I thought my last wedding of 2013 was going to be Casey Jo and Ryan’s in November. But then Molly surprised me by inquiring around Thanksgiving for her December 27, 2013 wedding! That’s right. Molly contacted me one month before her wedding! While this isn’t always the most ideal thing when booking a photographer, and it’s definitely not common in my trends of inquiries, everything worked out very well. Since she and RJ’s wedding was just two days after Christmas and on a Friday, I didn’t have any plans! It was one of the easiest weddings I’ve ever photographed and I loved that it only took one month from the time of inquiry to the actual wedding day! I didn’t have to wait half a year to meet Molly and RJ and see their special day come to life. It was almost like immediate gratification and definitely a nice change of pace. 🙂
Molly and RJ are a very laid-back, no-fuss couple who wanted a simple wedding that would include their closest family members. And that’s exactly what they got. Both ceremony and lunch were held in The Regatta Grille restaurant at the Waterfront Place Hotel in downtown Morgantown. Their reserved room was beautifully decorated from the holiday season and Molly’s red details complimented them perfectly. I thoroughly enjoyed photographing this small, intimate holiday wedding…and I hope you’ll enjoy it, too!
While I waited on the arrival of Molly and RJ, I captured all the beautiful holiday details of the ceremony/lunch room. The fireplace and Christmas tree were wonderful!
Molly’s red bridal gown was a complete surprise. I had no idea she had such a statement piece planned, but I loved it and thought it fit her day perfectly!
Molly and RJ’s daughter Kaelynn was all decked out in “sparklies” (as my Ally would call them). Her nap was interrupted, so she wasn’t super happy about things. But she eventually came around and showed us her cute-ness (you’ll see more pics of her later in the post!).
One of my new favorite getting-ready shots! Molly made such a lovely bride…in red!
I loved Molly’s sweet, innocent expressions throughout the ceremony…
This might be the cutest first kiss ever! I just love how RJ stooped down to smooch his new wife. 🙂
Molly and RJ were kind enough to give me some time in the Waterfront Place Hotel for bride-groom portraits. It’s really a beautiful place, so I was happy to finally shoot there!
Then we headed outside! Molly and I hoped for snow, but didn’t get it. BUT, we didn’t have rain or super freezing cold temps! It was a little chilly, but nothing we couldn’t handle for a few outdoor portraits…
And Molly and that beautiful wintry, fur jacket!?! So perfect and pretty!!!
After portraits by the fireplace and Christmas tree, it was time for lunch, toasts and cake!
I really wasn’t expecting this for the cake-cutting! They may be a laid-back couple, but I think they know how to have fun together. 🙂
And some family portraits to round out the day…
Such a pretty wedding, right!?! I just loved the small, intimate, holiday feel of it all! It wasn’t like my usual wedding, but that’s what I liked most about it. I’m a huge fan of “unique” and “different”, especially when it’s combined with a laid-back couple. Molly and RJ’s 12-guest, holiday, Friday wedding on December 27th was just that. Thanks so much for having me, you two! You were a joy to work with!
Scenes and thoughts from deep creek
Well hey now! I thought for sure it had been more than seven months since I blogged last! Wish I could do it more…and plan to as soon as the new JFP website comes out.
I’m not sure I’m starting anything consistent here, just sharing some random thoughts and scenes from Deep Creek on this random Wednesday…
- Dani
Jessica is amazing and she made us feel so comfortable! Having her capture our wedding was like having my best friend with me for every moment! Jessica's photos are fun, whimsical, and sophisticated!
We are not a stoic couple and did not want posed (or trying-too-hard) photos! Jessica was able to capture our personalities and the elegance of the day! I can't stop looking at our photos!
- Jessica and brandon
The best decision I could have made for my wedding was hiring Jessica Fike as a photographer! I was in a wedding prior that she was a photographer for and seeing how organized and easy and strategic she was to work with is what convinced me! She makes you feel so comfortable and helps teach you how to pose and smile and look so natural! She keeps you on schedule throughout your day and captures so much emotion in her photos. She is worth every penny plus more!
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Such a beautiful wedding and bride. You captured it well. I love the moment when they are at the alter together.
Loved the portraits in the lobby with the circular chandeliers and the circles on the carpets – just beautiful. Such lines!
The pictures captured everything important that day. Well done. So much love and joy shining through. My favs RJ kissing his new bride and Kaelynn at the tree (B&W).
Jessica, Thank you so much for the beautiful pictures of Molly & RJ’s special day! You captured the happiness and the joy so well:) We love the pictures and they bring us right back to that special day and the happiness we shared. It was small & “unique”, but you helped us preserve how special it was so we can share it with the rest of the family who couldn’t be there that day. Thank you! and Congratulations on the birth of your son:) We appreciate what a great job you did and wish you and your family all the best!