This beautiful April 23rd wedding at The Venue at White Oaks Farm in Longs, SC was a great start to the busiest part of my wedding season. Being a new venue, this is only my second wedding at this location. My last wedding there was in winter, so it’s nice to be back when the grass and trees are turning green. Christina, the bride, had chosen my all-day wedding package, so she had both my wife and myself for photography as well as my photo booth. I was also working with Shari of Coastal Charm Weddings, one of my favorite wedding planners.
Pajama party, first look, and pictures before the ceremony
Around noon that day, my wife dropped me off at the home where the girls were getting ready while she headed over to the venue. This way, I could ride over with the girls and take pictures of the “pajama party” on the limo bus. After getting to White Oaks Farm, I took photos around the venue and more of the girls in their pajamas. I also took some time with the bride’s details. My wife waited for the guys to arrive. Christina wanted to catch them coming with their suits slung over their shoulders. I happened to be outside when they arrived, so I got caught in one of my wife’s pictures.
We then did a first look with the bride and her bridesmaids, and then with her father. Then I took Christina and Jordan out for a first look with just the two of them. It was early in the day, so the sun was really harsh, but we found some nice shade right in front of the ballroom for the first look. After this, we went out by the lake for some bridal party pictures. Even when the sun is very strong like it was at this time of day, you can get some great-looking shots if you keep the sun behind the subject and use some fill flash. Christina and Jordan even did a private dance right before the ceremony began.
Pajama party on the bus ride to the venue – The Venue at White Oaks FarmView of the reception hall – The Venue at White Oaks FarmCeremony area – The Venue at White Oaks FarmBridesmaids in pajamas before wedding – The Venue at White Oaks FarmToasts with the bridesmaids – The Venue at White Oaks FarmTouching up the makeup – The Venue at White Oaks FarmBride looking at her dress – The Venue at White Oaks FarmRings on the flowers – The Venue at White Oaks FarmBride’s details – The Venue at White Oaks FarmWedding invitations with details – The Venue at White Oaks FarmWedding ring macro – The Venue at White Oaks FarmBride’s bracelet – The Venue at White Oaks FarmSweetheart table – The Venue at White Oaks FarmTable decorations – The Venue at White Oaks FarmWelcome sign – The Venue at White Oaks FarmBride getting into her dress – The Venue at White Oaks FarmMom helping bride with veil – The Venue at White Oaks FarmPicture of myself getting shots of the groomsmen – by Lizeth Smith – The Venue at White Oaks FarmGuys walking in with suits – by Lizeth Smith – The Venue at White Oaks FarmBridesmaids’ first look at the bride – The Venue at White Oaks FarmFirst look with dad – The Venue at White Oaks FarmBridesmaids in front of the entrance doors – The Venue at White Oaks FarmBride and sister before the wedding – The Venue at White Oaks FarmBride and flower girl – The Venue at White Oaks FarmGroom helping dad with tie – by Lizeth Smith – The Venue at White Oaks FarmBridesmaids having fun together – The Venue at White Oaks FarmDad helping groom with tie – by Lizeth Smith – The Venue at White Oaks FarmBride walking toward groom for first look – The Venue at White Oaks FarmFirst look with bride and groom – The Venue at White Oaks FarmFirst look with bride and groom – The Venue at White Oaks FarmKiss under the veil – The Venue at White Oaks FarmFinding shade for portraits before the ceremony – The Venue at White Oaks FarmFinding shade for portraits before the ceremony – The Venue at White Oaks FarmFinding shade for portraits before the ceremony – The Venue at White Oaks FarmPortraits of the bride by the fountain – The Venue at White Oaks FarmPortraits of the bride by the fountain – The Venue at White Oaks FarmBride with ring bearer – The Venue at White Oaks FarmBride and groom with kids – The Venue at White Oaks FarmGroomsmen by the fountain – The Venue at White Oaks FarmBride and groom kissing with cheering bridal party in background – The Venue at White Oaks FarmBridal party walking from the lake – The Venue at White Oaks FarmPrivate dance before the ceremony – The Venue at White Oaks FarmCake topper – The Venue at White Oaks FarmAlways your son – The Venue at White Oaks Farm
Ceremony under the arches by the lake
They had a beautiful ceremony in the usual spot on the lawn in front of the lake, and I got a great shot of the first kiss and even a second kiss as they walked back down the aisle. The wedding videography was by Drake Imaging. It’s always great to have a friendly videographer to work with at weddings. Sometimes the angles of my pictures and some closeups will naturally be more limited because I have to use care not to stand in front of the video cameras.
