I always like to make a blog post when photographing a wedding at a new location. This wedding was my first time at Wedgefield Country Club in Georgetown. It’s a beautiful outdoor ceremony location, with many ancient oak trees full of hanging moss. My wife and I arrived a little before noon to begin pictures for this early December 7th wedding, and the reception wrapped up right around sunset at 5:30 pm. It started as a cold winter day, but as we got into the afternoon, things warmed up, and it ended up the perfect temperature.
Getting ready for pictures with the bride and groom
I met Kenzalia, the bride, at the Carriage House next door to the main clubhouse. Kevin, the groom, and his groomsmen were not ready for pictures yet, so my wife helped me set up the detail shots. I realized getting an Apple Watch screen in photos is tricky because it shuts off every few seconds and brings up the passcode, so Liz kept switching it on and bypassing it for each picture. I also had on my Meta Ray-Bans that day, so I tried to get some clips for some behind-the-scenes of the day.
After taking pictures of the bride’s dress and other details, I took shots of the plantation grounds and checked out photo spots I thought would be pretty for sunset pictures. When I’m at a venue with lots of trees, I’m always trying to figure out where the light will filter through the branches at sunset. Even locations I’ve been to many times take some planning because the position of the sunset moves over the year. Thankfully, the whole clubhouse was surrounded by beautiful trees, so I found some great spots for later.
Ceremony under the mossy oaks at Wedgefield Country Club
The location for the ceremony is a beautiful spot. There are many ancient trees covered in hanging moss that the wedding party walks under, and more trees for the background of the ceremony. The only issue with the early ceremony time was some harsh spots of light hitting the party as they walked down the aisle. During the actual ceremony, the lighting was very nice. I loved the huge smiles on the bride and groom. I could tell they were so happy during the ceremony and wedding vows.
I wish I could have fixed the groom’s boutonniere before the ceremony. That is something good to remember for your own wedding. I usually try to mention it myself during the groomsmen’s getting-ready pictures. Ensure you get at least a couple of pins in the stem because it can easily flip over with a heavy flower if you don’t. It’s not a huge deal, but it’s one of those things that will bug me looking at the pictures later. I’m going to add it to my wedding tips section here.
I was glad my wife was paying attention. She caught the cute moment when the groom showed off his ring to the guests. I usually catch everything, but sometimes I look down, and having someone there to back me up is nice. With a wedding party like this one, I would usually recommend just one photographer, but sometimes, having a second photographer can catch some extra moments I might miss.
After the ceremony and sunset pictures
Right after the ceremony, we took pictures of the family under the trees. The groom’s parents were older, so we tried to get them done right away. The flower girl was a character who loved being the star of a few photos. It’s a beautiful spot under the trees, so even though I knew I was bringing the couple back out for sunset pictures, I took some stunning shots of Kenzalia and Kevin in the ceremony location.
After the wedding introductions, dinner, and dancing, it was time to take pictures at sunset. I wish I had pulled the couple out just a few minutes earlier because we were already losing the sun behind the massive trees. In a location with many trees like Wedgefield Country Club, it is best about 30 minutes or so before sunset to catch that strong sunlight filtering through the branches and moss.
We started with pictures in front of the clubhouse to capture the light filtering through the trees. Then, we took some shots of the front steps. These portraits give that classic downtown city look that fits the bride and groom’s personality. The groom had to make a quick run to the bathroom, so I had some time for just the bride. My wife found the spot by the beautiful ivy wall for bridal portraits. I always joke that you need a groom as a prop for a few pictures, but the bride’s pictures are always the most important ones. Then, when the groom was back, we got some beautiful portraits on the golf course. Liz fluffed the bride’s veil up in the air for a few pictures that turned out very nice.
After the sunset pictures, the reception was already wrapping up, and it was time to leave. I can’t say I mind having an early Saturday off like this. It’s a nice break from the midnight weddings in the summer. If you are planning a wedding at Wedgefield Country Club, please let me know. It’s a beautiful location, and I would love to do another wedding there.
