Stephanie and Charles got married yesterday. The Williamsons hosted the rehearsal dinner on Friday night and asked me to come take a few pictures of the party. I have known Stephanie and Charles for quite some time, so I was delighted to be a part of their special night. Since it was Halloween, my regular assistant was busy with her family. My daughter, Megan, agreed to go with me to help out. She was looking forward to it for a couple of reasons. First, I pay her well. And second, she would get to see her dear friend, Greg, Stephanie’s brother. Megan really is a good assistant. She didn’t have much to do Friday night, but it was nice having some time with her.
The rehearsal dinner was held at the Coral Bay Club in Atlantic Beach. When we arrived the first thing we noticed were the decorations on the front porch. Betty did a wonderful job of incorporating a Halloween theme. The fall flowers were beautiful and the bride and groom were a perfect touch. I knew as soon as I saw the bench that it would be a perfect place to take Stephanie and Charles’ picture.
The inside decorations carried on the fall theme. Each table had a bouquet of fall flowers with a beta swimming happily underneath.
Not only was it Halloween, it was Charles’ sister, Cheryl’s birthday. So Betty surprised her with the cutest cake I’ve ever seen! That cake was almost too pretty to cut!
Lee Moore, a long time family friend, was the Master of Ceremonies for the evening. After a delicious dinner, there were toasts and roasts, poems and a slide show. Lee read a letter than Don had written him many years ago when he took Charles away for the summer. It was a very touching moment. Charles’ nieces loved seeing the pictures of Charles – and even some of themselves. You can’t have two sisters and not expect them to get you back on the eve of your wedding. Alisha and Cheryl entertained with a poem about Charles – and his relationship with Stephanie. And the entire family welcomed Stephanie with open arms.
At one point during the festivities, Charles wore the suit that Don wore on his wedding day. And he even found Betty’s garter in the pocket!
During the slide show, I took William and Benjamin out to the lobby to try to get a portrait. They liked it much better when Megan asked them to show us some silly faces.
There was so much going on, it was difficult to get the different families together for group pictures, but I was able to get a picture of the entire Williamson clan.
Later in the evening, more friends arrived for a Halloween dance. I was able to get a few pictures of the guests in their interesting costumes.
Best wishes to Charles and Stephanie. I hope the rest of your life together is as much fun as your rehearsal dinner!
