ur ultimate goal as wedding photographers and artistic story tellers is to capture your wedding day in a way that creates emotion from our brides and grooms.  Most often, the first time we see those tears is when you're looking at your wedding pictures for the first time on the screen of our laptop or your computer screen.  That is, until now. 

Last week we had an amazing experience and I'll try to paint the picture in words for you.  We finalized Danielle & Brandon's wedding story by posting over 1,200 wedding images into their online gallery, created an 8 minute high definition slide show to music,  and Deb ( blow-you-away-talented designer of wedding albums) topped it off with an amazing wedding album pre-design.

We loaded all of the wedding images on to an Apple iPad - in well defined Albums (i.e. getting ready, ceremony, reception, etc.), loaded the slideshow in full 720p resolution, and added the wedding album pre-design on the iPad too.  I also created a HD BluRay disc of the slideshow (the reveal tool - as you'll see).  The plan was to meet up with Danielle & Brandon, both sets of parents, and some other interested family members last Friday evening at Danielle's folk's home (beautiful, btw).  We couldn't wait.  

It's so great having customers who are no longer customers, but friends who become fans.  And by friends I mean people you'd welcome in your own home to spend an evening with over dinner.  Deb and I work hard at building these friendships, friends who are fans, never again just customers!

So it was that we found ourselves in the living room of some of our favorite newest friends, eating dinner, talking, having a great time.  And that's when it started.  I took out the DVD and placed it into the BluRay player, pressed play, and for the next 8 minutes, we looked at the faces of 12-15 people, watching their emotion range from tears to grins to flat out laughter as they watched high definition memories unfold on the big screen.  8 minutes of them reliving their own memories of July 10, 2010.  8 minutes of emotion.  

But I won't soon forget the next 20 minutes.  I pulled out the iPad with the wedding album galleries on the screen and placed it in the hands of Danielle's dad (Tony), gave him a couple instructions, and sat back and watched.  The rest of the crowd said "play it again!" (referring to the DVD).  I glanced over at Tony and saw something amazing.  The rest of the clan was reliving the DVD, but not him; he's rifling (swiping) through the huge, crystal clear wedding images on the  iPad's beautiful screen (rivaling print images), all while reliving his only daughter's huge day - again.  This time in private; just he and the iPad Wedding Album Collection.

Then, without even showing him how, Tony started the wedding slideshow video on the iPad.  The whole room stopped and looked over because the very same DVD slideshow they all just watched 3 times on the big screen is now playing on the iPad.  Everyone got up and ran over to his chair in a kind of "you've-got-to-be-kidding" posture, and watched it, again, in high resolution on the iPad - over Tony's shoulder.  Tears, laughs, grins, it happened all over again.  But this time you could see it starting to hit, a kind of "ah ha" moment. I first saw it on Tony's face.  That's when the "moment" happened and it was defined in two words.  He glanced up at me with a grin and said, "how much?"

Over the evening, four Wedding iPad Collection's were purchased, all for family members who realized the value and power of what this amazing device is.  And the truly amazing thing, they weren't purchased to replace the leather albums already included in their wedding package.  They knew you can't replace the beauty and class of an exquisite leather wedding album that will become an heirloom and part of the legacy of the couple.  The iPads were in addition to the printed wedding albums.

Tony, Deena, Tom, Cheryl, Danielle, & Brandon, thank you.  For being open to accepting 21st century technology into of your big day.  Deb and I promise you will NOT - ever - be disappointed with that decision.




We love offering the iPad for our phenomenal couples.  And while NOTHING replaces a fine art leather Wedding album, proudly displaying your amazing story of your wedding day on a device that screams cool is a tremendous way to relive your day - in style.  And talk about portable?  You can go ANYWHERE, and everywhere to proudly display your wedding story.  

The iPad Wedding Album Collection:

It's your story set to music and displayed in a slideshow fashion in rich vivid color on the amazing new Apple iPad.  It's like your holding your wedding pictures in your hands while watching the events of your wedding day unfold on the brilliant screen.  

 
And to top it all off, not only can you view and proudly display your wedding album, but we'll load ALL of your high resolution wedding pictures on your iPad Wedding Album device - allowing you to create your own slideshows of your wedding pictures to proudly display on your coffee table or bookcase for a long time.

