Eleven Weddings Photography by Chip Litherland

One of the greatest things about shooting weddings is connecting the dots on relationships new and old…I have actually photographed both of these cats in my other world of photojournalism at their respective places of business – two of my favorite local joints.  Little did I know they were even dating, let alone were going to call me a few days (!) prior to their wedding to come make their pictures in completely different light on the biggest day of their life.

They went personal with fun touches only Jennifer and Scott could add:  a pair of Manolo Blahniks that would make any woman jealous (yes, the ones from Sex in the City), a fridge full of orchids and Cristal, a literal handful of friends and their awesome kids.  Add a perfect Siesta Key sunset, some bare feet and we have one really intimate and lovely ceremony on the beach.  On a Monday no less.

Jennifer was a blonde bombshell.  Literally.  Taking a page out of Marilyn Monroe’s look, she rocked a tiny little ballerina dress, blue kicks, and a hairdo that really was fun to photograph.  As the sun slowly gave way to night, we spent our time chasing light and playing in the surf with their lovely family – now officially one – and making some fun little photos (these two are definitely not camera shy) that really soaked up up everything that’s great about living here and being a complete beach bum.

My next 11 weddings on the books are out of Florida, so it was a blessing to be able to share the evening with these two before an onslaught of weddings around the world.

I had an amazing time, Jennifer and Scott – thank you so much for having me!  See you on the Key – next rounds on me!

I’ll resist an obvious Alanis Morissette reference here.

Rain on the wedding day is every bride’s nightmare, but Dawn and Richard took it like champs.  There was no stopping these cats from having the time of their life at Siesta Dunes as some wicked weather threw their day upside down.  The rain continued all day and never did I see Dawn flinch once – even when walking down the aisle with an umbrella.

Things happen on wedding days.  The unexpected.  The beautiful.  The emotion.  The perfection.  The imperfection.  It’s all part of what months and months of planning can’t seem to prevent.  What shouldn’t happen is for the real meaning behind the day to be lost in the stress.  Dawn and Richard embodied that and really let their love and excitement of finally being together to be stronger than any crappy weather could.

They were rewarded with the parting of the skies at sunset and some amazingly beautiful soft light, which is perfect to shoot in.  Add in a couple like Dawn and Richard, some cigars, a few sparklers and I’ll take rain drops every Saturday.

Congrats you two!!  Enjoy!

The family tree of Eleven Weddings Photography grows bigger.

It always floors me how brides find me, and more often than not, it’s on a blind referral form a past bride, friend or other photographer.  I photographed a wedding two years (same weekend, same venue) for the lovely Annie and Win, who are now already growing their family and loving life without me photographing their every move.  They passed the torch onto their friends Anina and Powell, who were equally as classy and fun to be around.  Their beach wedding at the Jupiter Island Club got hit with a case of harsh wind and a last minute site change, but you wouldn’t even know by how cool and collected these guys were.  The staff at the Jupiter Island Club and amazing planner Loretta Kocik made a new ceremony happen without skipping a single second on the day’s schedule.

Their party lasted into the night with 80’s classics belted out by Sultans of Swing with a groom singing his heart out and a beautiful bride still beaming, the two snuck out on a golf cart with a wave and big grins.

With that, another Jupiter Island Club wedding down, another branch on the Eleven Weddings family tree grows in November when I get to photograph more mutual friends of the tiny little Island community, where apparently everyone knows everyone…so cool to be around.

Congrats Anina and Powell – and thanks for having me!!

There are some places on this planet that are just special – Harbour Island in The Bahamas is most definitely becoming one of my favorites.  Add the beauty of the island with an intimate group of family of friends from the UK who know how to party and you have one really lovely wedding.

One of the coolest things about being a wedding photographer is being able to be there at those personal moments when no one else is around, and being trusted to not only document it, but to be a part of it.  After saying all their last goodbyes to their family and friends last night, Jeremy and Katie headed back into the stables at Cross Creek Ranch in Dover, Florida, alone and danced in an empty reception hall.  There was literally no one around except me – laying in the mulch, clicking away at a moment that wasn’t forced or on a to-do list of wedding traditions.  The was their last dance – and three minutes of quiet after the long day and months of planning.  It was just for themselves.  Until they stopped, shot me a grin, and waved happily.

Jeremy and Katie met in a photography class, which I obviously can relate to.  Through f/stops and shutter clicks these two cats have something special and I was truly honored to be around them for their beautiful wedding and reception.

The pink Converse with the wedding dress was just icing on the proverbial cake.

Here’s to you crazy kids…enjoy it!

It’s one thing to be able to be asked to be the best man.  It’s another thing to be able to make photos of my best friend and his beautiful fiancée (Emily will appreciate I figured out how to add the accent) for their engagement.  It’s yet another thing to be able to do it in Mexico in some of the most lush surroundings I’ve ever been in.

Peter is a college friends of mine from way back when I was learning out to be a photojournalist at the University of Colorado in Boulder.  We worked at the same local camera store and quickly bonded over photojournalism, beer, and a love of Vegas.  It’s really my honor to be asked to be his best man well over a decade of knowing him.  I can see why Emily tolerates loves him and plans on taking him away from me.  Emily is the perfect balance to Peter and I’m so happy that she got that ring I kept hearing about all these years over Facebook conversations.

These are two of my favorite people on the planet and running away to Punta Mita, Mexico, for a week of dining, fishing, and tequiling (yes, a word if you do it how we do it) was an absolute amazing time.  We spent the last sunset and last few hours of light making their engagement photos and I’m thrilled to have made them. Composition and light aside, it’s just awesome to be a photographer and have friends who share my love for making images.

That being said, they’ve hired the Chrisman’s to document the wedding at my urging, and if there’s anyone else I’d want to photograph Peter and Emily, it’s Ben and Erin.  I can’t wait to see what they come up with at their wedding in Colorado.

Congrats you two.  See you in Sept!

Big thank you to the ladies at Junebug Weddings for featuring Nicole and Michael’s wedding in Key West!  Definitely worth a read and a look if you looking for a Key West inspired wedding!

Many thank you’s to Nicole for being interviewed for the piece – and for being such a willing subject with new hubby, Michael.