Abbeville Wedding Photographer : Burt Stark Mansion Wedding : Kayla and Jason

I have always loved reading...I was that super cool kid that the teacher had to ask to put her book away because it was Math time.  The one who asked if she could spend her recess in the library exploring new series and taking Accelerated Reader tests.  Yes, back when I was in elementary school, you had to go to the library to do that because that's where the only computers were.  I also rode a tricerotops to school.  Whatever.  

Today, I still love a good novel, but I also have developed an obsession for blogs.  I have the (not cheap, but well worth it) app Reeder on both my phone and my desktop, so whenever I have a few free minutes, I can have everything in one pretty place.  Admittedly, I do read a lot of photography blogs, but here are a few if you're into something different:

Stuff Christians Like - I have actually embarrassed myself reading this one in publc.  It's a seriously snort inducing, satirical look at things we Christians tend to do.  Also, I got to meet Jon Acuff at a youth ministry conference a few weeks ago, so now he's my best friend.

The Knotty Bride - I think it goes without saying that I love weddings.  And therefore, I love looking at weddings.  And Alison's hilarious writing style makes it even better.  Plus, she writes the funniest recaps of The Bachelor in the history of the world, and has a ridiculously adorable french bulldog named Bambino.  What's not to love?

Sprouted Kitchen - This blog makes me feel like a Le Cordon Bleu chef.  Sara is a fabulous cook with a passion for whole, good-for-you food, and her recipes will make you feel equal parts healthy and fancy.

Emily Ley Paper - Not only am I obsessed with this girl's products, but I love her writing style.  She also gives great tips on balancing a bustling business with family life.

Life As An Artistpreneur -  This is probably my favorite blog for professional inspiration.  I don't tend to think in a linear fashion, which is what a lot of "business" blogs will give you...this is inspiration for creative business owners, by a creative business owner.  Everything from staying fresh and motivated, to how to dress for a coffee meeting.  And it's fabulous.

These next 2 are extra fun, because I know the fab ladies behind them:

More For Les - This is my dear friend Leslie's downright hilarious ramblings on life.  Any mention of her cat, Rufus, is alone worth you visiting.

A Little Bit Of Sparkle - I just found this one the other day...and I'm not at all surprised that my beautiful bride Kayla has such an amazing eye for prettiness.  She posts amazing DIY projects, and has a series called "How Pinteresting" that I lost about 2 hours of time the other day devouring.

Speaking of Kayla's eye for all things lovely, hers and Jason's wedding was just that.  Kayla managed to luck out and be what we're pretty sure is the only bride to have her wedding at the historic Burt Stark Mansion ever.  Love it.  And her.  And Jason.  And their new little family.  

Venue : Burt Stark Mansion

Dress : David's Bridal

Cake : Sweet Expressions

These programs absolutely made my day!

This was such a dancing crowd...you name a dance, these people knew it.  And well!  

This was also the wedding where I learned of this magnificent vision called "The Bernie".  :-)

Lake Lanier Wedding Photographer : Engagement : Cassie Jo and Grant

^ That right up there?  I wish I could bottle up all that love and share it with everyone else, because it's contagious.  And awesome.

A little secret about Cassie Jo and Grant: they're actually already married! They actually tied the knot just a couple of weeks before this session took place...and I think it totally shows.  How adorable, and glowy, and happy do they look?  Love it.  And, I still get to hang out with them, because they have a fabulous celebration planned for April!  

We started out at the rescue squad house that Grant's family started.  It's actually a huge part of their relationship...they started dating shortly after Grant (during a shift) came to Cassie Jo's aid after she got in a wreck.  He wound up having to cut her out of her pants!  Somehow, her dada still loves him.  ;-)

The light and color was the stuff of dreams...

True story: when you're already married, you can change in the car whilst travelling up the Saluda Grade.

Greenville Wedding Photographer : Backyard Farm Wedding : Jessica and Zack

As a rule, I don't typically watch a lot of sports.  I make periodic concessions to this rule for special occasions, but if you know me, there's a roughly 95.4% chance that you've never seen me actively watching a sporting event of any kind.  And there's a reason for that.  And, I know you're all thinking, "Well duh, Melissa.  You're an artsy kid who eschews all forms of athleticism other than large, elaborate dance sequences!".  But you'd be wrong.  I actually thoroughly enjoy watching a good game...perhaps a little too much.  In other words: Hi, my name is Melissa Ragan and I scream loudly when watching any and all types of competitive televised event-like things.  Sports, game shows, you name it...I yell at the TV during it.  You should hear my parents and me attempting to compete with the people on Jeopardy.

