Wow; what a whirl-wind of a day it was yesterday, and I'm not talking about the windy weather! This was one fast-paced and fun-filled day of BIG love! Beth and Brad's wedding was energetic and fun which is exactly the kind of people they are!  Married at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Upper Saint Clair, Beth followed in the footsteps of her parent's and sister's previous ceremonies held here and Beth was as stunning as stunning could be in her form-fitting gown (designer and salon to be named later...)!  The wedding was rich with traditions including a forty-five year old princes lace veil that Beth's great grandmother purchased in Belgium, a sixpence in her shoe from her grandmother and a handmade ring pillow from her sister's wedding. These are precious ways to continue traditions that hold such meaning for the family. The ceremony was perfect - lighting in the church couldn't have been more spectacular - and the party followed at the Twentieth Century Club which was dressed to the "nines" and jam-packed with great food, music and fun!  What a night! One of my favorite things at the reception was the guest book: Beth and Brad took a coffee-table photo book of images of Los Angeles (where they live, as Beth is the Senior Associate Producer of the Dr. Phil Show and Brad works as a Distribution and Entertainment leader in Digital Advertising at Ripe Digital) and had guests choose a page/image in the book and write their wishes to the couple!  It was a great break from the standard guest books at weddings - a book with meaning for Beth and Brad that was amplified with the wishes of people who mean so much to them.  Great idea! Here are some of the fabulous images we created throughout the day - we meaning Karen and I - ENJOY! Images by Karen: great job, if I must say so myself!  Karen had multiple killer shots throughout the day... Another fabulous image by Karen...it's really nice to have her shooting with me! Beth had seen an old photograph of everyone in front of the church and she wanted me to replicate it...you ask; I deliver! The beautiful bride... The beautiful groom... The stunningly gorgeous couple, who were a blast to spend the day with!  There is only one thing I would have wished for and that would have been more than five minutes to photograph such a beautiful couple...  Perhaps another shoot is in order when you come into town!  Let's do it! The guys and the details from the girls dresses - LOVED those bows and the tea-length dresses; perfectly flattering and lovely dresses for the bridesmaids! Details from TWC - Judy, Gail and the staff were marvelous - and the Hollywood photo of Beth and Brad on each table was priceless! The Paparazzi... ...and who they were photographing...Beth with, her boss... Leading the way to the party... The floor was packed all night with two great bands! I had a great time with you both, your family and your friends - let's do it all again on your one year anniversary!!   Wahoo!! BIG love, Joanne Bartone Photographer | www.joannebartone.com

If you don't know it, and probably most of you don't, I'm a bit of a "gearhead" - I LOVE old cars!  Please understand that I use that term with the most heartfelt comrade from my fellow gearhead brothers and sisters.  :-)   And, I've got nothing against new cars; I'm frequently tempted to buy one or two because they are fabulous, but there is just something about the old cars that appeals to me both visually and nostalgically... So, my 1986 Volvo 240DL that I've been tooling around in for a number of years will be on the sales block soon; just a matter of detailing it to look even spiffier than it already does so when I go to sell it I can get top dollar for it since I've put thousands into it over the years I've had it to keep it as beautiful as it is and running as well as it does.  I'll post about it here when she's ready to be sold. And now...out with the old and in with the older!  Enter my just acquired 1981 Mercedes Benz!  You won't miss me riding down the street in this car!  She's bright and FABULOUS and I am smitten!  I got it from a great young man who took great care of it, considering he's a gearhead too...and my nephew!  Funny thing is, I just saw an even older Benz last night - a beige, what looked like a 1970s model.  All I could do was to stare and smile at the stylish guy driving it. It was like we were speaking a language and sharing a moment that only each of us could fully understand...I digress. Well, don't forget to wave when you see me tooling by!  I'm thinking of a vanity plate, maybe something like bumbleB, or JBzzzzz...check out the photo below and you'll know why!!  ENJOY!! BIG love, Joanne Bartone Photographer | www.joannebartone.com