Weddings & Clients

Thu - August 23, 2007

Alex & Synda- Married Away, the portrait session & slideshow

It's been a long wedding day full of smiles, laughter, tears of joy and a few unexpected surprises. Each person who has witnessed Synda and Alex's union, has gotten caught up in the emotion and swept away by their love for each other and the love these two truly feel and receive for their family and friends.
At the end of the day it's time to find a moment where they can be alone and savor the beautiful moment. What better location than down by the ocean.

Okay so we had been joking about them getting in the water. Then when ALex went to scoop Synda up, well the picture tells the story.

I think they would have fallen asleep had the rains not started.

Watching the rain from a pool side cabaña

All the images you see here on the blog and quite a few more can be seen on the slideshow. To view show click here .

Ruth Rackley Photography - Canouan Island, Raffles Resort wedding photographer
Ruth Rackley Photography - Destination Wedding Photographer
Ruth Rackley Photography- Style Network, Married Away feature photographer

Posted at 11:06 PM Read More

Mon - August 20, 2007

Alex & Synda-MARRIED AWAY, Destination Wedding Day

As the soft rain subsides Synda arrives to the chapel. There is a lot of hustle and bustle as the Raffles staff prepares to help her out of the car. Alex is there trying hard not to turn around and see his lovely bride. I'm not sure how he does it, I'm sure I wouldn't have the stamina. Inside we hear the steel drums beckoning us inside.

The time has come for our little flower girl. Sweetly, the only time this social butterfly gets the jitters is as she enters the chapel. With a little instruction and reassurance from the "Wedding Diva" She heads down the isle.

During the readings Synda and Alex where able to sit in their heart of roses.

I took a quick moment to see the view from the outside

Guest getting ready for the kiss

So while the guest enjoyed their cocktail hour, Linnyette shows Synda and Alex the reception room.

The cake

In each little box held the guest favors, but 4 certain guest had a special surprise inside. You got to watch the show, Married Away to find out what it is!

I caught Synda and Alex singing along to the steel drums as they waited for their guest to be seated.

A little cake in the face.

The YUMMY cake.

I've never seen a prettier view for a Garter toss.

Okay I promise there is even more to come, After the wedding we took Synda and Alex for a private portrait session on the beach that some how turned into a trash the dress session. So you got to come back and see those pictures! Also I'll be posting a slideshow soon!

The "wedding Diva", Linnyette, having a good laugh

I have to thank the whole production crew from Married Away, Renee', Cara, Tom, Jay, Brian and Jorge. You guys where just awesome to work with! I also want to thank Linnyette and Izabella, you both did such an amazing job making everything so beautiful.
I also have to say THANK YOU, THANK YOU to Nicole from the Raffles resort. She truly deserves a huge raise. I don't think she ever slept the entire time we were there.
Add of course I have to give a HUGE THANK YOU and hug to Jill for coming along with me to photograph, she took so many amazing images.

The crew from Married Away
pictured: front-back Izabella, Linnyette, Synda, Cara, Me, Brian, Jay, Tom, Renee', Alex and Jorge

Ruth Rackley Photography - Canouan Island, Raffles Resort
Ruth Rackley Photography- Destination Wedding Photographer
Ruth Rackley Photography- Style Network, Married Away feature photographer

Posted at 11:12 PM Read More

Thu - August 16, 2007

Alex & Synda- Married Away, Destination Wedding Day- Getting Ready

Wedding Day on Canouan Island arrived and everyone was a buzz. The awesome staff of the Raffles Resort had surprised each wedding guest with a decorated golf cart, fit for the occasion. The preparation started early as we were given the task of waking up the bride. But not surprisingly there's no waking up Synda, she's a girl on a mission with lots of things to do before the ceremony time of 11:00.

Okay, have I ever told you how much I LOVE to swim. I mean LOVE to swim. So you can imagine how jealous I am of Synda's Villa. WIth her very own dip pool.

The Flower girl was all smiles

Getting her make up done. You should have seen all of us in the Bathroom. The bathrooms are really huge but try putting one bride, a makeup artist, a video crew from "MARRIED AWAY" , the fabulous wedding planner aka "The Wedding Diva" and me. Needless to say we got inventive looking for angles to shoot.

I love Synda's hair piece, it was her something borrowed.

Bridesmaid's shoes.

Bridesmaids working on their hair

So as the girls are finishing up we had the chance to jump on the golf cart and scream up the hillside to catch Alex just finishing getting dress himself. Sorry Jill if I scared you half to death with my fabulous golf cart racing skills :)

A quick relaxed portrait of Alex.

