar — Firmly Packed
Filling –
3 Eggs
3/4 cup Corn Syrup
3/4 cup Sugar
2 tablespoons Butter — Melted
1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
1 1/2 cup Pecans — Coarsely Chopped
12 ounces Semisweet Chocolate Chips

Directions:

Santa Rosa Mall
300 Mary Esther Blvd., Suite 112
Mary Esther, FL 32569
850-244-2172

http://www.santarosamall.com

Whether you’re planning a wedding & live here locally, you’re in town on vacation visiting our beautiful white sandy beaches, or you’re planning a destination wedding somewhere else, come on out – we’ll be there with wedding albums, a wonderful array of wedding pictures to look over, and we’ll be discussing all of our wedding photography packages.  There will be a lot of other vendors as well, including a wonderful local bridal shop, Amore Bridal of Destin, FL., and DJ’s, cake designers, etc.