Laura and Kameron Cox

I have been so excited to share this wonderful wedding and this couple's lovely story with you! I have literally known Laura Russel (now Cox) my entire life. She would baby sit my siblings and I over the years, and as I continued to come back on visits she became a friend. I have so many fond memories of playing at her house, rolling down the hills during fireworks shows, and eventually basketball and nerf gun wars in the basement when the rain forced us inside. Her husband Kameron, I have gotten to know over the past several years, and they truly are a match for each other. Funny and silly, but also serious when they need to me. Of course I'll never stop snickering when I think of the time he hit Carly in the eye with a tiny nerf dart during one of our nerf wars at Laura's parents' house. But lets step away from reminiscing and focus on the big day and what you are here for- Laura and Kameron's wedding.

These two where honestly the most chill and relaxed couple I have ever worked with for a wedding day. Laura wanted the major events captured, but did not really care about getting ready photos and wanted everything to be short and easy. We quickly came upon the wedding weekend and it was a whirlwind of activity. I live in Tennessee and work as a Special Ed teacher full time. So Friday (day before the wedding) I took off work and flew up to Ohio where Emily (the maid of honor and my best friend) picked me up from the airport. Which is a funny story in and of itself, as that whole week everyone kept jokingly reminding Emily not to forget to pick me up from the airport. However; the night before and day of my flying in, multiple people asked Emily to do things when she was needing to drive to Cleveland to pick me up. We had a good laugh on the drive back to the house about how the tables had turned and she got to tease a few for it. Arriving in town, I got to enjoy the rehearsal dinner as well as helping the bridesmaids do their nails back at the house before going to bed.

The morning of the big day was the most relaxed I have ever seen a bridal party. Everyone did their own makeup, we ate scones, and stayed in yoga pants until the very last minute to leave and take pictures at a nearby property. While the girls got ready, I went to capture the few detail photos Laura Kameron wanted, including the detail of Kameron's ring which has a guitar string in the middle. Eventually I left the girls at the church to get ready, and took the boys to get their pictures done.

They truly were a hoot as we walked back and forth on the hill, with the boys wrestling with each other and messing with Kameron. The boys had me laughing as they would lift each other in their arms, play with their ties, and pose in the sun with their sunglasses. Eventually I got a call that the girls were here and I kicked the groomsmen out (back to their car) so Kameron and Laura could have their first look. Which in itself was super sweet but also fit their personalities perfectly. Laura snuck up to Kameron and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around and started to smile and laugh, while Laura help her arms out. It was so sweet to see, and then immediately fell into their personalities when after ten seconds they turned to me and said "what now". I still giggle thinking about this moment and how it perfectly fits their personalities. We snapped away some photos, including some on the phone to satisfy the grandparents who would want to see photos before I finished editing. We brought the crew all back together for some fun group photos, including one walk down the hill where a bridesmaid almost bit the dust while having fun, and the boys just kept cantering forward without a care in the world. This group had me laughing to the point of tears (carefully hidden behind my camera) many times. When the group was done I sent the boys back to the church while we took the girls' photos, goofing off and putting inside jokes into each photo. Right before we went back to the church we had one last moment that busted us out laughing. Laura was standing in front of me, when one bridesmaid jumped forward in a surprise hug and the initial photos in my camera had each of us dying in laughter. It was a perfect way to end our outdoor photos and head back to the church, where Laura got back into yoga pants and only put on her dress back on a few minutes before the ceremony started. ;P

The ceremony was so sweet, filled with music and moments special to the couple, and short, just the way they wanted it. After the ceremony we had family photos and then went down to the pavilion for some delicious food from local vendors. We got to have some delicious pizza, wings, and salad; as well as ice cream from the local creamery, donuts from Dough Co, and cake. Everyone also enjoyed their favors, which were wildflowers seeds that could be thrown into the yards or field to grow flowers that bees love and need, as well as the centerpieces of wood mountains that Laura and Kameron hand made to go with their National Park theme. In the end everyone had a great day, and despite several changes made due to the pandemic (small guest list, individual packages/servings of dessert, no dancing). it felt like any wedding pre-pandemic while also being uniquely Laura and Kameron. I feel truly blessed that Laura and Kameron chose to have me fly in for the wedding and capture the photos of their special day. As I think back on the memories of that day writing this blog, and looking through these photos, I can say that I feel truly blessed to take part in opportunities like this and that I love my job.

Until next time- stay safe, much love!

Laura Mantooth