Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Anthony and Lauren have a stretched budget and a new baby in the house. Here’s their story:
Like many other couples, my fiance and I are doing all that we can to make our wedding as beautiful and affordable as possible!
As the bride it is customary for my parents to fit a majority of the bill for the wedding. I have found many locations in my area that are beautiful, but most certainly NOT affordable. My father recently lost his job, a job that he had maintained for 24 years, due to lay-offs. He is now working a temporary job, but at a salary that is greatly reduced from his previous position. My mom has been fortunate to have a relatively stable job at a good company. However, as with most families, money is tight. In addition, my parents have recently begun helping take care of a young man that has a disfortunate family life. Along with my brother, there are now two teenage boys at my parents’ house that they are feeding and caring for. If you know anything about teenage boys and their appetites, then you know what kind of a financial burden that can be!
My fiance and I would love to help out with the costs of the wedding, but we are in a tough financial position ourselves. I am currently an unemployed college student, and we are living on my fiance’s income alone. We are currently living in a remodeled garage/apartment of his parents’, and this past August received the blessing of our little baby boy, Lain Anthony. The remodel of the garage/apartment along with the unplanned pregnancy put a strain on both our relationship and our finances! We feel that these challenges have made our relationship just that much stronger, but planning a wedding on such a limited budget has been quite a challenge!
Thank you very much for considering us as the recipients of your generous gift. We are already truly blessed, and would consider ourselves all the more so if we are chosen!
Sincerely,
Lauren
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
This is one special lady. She’s been through a lot in her young life.
She’s pretty wonderful and her family and friends are all proud of her.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Grace Cottage is a residential home for expectant teen mothers. The young mothers can continue their education and learn how to take care of themselves and their babies while living there. They’re doing wonderful things there, but they need help. They’re continually in need of funds for regular monthly expenses.
A community service group is hosting benefit dinners on Sept. 25th and October 9th.
Sept. 25 will be a hamburger dinner. It will take place at Dryer Chiropractic Clinic, next to Movie Gallery.
If you feel a need to help without going to the benefits you may send a donation to them at:
Grace Cottage
P.O. Box 5
Poteau, OK 74953
Friday, September 4, 2009
PLEASE DON’T VOTE YET. Voting will start AFTER the finalist couples are posted here on the blog, Nov. 2nd. Thanks for your excitement. You guys are great! 
With the economy the way it is I suspect there is a extraordinary couple in our area who would like a professional photographer for their wedding, but they just feel they can’t afford one. I am offering FREE wedding photography for that deserving couple. I want this to go to a couple who would truly appreciate the gift.
Please send your story, or the story of a couple you feel is deserving in detail to: contest @charleneday.com (remove the space)
The story of your/their situation and why you think you/they should receive such a gift.
I want to hear about how the couple met, any trials or obstacles, and what they mean to each other.
I am looking for honesty, real love, and hope in your emails.
Tell me why the couple will have a hard time budgeting for photography for their wedding.
Give details of the wedding, such as the location and vendors already booked.
Attach a recent photograph of the couple to the emailed story.
Wedding must take place between December 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010 on a date that I am available.
If I am booked on your wedding date I will immediately inform you.
If you have not signed a contract with me, or any other photographer, you are eligible to enter.
The couple must be willing to have their photographs and their story published on this blog.
The finalist couples will be chosen by me and other discerning judges, at our discretion.
The final couples will be posted on this blog for people to cast their votes.
Deadline for entry is November 1, 2009.
The winning couple will receive up to 5 hours wedding day coverage, an online gallery of photos for 60 days, and a disk of their photos with a release.
There are truly no strings attached, if the couple doesn’t want to purchase anything extra, that is fine.
Amy and Adam were married in Greenwood at the First Baptist Church and had a wonderful reception at the Chateau On The Greens.
This beautiful couple finally got the wedding celebration they deserved. A big thanks to Adam for proudly serving in our military!
I’m so glad I had the chance to do portraits for Sarah & Kevin. We got some fun photos even though it was a short session.
Joell & Brian are going to be married next month in Lequire. Congratulations to them!
Lequire, located on the edge of the Ouachita Mountains, is one of those tiny Oklahoma towns that you’ll miss if you blink.
Crystal & Nick’s wedding and reception were held at The Adelaide Ballroom in downtown Fort Smith.
Nick has a nice habit of kissing Crystal’s hand.
Crystal was so excited about her cake she wanted to taste it right away. Actually, it was “cakes” made by Confectionately Yours. If you want a cake that tastes as amazing as it looks Confectionately Yours is the place you want your special occasion cakes from. Their cakes are works of art. Whatever design you have in mind they can execute.
Jennifer and Trey had a little scrimmage after their wedding in Pendergraft Park.
Sweet!
One of Jen’s bridal photos.
Brooke and Jon had their ceremony outside of Fort Smith in a gorgeous private location. 
You know me and the silhouettes. This is a fun one.
