The Curry-Butner Wedding at Saratoga Springs in Saratoga, Calif… a beautiful setting for a really gorgeous wedding.
Being able to be part of the Nicole’s and Rob’s weekend was awesome. I’ve known Nicole for 12 years… TWELVE.YEARS.
Crazy right? I met Nicole back when we worked at Paramount’s Great America. It’s a theme park and we both worked in the Entertainment department. She was a dancer and performer, and that particular season I was part of the Special Events technician crew. Nicole was part of the Nickelodeon show, a show that I was a performer in for two years prior to her joining the cast. And I’m really disappointed that I don’t currently have copies of my photos from those years with me. They’re all back home in SoCal on my storage and archive drives. So sadly I won’t be able to share those with you guys – though I’m sure Nicole is breathing a sigh of relief right now that there are no Nickelodeon or Scooby show photos posted up. Haha!
But they exist. ; ) ha!
I always had a lot of fun memories of working with Nicole those many years ago during that season. I also rode along with her down to Disney one time with another co-worker Nikki to join the rest of the Nick cast for a weekend at Disneyland in Anaheim. We even ended up in the parade as the guest-performers who danced along with the various characters.
..wait… WAIT!
OH MAN. I just found TWO photos from that trip on a folder on my server that I thought might have a couple images. Yesssss… hahaha!
So the left photo is all of us at the Sword in the Stone anvil. I’m on the top left and Nicole over on the right obviously. And the other photo is Nicole and Max (Goofy’s son) in the parade. One of our friends at the time recorded the parade with my camera so that’s a video still, actually. Woo!
Anyway, over the years as we all grew up I’ve been bouncing all over the world, country, and state but we’ve both kept up on what the other was up to. When Rob proposed to Nicole she said that I was among the first people she wanted to get in touch with to see if I was available to come to the Bay Area and shoot her wedding! Always so very flattering.
I finally got to meet Rob a few months back when we all went out to dinner. Wait, that was the first time we met, right? I think so… Honestly seeing their posts about running, and my joking that they should be in SoCal so I can train with them, etc has made it seem like I already knew Rob.. And certainly made it feel like far less than five or six years (at least) since I had seen Nicole in person the last time.
As their wedding weekend approached it was fun to see/hear Nicole’s excitement escalate in her messages/emails as we went over just a few last details as things got closer. Sometimes people get stressed out.. but that certainly wasn’t the case with Nicole. And I honestly think her excitement made me that much more excited as well.
The entire weekend was a blast. The ceremony was beautiful. Nicole looked amazing in her dress and Rob was super sharp in his new suit.
As always I’m going to share more in the captions below. So, click the break. Read on! And check out nearly 400 images from Nicole and Rob’s wedding at Saratoga Springs!!
It’s a lot. I know. But, I know that there are those who will look at every photo, and those who don’t want to can scroll to the moments they want to see ;)
Enjoy everyone!
Everyone has arrived at the venue and the ladies are getting some direction on how things are going to go down
Nicole waiting with her mom for their moment to practice their walk down the aisle
Balloons are a go!
No flowers today for practice… but, hey… balloons!
Practicing the ring
These two were giggling and laughing the whole time…
Second full walk through with the flower girls! Smiles are on point!
Practice kiss?
Nope! Rob went for the hug! Nicole got denied!
Though they did practice their high five and heel grab…
There was also talk about maybe doing the Kid’n’Play as well
Downtown Saratoga for rehearsal dinner
Discussing big hair? Someone’s mind was blown? …who knows?!? hahaha
“It is a comfortable 73 degrees in here!”
Mr. Butner welcoming everyone and giving a quick toast to his son and new daughter-in-law-to-be
Mrs. Butner also said a few words
Rob and Nicole later got up to thank everyone as well
Comparing the guns! #BEASTMODE
Starting the morning off with friends… and Friends.
Vanessa was killing her fingers getting extensions ready for her sister though
Anethra was the first up for makeup
Ian arrived for get started on the ladies hair for the day
celebration toast for the morning!
Things start to get serious..
Vanessa watching Nicole get made up
Selfie! Everyone was in instagramming throughout the rehearsal and the wedding day.
#ButnerPartyOf2
Gotta get those curls ready
Tools.
I wonder if my confusion looking at this is what you guys feel when I hand you any of my cameras…
Nicole’s ring box was the Adventure Book from Disney’s UP!
Ian telling Nicole that when she takes the veil off it will mess up her hair, and to come find him and he’ll touch it up for her
Downstairs the guys were starting to get ready.
“It’s really weird to have a guy photographing you gettin ready in the bathroom, John..” – Rob
“Take this picture!” -Anthony
To explain the joke a bit… the previous night I told Rob I’ll come shoot when he’s getting his shirt and jacket on. Anthony and the guys immediately started laughing and asked if they could have pants on or not. Hahaha
Getting the bow-ties ready
Adjusting the tie for that perfect dimple
Celebration toast with the guys
Afterward I ran back upstairs because I knew that Nicole was waiting for me to photograph her dress before she put it on
Mrs. Butner!
Mom was there to help her oldest daughter get zipped up
Already all smiles!
Now for some touchups on the makeup before we head down for first look
Had to get some portraits of Nicole looking amazing before we ran out the door though!
Piled in the elevator and heading downstairs
Ready for first look!
