CONGRATULATIONS TO ANNALIZA AND CHARLES!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

I couldn’t be more excited to announce the finalists for our 2012 Wedding Photography Giveaway. Choosing the finalists couldn’t have been more difficult. Every one of the submissions truly touched me in one way or another.

To all who entered, thank you for sharing your beautiful stories.

Below are the three finalist couples. Please vote below.

Annaliza and Charles:

Charles and I have been so patient and not many people can say they were in a long distance relationship for over 3 years and haven’t even spent half of it together. Since we began talking, we have to schedule when we are going to talk because there is a 16-18 hour time difference, depending upon daylight savings time. When he is working we do instant message each other, but it’s very minimal. He has to concentrate for work and I have my own work I need to do for school. Money is always a concern because what money is saved up in 6 months time, a good chunk of it is spent on a ticket to see each other. And if that’s not already frustrating — we are planing two weddings. I wanted just one but the more we thought about it, it would be unfair to leave out his side or my side and that we want everyone  to share this moment with us. The first wedding will be in Georgia and then I will move to New Zealand and we will have the other wedding at the end of the year. I decided to cut my budget in half so my family could afford tickets to visit me in New Zealand for Christmas and New Years. I’m so grateful for my family and cutting my budget is something I insisted on doing because having them visit my new home is more important to me than having a flashy wedding.

I just find it funny that Charles and I are what you could say the “contemporary” pen pals. Since we began talking in 2008, we have only seen each other a total of 4 times (length wise in total, 5 1/2 months). Each visit lasts for about 1 month but I had the privilege to stay for the whole summer this year, which is when we got engaged.

Tina and James:

I met my fiancé who is a honored military man with 2 bronze stars, which few even know about because he is very humble.
We met while he was being set up on a blind date by my best friend ( who I set up with her current husband). That date did not go over but while at the same party… We met and just clicked … At the time we met I had a boyfriend of 7 years that was breaking up with me via email which I did not know until the next day). After reading my email and exhausted from a relationship that was going no where, I decided to give this James a second look.

My best friend had spoke of him months before and tried to convince me to just go to dinner with him, I said no because I was in a relationship.   After we met by chance at this going away party and his blind date did not go over well, we just connected.

Two days later I found out he lost a very good friend that he served in the Military with ( an unfortunate suicide .. Which many Veteran’s have taken their lives, from stress and life changes that make it hard for them to cope) I called James to console and we talked for hours while he drove to collect belongings for the friends family.

James is my true love and best friend…we instantly became friends than in a relationship… Things were perfect and then he had orders for  Afghanistan. I was  devastated but he left his job as a federal officer and obtained yet his second bronze star.  I kept his two beautiful daughters as much as allowed by their mother while he was away Eli was 5 & Lydia was 7, they are now 7 & 9 and beautiful.  They can’t wait for us to marry!

Gabby and Brad:

Gabby will be getting married following her graduation from nursing school. Brad will be preparing to go back to school for his MBA after the wedding. Thus, it is not surprising that the couple is working hard to obtain enough funds for the wedding. This includes money to hire a photographer. One might say that they could easily wait until they are both into their careers with enough money to have the ‘perfect’ wedding. The reality is Brad and Gabby represent two brave individuals that understand that tomorrow is not ours. How many times is love delayed because of fear? Fear of the unknown, fear of financial instability, fear that “we have our whole lives ahead of us” so why should we rush. While these are all valid concerns, there is something to be said for people who understand that maybe, just maybe, waiting won’t change anything. Perhaps getting older and getting setting into their careers won’t guarantee financial stability. So, today, they choose love.

Winning this contest will mean the world for Gabby, her family, and Brad. As one knows, the family of the bride pays for the wedding. Gabby’s family is from Haiti. This tradition is a serious one for the parents. Gabby comes from a family of nine children- two boys and SEVEN girls! Only 1 out of the 7 is married. After Gabby walks down the aisle, that leaves FIVE beautiful girls to give away. Anything that will make it easier on
the parents in this journey is much needed.

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VOTING IS NOW CLOSED!

Please be respectful/honest with votes.

You might remember Callie and Seth from their downtown engagement session a few months ago. We had a blast with them getting to know them and making our way throughout downtown Savannah!  Well their big day was finally here, and all of the planning and stress was worth the work and wait!

Callie picked a simple and very elegant theme of white and black. Little touches of black in her sash, shoes, and accessories completed her elegant look. She chose luscious white flowers that were spilling out of every corner and flawlessly arranged by Garden on the Square. Romantic candles lined the isle for their sunset ceremony, and later filled the reception room which set the mood for a night that was all about celebrating the beautiful love of Callie and Seth.

The day was perfectly styled by Caroline Carter of Caroline Carter Events and could not have been more of a representation of these two and who they are, romantic, simple and all about love and devotion!

Thank you so much for letting us share in your amazing day!!!

I reintroduce Callie and Seth!

The holidays are once again upon us, so what better time to give back and hold a contest for FREE wedding photography!!

There are so many couples out there that have overcome obstacles together.
There are so many couples out there who struggle financially and could use a break.
There are so many couples out there that give their all for others and never ask for anything in return.

