Johnny & Lakiesha
Garden Court Summer Wedding in Kentucky
Due to the crazy amount of rain we have been getting in Kentucky, I did not get to meet Johnny & Lakiesha for engagement photos until TWO WEEKS before their wedding day. As soon as we got in to our groove at the engagement session, I knew their wedding was going to be a blast. This wedding was also going to be a first for me! This is the first time I have gotten to photograph a Jewish ceremony. Their wedding day incorporated elements from both Jewish and Christian traditions to represent the faiths of the groom and bride respectively. Both religions have beautiful and unique elements woven in throughout the day which resulted in a true celebration in Louisville, Kentucky.
Many traditional Jewish wedding elements are shown in their photos, but my favorite Jewish wedding tradition isn’t in this blog post. Following the ceremony, tradition dictates that couples spend a set amount of time in yichud (or seclusion). If you have been close to anyone who has gotten married, you know that moments for the bride and groom to actually just be together on wedding day are far and few between. I absolutely love this tradition that allows for the first few minutes of married life to be spent alone together.
Florals | Native Oak Florals
Cake | Sweet Surrender
Venue | Garden Court
Hair & Makeup | Makeup bu Tiamao
Coordinator | Victoria Staton International Events LLC
Dress | RK Bridal
On the way to the first look.
Johnny decided to do a lap around Lakeisha during their first look to take in all that beauty!
Before the ceremony, the bride and groom took part in the signing of the Ketubah. This is essentially a marriage contract signed by the bride and groom as well as two witnesses, typically not related by blood to the couple. It is small and private with only the witnesses and close family present. It is considered to be a honor to be a part of this tradition.
The bride and groom in a Jewish ceremony typically recite their vows under the chuppah. The chuppah typically consists of four corners and roof to symbolize the home they are building together.
In Jewish tradition, typically both parents walk the groom to the Chuppah.
The breaking of the glass. Mazel tov!!
The wedding party came in dancing to Beyoncé from her Coachella album.
the father of the groom performed the blessing of the challah.
the moment I had been waiting for!! It was time for the hora!
The bride was a little nervous about this part, but she safely returned to the ground after she was hoisted in to the air with her new husband to the sounds of the hava nagila!
