Kylene emailed me over our mutual love of polka dots. Turns out Kylene is a photographer and runs her own studio called Forever Photography By Kylene and her website is based on white, brown and pink polka dots- just like Polka Dot Bride!

Not only does Kylene’s love of polka dots show in her business, but it also shone in her recent nuptials!

Kylene told me the story how they met “Ryan and I were friends/coworkers for several years before we started dating.  He was the district manager for a photography company that I started working for in college, and after our friendship developed we eventually realized it was turning into something more.  Our passion for photography continues to bring us together, and Ryan will usually buy me some “romantic” camera gear for Valentine’s Day.”

The wedding was February 9, 2008, and it was held at Pebble Hill Plantation in Thomasville, Georgia, (USA).
As a wedding photographer herself, Kylene placed a lot of importance on finding the right photographer for her wedding day.  Genya Garrett of VUE Photography was chosen to snap the special memories.

Pebble Hill Plantation allowed the couple a wide choice of backdrops for their wedding. They chose the front lawn overlooking the main plantation house for their ceremony and the reception was held in the table courtyard which was decorated with twinkle lights and large globe lights. The band set up on the porch overlooking the tables and dance floor.

Ryan and Kylene saw each other before the ceremony and exchanged wedding gifts. Kylene gave Ryan a watch and Ryan gifted Kylene some gorgeous diamond earrings. 

The couple presented Ryan’s daughter Riley with a pink pearl necklace with an engraved charm (featuring her monogram and the wedding date) to signify her inclusion in their life and Kylene becoming her stepmother.

Kylene and Ryan were married by their much loved next door neighbour.

Happy Family! Kylene, Ryan and Riley have their first official family photo together.

Kylene says photographer Genya Garrett was, “the perfect person for us, captured our day beautifully, and I hardly even knew she was there.  There was actually a moment where she had us all jumping in the air, and she was jumping up and down too – she just had this incredible, magnetic energy that rubs off on everyone around her”

Kylene and Ryan with their personalised beer cosies. The reception was catered by John Thomas’ Cowboy Grill and included delights such as filet and chicken with lemon butter sauce, smashed potatoes, haricot verts, and salad.They also passed the grouper fingers and boiled shrimp.

The venue had its own dance floor and Ryan’s parents hired Justin Music to come down from Atlanta, Georgia. Kylene says “Justin played all of the songs we wanted from U2, to Dave Matthews, Sting and any other good stuff you could think of.We really thought we had these famous people singing at our wedding, Justin’s voice is just amazing.The bands’ personality was also great and they made our reception fun and unique.No electric slide silly business, just good music and dancing!”

The first dance as newlyweds

Tune in later today when I’ll share all the gorgeous details from Kylene and Ryan’s wedding!