Contact us to check on availability and pricing... we can't wait to introduce you to the new iPad Wedding Album Collection

It's just another reason  you're gonna cry happy tears when you see your wedding pictures from GrantDeb Photographers!

harlottesville is one of our most favorite cities, so you can imagine how excited we were when Crystal and Brian chose us to capture their UVA Chapel wedding.  Everywhere you looked there was something beautiful to capture with our cameras, including the wedding party, family and guests. And capturing your UVA Chapel wedding photography was an amazing and beautiful experience, truly.

And after the formals (way too fun) were done, we all headed over to the UVA Alumni Hall to celebrate.  It was a super awesome party.

Crystal and Brian, thank you for the honor of celebrating your wedding day. It began like a whirlwind, and was filled with love, beauty and laughter. We trust that as you see your images, the story of your day will come rushing back and you will experience that joy all over again! 

Ceremony: UVA Chapel
Reception: UVA Alumni Hall
Bridal Gown: Priscilla of Boston - Melissa Sweet
Catering: Glorious Foods
Floral Design: Couture Design, Crozet VA.
DJ: Jake Ritchie of Dream Day DJs 

t was a beautiful, balmy Summer day at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens when Kristen and her Father walked down the bricked garden path. Amidst the lush gardens, she pledged her heart to Ian, the love of her life.  Even though the temps were over 100 degrees that day, outdoor weddings are a true joy to capture. Nothing beats the warm evening glow that reflects off the water and peeks past the trees... well, maybe an ice-cold lemonade! ;)

Ceremony + Reception - Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens
Event Planning - McBride Events
Catering - Meriwether Godsey Catering
Acoustic Guitarist - Bobby Simpson 

he Tide's Inn in Irvington, Virginia is such a perfect place for a wedding. The day we arrived, the skies were blue, the clouds were fluffy and a slight breeze kept everyone comfortable as they prepared for the day's events. Sara and Jeff's ceremony was set up on the lush green croquet lawn, overlooking the waters of the Northern Neck.  A perfect day, for a perfect couple that surrounded themselves with all the things they hold dear... family, friends, water, boats and yes, even the Red Sox. Living on the water prepares you for storms, and one started brewing fast as we were just finishing up the group photos after their ceremony. Most guests took cover, but as wedding photographers, we know that those precious minutes right before the clouds give way will yield some of the most spectacular lighting nature has to offer.  It was, and we captured it... just in time for the Bride and Groom to literally run for shelter. 

At first, Sara was a little shaken, after all, they had planned sunset photos, and a vintage boat farewell after their reception.  But as quickly as the storm arrived, it left, and after dinner we managed to squeeze in the tail end of a beautiful sunset.  Sara and Jeff ended the day just as perfect as it began as they waved goodbye to all their family and friends and sailed off into the watery night. 

And be certain to check out the HD Tides Inn Wedding Photography Slideshow of Sara & Jeff HERE


This young girl was following her mom back to the pool, when she quite suddenly noticed the wedding. I love how Grant captured her too... foot tilted, fingers clenched, dripping wet and dreaming of the day when she will wear such a beautiful gown to marry her Prince. ;)


This next photo is credited to our super fab awesome assistant, Amanda Potter (we think she rocks!)


I love this next pic. Told the girls to "throw their flowers up in the air BUT TOTALLY MAKE CERTAIN they could CATCH them." Looks like everybody paid attention... but what is Sara doing?  So funny cause she looks like she's waving "bye bye" to her's and throwing them to someone in the next city.  She didn't catch hers on the way down. Way funny.

ith all the vibrant colors and rich textures, Indian Weddings are truly a feast for the eyes! The following ceremony for Ruchi and Jonathan took place in South Hill, Virginia and occurred on Day 2 of our coverage (see day one - The Garba - HERE).

One of the things Grant and I have learned from capturing our share of these beautiful cultural weddings is that you must stay alert at all times; there is no down time during any part of the ceremony. Each ritual is significant and must be captured no matter what it takes to get the shot!  It's a photojournalist's dream and a photographer's paradise. At times, it can be chaotic, but the splendid display of culture being played out is worth the energy it takes to capture such an event.  I found it extra helpful that the priest explained all of the steps they were performing as he went along. While he took his role seriously, the weddings guests seemed to appreciate the humor he sprinkled along the way. In fact, it brought laughter and smiles to faces... and we all know that a happy face is a beautiful face!