Friday, November 4, 2016

Andy & Lauren | The Hall at The Railhouse | Norman, OK Wedding Photographer | Michelle Valantine Photography

It was a beautiful day to get married.  The fall air was newly brisk with a layer of clouds covering the sky.  Lauren had eagerly awaited this day, just like she did for her proposal.  She told me the story, "He'd had the ring for awhile, but was waiting for the right time to propose.  I was hopeful he would propose in Seattle.  But we'd been there for several days, and our trip was almost over.  We decided to go out to dinner at a nice restaurant.  His first choice was closed, and I didn't understand why he was so upset.  We decided on Il Bistro at Pike Place Market.  He was so nervous, he could barely wait for our drinks to arrive before he started telling me that he knew we'd been together for a long time and we had been through so much.  Then he stood up from the table and got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.  I was so excited and emotional, I could only nod.  Afterward, we went down to the pier and walked around by The Great Wheel.  I was elated and Andy was relieved and exhausted!"

When I arrived at The Railhouse, the outside steps were lined with pumpkins and richly colored flowers.  Large paper flowers made by Lauren adorned the altar and cake cutting area.  Lots of pictures were on display documenting their lives up till now; and a "Medford Est. November 4th, 2016" detail highlighted a wooden display in the welcoming entry area. Lauren had shown attention to every detail transforming The Railhouse into a romantic and intimate gathering place.

Soon it was time for Lauren to slip into her Maggie Sottero dress adorned with lace, sequins, beads and tulle blooms cascading down to the ground into one of the most beautiful trains I have ever seen.   Nervous excitement filled the air as she grabbed her bouquet and headed to the location I chose for her and Andy's First Look.  The first step was getting Lauren out of sight as I directed Andy where to stand and which direction to face.  Then I gave Lauren the go ahead and I simply stood back and captured one of the most exciting parts of the day...the part where they see each other for the first time in their wedding attire.  Filled with anticipation, she approached from behind him, tapped his shoulder, and he turned around to face her.  He took one look at his beaming bride, then embraced her and together they relaxed into one another's arms.  He gently kissed her shoulders, neck, and cheek while telling her how beautiful she was.    

One of the requests Lauren made during her wedding consult with me was to have their dogs join them for their couples portraits.  She wanted a family picture.  Andy's Dad was appointed as the dog wrangler, holding them until we were ready, and then driving them back home once we were done.  Those portraits were worth the effort and ended up making a beautiful addition to their Wedding Gallery!  

Now that they had seen each other and taken their couples portraits, the rest of the wedding party pictures were a breeze.  Lauren's bridesmaids were dressed in rich blue dresses holding a colorful array of fall flowers, while Andy's groomsmen were dressed in grey three-piece suits with cobalt blue bow ties and pocket squares.  While taking pictures, Andy enjoyed playing Paper Rock Scissors with his younger generation of family members. 

Then it was time for guests to arrive.  Once everyone was seated, Lauren appeared on her brother's arm nervous, yet radiant, as she approached Andy at the altar.  When asked what his favorite part of the wedding day was, Andy answered "seeing Lauren walk down the aisle."  His expression of pure love for his bride said it all.  And when asked what her favorite moment was, Lauren said, "walking with Andy back down the aisle immediately after the ceremony.  I felt this huge sense of accomplishment and elation that we'd just gotten married!"  Another uniquely special part of their day was right after the ceremony, when their guests read aloud the Peace Prayer.  She comments, "It was so special to hear so many people we love reciting one of my Dad's favorite prayers."  

After the ceremony, the evening's festivities began with the first dance.  One moment that had us all laughing was when their flower girl ran up on the dance floor and joined them for the last half of their  first dance!  And at the end of the evening, family and friends gathered outside waving colorful glow sticks wishing the bride and groom a wonderful life together.

A week later, Lauren was excited to share with me that the two of them spent their honeymoon in New Mexico, which she described as "beyond beautiful."  It was such a pleasure to be able to document this momentous occasion, as Lauren and Andy celebrated with those they love and those who love them.

Their invitation was shabby chic, made even more special by the joining of their wedding bands. The celebration is going to be held at The Hall at the Railhouse, located in Norman, OK.

