Richard Bell Photography Blog

Click here to see the wedding album!

Jesse and Liza were married at St. John’s Lutheran Church–a historic beauty nestled in a hard-to-find alley in downtown Charleston.  The group had a great time and we had lots of opportunity for some creative portraiture.

Liza is a DELIGHT. The best man, Brian, captured it in his toast, that this bride is the happiest and kindest person he knows.  Jesse hit it big on this one.

Three Lions Club on Daniel Island is quite a find!  The venue provides several different adjoining rooms with posh furnishing where guests could gather and have conversation, but the flow and dancing happened very organically.  Good choice!

This wedding was a particular pleasure to be a part of, as Jesse and Liza and I went to High School together.  So it was great seeing some of my old friends and classmates.

The album is now posted!  Click below to see the entire wedding album!

We had the pleasure of photographing Rebekah and Korey’s military ceremony at Summerall Chapel.  This was a happy first for the studio in that, while Korey is a distinguished Marine, he is not an alumni of the Citadel — but Rebekah is attending Grad school there.  Summerall is of course one of our very favorite church settings in Charleston for photography, and the Citadel Beach House is one of the nicest (and well lit) venues that provide for both a beach reception and a large, in-door reception hall.

This classic couple was surrounded so many happy friends and family.  You could tell that their parents were so proud.  I love being around that sort of thing.

Stay tuned for the Full album to be posted later this week!

Summerall Chapel has some of the most elaborate stained glass in all of Charleston.

I think Korey is most proud of this one.

Check out the studio’s first wedding album design of 2009:

Click here to view:

Photographed by Valerie Schooling in Greenville, SC

Also, it’s the last week of the caption contest, so please keep ‘em coming!

You can submit your caption by commenting on the below image on our studio Facebook page. (We know it’s in profile pics as well as the “staff” photo album and either place is fine!)

Here’s the photo to refresh your creative juices:

Winner to be announced February 2nd!

There will be prizes, people!

                          :0)

Joe and Madalyn through a 1920s-themed wedding at the Riviera Theater, and people dressed all out for it! The Riviera has some of the most interesting architecture and floor design in Charleston. The wedding can be held right in the theater-style seating. The front curtain can then open right up into one of the best ballrooms in Charleston.  Click here to see their whole album.

The hats were a nice touch.

Madalyn had great jewelry to accent her theme.

This hallway is a dream for a photographer. Columns of light! Who has collumns of light??

Riviera Theater adds a great touch for a wedding by putting the bride and groom's name up in lights on the Marquee.

Madalyn changed into and awesome theme dress for the reception. Oh, and more light columns. I love those things.

You can view Madalyn and Joe’s full wedding album design: Click Here

Nicole and Michael packed it out at their wedding! Their wedding was at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, followed by pictures on the Beach, and then a trolley to the Harbour Club Downtown for the Reception!

Nicole was the most chill bride I've worked with in a while. All the ladies were getting ready at her house, champagne in hand, and feeling good.

Absolutely Charleston provided transportation for the wedding party that date. Their Trolleys add a great flavor to a wedding with multiple locations. Champagne kept flowing

Michael and his entourage were at Folly Beach early. Our new photographer Steve headed up their portraits.

Nicole enters. Our Lady of Good Counsel is a cute little chapel that has a pronounced "Folly Beach Feel".

Nicole had a Church Dress and a Beach & Reception dress.

Michael jumped the gun a little on this one when he helped Nicole with her garter.

I'm thinking this might be a good first page for the album

The weather was so nice, that the tent was barely necessary, but the rooftop party with dinner downstairs was a blast. Steve took this picture from The Rooftop Bar at Vendue next door.

You can view Nicole and Michael’s full wedding album design: Click Here

Tom and Angela had a simple destination wedding at the Gazebo on the Battery at White Point Gardens in Downtown Charleston, SC.  Eleven people total made it an easy and fun affair with little to-do, but a lot of great pictures and an album I’m very proud of.

Angela and Tom had their first glance at Stolles Alley off of East Bay Street, not far from Rainbow Row. It was a beautiful moment.

Right after the ceremony, (at Angela's Request) they went to Waterfront Park for pictures in the Fountain. Amazing pictures, but two pieces of advice: 1) Secure your dress well (I'll leave it at that) 2) hang on tight to your ring (don't worry, they found it).

They had their private 11-course dinner at McCrady's Restaurant, located on this alleyway off of East Bay.

You can view Angela and Tom’s full wedding album design: Click Here

Update: We have posted the full wedding album!  Click here to see!

You can tell a lot about people by how they handle stress and disappointment, and I can say that Trixie and Scott’s whole family is just top notch.  Their wedding was September 6th, which was the day that Hurricane Hanna was supposed to hit Charleston.  Their original ceremony and reception site, Seabrook Island, closed for storm preparations, and they had to completely pick up and move their entire event in 2 days.  Fortunately Cottage on the Creek, near Shem Creek, came through with flying colors.  Everyone, especially Trixie’s mom, Vicki, were so upbeat and happy and positive throughout the entire event, and it was a real encouragement to me.

The rehearsal dinner happened right in the middle of what was then Tropical Storm Hanna. It was very rainy. Trixie and Scott were good sports and went out for some pictures in the rain.

The wedding day, of course, was sunny and warm and beautiful. Trixie was very insistent that we do pictures outside.

Shem Creek is wonderfully characteristic of Charleston. I love their ceremony site.

People, sparklers are just meant to be waved at a safe distance. Please do not throw the sparklers at the bride and groom. Common mistake.