It is for those couples, that we want to give back by offering free wedding photography to one deserving couple!
We are so excited to see what the outcome will be and meet the lucky winners!

The Selected Deserving Couple Will Receive

•A Full Day Wedding Photography Coverage
•High Resolution Wedding Day Photos on Disc
•Custom Photo Toning and Processing
•Online Proofing/Private Gallery

How To Enter

Email the following to: info@allisonreisz.com
•The couple’s first and last names.
•Contact info for the both of them.
•Wedding date and planned location
•Their story (How they met, got engaged, and why they deserve this free wedding coverage)
•A picture or two of the couple

(DEADLINE: December 18, 2011 11:59pm EST)

The top 3 deserving couples will be announced here on the blog with their photos and stories on December 25th, 2011 after which readers will have until December 31, 2011 11:59pm EST to vote for their favorite deserving couple. The winning couple will be announced on the blog on January 3, 2012.

The Technicalities (please read):

Your submission must be TRUE. This contest is for couples who have overcome great odds, hardships, or are otherwise deserving of free wedding photography. Weddings must take place during the 2012 year and can be anywhere in the world. If we are already booked for your wedding date, and you are not able to change it, then the winning couple must forfeit the prize and the next qualifying couple will receive the prize. For weddings over 150 miles from Savannah, Georgia, travel fees for two photographers is required to be paid by the winning couple.This giveaway has no cash value. Entries must be submitted no later then December 18, 2011 in order to qualify. Couples may enter themselves or be nominated by another party. However in order to qualify, the nominated couple must be aware of the entry. Past clients, or currently booked clients do not qualify for this giveaway. An email will be sent to the winning couple and if multiple unsuccessful attempts have been made to reach the couple, or for some reason the couple is unable to claim the prize, they will forfeit the prize, and it will be given to the next qualifying couple.

Ryan and Jordan came down from North Carolina to wed on a beautiful Savannah fall evening!

Jordan and Ryan wanted their day to be intimate and about their close friends and family.  They chose the Avia Hotel, in downtown Savannah for this touching affair! The two held their ceremony on The Avia’s rooftop terrace at twilight followed by a charming dinner reception. It was such a romantic location and setup, adorned with so many rustic fall details…

The day came together perfectly, and had every bit of the beautiful and unique touches that represented the love and life of Jordan and Ryan!

Congratulations Guys!

Meet Ryan and Jordan!

Stay tuned for their upcoming full wedding blog!!

Congrats Guys!

Tim and Kate chose Honey Horn Plantation as the venue for their Big Day.  Honey Horn is a historical and beautiful little piece of Hilton Head that has expansive fields, old historic homes, and even backed up to a scenic marsh view.  It was the perfect venue for these two, as it was a “blank slate” where they could chose and control every detail, and that is exactly what Kate, Tim, and Ashley from Ashley Rhodes Events did. Ashley did an incredible job taking Kate and Tim’s vision and making it a reality!

When I asked Kate what was her inspiration for her wedding day, she said that is was antique hydrangeas. She loved how they are not fully just one color, but a mixture of light purples, pinks, greens, browns and whites.  She loved how the nontraditional mixture came together perfectly in the flower.  Tim and Kate also wanted the day to be outside and have the essence of the fall and nature.  These natural elements along with the plantation, was the perfect dream wedding for Kate and Tim, and more importantly really represented the two of them!

The two decided to hold their ceremony under one of the plantation’s giant oak trees.  With the sweeping limbs and Spanish moss above them, Kate and Tim shared their vows complete with laughter, smiles and tears!  After the ceremony concluded, guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d’ oeuvres on the back veranda as we captured some fun and sweet moments of Kate and Tim during the sunset on the marsh.

Guests then made their way along a lantern and pumpkin lined path, to the pavilion.  The pavilion looked rustic and enchanting, lit with twinkle lights and a variety of different shaped tables covered with burlap, candles, and purple, green and of course antique hydrangea flowers!

After an amazing evening, the day concluded with a special toast made by Kate’s father.  Kate’s father, for wedding favors made homemade limoncello! And as he said, just like Kate and Tim’s relationship, the limoncello is both sweet and strong!

Congratulations you two!

Meet Kate and Tim!

Honey Horn Plantation was truly the perfect location for you two.

Congrats Guys!

Along with the super creative minds at Indy Productions, we wanted to come up with a vision for the Trash the Dress Bridal that pushed the limits of whats been seen in the past, but still capture the essence of our couple. I think we did just that with this shoot!

For those that have seen any of the Indy Productions Trash the Dress videos, you know they like to push it to the edge… and for those of you who haven’t, you MUST check them out!

I’m very excited to share this shoot with you and have even included some behind the scenes fun!

On to some of the images… It was soo hard to select…

Our gorgeous bride Skye!

The oh-so talented cinematographers of Indy Productions making it happen…

Now on to a few stills from the shoot!!!

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CLICK HERE for the full video release! If you’ve seen the trailer then you know its a must see!!!

Check out EventDV for a full article on the shoot.