Venue: SC Aquarium
Catering: Duvall
Ahh, Danielle and Steve.
I know these photography blogs get cliche after a while. Everyone’s wedding was A-MAZING, the couple was A-MAZING, the venue was A-MAZING! But what if that really IS the case? sigh. Well, this time, it is!
I met these two downtown one warm afternoon. They talked about their relationship and experiences and the way they felt about one another was rather evident. That’s always been a stick in the gut for me.. SEEING (photographer = visual) the chemistry between two people.
Steve is an architect – their apartment is filled with fantastic art that he has lining the walls, I found this out when I shot their engagements there. Danielle is one of those people who know how to live in the moment instead of recalling a great moment when it’s a memory. She was adamant about wanting to capture their first apartment in their photos, which I’d never been asked before. It really showed how much she cared about the memories they would soon be making, and I thought what a cool couple to be this artistic and forward thinking about their relationship. This encompasses, to me, their artistic style and nature. The non motorized bikers they are, had someone sketch this for them from their engagment pics! Cute!!
One thing that stands out for me when I think back to this awesome day is 1. Erica and I arrived at the location Danielle was getting ready. She hadn’t yet made it there quite yet. Her parents had rented a house downtown and she had all her accessories and her dress at the house awaiting her arrival. As in any event, when I arrive, it’s a new location, new people, new faces and I don’t know exactly where anything is initially. I find a distant, beautiful room upstairs with shiny accessories laying on a table; pearl necklace, earrings, bracelet, feathery hair accessories….. they must be hers for the wedding, I didn’t see the shoes ( one of the things I tend to find myself looking for first each and every wedding ), everything else was here, I thought, the shoes MUST be here too. Off in a corner are these BRIGHT teal green heels.
HOT! I was thinking ‘if those are my brides shoes, I’m a happy photographer!’ but as to not waste time, I find the nearest body who can help me, I ask where Danielle’s dress and accessories are. I explain to her what I’d found in the other room and my suspicions were that they could have been Danielle’s? I didn’t want to expend too much precious time not getting Danielle’s details if they weren’t hers. ‘No’ said her sister. ‘Danielle would never wear those shoes.’ heart sank. Ok. Well, that saves me from photographing some random person’s shoes, saves me time, I suppose. As time started to pass, and more and more people began to muster through out the house, I finally asked in a large group setting where Danielle’s shoes and accessories were. ‘Right here!’ someone yelled, I spun around………… they were holding……………the teal green heels! (big huge photographer grin). See, Danielle threw many of us for a loop. I think everyone knew her as a simple anthropologie type girl who shocked everyone — Danielle knew it was her big day to shine into the atmosphere and boy, did she EVER!
The other memorable event of the day was: (drumroll please) . I had been in the hospital for an emergency procedure 2 days before their wedding and I was discharged at 11am their wedding day and arrived at their wedding venue by 330pm. 
I had to say I wasn’t 100%, Erica helped me tremendously.. God knows the love I have and the fortune I found by having her.. AND Danielle and Steve were overly gracious…..willing to take pictures at any given moment that I knew lighting was stellar and just perfect. There was no complaining about how hot it was, about taking too many pics, it was complete and utter trust that their pictures were going to be phenomenal and I can never tell you how crucial that is to the achievement of great images. I’ve said from day one that it’s a fusion of great talent and creativity from the photographer, but also willing and gracious subjects. Thanks again for trusting us, guys! Even when I wasn’t 100%, I wanted to bend over backwards 100x for you and make sure you had the best images I could possibly produce.
Now, out of the mouth of babes here is Danielle and Steve’s guest blog. Thank you for writing this for us. We wish you the best of everything and I hope to see you when you want to shoot your 1 yr Anniversary pics, and then your baby pics…..and then your boudoir pics…… 
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danielle & steve
-lucky number seven-
Steve & I had been together seven years when we finally tied the knot. Many can’t understand how I waited so long for him to ask. I believe that everything happens for a reason – I knew it would happen when it was meant to & there was no need to force it. I do believe that it all fell in to place exactly as it should have. They say good things come to those who wait & my patience has definitely paid off. I am lucky to have fallen in love with my best friend & excited to share the journey of our lives together.
-cliché, but true-
It sounds cliché, but our wedding day was truly amazing. We were so fortunate to have our family & friends – near & far – travel to Charleston to celebrate us! In fact, our entire week was filled with fun leading up to the big day. We had family & friends trickling into town from across the country to share in our celebration – it was great to spend all that time together and we feel so loved. You always hear that the wedding day goes by so quick that you don’t get to spend as much time with everyone as you hoped. I can say this was definitely true & is the only thing I would have changed about that day if I could have. The day felt so short & the time flew by so fast. We were grateful to enjoy the company of family & friends the days prior and in the short, but sweet time at our wedding. We had such an incredible time from seeing the personal touches we put into our ceremony & reception come to life – to the nonstop dancing into the night. My feet hurt so much the next morning, I knew we had had a fun & memorable night!
-tomme & erica-
When we started our search for a photographer, we googled around and asked friends for recommendations. When we stumbled across Tomme Hilton Gallery, there was a spark about the work that left us wanting more. When we decided to move forward, it was one of the best decisions we’ve made. Not only have our engagement & wedding photographs blown us away, but these are precious images we will have for the rest of our lives to hold onto the memories of our special day. We have had so many compliments on the photos – they are truly incredible. Not only that, but Tomme & Erica have such fun & energetic personalities, they make it so easy & fun! (Side Note: I couldn’t believe when Tomme told me a few weeks later that she had been discharged from the hospital the morning of our wedding – to see the smile & cheer she expressed that day, you couldn’t have guessed it!)
-thank you-
Thank you Tomme & Erica for providing us with priceless, tangible memories of our perfect day – we are so grateful!
- d & s
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My heart is so full. Thank you. Forever you will be a part of my memorable moments! xo
by Tomme
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