I have known Ashley since she was a 6th grader playing soccer on my daughter’s team. Though I didn’t see her often, I would run into Ashley through the years at social functions and would keep in touch through a mutual friend. I was so pleased to hear that Ashley had met and fallen in love with Scott. I don’t know Scott nearly as well, but had heard of him often. He was my mother-in-law’s pharmacist and provided excellent care while she was sick. When I heard that Ashley and Scott had gotten together, I thought to myself . . . this is a great match! And it turned out that I was right. Ashley called me last winter and told me she was getting married and wanted to discuss wedding photography.

As some of you know, I made the decision last February to discontinue wedding photography. However, I still love weddings and decided I would like to find a way to be involved, to take care of my clients who want quality wedding photography, but not directly shoot weddings. I thought long and hard before contacting two photographers about putting together a working relationship. We met and discussed my plan and they signed on.  So, now I can offer wedding photography and provide exceptional local service, while having a very talented photographer actually take the photographs. Ashley is my first client to use one of my associate photographers and I think it worked like a charm. Ashley and Scott were able to view the work of my associate and sign a contract knowing that she would be the one to shoot their wedding. But, I did the pre-wedding consultations, planning and I will do the final edit, print and deliver their pictures. This is definitely a win-win situation.

When Ashley met with me, she told me she wanted a wedding that was different. She and Scott decided to get married on the beach at the Shell Island Resort in Wrightsville Beach (which happens to be my favorite beach in the WORLD!). I got excited about the wedding just listening to her talk about her ideas, the color scheme, the service . . . all of it. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to be there for the wedding.

Lacey Gadwill, an extremely talented photographer from Cameron, NC, was the photographer for Ashley and Scott’s wedding. When she first arrived at Shell Island, she checked in at the front desk and they sent her to what she thought was Ashley’s room. But lo and behold, she found Scott and the guys getting ready.

After shooting some of the guys, she headed off to find Ashley and the girls. By the time Lacey got to Ashley’s room, she was already dressed but she was able to get some pictures of the final preparations.

Then it was off to the beach for the ceremony. Ashley and Scott were blessed with an exceptionally beautiful day. The sun was shinning; there was a gentle ocean breeze; and the colors were spectacular. I’ve always said that October is the most beautiful month on the beach and this certainly proved true on Ashley and Scott’s wedding day. I can’t imagine a more magnificent setting for a wedding.

After the ceremony, Lacey took time to take some posed portraits of Ashley and Scott with their families and wedding party. Here are just a few.

Following portraits on the beach, it was on to the reception. Notice the backdrop. What could be more beautiful than the Atlantic Ocean on a gorgeous fall evening?

For my blog, I concentrated on photographs of Ashley and Scott. Oh, and the flower girl. Here’s what Lacey had to say about the flower girl. “…the flower girl was so cute. She had the best disposition, she
should be the next Shirley Temple, just the cutest little giggle… loved her!” There will be more photographs coming . . . a LOT more. To view and purchase photographs from Ashley and Scott’s gallery, you can go to www.elisebeall.instaproofs.com in mid to late November. I’ll post on the blog when the gallery is ready. The gallery will be active for 60 days but purchase early and receive an early bird special!

All photography by Lacey Gadwill for Elise Beall Photography. To view more of Lacey’s beautiful work, go to www.laceyandjohn.com. I think you understand why I chose Lacey as one of my associate photographers. She is GREAT!