From 1994...A Friend Request and Now the Wedding!!!!

We always see on TV or in the movies how a couple dates, separates and then fate brings them back to together.  Well, Vanielle and Ray are a real world example of how fate, with the help of Facebook, got a couple back together.

I'm only going to give you the Cliffnotes version.....Ray and Van met back in 1994 when both were still in high school.  Ray the jock and Van the cheerleader.  There was a little crush going on and the couple was set up by mutual friends. A "young love crush" grew but like most it didn't last.  So, life happens, things move on and years pass by. 

Now it's time to get you up to date.  Ray opens a Facebook account and started catching up with old friends.  There was one friend that he needed to find.  First a message, then a friend request.  "ACCEPTED".  Ray and Van started talking again as if time hadn't past.  To keep this to the Cliffnotes version, I'm going to let you fill in the blanks.  But I will tell you that wedding bells are ringing and the couple will become one very soon!

The Morgan's......Robin and Scott

Many of us want all of our friends and family to enjoy in our big event....Of course I'm talking about the wedding!  The Morgan's choose to go a different route.  How about the immediate family only.  Yep....That's it.  Only ten people but it was absolutely perfect.  Robin and Scott had a very quant but beautiful ceremony.  Knowing what I know about this couple, that was surprising.  These two travel to more concerts than anyone I know.  I thought they would get married at a Dave Matthews Band concert (inside joke)! 

 Here's a couple of pictures of the newly married.  I hope you enjoy.

Taren and Sargon....Done in Six Weeks!

How many times have you said, "I really need to start doing things my way"?  Well, here's the story of two people that did.  Sargon and Taren did their wedding their way.  The two of them had big wedding plans.  The huge church, hundreds of guests, flowers, sit down reception, band, etc.  But six weeks ago they scratched all of those plans.  Feeling like the wedding had become an event for everyone else, they canceled all of the previous plans and went simple.  Taren and Sargon just wanted to get married and enjoy the day with a small group of family and friends.

Big wedding party?? No more.  Just the bride, the groom, a bridesmaid and best man.  That was it for the wedding party.  No flower girl or ring bearer, no flowers or candles. From 400 guests down to 75.  Reception??  No "reception" but a party in the back room for their favorite restaurant. 

A short, yet beautiful ceremony to an all out party.  That's what they wanted so that's what they got. 

My Twelve Days of Christmas!!!!

Ahh, the holidays!!!  Santa has come and gone.  I must have been pretty good last year because I got a bunch of good toys.  It was great getting to see family and friends even though I had to run all over the place.  Twelve days, three states....I needed a vacation from the vacation!  First, it was off to Raleigh, then to ATL, and lastly it was Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.

Ugh, Raleigh?!?!...Really!?!  Eight inches of snow on Christmas day?!?!  Now, that was a huge surprise. I can hardly recall ever seeing a snowfall in December and never a "White Christmas".  Can't say I thought it would happen but was definitely nice change. 

The day after Christmas it was off to Atlanta.  We went there to visit my wife's family.  It was great seeing them and since I had my camera...well....I had to go get some shots in!  A family friend took me to a cemetery to do some shooting.  Yeah, I know.  I thought is was weird too!  But is was actually pretty interesting.  We went to Oakland Cemetery which is the oldest in the city.  Over 70,000 people are buried there.  It's one the only cemeteries from that time that had the wealthy, poor, white and black, buried in the same place.  Some notables are Bobby Jones (golfer), Maraget Mitchell Marsh (Author, Gone with the Wind), and Rev. Frank Quarles (helped establish Spelman College).   Too many interesting facts to list, so look for yourself  at www.oaklandcemetery.com. 



3,600 "Unknown" Confederate Soldiers








To finish out my holiday, why not go skiing in Wisconsin?  We were planning to celebrate a friend's birthday, go skiing, etc, etc.  Plus, we'd never been to Lake Geneva. Sounded like a great idea.  Only one problem....you gotta have snow to go snow skiing!  51 degrees and rain.  All the snow that was there was washed away.  We still made the most of it.  A little shopping, dinner out, etc. I got to see people ice fishing.  Being out on a frozen lake was not too appealing. 

