Jill and Tony lived in Iowa, but knew they wanted their wedding somewhere further away. So they planned a beautiful Monday afternoon wedding at Lake Lure, right by the Rumbling Bald Resort golf course. Of course, no amount of planning can predict the unexpected, and the rain swooped in briefly on their day. Fortunately we still were able to pull off a sweet first look between Jill, Tony, and their beautiful little girl, and the rain let up so they could still have their lakeside ceremony.

Before the reception, we slipped across the lake for some pre-reception shots (of the alcoholic variety). Now here at McCardell Photography, we would never consider ourselves particularly heroic. Reliable, fun, creative? Sure. But heroic? Nah… until this day. When the pontoon boat we were riding across began to take on water, our heroism just kicked in. Jonathan stood near the front of the boat, and when it suddenly stopped, he found himself in knee-deep water inside the boat (with camera in tow!) But just as suddenly, the bride, too, started to slip, and he reached out and saved her with ONE HAND, preventing full dress immersion, and never once dropping the camera! So, we may not consider ourselves heroic… but the bridal party sure did! It was a pretty epic moment we intend to retell for many years to come. :P

Despite the weather and the mid-day partial swim in the lake, the reception was a blast, even if Jonathan did shoot the rest of it with wet shoes and socks! The night ended with giant smiles and the biggest hugs EVER!