Paul Francis Photography

The Palace at Somerset Park, NJ Wedding {Christina and Cole}

Thursday, December 29, 2011

When Christina first saw Cole he was wearing nothing but a toga and a cowboy hat. Needless to say, he made an impression. And now they are husband and wife! The wedding day of Christina and Cole was nothing short of fabulous. Their Great Gatsby 1920′s theme resonated throughout the gorgeous dresses and details of the day. I am especially a huge fan of those fab feathers each of the girls had in their hair and on their wrists. It was awesome getting to know you two and we had such a good time photographing and celebrating with you.

I’m not gonna lie, I had a little bit of dress envy. Christina’s dress was GOR.GEOUS. I was literally in the room by myself opening up her dress to get it ready for pictures and said OooOOoo. Out loud. by myself. Christina’s mom also mentioned that she happened to see it on an episode of Say Yes to the Dress just a few days earlier. And since that’s one of my favorite shows, it just made me love Christina in that beautiful dress even more.

Christina, you have such a fun and joyful spirit. It was such a pleasure to see you smiling and laughing all day.

Not to mention, you are absolutely beautiful.

Christina’s bridesmaids kept the mood light and peaceful as they joked, laughed, and supported one another throughout the day.

Every last one of these ladies was bringin’ it. I think the word is FIERCE.

Cole and his groomsmen have known each other since first grade!

The guys knew how to bring it too, check out these tough guy faces.

When Cole was waiting for his bride, we told him she was doing great and just how beautiful she looked. He said, I know it. This is his reaction to seeing Christina walk up the aisle for the first time. I love how he is in awe of her beauty.

Paul captured this little moment. Cole, you are hysterical!

This little guy stole my heart.

Married! Woohoo!!

Across the street from the church was this beautiful field. We chose this location before Christina told us that she grew up playing softball here.

Since it was freezing outside we snapped these photos super quick, while Paul set up the lighting equipment, I was giving direction. Everyone was more than willing to brave the cold to get some cool photos. You guys were awesome.

It’s easy to photograph a couple like Christina and Cole, they are so in love. It’s infectious.

We then headed over to The Palace where it was all decorated for Christmas for just a few more photos.

Christina plays softball. Cole was recently signed as a closing pitcher for the Washington Nationals. I’d say their cake topper is a perfect fit. Too cute! I have to admit, I was a little star struck when I first met Cole. I don’t watch much baseball, but knowing that he is a pro ball player, I got butterflies. The more time I spent hanging out with him, the more relaxed I felt because he is just an all around fun, nice, down to earth guy.

Being around Christina and Cole for just a few minutes, you quickly see how they just love being together. I love how easily he makes her laugh. Here they are having a ball as they make their grand entrance to their reception.

The first dance.

These guys know how to celebrate! The dance floor was filled all night.

Cole’s nephew was so interested in everything going on. He kept asking to see the photos we were snapping, and how could we say no to that adorable face? I guess Kris Abrahamsen of Elite Entertainment (by the way, this is the second time we’ve seen him in action and we were impressed both times, great job guys!) must have felt the same way we did as he let the little guy try out the equipment.

Christina prepares herself to feed her new husband a piece of wedding cake.

Home run!

…but not without pay back!

Cole got himself amped and ready to remove his new wife’s garter. He tossed off his sunglasses, warmed up his pitching arm, and got everyone laughing.

Want to see more? Click here to see the full set of images. You can purchase individual photos there as well.

Scroll down to the comment boxes where you can leave Christina and Cole a message of congrats! Congratulations Christina and Cole!