Dress hanging in the Carriage House – Wedgefield Country ClubBride and groom details – Wedgefield Country ClubRing box – Wedgefield Country ClubRings lying on the flowers – Wedgefield Country ClubGroom’s details – Wedgefield Country ClubBeautiful spot for a wedding under the trees – Wedgefield Country ClubBeautiful spot for a wedding under the trees – Wedgefield Country ClubGroom’s details – Wedgefield Country ClubWedding cake – Wedgefield Country ClubMom helping bride with her veil – Wedgefield Country ClubGroom with the groomsmen before the ceremony – Wedgefield Country ClubGroom with the groomsmen before the ceremony – Wedgefield Country ClubGroom with the groomsmen before the ceremony – Wedgefield Country ClubTable details – Wedgefield Country ClubHandshake with the groom – Wedgefield Country ClubTable guest book – Wedgefield Country ClubMom putting on groom’s boutonniere – Wedgefield Country ClubGroom walking down the aisle – Wedgefield Country ClubFlower girl – Wedgefield Country ClubGroom first look with the bride – Wedgefield Country ClubBride walking down the aisle with her father – Wedgefield Country ClubBride walking down the aisle with her father – Wedgefield Country ClubCeremony under the oaks – Wedgefield Country ClubBeautiful moss hanging from the trees – Wedgefield Country ClubCeremony under the trees – Wedgefield Country ClubBig smile from the groom – Wedgefield Country ClubBride looking at the groom – Wedgefield Country ClubBride looking into the groom’s eyes during the vows – Wedgefield Country ClubBride putting ring on the groom – Wedgefield Country ClubGroom showing off the ring – Wedgefield Country ClubSand ceremony – Wedgefield Country ClubBlack and white portraits – Wedgefield Country ClubHappy couple after the ceremony – Wedgefield Country ClubGroom’s family – Wedgefield Country ClubMinister giving marriage license – Wedgefield Country ClubWedding party – Wedgefield Country ClubCheers for the kiss – Wedgefield Country ClubBride with bridesmaids – Wedgefield Country ClubCute picture with the bridesmaids – Wedgefield Country ClubPortraits of the bride – Wedgefield Country ClubPortraits of the bride – Wedgefield Country ClubPortraits of the bride – Wedgefield Country ClubPortraits of the bride – Wedgefield Country ClubPortraits of the bride and groom in front of the ceremony flowers – Wedgefield Country ClubPortraits of the bride and groom in front of the ceremony flowers – Wedgefield Country ClubPortraits of the bride and groom in front of the ceremony flowers – Wedgefield Country ClubPortraits of the bride and groom in front of the ceremony flowers – Wedgefield Country ClubPortraits of the bride and groom in front of the ceremony flowers – Wedgefield Country ClubCute picture with the flower girl – Wedgefield Country ClubGroom with the bridesmaids – Wedgefield Country ClubGroom posing for some pictures – Wedgefield Country ClubGroom posing for some pictures – Wedgefield Country ClubGroom with groomsmen on the steps – Wedgefield Country ClubIntroductions to the reception – Wedgefield Country ClubBride and groom at the table – Wedgefield Country ClubWedding toasts – Wedgefield Country ClubWedding toasts – Wedgefield Country ClubCake cutting – Wedgefield Country ClubPortraits of the bride and groom under the mossy oaks in front of the clubhouse – Wedgefield Country ClubCloseup of bride looking into the eyes of the groom – Wedgefield Country ClubPortraits of the bride and groom under the mossy oaks in front of the clubhouse – Wedgefield Country ClubPortraits of the bride and groom under the mossy oaks in front of the clubhouse – Wedgefield Country ClubPortraits of the bride and groom under the mossy oaks in front of the clubhouse – Wedgefield Country ClubWalking hand in hand with big smiles – Wedgefield Country ClubPortraits in front of the clubhouse steps with the bride and groom – Wedgefield Country ClubPortraits in front of the clubhouse steps with the bride and groom – Wedgefield Country ClubBlack and white portraits – Wedgefield Country ClubPortraits in front of the clubhouse steps with the bride and groom – Wedgefield Country ClubPortraits in front of the clubhouse steps with the bride and groom – Wedgefield Country ClubPortraits of the bride by the ivy wall – Wedgefield Country ClubPortraits of the bride by the ivy wall – Wedgefield Country ClubPortraits of the bride on the golf course – Wedgefield Country ClubPortraits of the bride on the golf course – Wedgefield Country ClubPortraits of the bride on the golf course – Wedgefield Country ClubPortraits of the bride on the golf course – Wedgefield Country ClubKiss on the golf course with the veil flowing behind her – Wedgefield Country ClubLifting the veil into the air – Wedgefield Country ClubBride holding on to the groom’s arm looking into his eyes – Wedgefield Country ClubKiss on the golf course – Wedgefield Country ClubDip on the golf course – Wedgefield Country ClubSpin on the golf course – Wedgefield Country ClubWalking with big smiles – Wedgefield Country ClubPictures on the steps – Wedgefield Country Club
