My daughter Jordana Noelle is pictured just before walking down the aisle on Saturday, May 2 at her friends' home in Savannah, Georgia.
Jordana's stepfather David escorted her down the aisle. Here he steps aside, as the marriage vows begin.
Jordana and Keith recite their marriage vows, including a poem by Kahlil Gibran.
The happy couple. Jordana designed her own dress, made of dotted Swiss bought in New York. Her espadrilles are Christian Louboutin.
A private moment.
Jordana's friend Alisa pours champagne brought from Paris into French crystal champagne flutes, a gift from the bride's parents.
Jordana takes a break after the initial wedding festivities.
Evening in Savannah, with Spanish moss dripping from the trees.
Chinese lanterns illuminate the wedding celebration.
Even a decorative birdcage is lit with votive candles. Jordana's friend Sarah, who is in charge of creative displays for a popular retail store in Madison, Wisconsin, decorated the birdcage and draped the wooden arch with tulle and lights. The groom's stepfather built the arch. He presented it to Jordana's friends, as thanks for hosting the wedding.
The guestbook with handmade paper from Paris, enhanced with flecks of gold and glitter and an 18th-century French tulle and satin jewelry pillow.
First dance, as the disc jockey plays Van Morrison's "Into the Mystic."
Cutting the cake.
The cake is from Florida; assorted cupcakes are from a bakery in Savannah and napkins are from Paris. Tables were decorated with colorful floral tablecloths from Anthropologie and centered with bouquets of purple tulips, Jordana's favourite flower. About 50 friends and family members from all across the United States (and France) joined in the wedding celebration, including two of Jordana's former classmates at the American School of Paris.
Jordana and their dog, wearing a bowtie for the occasion.
Thank you all for your warm wishes for Jordana and Keith!
Update Saturday, May 9: And a special thank you to David (pictured with his trusty Nikon) who has been a wonderful father to Jordana. He has been very supportive of her accomplishments. He also helped me keep my sanity in the flurry of last-minute wedding preparations and travel arrangements.
While in Savannah, David made a few side trips for bird-watching and has some fantastic photos of birds and alligators (!), that I'll be posting next week.
And seven years ago today, we got married in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Tonight, we'll celebrate at dinner with champagne, a 1998 Chateau de Chantegrive Bordeaux and duck with sour cherries, cooked by the resident Chef, of course! And he brought me white roses, my favourite.
How in the world did I miss all this!! Best wishes for everyone! xoxo
Posted by: Rosa | 08 June 2009 at 18:09
Tara,
What a beautiful wedding.. a beautiful dress and a beautiful bride - it's like a page from a fairytale.
I hope you and David had a very Happy Anniversary.. all around it looks like it was a wonderful day.
Much love.
Posted by: holli | 26 May 2009 at 04:47
Sending love (and catching up!) ...wonderful photographs my dear.
xx,
JP/deb
Posted by: JanePoet ~ JP/deb | 23 May 2009 at 20:29
Beautiful wedding. jordana looks so beautiful . I'm jealous of her Louboutin espadrilles.Congrats for their couple , they look perfect. And a little bit late Happy anniversary
Posted by: Mélanie Aussandon | 19 May 2009 at 10:37
Such beautiful photos of a beautiful couple. It looks like it was a very special day indeed. My warmest congratulations, Tara. And my belated congratulations to you for your wedding anniversary. Wishing you many more years of happiness together.
Posted by: Carolien | 17 May 2009 at 10:52
What a beautiful couple - over many long years, may they grow old together in love and harmony.
Posted by: Cath | 17 May 2009 at 10:01
This is beautiful
Posted by: Kay | 13 May 2009 at 23:41
Best wishes to Keith and Jordana! Such a wonderful celebration of love and family. I'll always remember their wedding day. They share it with my late husband Michael's birthday. :)
Posted by: Mary | 13 May 2009 at 00:10
Absolutely wonderful wedding photos, Tara! Jordana looked positively radiant! A lovely wedding. I wish the bride and groom a lifetime of happiness.
And happy anniversary to you and David! My love to you both.
Posted by: Nancy Sotham | 12 May 2009 at 16:15
she is a b e a u t y
(she looks like you Tara!)
the photo's are gorgeous and they look
so happy together
and cupcakes!
cutting the cupcakes is far more delightful
beautiful photo's ~ weddings always make me cry
aaaand
her dress is stunning but ohhhhh i LOVE her shoes!
Posted by: maddie | 12 May 2009 at 15:33
Sigh..so romantic and beautiful! This kind of lovely, intimate, simple but elegant wedding is so memorable for all.
They are a beautiful couple, and I wish them every happiness!
Thank you for sharing this happy family occasion :) It certainly made me smile!
Posted by: Becca | 11 May 2009 at 22:52
What a beautiful wedding Tara!
Jordana and Keith look so happy and radiant!
Thank you for sharing these photos. Jordana's dress looks like perfection.
Like how she wore espadrilles too, she's cool.
Happy Anniversary to you and David!