*Carolyn

Ceremony Venue: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton R. C. Church

Reception Venue: The Palace at Somerset Park

DJ: Kris Abrahamsen of Elite Entertainment

Read and Share:

no comments

comment

Monday Marriage Moments {little surprises}

Monday, December 26, 2011

-We love marriage just as much as we love weddings. Take a moment to prepare not just for the wedding, but for the marriage-

Last week was a rough week. The little boy was in rare form and was testing my patience. I was not being super complainy or anything, I was just trying to be patient and remember this too shall pass. But Paul knew I was feeling it. He randomly came through the door with a dozen red roses and took me completely by surprise. I couldn’t help but smile. And to top it off he wrote me a beautiful card and even bought me mini Reese’s! Mmmm.. and that is seriously a big deal because he knows that I’m addicted to sweets and usually spares me the temptation of having it in the house. But this week he knew it would do me good. He wanted to make me happy, make me feel loved, and show that he’s thinking of me. And he did. I love it when he does something for me without any prompting. It also reminds me to do the same for him. Everyone loves a random surprise, to know that their spouse was thinking of you and gives you a surprise just because. I hope to remember to do the same for him. I have a wonderful husband, I love you Paul.

*Carolyn

Read and Share:

no comments

comment

Jockey Hollow Park, Morristown NJ Engagement {Eva and Mike}

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

We had the pleasure of photographing Eva and Mike in honor of their engagement. We went to Morristown National Historical Park, also known as, Jockey Hollow Park in Morristown, NJ where we had a wonderful time enjoying nature while hanging out with Eva and Mike. As I mentioned in the preview if you had not seen it, we hopped fences, wrestled with branches, threw leaves, and walked in the woods in the name of love and photography. Congratulations Eva and Mike!

*Carolyn

I love how easily they make each other smile and laugh.

While Paul was taking these photos…

I was taking this photo… There’s nothing he won’t do for a good shot.

So in love.

Read and Share:

no comments

comment

The Palace at Somerset Park, NJ Wedding Preview {Christina and Cole}

Monday, December 19, 2011

Christina and Cole are now Mr. & Mrs. Kimball! We had the honor of photographing their fabulous wedding on Saturday. Everything was perfect, the dresses, the flowers, and the love between the lovely couple. We had a blast hanging out with Christina, Cole and their wonderful friends and family while capturing the big day. Enjoy this preview of Christina and Cole in front of their beautiful Christmas decorated venue, The Palace at Somerset Park. Be sure to check back in for more pictures from their wedding in the next few weeks.

*Carolyn

Read and Share:

no comments

comment

Oh, Christmas Tree {plans and expectations}

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Listening to Christmas songs and drinking hot chocolate while wearing a Santa hat is just the perfect fit for decorating a Christmas tree. It gives me that cozy joyful Christmas feeling. What? You don’t wear Santa hats while decorating your tree? I guess that was just my family’s tradition… This past weekend we got our tree, yay! The original plan was that because we had nothing going on it would be a perfect day to pick out our tree and spend the day decorating, watching the Muppet’s Christmas Carol (don’t laugh, it is SO good!), and having a jolly old Christmas time. But of course a free Saturday cannot stay open for so long since they are few and far between – or maybe its just that somehow time slips away so quickly these days. Either way, the glow of the shiny store windows overtook our quick little trip to Home Depot -we’re saving the tree farm for when Leo’s a little older and can chase Paul between the trees. By the time we got home, the little boy was ready for a nap and the two of us we’re pretty beat too. We never did set up the tree that night, though we did get in those Muppets. We ended up decorating the tree the next day when we all had more energy and Leo was awake. He played with his toy Nativity set (Thanks Aunt Jaclyn!) and we had a great time. The tree didn’t turn out too bad either. I wish we had planned better, didn’t let shopping take over, and made our family time more of a priority to enjoy our day full of Christmasness and cheer. But the plans changed, and no one got their feathers in a tizzy about it. We just went with it and accepted that things don’t always go our way even when our way really is the best. But who knows, maybe in the end the way it turned out was better.

Every year when I ask Paul what he wants for Christmas he responds “Peace on Earth.” Does that mean as long as we have this ornament hanging on the tree that I’m off the hook? Eh.