Michelle LaVigne 10/3/25 Michelle LaVigne 10/3/25

Vow Renewal with a Bang

This vow renewal had everything. Even fireworks.

Charlie and Jennifer asked me to photograph their vow renewal on the day that they were married, 11 years ago. When we discussed what the day would include, Jennifer told me “Catholic and noncatholic mass, photos at the house afterwards, arepas for everyone.” You had me at arepas.

a photo of Jen and Charlie when they got married 11 years ago, with a Dulche Leche cake in the background — Jennifer and Charlie on their wedding day, 11 years ago.

The ceremony took the proper precautions with a highly qualified security guard.

young boy wearing sunglasses and dressed as a security guard.

The bridal party was small (in numbers of people and size of the persons,) but skilled with flower distribution.

Four flower girls wearing white dresses walk down the aisle throwing flower petals.

Several members of their family and friends came out to be a part of their day. Jennifer’s mother and brother came from Colombia.

Family members are gathered in the church sanctuary watching the ceremony with smiles on their faces. — Jennifer just had one request of their guests, that they wear bright colors. “Because that is me.” she explained.

Speeches were read.

Woman reading speech at the podium with Jennifer and Charlie in the background.

Prayers were said.

Rings were exchanged.

With minor difficulty.

Jennifer makes a "whoops!" face while putting Charlie's wedding ring on.

I can’t speak to how they looked on their wedding day. But 11 years later, they look happy.

Small child being led by his father in a red wagon gives the photographer the stink eye. — Another security guard. This time I’m under close surveillance.

Back at the house, the festivities continued.

Two women laugh at a story being told by someone at the party.

And margaritas.

Jennifer pours a drink mix into a margarita machine while her father stands behind her checking out her work.

And then the grand moment came to fulfill a photo request from Jennifer.

She had seen a video of a wedding ceremony where the moment the couple had their kiss, bright jets of colored smoke exploded in the background. She wanted to duplicate this for a photo.

So family and friends gathered to cheer them on.

Jennifer and Charlie's family gather out on the lawn in line, waiting for Jennifer and Charlie to take a photo in front of their house.

The funny thing was, she didn’t share with Charlie that the colored smoke bombs were also fireworks.

It didn’t take long to figure this out.

Charlie and Jennifer are in front of their house, the smoke bomb/fireworks have started. They are facing each other holding hands, Charlie is turned behind him to watch what the fireworks are doing. Jennifer is facing him, laughing.

Jennifer made sure they stayed on task.

Jennifer and Charlie are now kissing, still in front of the house, while the firework smoke bombs produce streams of blue, purple and yellow smoke straight up in a line into the sky.

And the fireworks kept on task too.

ennifer and Charlie are now kissing, still in front of the house, while the firework smoke bombs produce streams of blue, purple and yellow smoke straight up in a line into the sky.

Grand finale?

The smoke bomb fireworks are still going, now Jennifer is laughing while Charlie brings her up from a kiss.

Nope. Still going.

Jennifer is leading Charlie away from the house but the fireworks are still going, now with more of a firework look. Jennifer is laughing, Charlie looks a little bewildered.

Jennifer is leading Charlie away from the house but the fireworks are still going, now with more of a firework look. Jennifer is still laughing, Charlie still looks bewildered.

After the fireworks subsided the guests returned to the house to eat.

While everyone eats, Jennifer and Charlie share a dance.

Jennifer and Charlie are dancing on their enclosed lanai.

This was a renewal ceremony that had everything.

Friends, family, dancing (and arepas! )

And love. There was no shortage of that.

Thank you Jennifer and Charlie for having me be a part of this lovely celebration.

Michelle LaVigne 3/11/19 Michelle LaVigne 3/11/19

Viva Las Vegas. Vegas Wedding at the Retreat on Charleston Peak

Viva las Vegas at the Retreat on Charleston Peak in Charleston Nevada.

I have never been to Las Vegas.

And I’ll admit, if it wasn’t for checking out the location for this wedding ahead of time, I would have been carrying the impression I’d be photographing a wedding next to slot machines and neon lights, not with the giant dome of a picturesque mountain in the background. I knew that wasn’t the only part, but when is there ever any other image of Vegas out there?

But Vegas proved me wrong. Kristy Walker and I (of the talented Kristy Walker Photography,) could not stop exclaiming how ridiculously beautiful everything was; the setting, the people, the mountains, the resort, the mountains, the decor, did I mention the mountains? The location was picked because this was the site of the hardest hike Brandi and Brian ever shared together. (oh, did I mention they were cool? They are very cool.)

And the people. The couple, the guests, the staff. Everyone was beautiful in their attitudes, their relationships and their personalities.

It was *chef’s kiss* excellent.

Venue: Retreat on Charleston Peak

Florist: Roots Flowers and Events in Las Vegas

Dress: Brideology in Crystal Lake, IL

Video: Memory Lane Video, LLC

DJ, Lighting, Photobooth: All In 1 Events

Ceremony Musician: Maxx McGathey

Officiant Rev: Ryan Ball