We then raced back to see the girls as they helped Synda in to her gorgeous dress.

Synda is all smiles as she puts on her earrings.

The brides bouquet. I can't tell you how visually stimulating the resort is. I just love these walls and yes they are that yellow.

Okay so I told you how amazing the resort staff are and how they decorated each golf cart. I thought it was so awesome that as we arrived to the chapel they park our carts so you could see the decorations.

The preacher greeting guest as they arrive.

No don't worry I've got tons more to show. You just can't imagine how hard it is to narrow down the ones for the blog. I can't wait for you to see the slideshow I'm putting together for the next installment! There will be lots more amazing and beautiful pictures to come.

Until then leave me a comment and tell me what you think!

Ruth Rackley Photography - Canouan Island, Raffles Resort
Ruth Rackley Photography- Destination Wedding Photographer
Ruth Rackley Photography- Style Network, Married Away feature photographer

Posted at 11:27 AM Read More

Mon - August 13, 2007

ALEX & SYNDA - MARRIED AWAY DAY 2

Here we are Day 2 on the Beautiful Canouan Island. Jill and I had the morning to roam around this awesome resort and take some more images.

Because the resort is so huge, each room is given a golf cart so you can move around the resort.
I have to give another huge Thanks to the Raffles staff.
My luggage at this point had not arrived so the resort supplied me with this great shirt and shorts.
I always pack the clothes I'm going to wear for the wedding in my carry on so I wasn't worried about that day. But it was so nice not to have to wear the clothes I arrived in two days in a row.
Here is me and Jill on our Golf cart checking everything out.

During the afternoon we head over to Synda's room for the dress fitting and to meet her guest and the crew of "MARRIED AWAY".

Synda talks to the "MARRIED AWAY" crew, describing how she selected her dress.

Putting on the dress.

The big reveal! Showing her friends and family the dress.

One last discussion of what Synda thinks Alex's reaction over the dress will be.

While we were capturing the dress fitting I spied these cute gift bags Synda had for her guest.

The rings, by the pool.

After the dress fitting it was off to the beach for a little friendly game of Volley Ball! Synda serves first.

Alex with the block!

After the game we all head back to our villas to get ready for the rehearsal.
Along with my lost luggage there are several very important guest that haven't arrived yet.
Here is Alex explaining the flight difficulties for his parents, brother and best friend to the "MARRIED AWAY" crew.

A wide view of Alex's interview and the church

Along with the Crew of " Married Away" we also had the privilege to work with the "WEDDING DIVA", Event planner
Lynnyette Richardson-Hall. She has been on "WHO'S WEDDING IS IT ANYWAY" and "MARRIED AWAY".

The rehearsal

FInally the Alex's brother and best friend arrive. Here they are detailing their trip for "Married Away"

So stay tuned, there is more to come with the wedding day coverage!

Ruth Rackley- Canouan Island Raffles Resort Wedding Photographer.
Ruth Rackley Destination Wedding Photographer
Style Network- Married Away

Posted at 06:30 AM Read More

Sun - August 12, 2007

Alex & Synda- MARRIED AWAY Day 1

Well we left Atlanta at 6:15 am Monday morning for our first of 4 flights to arrive on Canouan Island.

We arrived at 5:30 in the afternoon and after settling in our room, I walk out on to the balcony to this amazing view of the Raffles resort.
You can see to the left the steeple of the church where Synda & ALex will be married.

Here is a view from the Golf course looking back up to our Villa. Ours is the last one on the left.

So after getting settled we headed down to Jambu's for some pool side dinning.

Then it was off to bed for some rest, cause Tuesday is packed full of events.
Stay tuned in I've got more images to come!

Ruth Rackley- Canouan Island Raffles Resort Wedding Photographer
Style Network- Married Away, Photographer

Posted at 10:45 PM Read More

Alex & Synda - Married Away

Well I'm finally back home and all I can say is WOW what an amazing wedding.
I've been keeping a BIG secret from everybody about this special wedding and I'm so excited to let everyone know.
Alex and Synda were chosen to have their wedding captured by the STYLE Network Show - "MARRIED AWAY"!

This wedding was an awesome experience that is going to take several blog entries just to show you everything!

Alex and Synda chose the beautiful RAFFLES resort on Canouan Island. I only have awesome things to say about the resort and it's wonderful staff.
I have never experienced such fabulous customer service and hope I get the chance to go back soon!
If your thinking of having a destination wedding you got to consider Canouan Island.

