Tom, Chele and Abby in the receiving line after the wedding ceremony.
Tom Reeves and Abby’s daughter Dawna Michele Milligan were married at Sacred Heart Church of Glyndon, Maryland March 21, 2009.
The Bel-Loc Diner.
Abby, Mitchell, Dorothy and I traveled from Oklahoma to spend a week in the Baltimore area with Chele and Tom, and to meet Tom’s family.We were joined by my sister Nicole Barron of New Orleans, and my mother Sarah Jo Barron, who flew from her home in Florida.
We stayed at a hotel across the street from a charming Bel-Loc Diner, a historic eatery with excellent service and charming classic decor. We ate nearly half of our meals there. “Baltimore is all about diners, so I guess it’s good we’re eating at a diner,” Chele explained.
Chele and Tom at the church for rehearsal.Robert and me at the Bel Loc Diner.
I was joined for two days by my long-time friend and fellow photographer Robert Stinson, whose additional photography rounded out the shooting quite nicely, including some images of me. Abby shot some as well, and they both created an irreplaceable contribution to the imaging.
.Abby and Chele before the wedding.
In addition to wanting me in her wedding, Chele asked me to photograph it. I don’t routinely shoot weddings, since I am a photojournalist, but I have shot several in the past, and it was my pleasure to shoot this one. I felt the product I produced expressed the events very successfully.
Abby and I used our Nikon D70s digitals. Our friend Michael suggested I borrow his Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8, which produced excellent results.
Chele and Tom at the rehearsal.Hand in hand, the new bride and groom.Clean, elegantly-preserved 60s-esque diner charm at the Bel Loc Diner, where we had several breakfasts.Chele, center, with her grandmother Dorothy Milligan, and lifelong friend Kim Tatum, at the Bel Loc Diner.Richard’s mother Sarah Jo Barron and Dorothy Milligan. Sarah Jo died just a few months after this photo was made.Kim, Chele and Abby at the rehearsal.Avery Haydu with Chele as she prepares for the ceremony. Abby made this image.Chele poses for a formal portrait at the home of Tom’s aunts. They asked me to photograph their wedding, knowing that it would be in a very journalistic style.Another pre-nuptial portrait.Richard’s sister Nicole hold’s Chele’s veil, with Kim bringing up the rear, as Chele walks to her waiting limousine.Kim, Chele and Abby enter the Church.Tom’s niece Ashley gives Chele a hug for good luck.Tom Reeves and his best man John watch as Chele walks down the aisle.Escorted down the aisle by Kim and Abby, Chele is all smiles.Chele smiles as she greets friends and relatives in the receiving line after the service. Because of the light and the incredible look on her face, I view this as my favorite photo from the wedding.The wedding party.The couple and their parents; I am on the far left, and am Chele’s step-father. Her father passed away in 1992. (Photo by Robert Stinson)Dorothy and Abby give Chele a kiss.Tom and Chele outside after the wedding.A playful moment with Chele and the boys.Chele and Tom at their wedding reception. The couple honeymooned in Mexico.
