I've decided that Murray, KY is just the cutest town. I loved visiting for Jordan and Nathan's engagement photos, and was very happy to be back for their wedding. This wedding was so much fun to shoot. The girls were all hilarious and fun, and Jordan and Nathan are high school sweethearts. I also couldn't get enough of the color scheme! Beautiful.
Anna + Daniel - Indianola, Mississippi Wedding
Anna and Daniel's wedding was absolutely beautiful. Kyle got to go with me on this one, which I really loved. We showed up at this amazing house, surrounded by beautiful trees. Also, there was wind. Lots and lots of wind. You'll see.
I was so glad to be part of Anna and Daniel's special day. I don't usually meet my couples the day of, but I did with these two. They were friendly, relaxed, and totally in love.
I loved catching this reaction to Anna in her dress!
I love this look for bridesmaids. The blue skirts were so pretty and flowy, and not too "bridesmaid-y". I loved the mis matched tops. Everyone looked awesome.
THIS. DRESS.
Girl looked good.
Daniel was such a goof, and I loved it. He made a pretty stressful day super fun.
Coolest tree ever?
I loved her ring set. So unique.
I this this photo is awesome. This is Anna hanging out the window of the getaway car, waving like the queen as they drove off. I can brag about this photo and how cool it is because I didn't take it - Kyle did.
Rachel + Price - West Tennessee Wedding
I've been away from the blog for a while! It's been months since I posted a wedding. The last thing I posted that wasn't birth related was the engagement pictures for Rachel and Price. They got married last month and I wanted a chance to tell their wedding story here!
Their wedding was beautiful, super relaxed, and VERY sunny. I may have gotten a sunburn. More on that later.
I didn't anticipate while building my house that someone would be getting ready for their wedding in it, but I think our little abode served pretty well for the getting ready space for Rachel's wedding.
Rachel used all of these cool copper decorations.
I just like ring photos. :)
Rachel and Price had a super sweet ceremony. It was very meaningful and very THEM. You'll notice I'm in some of these photos. I was on double duty at this wedding as photographer and maid of honor. My girl Kristina took the photos of the ceremony and bridal party (at least the ones I was in). She did an awesome job as my second. These are all taken by her.
It's not exactly a flattering picture, but it very clearly describes this particular group of people. They would be crazy to think I wouldn't include it.
During the ceremony (which I forgot to prepare for with sunscreen) I could feel myself getting a sunburn. The second it was over I had Kacye sunscreening me while I worked.
The following series is a documentation of the coolest/weirdest group of folks in the world. My favorite group, actually.
Carmen + Paul - Bristol, Virginia Wedding
I am going to freak out in adoration about everything in this blog post. I will use the phrase "I LOVE..." about a hundred times and I'm not going to apologize. Just know that I'm not over exaggerating at all. I've been known to do that, but I'm not doing that here - I promise. I legitimately love basically everything about this wedding. Can't help it. It was an awesome wedding - you'll see. Here we go.
I was OBSESSED with Carmen's florals. I feel like no one is going to take me seriously here because I always say that I love the flowers at every single wedding. Every time I'm over here like I LOVE THE FLOWERS. This time I really mean it though. I LOVED her flowers.
Also her wedding band reminds me of mine and it made me smile.
Paul's gifts to his groomsmen were so awesome. Also, PAUL set it all up like this - not me. He's so skilled, right?
CARMEN'S DRESS. It was so beautiful and so perfectly Carmen.
I really love first looks, but some especially great. They were both so crazy happy to see each other. You might notice the wind was going a little nuts, but I feel like it adds to the moment. Being swept up in each other's love! Is that cheesy? That's cheesy. I don't care. Going with it.
Honestly, this photo isn't my typical style at all. There were several photos of Carmen and Paul's wedding that had me thinking that's not really how I usually do things, but I took this incredible wedding as an opportunity to try to expand my horizons. This image is essentially just an accident. I was testing my light and they were just waiting on me, but I really like it. They are being blown around and yet it looks really calm and peaceful. Thoughts?
The last time I took photos of Carmen and Paul we were all sweating through our clothes in the Tennessee summer humidity. This time they were snuggled up keeping each other warm. You can't tell, but it was pretty chilly outside. I love cuddly pictures though, and I don't think they cared.
Again, the wind was in full force that day, but doesn't she have the PERFECT dress for wind?
I LOVE mismatched bridesmaids dresses. I want everyone to do this for forever. Carmen gave all of the girls these shawls as gifts and we decided to use them for photos since it was cold outside. I love the look of it.
Carmen potted succulents to line the aisle with and I thought they looked so cool. First, this was something I hadn't seen before which always gets me pumped up. I see a lot of the same stuff going to as many weddings as I do. These were so unique and again - so Carmen.
This moment GOT me, you guys. I was just snapping photos and sobbing into the back of my camera. Don't mind me.
Every wedding I've shot has included a prayer. It's a super common thing. What's significantly less common is praying with vulnerability and intimacy. Prayer is something we tend to do so casually that we forget the connection that comes with it. I think prayer is supposed to be raw and real and emotional. I think scripture talks about prayer in this way with imagery of people kneeling, tearing their clothes, raising their hands to the sky, being anointed with oil, etc. In the modern church world we tend to just bow our heads and get it done, but we miss an essential piece of prayer by doing that. Prayer becomes (in my mind) more meaningful when you do it with another person and acknowledge that by touching them. It's vulnerable and intimate to "lay hands" on someone. I thought it was so special that the people closest to Carmen and Paul physically acknowledged the blessing on their marriage. More people should do this.
As their unity ceremony Carmen and Paul planted a plant together with soils collected from all of the different significant locations in their relationship. SO COOL.
Another one that's not really "my style" that I ended up loving.
We'll end on this note: these two being adorable and in love.
VENDORS
Venue, Catering, Lodging, Reception Floral
The Olde Farm (Lori Boggs and Marc Eubanks)
Videography
Genesis Media Solutions (Chris & Kenda Germain)
Reception DJ
Sound Extreme Entertainment (Steven Harris)
Ceremony Music/Cocktail Hour Music
Beth Snapp
Bouquets & Floral Crown
Connie Timmons
Terrariums - DIY Carmen's sister, Naomi Huffman
Homemade Pies/Caramels - DIY Carmen's Family
Groom/Groomsmen Attire
Turtleson
Bride's Dress
Marie Gabriel
Hair + Makeup
Lashes & Lace (Haley Cason)
Bride's Jewelry
Homegrown Silver and Stone
Zach + Stephanie | Ruby Nashville Wedding | Loews Vanderbilt Hotel Wedding
It was such an honor to work with Stephanie and Zach on their wedding day! The day was all about love, fun, and creating a new family with Stephanie, Zach, and Zach's sweet daughter. Everyone was so sweet and relaxed all day and it couldn't have gone better!
Doesn't Stephanie look so "old Hollywood" here? I love it.
VENDORS
Rental company - Liberty Party Rental
Coordinator - Amanda Kelly
Floral Design - Cottonwood Floral by Abbigail Curtis
Catering - Chuy's
Cake - Short Cakes Cakery
Venue - Ruby
Bartending - Details Nashville
DJ - Jeff Tunks
Bridal dress- Glitz Bridal
Suits - Menswarehouse
Hair - Kaylan Bodewig
Makeup - Salon West, Chelsea Coker
Photography - Stephanie Benge Photography