Up until last night, Super Bowl Sunday 2012, Steven had no clue that I have this tendency.  Largely because we really haven't watched anything remotely resembling a football game together since...forever.  So, as they entered the second half, I tried to keep myself calm.  No need to scare the boy just because he's stuck with me now.  And then came Eli Manning's hail Mary pass to Mario Manningham, and before I knew it, I was jumping up and down, shrieking "GO GIANTS!!" like it was my job.  And then there was silence.  Seriously.  I'm pretty sure things got quiet in the MetLife Stadium because I'm convinced that our TV stopped making noise.  And I wish I could have captured the look on Steven's face, because it was one that can best be described as a cocktail of shock, wonder, and delight.  Apparently, even the Tony Awards don't elicit such reactions.  

So now I'm left wondering if perhaps I should have just been upfront.  Apparently, it's cute and endearing , as opposed to horrifying.  Ah, the joys of marriage...

Speaking of, how much do you love Jessica and Zack's farm wedding?  The land where they actually had their ceremony was so pretty, it made me want to up and move to Dacusville.  And I'm pretty sure I've already mentioned this, but how gorgeous is Jessica??  Good gracious, woman!

Ceremony : Private residence

Dress : Mori Lee

Flowers : Sherri Smith

Hair and Makeup : Angel Pitch

Bridesmaids : Angelina Faccenda

I think I've decided that all weddings should have a hay ride to kick things off...

Yes, everyone...Jessica is stunning, and her new hubby is quite the stud himself.  Yeesh, the DNA of these people...

Fact: I was sad because I wasn't wearing my cowboy boots.  All.  Day.  Long.

Well, hey there cute boy coming in on the hay ride!

The tiny people completely stole my heart...how cute are they??

For the picture on the right, all I did was say, "Pretend I'm not here!".  Think they were excited?

Once it was time for dancing, Jessica changed into her mom's (also ADORABLE) wedding dress.  Loved this.

Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Philpot!!

Greenville Wedding Photographer : Huguenot Loft Wedding : Matt and Rene

Raise your hand if you love cold and flu season!!!  What?  No one?  Well, gee willickers, that's just plain shocking.  Or not.  What I'm really getting at here is that I have a cold, and it's making me grumpy.  I'm reasonably tough about lots of things, but I feel very strongly about being about to breath through both nostrils.  I admit there are perks...staying in sweatpants all day, not feeling the least bit bad about working from the sofa watching Les Miserables on repeat, and eating copious amounts of strawberries because I just like them.  But then we come back to the aforementioned single nostril breathing, and the light pounding in my head that comes with it, and I'm just not sure it's worth it.  Plus it's been several days since I've gotten any natural vitamin D in my life.  Steven has been instructed to only approach me with chocolate, and perhaps a shiny new tabloid magazine.  

I just needed to get that little bit of whining out of my system...every time I complain to Hallie, she just sort of looks at me, and then farts.  Not quite the expression of sympathy I was looking for, but I guess on the plus side, I can't smell anything.  But I digress...and really into a place I don't particularly care to go, so let's move on.

I love looking back on this wedding...everything from the color palette and amazing venues, to just how cute Matt and Rene are together.  It's all so bright and cheery, and it helps me forget that between the weather and the cold (that I WILL whine about until it goes away),  everything seems to look, feel, smell, and even taste gray today.  I think you'll agree...

Church : Grace Church Downtown

Reception : Huguenot Loft

Dress : Poinsett Bride

Flowers : Dahlia

Coordination : B & R Events

Cake : Couture Cakes of Greenville

True story...Steven and I got into wreck on the way to meet up with Matt and Rene at the Hyatt.  It was totally minor, we were both fine, and we even managed to get to the Hyatt on time.  Always leave early, kids...very, very early. Anyway, all was fine, but I'm not exactly famous for handling things like this in a calm fashion.  My hands were shaking up until I actually got together with Rene and her bridesmaids.  They were so sassy and fun that I honestly forgot until the end of the night that part of my car had gotten smashed earlier in the day.

I still maintain that Matt looks like Brendan Fraser...

I love the this...candy buffett before and after.  :-)

Greenville Wedding Photographer : Bridals : Megan

Happy 2012, everyone!  I hope your year is getting off to a downright spectacular start.  My year is getting kicked off with a super fun detox...nothing but lean protein and veggies for me for a couple of weeks.  So just be aware that I might not finish this blog post on account of chewing off my own hand.  True story.  

I'm working on getting my goals for this new year and getting a big, beautiful, high accountability blog post up and running, but in the interim, please enjoy these images of the lovely new Mrs. Megan Bennett, who got married on New Years Eve.  When we were planning out her bridal session, Megan said she definitely wanted somewhere with drama.  I think this view covers that concept pretty well, no?

Good grief, Megan...YOU ARE SO GORGEOUS!

Give me angles!  Now smize!

For our last few frames, Megan completely made my life and pulled out this fascinator hat.  And it looked amazing.  And I wanted to be British so that I could see those suckers at every wedding I go to.

This last image is one of my favorites that I've ever shot.  No lie.