Hi everyone! :-)
I hope you have been enjoying your new year so far. To add to the enjoyment, I am pleased to share with you Joni and Christian's amazing island style wedding in Jamaica and their fantasy trash the dress photo shoot in a waterfall! :-) I recall getting an enquiry from Joni last year March about photographing her wedding at Laughing Waters in Jamaica. I googled Laughing Waters and saw that it had a waterfall. I became VERY excited because I had been so wanting to photograph a waterfall wedding for the past couple years as I believed it would be absolutely beautiful! Within a week, Joni happily sent the contract and deposit and I was like, "OMG, I am actually going to shoot a waterfall wedding PLUS Joni agreed to do a trash the dress session inside a waterfalls: PERFECT!!!" :-) lol Man, the 8 months wait until her and Christian's wedding was torture sometimes as I often wished it would be the next day! :-) Well, the month of their wedding finally came and I figured it was time to have a more in-depth conversation about what her vision and my vision were for both photo shoots including song selections, a photography style to match their personality, selecting the perfect waterfall to match the fantasy theme of the trash the dress session, clothing, etc. I did a lot of research and we were happy with the final selections.
Well, the long awaited trip finally came and it was a pleasure finally meeting Joni face to face and speaking with Christian for the first time while we had a great time talking on the way from the airport. After a wonderful time with my family for Christmas, I was off to Laughing Waters!!! :-) I ABSOLUTELY LOVE their venue selection as I really felt like I was in paradise (I am not just saying that because I grew up in Jamaica). I took the opportunity to have an adventure with her dresses, flowers, shoes, and rings taking pictures at lovely locations on the property. I was happy that I was there earlier than normal to photograph the beautiful before and after transition of the fabulous job that event planner, Jewel Marsh (876-396-8744, jewelevents@gmail.com) and her team did with the decoration. I was excited about the lanterns they placed on the trees that added a wonderful touch. I was smiling ear to ear when I saw a dread locked Rasta as I really wanted to have pictures like that to add to the Jamaican vibe so I made the most of him in several pictures! :-) Joni came to meet me on the beach to let me know that she arrived and I took the opportunity to take some pictures of her. The make up artist, Roshane Sterling (876-407-0652, islandhelp1@yahoo.com) did a lovely job especially with the beautiful shade of pink he used on her lips. I had a fun time with the entire bridal party and Christian who were so easy to work with! The ceremony and reception were wonderful in-spite of the rain. Joni and Christian's dogs were absolutely adorable in their wedding attire! The officiating pastor, Pastor Harvey (Northern Caribbean University's church pastor) did a great job of making them laugh on several occasions which were great for the pictures. The musicians were exceptional, the MC hysterically funny, up-lighting on the trees vibrant, the food delicious, cake beautiful, and the one flower centerpiece actually turned out quite lovely! :-) The couple's first dance was an interesting break out routine starting with a traditional, elegant dance and then they switched out to a routine doing various Jamaican dances.
Special thanks to Ryan Peart who referred Joni to me and who's wedding I'll be photographing at another lovely venue in Jamaica in March of this year! Special thanks also to everyone who assisted me in various ways throughout the wedding! Thanks to the wonderful bridal party, parents, and guests who were a delight to spend the day with and several of whom have now become my Facebook friends! Thanks to Ceceil, her dad, and Carlington who voluntarily made the long trip from Brown's Town and Montego Bay to help me with the 8am trash the dress session!!! A very special thanks to Joni and Christian for choosing Shelly Edwards Photography to capture your big day! I will forever treasure the experience and wish you the utmost happiness in your marriage!!! :-)
It took me about 50 yes, 50 hours to edit the pictures and create the slideshow but it was totally worth the effort as I LOVE the final result! :-)
DO ENJOY THEIR SLIDESHOW AT http://vimeo.com/18457706 OR CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW:
Joni and Christian's Wedding Slideshow from Shelly Edwards on Vimeo.