Andy, the groom, looking dashing in his grey 3-piece suit with a blue bowtie and a yellow rose boutonniere. Set at the Hall at the Railhouse located in Norman, OK during the fall of 2016.

Andy, the groom, looking dashing in his grey 3-piece suit with a blue bowtie and a yellow rose boutonniere. Set at the Hall at the Railhouse located in Norman, OK during the fall of 2016.

My favorite picture from her Wedding Gallery. I love how the tree branches frame her, and how the background has some red in it to coordinate with her fall sunflower bouquet. She is standing in her Maggie Sottero dress, an absolute beauty, inside and out. Set on the grounds of the Hall at the Railhouse, located in Norman, OK during the fall of 2016.

It is time for their First Look. Lauren is slowly approaching Andy from behind so he can't see her. When she taps him on the shoulder he will get to turn around and see his bride for the first time in her wedding dress. He is nervous and excited all at once.

This is the moment in the First Look of highest anticipation...right before he turns to see his bride for the first time. She is feeling excited and anxious...he is feeling giddy and curious! Set at the Hall at the Railhouse, located in Norman, OK during the fall of 2016.

He had just turned around to see his beaming bride. He is so caught up with emotion he comes toward her with his arms open to embrace his beautiful bride. Here you see her expression - a radiant smile and pure joy. Set at the Hall at the Railhouse located in Norman, OK during the fall of 2016.

From this angle you can see his reaction to the First Look seeing his bride for the first time in her wedding dress. He wants to hold and embrace her. They are both relieved and excited to see one another. They have waited for their wedding day for a very long time. Set at the Hall at the Railhouse located in Norman, OK during the fall of 2016.

Another favorite photo from their Wedding Gallery. They look so content and relaxed in each other's arms. Like this is where home is...where they are meant to be. Set at the Hall at the Railhouse located in Norman, OK during the fall of 2016.

Andy is a kisser and soon leans in to kiss his bride on the cheek. She closes her eyes to enjoy the moment and tender embrace. The tree next to them has an arching branch extending over them, framing them in the picture, and providing a lovely green backdrop. Set at the Hall at the Railhouse located in Norman, OK during the fall of 2016.

He can't stop kissing her. He reaches into the curve of her neck...right where it tickles! Set at the Hall at the Railhouse located in Norman, OK during the fall of 2016.

Andy's dad, the dog wrangler! When Lauren said she wanted to bring her dogs to the wedding venue so they could be in a couple pictures, I said, "of course!" But I also requested there be someone in charge of the dogs who was not either one of them. So Andy's dad received the honor! Here he is holding his two charges, waiting for their turn in the spotlight. Set at the Hall at the Railhouse, located in Norman, OK during the fall of 2016.


At their wedding consult, she told me she wanted a family picture of the two of them with their dogs on their wedding day. I said, "of course!" His father was the dog wrangler, who held their leashes and drove them back home. But not before I captured this beautiful family portrait. Set at the Hall at the Railhouse located in Norman, OK during the fall of 2016.

Lauren is holding Baby Doll, her eldest dog. It was important to Lauren to get a family photo (her, her groom and their two dogs) while dressed in their wedding attire. The branch of the tree above adds a sprinkling of green into a picture filled mostly with whites and neutrals. The connection between Lauren and her dogs is sweet and loyal. Set at the Hall at the Railhouse, located in Norman, OK during the fall of 2016.

A change of perspective of Lauren and her two bridesmaids...one her sister and the other her best friend. Together they are holding their most colorful fall bouquets, filled with yellow sunflowers, blue hydrangea, deep red mums, orange roses and little purple flowers interspersed between all the stems. A perfect match with the bridesmaids' dresses in cobalt blue. Set at the Hall at the Railhouse located in Norman, OK during the fall of 2016.

Lauren and all her girls...2 bridesmaids and 3 flower girls. The flower girls look beautiful in their long white gowns, similar to the bride's dress. Set at the Hall at the Railhouse located in Norman, OK during the fall of 2016.

