Esala & Lena – Married

Where do I begin?! Lena first contacted me last year in October with the thought that she was behind the ball on booking a photographer. Luckily for the both of us that was one of the last weekends in May I had available! She let me know that she was planning a destination wedding in the small town in which I was born, Natchez, Mississippi. Natchez is such a near and dear place to me and Eric, after all it’s where we met! Lena spoke of Esala very sweetly and let me know that while she lived in North Carolina working on medical fellowship, Esala was far away in Chicago. Lena’s good friend Lisa actually met Esala at a food festival called the Taste of Chicago. After they realized they lived in the same area of town, Lisa invited Esala along with a group of people to eat dinner. It was at that dinner where Lena met up with her friends…..and found her future husband.

One thing about Lena you must know is she’s excellent with detailed side of things (girl after my own heart!). She’s really great at email communication too, which was perfect because we didn’t actually meet in person until 2 days before her wedding! Esala and Lena were surrounded by friends and family that came from all parts of the globe (Mexico, Chicago, Sri Lanka, you name it). They were married in the front lawn at the historic Dunleith Plantation this past Saturday and we were so thrilled to be a part of it.

Esala and Lena, we just can’t thank you enough  for choosing us to be a part of your amazing wedding day. Thank you to their families for your kindness and willingness to help in any situation….and for being super fun in front of our cameras! Also, Ben Hillyer from the Natchez Democrat Newspaper shot with us, you’re awesome Ben!

PS: Because we didn’t get to meet for an engagement or bridal session, Esala and Lena scheduled a Mr. and Mrs. session the morning after the wedding….stay tuned for those amazing images!

Click HERE for a slideshow.

Vendors:

Ceremony/Reception: Dunleith Plantation

Day of coordination: Lyn Fortenberry and Carolyn Ight

Hair and makeup: Anruss Salon

Florals: Brenda Zerby – Moreton’s Flowerland

Cake: Edna Welch

It doesn’t get more southern than this!

I have to brag on Lena just a little…..she single-handedly planned this wedding. No joke. She wrote, printed and assembled her programs (with some helpers I’m sure!), purchased all the decor and made the most perfect detailed wedding schedule I’ve ever seen.

Ben captured this shot while Lena was waiting to see Esala for their First Look.

Their First Look from Eric’s perspective (top) and mine (bottom).

Although they look cool, it was 95 degrees in Natchez last Saturday…..actually in this greenhouse I think it was more like 125. That hot temperature makes you pose like this…..

And this…..

And this, WOW!!!!

Like any good southern bride would, Lena chose magnolia and gardenia flowers for her bouquet. Brenda Zerby, who owns Moreton’s Flowerland, fulfilled Lena’s vision of her bridesmaids bouquets….fabulous!

The ghost didn’t make her way into all of their images in front of the house (:

Right before the kiss they lite the Oil Lamp and shared Kiribath.

Perfect walking form with a hoop skirt!

I think this was Lena’s friend Lisa’s idea….A+ Lisa!

After they cut the cake, Lena was dressed by Esala’s aunt in a traditional saree.