Welcome to another wedding flashback! Today I'll introduce you to Melissa & Jim Oppman. Melissa came to us as a referral from a past client, and she also worked with our sister, Melinda. So needless to say, Melissa was filled in long before that first consultation. Do you ever get that deja vu feeling when you meet someone, like you know them from somewhere? That's what it was like meeting Melissa and Jim at our first consultation. Turns out, after months of trying to figure out why Jim seemed familiar, we put together that we had taken about 2 years of Spanish together at UNA. One of a few small world moments we experienced with this unforgettable couple....if you're one of the few who get that reference, I'm sure you're laughing, I know I did... ;-)
Right from the get go, we liked Melissa and Jim. They were very easy going and just all around nice people. One of our favorites for sure. That first meeting felt more like chatting with old friends that an interview. They opted to commission us for their wedding, as well as a bridal session with Melissa.
We shot the bridals on the first week of February. We were invited to photograph at Blue Willow of the Valley in New Market. The venue is owned by a friend of mine, Elizabeth. For it to have been mid-winter, we had an unusually beautiful day. The weather was perfect. Blue Willow has some great views and textured terrain that photographed beautifully, even in a low blooming time of year. It always amazes me how diverse the landscape is in Alabama. Drive 20 miles in any direction from our office, and you can see mountains, plains, rolling hills, lakes, rivers....we really are blessed with variety.
On the wedding day, we were planning on outdoor formals, but mother nature had different plans. Rain, and lots of it. Instead we had a busy formal session inside with Jim's family and Melissa's parents and mass of siblings. So many sisters, and all super nice like Melissa! The ceremony was held at New Life Assembly in Athens.
The evening reception took place inside historic Founders Hall at Athens State University. Despite the rain, we were able to go out on the large covered porch during the reception and take some great night shots. We still laugh about the "Twilight in Blue" portrait shown. I had forgotten my tripod head, meaning it's actually a miracle this shot is in focus (your heartbeat alone can cause shutter shake on night shots with long exposures). We pulled it off by me squatting with my mom, a.k.a. the super assistant, pressing down on my shoulders and balancing me so I could be absolutely still for the photo. Everyone that saw this fiasco got a kick. Out of 7 shots, we managed one images that I still love...a perfect silhouette lit by an ordinary street light and completely unique to Melissa & Jim, never to be duplicated.
Melissa and Jim will be celebrating their 2 year anniversary in a few weeks. Congrats!
Check out Melissa & Jim's finished Bridal ArtBook and Wedding Album!
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