After the ceremony, we took more bridal party pictures, family pictures, introductions, and first dances. I held off on doing more shots with Christina and Jordan until later, at sunset.
Ring-bearer riding in wagon – The Venue at White Oaks FarmFlower girls – The Venue at White Oaks FarmGroom looking at bride walking down the aisle – The Venue at White Oaks FarmBride and father – The Venue at White Oaks FarmCeremony under the arches – The Venue at White Oaks FarmGiving vows – The Venue at White Oaks FarmFirst kiss – The Venue at White Oaks FarmCheers after the ceremony – The Venue at White Oaks FarmKiss walking down the aisle – The Venue at White Oaks FarmFlower girl and ring bearer – The Venue at White Oaks FarmToasts with the family after ceremony – The Venue at White Oaks FarmLarge bridal party by the lake – The Venue at White Oaks FarmPictures with the bridesmaids – The Venue at White Oaks FarmPictures with the bridesmaids – The Venue at White Oaks FarmPictures with the bridesmaids – The Venue at White Oaks FarmPictures with the bridesmaids – The Venue at White Oaks FarmBridesmaids holding the flowers in the air – The Venue at White Oaks FarmBride having fun with bridesmaids – The Venue at White Oaks FarmBridesmaids bustling the dress – The Venue at White Oaks FarmThe best man socks – The Venue at White Oaks FarmFun wedding party entrance – The Venue at White Oaks FarmFirst dance – The Venue at White Oaks FarmFirst dance – The Venue at White Oaks FarmDance with father – The Venue at White Oaks FarmToasts at sweetheart table – The Venue at White Oaks Farm
Sunset pictures with the bride and groom and lots of dancing
After dinner, I took the couple back out by the lake for pictures in the sunset. Jordon was tired by this point and did not want too many photos, which I can understand. However, he kept going, and I got some romantic shots of the couple. I took more pictures by the lake backlit by sunset and in front of the octagon on the little dock. We finished up with portraits in front of the black entrance doors to the venue. Jordan even got to have some fun with one of his groomsmen and their lightsabers. I could tell he needed a break from all the formal wedding events and pictures and just to have some fun.
After this, everyone had a great time dancing, then finally a sparkler exit. This wedding was a long day of almost 12 hours for my wife and me. But I don’t mind working hard when I can make a bride and groom happy. They gave me some excellent reviews, making it all worth it. If you are planning a wedding at The Venue at White Oaks Farm, please let me know. I would be happy to give you more information.
Portraits of bride and groom in the sunset by the lake – The Venue at White Oaks FarmPortraits of bride and groom in the sunset by the lake – The Venue at White Oaks FarmPortraits of bride and groom in the sunset by the lake – The Venue at White Oaks FarmPortraits of bride and groom in the sunset by the lake – The Venue at White Oaks FarmTouching noses under the veil – The Venue at White Oaks FarmBride and groom under the ceremony arches – The Venue at White Oaks FarmBride and groom under the ceremony arches – The Venue at White Oaks FarmWide angle kiss in front of the ceremony area at sunset – The Venue at White Oaks FarmBride and groom in front of the octagon on the lake – The Venue at White Oaks FarmKiss in front of the octagon on the lake – The Venue at White Oaks FarmKiss in front of the fountain – The Venue at White Oaks FarmCloseup with sunset filtering through the trees – The Venue at White Oaks FarmKiss on the cheek – The Venue at White Oaks FarmBride touching groom’s face – The Venue at White Oaks FarmKiss in front of the black doors – The Venue at White Oaks FarmBride and groom in front of the ballroom – The Venue at White Oaks FarmFlowers in focus – The Venue at White Oaks FarmHolding hands walking from the entrance – The Venue at White Oaks FarmVeil blowing in the wind – The Venue at White Oaks FarmGroom and groomsmen having fun with lightsabers – The Venue at White Oaks FarmGroom holding a lightsaber – The Venue at White Oaks FarmFun dancing in the ballroom – The Venue at White Oaks FarmFun dancing in the ballroom – The Venue at White Oaks FarmFun dancing in the ballroom – The Venue at White Oaks FarmFun dancing in the ballroom – The Venue at White Oaks FarmFun dancing in the ballroom – The Venue at White Oaks FarmFun dancing in the ballroom – The Venue at White Oaks FarmFun dancing in the ballroom – The Venue at White Oaks FarmReception hall at night – The Venue at White Oaks FarmEveryone getting a little drunk – The Venue at White Oaks FarmSparkler exit – The Venue at White Oaks Farm
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