The entire wedding party: bride, groom, bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girls and ring bearer. Set at the Hall at the Railhouse located in Norman, OK during the fall of 2016.

Andy and his groomsmen standing in front of the Hall at the Railhouse, located in Norman, OK. Together they are sporting grey 3-piece suits with cobalt blue bow ties and pocket squares. Taken during the fall of 2016.

The ring bearer needed his own picture, separate from the girls. Sporting a white button down shirt, blue suspenders and a blue polka dot bowtie. His outfit compliments his piercing blue eyes. Set at the Hall at the Railhouse located in Norman, OK during the fall of 2016.

Andy playing Paper Rock Scissors with his younger generation of male family members. Together they are all sporting white shirts and blue bowties. Set at the Hall at the Railhouse located in Norman, OK during the fall of 2016.

A pose during the formal portraits, but they make it look so natural. He has just said something delightful to her, hence the authentic smiles, which I love. Set at the Hall at the Railhouse located in Norman, OK during the fall of 2016.

A quick kiss during the formal portraits. Because they had a First Look, their pictures are being taken before the ceremony, allowing them to immediately join the reception following. Therefore, they are not quite husband and wife yet, but they are pretty close! Set at the Hall at the Railhouse located in Norman, OK during the fall of 2016.

This picture reminds me of a Henry Bogart picture, the man enamored with the woman. But here it is Andy and Lauren. He only has eyes for her. oh, the anticipation of getting married! Set at the Hall at the Railhouse located in Norman, OK during the fall of 2016.

The guests stand as Lauren walks down the aisle on the arm of her brother. She has made eye contact with Andy, her groom...and soon to be husband. Set at the Hall at the Railhouse located in Norman, OK during the fall of 2016.

Andy has made eye contact with Lauren as she's walking down the aisle towards him. He later claimed that this was his favorite moment of their wedding day. The ring bearer appears to be caught up in the moment, as well. Set at the Hall at the Railhouse located in Norman, OK during the fall of 2016.

A wide angle view of Lauren and Andy at the altar as the ceremony begins. Set at the Hall at the Railhouse located in Norman, OK during the fall of 2016.

The ceremony taken from a different perspective. This angle allows for more of the guests to be seen, as well as the festiveness of the atmosphere. Set at the Hall at the Railhouse located in Norman, OK during the fall of 2016.

A close-up of Lauren and Andy at the altar during their ceremony. Andy is saying his vows to Lauren, and there has just been a moment where everyone has laughed as he flubs up his lines. Set at the Hall at the Railhouse located in Norman, OK during the fall of 2016.

The live flowers on their wedding cake glowed in the sunlight as they draped across 3 layers of cake. Fall shades of yellow sunflowers and orange and yellow multicolored roses cascade around the layers. The setting is at The Hall at the Railhouse, located in Norman, OK.


The groomscake was a decadent chocolate gnache cake. But what made it extraordinary were two sculptures of their dogs sitting atop the cake. Absolutely delightful! The setting was The Hall at the Railhouse, located in Norman, OK during the fall of 2016.

During their First Dance, their flower girl came running up to them wanting to join them in their dance. Everyone laughed at the spontaneity of it! The bride's reaction was to pick her up, of course, and include her in the rest of the dance. This moment was later recalled as one of the bride's favorite moments of the day. Set at the Hall at the Railhouse located in Norman, OK during the fall of 2016.

The bride and groom's first dance in sihlouette. The ceremony is complete, and now they can relax in each other's arms. They are now husband and wife having their first dance together. Set at the Hall at the Railhouse located in Norman, OK during the fall of 2016.

This little one has partied until she couldn't anymore! This is the bride and groom's newest neice and youngest guest in attendance. Fast asleep as the party winds down.

Their guests gather around as the newlyweds make their way through the crowd saying "goodbye." In celebration, the guests are waving colored glow sticks. May the husband and wife have a long, happy marriage together! Set at the Hall at the Railhouse located in Norman, OK during the fall of 2016.


Cake | Amy Cakes
Catering | Abbey Road Catering
Officiant | Mary Katherine Long
Hair & Make-up | Raini Duke and Chrystal Hensley
























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Location: Norman, OK, USA

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