“YOU READY FOR THIS!?!” yells Nicole at Rob
“Hey you wore the vest!” – Nicole
enjoying their moment together after first look. Most of the family was off to the side watching and taking photos
I had a whole photo crew as backup that I didn’t even know about!
#ButnerPartyOf2
Arrived at Saratoga Springs. Time for some more photos!
It really was a gorgeous setting
The ladies
Nicole looking stunning
Nicole wanted a straight faced one, then threw up her eyebrow
And remained serious for about 2 seconds before she cracked a smile
Then Vanessa and Anethra started laughing at her, and Nicole lost it completely
Rob and the guys
“Here’s a photo for ya, John”
Siblings!
Had to get a shot of Rob looking sharp, too
Giant Jenga for later
John on guitar playing as the guests enter
Back in the waiting room Ian was doing some touchups
Bella did NOT want to sit still for me… no love at all
She’s only doing this because Nicole is directly behind me. And Vanessa could totally rock those heels and this Bella this her little flower harness just like that in SoCal and it wouldn’t look out of place at all. hahaha
Last shot with Nicole before she’s married!
The guys were all laughing because Rob put lotion on his hands. His ring fits pretty snug and he didn’t want it to be a problem during the ceremony. hahaha
Bella’s family, too. So she joined down the aisle
Rob sees Nicole turn the corner as she comes down the aisle
A big hug for her new son in law
Rob’s uncle was the officient for the ceremony
“if there anyone who can give reason these two should not be wed….”
Both Rob and Nicole turned back slowly like “No one better say anything…”
Rob giving his vows to Nicole
And Nicole to Rob
The rings
Nicole was ready for her ring, didn’t hesitate at all
Nicole puts Rob’s ring on his finger
They’re married!!
they did it!
I know they really wanted to high five. And there was a slight pause where it looked like they were deciding whether they should or not
They definitely did dance down the aisle though
the wedding party, looking great!
Mr. and Mrs. Butner!
I have a feeling this will be the one that ends up in a frame though. hahaha!
Rob, trying his hand at giant Jenga
Nicole came over to show him how it’s done
Ok, so they’re getting ready for intros and I’m not all the way to the front yet… I glance back and Nicole and Rob are running! So naturally I had to run, too. And try to turn and take a picture…
Check out this awesomely ridiculous photo of me running that one of Nicole’s guests sent her! hahaha!
These two, still causing trouble while waiting for their turn for speeches.
Ryan is actually repeating, verbatim, the several things he had just said because people said he wasn’t speaking loud enough. Of course those of us who could hear him were laughing cuz he said it exactly the same way, too
Best man Brian couldn’t make it to the wedding because he was called out on a job by the military last minute. So Ryan read his speech
But there was another suprise.
Brian had sent Rob and Nicole a video saying a few words to them, too. Everyone was able to listen as it played over the speakers
Vanessa was up next to speak
And then Anethra shared her story of how her and Nicole met
“And we don’t have champagne.. but raise your glasses….!”
Rob helping his wife change shoes like the gentlemen that he is
Nicole wore “I Do” in Disney letters on the bottom of her heels
After eating Rob and Nicole got up to check out the desert table and photos
And then went to visit their guests
Nicole showing off her slippers
Minnie and Mickey kissing!
Making the last of the paperwork official. Anethra signing as one of the witnesses
Anthony as the other witness
Andddd paperwork done!
Time for the first dance!
I was a little worried about lighting at first. I’ll be honest. It was getting pretty dark out at this point but I still wanted crisp looking images of these two during their first dance as husband and wife
And I’m glad to say that it worked out great and I got some great images of these two laughing and smiling as they danced together in front of everyone
they didn’t stop smiling the whole time..
Next up Nicole danced with her Uncle
And then it was Rob’s turn to get back on the dance floor..
And dance with his mother for the Mother-Son dance
The garter toss was next
“I’ve been practicing!” Rob said.
Near impossible to see who caught it though..
Bouquet was up next
Cheryl just strolled right now and snagged it out of the air! It was awesome
Nicole carried a photo of her late father on her bouquet that day so he was with her through the day and also down the aisle
Bella stickin her tongue out! ha! At least she looked at me for the photo right?
And the most important shot, always, is me and the bride and groom!
Walk into the club like “Waddup… I got a..”
Sisterly love!
Rob came out for his guitar solo…
Serenaded his wife.. can’t you tell she loves it…
Rob, gettin a few dance pointers from Anethra
Cake time!
Nicole looks SO excited for cake. Turns out they missed all the desserts earlier that night
“Wait… that’s really difficult to cut!”
“Wow that’s realllly good!..”
“..get some more”
Vanessa wanted to be fed cake too! haha. Don’t hate me for sharing this one Vanessa…
There was marshmallow roasting for everyone there, too!
When it’s your wedding… you double fist the drinks
Westside Story in the house
This is how you wear them, right?
Come on babbbaaayyy, and do the twist!
a little bit softer nowww… a little bit softer nowwwww
Big hugs and thank yous at the end of the night
Had to get a few shots of this these two in front of their sign
]
What a wonderful day with everyone! So much fun.
Nicole and Rob, thank you very much for having me there as part of everything. It was great getting go know your families and some of your friends. I hope you enjoyed all the images as much as I enjoyed capturing them and I can’t wait to wrap up the rest of everything to share with you two!
One of these days I’ll have to join you both on one of the Disney marathons or something that you two run – then we’ll have some cool photos of that, too! hahaha!