Spring in March in Tennessee…it couldn’t have been a better day in regards to weather, because it was perfect for the Mickey and Aleyna Langlais wedding at the Bleak House in Knoxville, TN. I setup earlier, during the day, then returned around 4:00p, awaiting their guests arrival around 5:00p. As everyone arrived and circulated through the house, some of Mickey and Aleyna’s selections were played for mingling, including the Fray, Daughtry, Michael Buble’, and other Adult Contemporary selections.
Mickey and Aleyna arrived on the Trolly, along with the rest of their wedding party. Everyone lined up and made their Grand Entrance, being introduced with a few tidbits about why they were a part of the celebration. This set a fun tone for the rest of the party, and everyone was ready to have a good time.
Toasts were presented on the patio prior to moving inside for the cake cutting. Aleyna’s father, Walter Bryant, presented the first toast, followed by Mickey’s father (and Best Man), Bob Langlais. Next, Mickey’s Mother, Debbie Haizlip, and Aleyna’s sister, Meredith Bryant, had some joyful words to offer. Before Mickey welcomed everyone and thanked them for coming, a special message was played from his friend Tom who was in California, preparing to depart in his service to our country to Afghanistan.
After everyone ate their cake, Mickey and Aleyna took a seat on the dance floor while everyone listened to their Love Story. Following their Love Story, they danced their first dance to “Two is Better than One” by Boys Like Girls and Taylor Swift. Mickey walked Aleyna to her father for their dance to a song he sang to her (and her sister) as children – Wouldn’t it be Good by Nik Kershaw. Mickey then brought his mother to the dance floor and they danced to a song she sang to Mickey, even as a teenager, which reflects the bittersweet nature of change – Landslide by Fleetwood Mac.
Once open dancing started, everyone was ready to move their feet. At one point, Journey’s Don’t Stop Believing had everyone singing at the top of their lungs and people got down to Shout by the Isley Brothers. The dance floor remained full the rest of the night, and nobody wanted the fun to end. Around 8:30p we finally tossed the bouquet and garter, and at 9:15p Mickey and Aleyna danced their last dance, surrounded by all their friends.
Before Mickey and Aleyna took off through a shower of sparklers lighting up their walkway, everyone took a conga line from the dance floor to the front of the house to the Crazy Frog version of Na Na, Hey Hey, Goodbye! Even as they departed, everyone was singing the song.
All in all, this was a fantastic celebration with a fun couple with lots of friends. It was a shame the party had to end as early as it did. Since many of the guests had arrived from other states, I’m sure they would have enjoyed dancing at least another hour.
I hope I continue finding more couples with friends like Mickey and Aleyna. With the warm weather, the day turned out perfect and I didn’t even want this evening to end…it was a lot of fun! I was very fortunate to work with Barry Seaton and his crew from Seaton Shoots. If you ever need a photographer, give Barry a call (as his photographic skills far exceed mine)!