Downtown Lake Geneva

  


Lake Geneva, WI





Geneva National Golf Resort



 

Look at the frozen lake



Over the last several weeks I've been re-working my website.  Stop by http://www.vicledan.com/ and tell me what you think about the new look.

Nothing Finer Than To Be In Carolina!

Everyone knows the saying, "there's no place like home".  And that is exactly how I feel about North Carolina.  I try and make it back to North Carolina every chance I get!  And when the holidays come around I definitely try and make it back.  This Thanksgiving was no different.  My wife and I (along with my camera) made it back to see family and friends.  Lots of laughs, lots of food.  Just a good time all together.  Ahh, just a side note...it's amazing how much weight you can gain over a couple of days!

Ok, I'm back.  The few days I was back I went to Fayetteville (my wife's hometown),  Raleigh (to see mom)and Rocky Mount (gotta see the family).  And while at home I wanted to take a few pictures.  One thing that I have recently realized is that things are a lot nicer when you take the time to appreciate them.  Looking for things to photograph makes me stop, evaluate, and appreciate the beauty in things that I've overlooked for years.
  



Fayetteville's Market House



My wife - Tiffany



Downtown Fayetteville

 I lived in Fayetteville for a short time years ago but I never remember Fayetteville looking so cool!  Here's a few pics in and around Raleigh.



Downtown "Raleighwood"









City Market



Another Fall day







At Shelley Lake

Chiffon, my sister-in-law, wanted some pictures of her and Dylan to send out in Christmas cards.  So here are a couple of pictures of her and my nephew. 

Dylan, aka "Dillie Willie"

Chiffon and Dylan



The place that I did not get to go to was Chapel Hill.  Ahh, how I miss that place.  I want to do a photoshoot around the UNC campus over the Christmas holidays.  But I need a volunteer or volunteers.  Any takers??  Post a comment here or reply via Facebook.

Also, please go to http://www.vicledan.com/ and check out some of my new pics.  Look at the rest of Chiffon and Dylan's as well as "Tiff's Boys". These are two of the more recent sessions that I've conducted.  Let me know what you think.  I also will have a totally re-done site soon so stay tuned.  It's something I've been working on it for awhile and would love some feedback.  Thanks in advance.  



Sticks and Balls....Sand and Water!!!!!

Golf clubs and golf balls....The Beach and the Ocean!  Every year around the first of November I organize a golf trip with some friends.  It's nothing huge...lots of golf, good food and drinks, and some late nights hanging out.  Just a few guys getting together to have a little fun.   The last few years we've gone to Myrtle Beach, SC.  It is where we were this year too.  And of course, I had to have a camera close by!!!

When I was growing up my mother would take me to Myrtle Beach every summer.  That was "the summer vacation".  I don't remember Myrtle Beach being so pretty.  Ok, hold on.  By no means is it the Caribbean but it's not so bad.  Maybe I am just getting older (keep your smart comments to yourself!!) and appreciating the small things more.  Whatever it is I enjoyed my time there.

I started this off by telling you this was an annual golf trip.  So here are some action shots.  We named this series, "The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly".  I'll let you figure out what swing gets what title!



Pre-round Meal!



Vic "Got it!" Daniel



Derek "You see my ball?" Hall



Brandon "I'm Feeling Good Right Now" Best

 



Kyle "Follow it, Follow it" Jones



Larry "On the Beach" Wilson





Ron "Whack a Mole" Parson

 Next year's trip is already in the works.  We're taking this trip to Orlando!  If you want to come along just let me know.  The more the better!  Sorry ladies...the golf trip is guys only. 

Also, check out my website. www.vicledan.com.  I updated it with a few new pics.  Let me know what you think about the new stuff.  Thanks for taking the time to stop by.