May the stars all continue to sparkle around and within you!
xox
Constance
Posted by: Rochambeau | 11 May 2009 at 21:32
Oh Tara what a beautiful pair and quaint wedding. Happy Anniversary/Mother's Day. BIG HUG!
Posted by: Tammy | 11 May 2009 at 19:06
Congrats to you Tara - the photos are wonderful. You must be so pleased.
xo
Posted by: judy wilkenfeld | 11 May 2009 at 14:04
Congratulations! It looks like it was a lovely wedding and the bride was just beautiful. You must be very proud.
Posted by: Linda | 11 May 2009 at 08:04
Tara ~ my goodness... your daughter is stunning. Every little detail oozes beauty, simplicity, elegance. You must be so proud.
Congratulations to the lovely couple.. and to you and your hubby: Happy Anniversary. xo
Posted by: Bella | 11 May 2009 at 04:09
Perfection! The dress is fantastic! You must be bursting with motherly pride. I love the tulip bouquet and the lanterns (during the day and night). Beautiful beautiful.
Posted by: dutchbaby | 11 May 2009 at 00:46
Oh how beautiful! What a lovely occasion for your daughter and your entire family. Congrats! And of course, Happy Anniversary to you as well. May seems to be a good month, huh? ;)
Posted by: Lisa S | 10 May 2009 at 21:00
What beautiful photos of a beautiful couple on their beautiful wedding day. The look, the feel, the smiles and the glow are just perfection in every way. I have always favored an intimate setting for a wedding like....I just love those lanterns and fairy lights. Jordana's dress was gorgeous. Boy they are two very good looking people!
Happy belated anniversary to you and David as well!
XOXOXOXO
Posted by: Lisa Swifka | 10 May 2009 at 19:34
Tara, what a beautiful wedding, the couple sparkles as did the evening! How very sweet to be married on the same day/weekend as you...Congratulations to all of you...
x..x
Posted by: stephanie | 10 May 2009 at 18:27
Oh, it was so magical!! Jordana and Keith are gorgeous creatures ---Jordana certainly came by her looks honestly ;D. David looks absolutely smashing, too. Well done, Mother of the Bride! I just posted a link to this post on MY post about a Savannah wedding, too.
Happy Mother's Day and belated Happy Anniversary to you and David!
Xoxo,
Louise
Posted by: Laurelines | 10 May 2009 at 17:44
She looks beautiful!
And a very, very happy wedding anniversary to you:-)
Posted by: Maryam | 10 May 2009 at 16:17
Tara,
Like the blooms of spring, nothing compares with new love celebrated.
rel
Posted by: rel | 10 May 2009 at 13:51
Jordana looks fabulous, love all the little touches
and
Happy Anniversary to you both.
Di and Harvey
xx
Posted by: Di Overton | 10 May 2009 at 12:00
Being still a "jeune marié" myself, I so enjoyed seeing this glimpse into Jordana's special day. She looked so beautiful and so happy. I really loved having my wedding at home (my sister's) although we did our ceremony indoors with air conditioning since it was a humid July day in NJ. Our first dance was to "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes". Thanks for sharing and I'll bet you're still on a high from the entire thing!
Posted by: The Bold Soul | 10 May 2009 at 11:36
She looks happy, I'm glad.
xx
M
Posted by: Marianne | 10 May 2009 at 06:54
Tara! Such pride and happiness in this post a tribute to your precious
daughter's wedding day! What a beautiful bride a lovely couple..wishing them a
lifetime of happiness!
Congratulations to you and to David! Happy Anniversary!! Happy Mother's Day!
A toast to all of you! Cheers! aNNa xo
Posted by: naturegirl | 10 May 2009 at 01:44
Happy Anniversary!
It looked like a lovely wedding too.
xo
Posted by: Di | 09 May 2009 at 18:10
Dear Tara,
How lovely...the happy couple so glowing and relaxed. Blessing on them and best wishes on your anniversary. Thank you so much for sharing their moment....
Missy from the bayou
Posted by: missy | 09 May 2009 at 17:46
Lovely photos and lovely wedding!! Congrats to all of you xo
Posted by: My Melange | 09 May 2009 at 17:29
I just came back to look at the beautiful wedding pictures again, and I find this lovely update. Happy Anniversary, my sweet friend. You and David enjoy that beautiful dinner together... and throw a Barry White or Luther Vandross c.d on! : )
Love to you both.
Posted by: Christina | 09 May 2009 at 15:04
It's all so very wonderful, just lovely. Magical. And such a handsome couple. A fairytale wedding, I hope it's a fairytale life for them of living happily ever after.
Posted by: gladys | 09 May 2009 at 14:08
Jordana is so luminous!! and...they're a gorgeous couple, Tara.
Vive l'amour and all my best wishes to the newly weds...Lots of joy and love!
re brocantes..i gather you had quite some fun at Bastille!
:-)
Posted by: my castle in spain | 09 May 2009 at 11:31
Wow! What a beautiful celebration, love all the lighting, the dress, having it in a back garden. Looks like it was an amazing and happy day. Congratulations!
