Lunch by Candlelight

Feeling slightly nostalgic for my photojournalistic days, I've decided to narrate this post as if it were a photo story. From my journalism classes at ACU, I got the general impression that the best photo stories tell the story in as few pictures as possible. In fact, if you can tell an entire story with one picture, you have met your ultimate goal. This story has 21 pictures...I fail. But, I do hope you enjoy them!




Lunch by Candlelight: Kayla Anderson's Bridal Luncheon
Photos and Story by: Emerald Lemmons


Closing the door behind me, I stepped out of the sunny June day and into the cool elegance of a well decorated home. The pale yellow walls and warm-toned furniture accented the bright daisies and glowing candles placed strategically about the room with a decorator's eye. Today was a day of appreciation, of celebration and, most importantly, of food. I had just walked in to Kayla Anderson's Bridal Luncheon.

The luncheon was held in the home of and hosted by Judy, a long-time friend of the family. Although Judy was a lovely woman, she asked that I not take her picture and since she was feeding me, I acquiesced.

Each place was set with a tiny bell holding a place card and a small bag of jelly-bellies and m&m's.


In the center of the dining table and the hostess table were lovely arrangements of candles and daises--the same daises the bride carried as a bouquet in her bridal portraits.

Soon after arriving, the hostesses had us take our places and began to serve lunch.

Those in attendance were:

Kayla- the bride

Whitney- a bridesmaid

Brittany- a bridesmaid

Steph- a close friend of the bride

Erin- a close friend of the bride

Amy- a bridesmaid and the bride's cousin

Hannah- the maid of honor and the bride's sister

...and me of course. After lunch, Norma, another hostess and friend of the family, appeared with some surprise gifts for the bride. We were all charmed by her first gift--a tiny blue leather covered box of all the letters, cards, and thank-you notes Kayla had ever written to her. Imagine, keeping those mementos for so many years! (Not that I think you're old, Kayla!)

We were equally charmed when Kayla read a thank-you note that she "wrote" when she was two years old. It read something to the effect of, "Thank-you Norma for the gift. Sorry I haven't been able to write you sooner, things have been rather hectic around here. I loved your gift and have placed it on the mantle. Thanks again! Love, Kayla."

The second present was one we had all contributed to (well, except for me, but I do intend on completing my homework!). It was a recipe box filled with recipes from Norma--who is an incredible cook--and the rest of us.


After Kayla received her gifts, she gave us a few...even the photographer walked away with a really cool pair of pajama pants!





All the bridesmaids were given lovely pearl necklaces to wear with their dresses at Kayla's wedding.

After the gifts and a cup of coffee (and tying pretty blue ribbons on what felt like hundreds of programs) we all gathered up our things and left for the bachelorette party, thanking Judy and Norma for the wonderful lunch they served as we walked out the door.

As for myself, I left wishing and planning to one day be able to host a party as lovely and as tasty as Kayla's bridal luncheon!