Posted at 10:32 PM Read More

Tue - July 24, 2007

Perry & Rebecca Orman Wedding

Rebecca and I hit it off from the moment we met, so I knew her wedding day would be a special one.
Always up for any crazy idea I have, Rebecca and Perry met before the ceremony for a little fun downtown.
Fortunately for us the rain stopped as Rebecca rounded the corner to see Perry. The morning rain gave way to beautiful light the rest of the day.
As an added bonus, my great friend and awesome photographer Caroline came along to help me capture their day.

I've got tons more favorites here on their slideshow!

Now on to the pics!!

Getting Ready

There was still a slight misting rain as Perry and Rebecca met at the USC Horseshoe where Perry went to school.

I shot downtown, I love the guy racing by on his bike. I thought he would wreck he was looking so hard!

I love this shot, It just so happened that I caught Rebecca's reflection in the store window.

These ladies came out of their store to take a peak at Perry and Rebecca.

The shot I was going after. Come to find out, the material for the flower girls dress came from here.

Portrait of Rebecca

Perry

So Perry is a Sherriff's Deputy so I asked him to show me his hand cuffs :)

Here is a "Behind the Scenes" look of my unhand-cuffing Perry.
I loved the fact that his brother gave me the wrong keys to begin with, you should have seen mine and Perry's faces! Priceless

Rebecca & her Dad about to head down the isle.

This little flower girl got a little stage fright so as she tops the stairs.
she sees me sitting on the floor and about tackles me with this huge hug and crocodile tears. So I asked her to join me.

There was no stage fright with the other flower girl.
All during the opening song she twirled around in a little dance. I can't believe she didn't get dizzy.

Perry's dad performed the Ceremony. He did a wonderful job.

A quick look at each other.

Headed out the Church

Entering the Reception

Perry and Rebecca both getting "Instructions" about opening the bottle.

When we drove up I noticed the patrol car so we asked if we could stage a quick shot.

The Bouquet toss

Perry says hold on 1 minute.

getting ready to toss the garter.

Their last Dance

Don't forget to check out the slideshow! To see it click here.

Tell me your favorite by leaving me a comment.

Posted at 12:19 AM Read More

Tue - July 17, 2007

Rebecca's Bridal

Since Rebecca's wedding was this weekend I can now show the everyone her Bridal portraits!!
Rebecca invited some of her closest friends to join us and we had such a blast.
She trusted me so much and was willing to try anything. I think we got some awesome images I wish I could have posted more.

Tell me which one is your favorite

Posted at 02:33 PM Read More

Curtis & Marian 07/07/07

I always find it interesting how my clients find me and who would have ever thought that Hamp,
a teenage boy fighting cancer, could bring us together.
You see Marian is a nurse and I found out that one day while Hamp was getting treatment
he and his family were checking out a wedding of a family friend of theirs I had photographed.
Marian saw the images and the rest is history.
I feel so privileged to have photographed Marian & Curtis's wedding they are two of the sweetest people.
Marian's laughter is contagious no wonder she is one Hamp's favorite nurses.
I was so touched when I saw a sign at the reception where instead of purchasing favors for guest they had made a donation to Camp Kemo .

Now on to the pics. You can check out a slideshow here.

Marian Getting ready

Portrait of Curtis

A flower arrangement with limes

Marian's flowers

Portrait of Marian

The Rings

Marian and her sister laughing

Here comes the bride

A quiet moment

Hamp hugging his Favorite nurse. I'm happy to hear Hamp is in remission!

1st Dance

Father Daughter dance

The cake

One wild Dance

Singing to Grease!

Last Dance

Headed to Mexico!!

Posted at 02:25 PM Read More

Thu - June 14, 2007

Clay & Macy Wedding

I must confess that I'm a bit behind on posting weddings this month but that is simply because I have had so many amazing weddings during April & May that each one has deserved lots of attention and some extra time in the spotlight as a blog post. Clay & Macy's wedding was no different, They were married at the First Baptist Church in Lincolnton GA with the reception following at the Prator Farm. I can honestly say I've never seen such attention to detail, I can't tell you how thrilled I was at all the opportunities, but I expected no less. Macy and I are lucky in that we share the same Aunt, Mickie, so I've watched Macy grow up.

There is just way to much to show just here so check out the slideshow!

Clay wrote this sweet note to Macy on the chalkboard in their house