Posted by: Katherine | 09 May 2009 at 10:35
Your daughter and her groom look soooo happy in those photos. What a romantic and lovely wedding it must have been in that beautiful setting! Best wishes to them both.
Posted by: Sue | 09 May 2009 at 09:27
You have captured some magic moments within a very special time! Your daughter's dress is so unique and certainly suits her beautifully!
Congratulations to all!
Posted by: Gemma | 09 May 2009 at 07:29
So lovely, charming and enchanting and all the more special because of the love directed towards the photographer! Thank you for allowing us to be part of the this very special day. What a great place to have the wedding, glad they included the dog! Love that kind of simple sweet expression. Jordana is absolutely stunning. All the best to them both. smooches and smooches
Posted by: Leau | 09 May 2009 at 06:54
Beautiful photos, they will be treasured memories for years to come
Posted by: Catherine | 09 May 2009 at 05:44
How romantic! I love it--the lanterns, the lights, the photos, the flowers, the outdoors. An the dress-- just beautiful! I can't help but wonder what my own daughters' weddings will be like. (Though the little one reminds me that she may not want to get married. Oh, well...)
Posted by: RD | 09 May 2009 at 05:38
How completely lovely... and all of the little touches: the birdcage, the cupcakes, the adorable shoes! What a completely tender and original wedding. You did a wonderful job as a photographer mom! Congratulations.
Posted by: tangobaby | 09 May 2009 at 05:14
Such beautiful photos - and setting -- such a lovely couple on such a happy day!
I love that the arch was handmade by a family member - and all of the sweet decorative, sentimental and romantic touches - the bird cage and the lanterns, and the little tulle pillow - everything and everyone, looks just gorgeous!
Hope you've been able to get some R&R, after all the travel and excitement, Tara.
Congratulations, again to all!
XOXOXO
p.s. we're in countdown mode, now - only a week from Sunday! Boy, the time really flies, doesn't it?! Makes me think of 'Sunrise, Sunset' - how is it possible our little girls grew up, this quickly - sigh...But I guess that's what they're meant to do - we give them wings - then they fly!
Bisous xOx
Posted by: tinker | 09 May 2009 at 04:30
Oh and Tara, the next time you go to Savannah I'll meet you there. We'll tour the city and eat peach cobbler and take photos of the riverboats. I love that city sooo much!!!
Your photo of the moss in the trees is splendid. Makes me want to go back.
xo
miss you!
Posted by: Gillian daSilva | 09 May 2009 at 03:46
OMG they look like movie stars!!!!!!! Tara she glowed, she looked exquisite and the young man looks like a prince out of fairy tale. I am wishing them the very best from the bottom of my heart. Many years of happiness and a ton of babies!
Posted by: Yoli | 09 May 2009 at 03:43
A magical scene, replete with sheer gorgeousness eminating from the bride and groom!
I LOVE all the little touches that personalized this event and made it uniquely theirs...the satin antique pillows, the lanterns, the custom-made Shalhoub gown!!! (Gotta get me one :)
Gibran, wow. Words fail me. That and Van Morrison were what made this very elegant affair a down-to-Earth one too.
A virtual toast! To the entire Bradford-Holmes/Shalhoub family...for their generosity in sharing with us their most precious of occasions.
Wishing Jordana and Keith every happiness.
xoxoxo
Posted by: Gillian daSilva | 09 May 2009 at 03:43
She looks very beautiful and happy. And you did a great job with the photos, Mom! Many blessings to her.
:)
Posted by: amber | 09 May 2009 at 03:28
Beautiful wedding...!! Your daughter looks absolutely radiant! I too had a Gibran poem read at my wedding 16 years ago... Best wishes to both of them!
Isabel
Posted by: Isabel ~ Maison Douce | 09 May 2009 at 02:33
Oh my, just breathtaking! I have tears. You did an exceptional job on the photos. You brought us right in, with you intimate captures.
Like mama, like daughter- She has a friend in Wisconsin too. Wink.
I love ya.
PS: Bliss~
Posted by: Christina | 09 May 2009 at 02:18
Tara,
Thank you so much for sharing this marvelous event with us. I am certain that everyone of your readers shed a tear or two. Now I know why weddings are often celebrated in the spring, for the wonderful renewal of all things wonderful!
Cheers,
Patricia
Posted by: Patricia | 09 May 2009 at 02:09
Absolutely beautiful...the happy, beautiful couple...the gorgeous photos...the wedding that looks like it was such a happy occasion! How lovely in every way! Thanks for sharing the wedding with us and for taking such great photos. Wishing them the very best!
Helen
Posted by: Helen | 09 May 2009 at 01:44
What a gorgeous bride and handsome groom! Jordana's dress is exquisite. They certainly make a striking couple, and they look radiant. And what a beautiful day for a wedding! How lucky could you get? Thank you for sharing such a joyous and intimate moment with your readers. I love the lights and the chinese lanterns.
Posted by: MiddleAgedWomanBlogging | 09 May 2009 at 00:38