Love isn’t something you find. Love is something that finds you. Loretta Young
This sweet couples wedding is coming up in a few short months so I dragged them out to the woods and made them snuggle…. LOL I’m joking. The snuggling happened all on its own. We were lucky enough to find a cotton patch before it was cut down. And it fits perfectly into the “southern plantation” feel that Alexis is planning for their June wedding.
“I saw that you were perfect, and so I loved you. Then I saw that you were not perfect and I loved you even more.”— Angelita Lim
“Love is of all passions the strongest, for it attacks simultaneously the head, the heart and the senses.”
— Lao Tzu
Sometimes a wedding takes years, or months to plan, but Nicki pulled this off in two weeks!! It takes me longer than that to clean out my car. 
She was driven by the fact that her mother in law is in failing health and she just had to be here to witness her son marry the love of his life. So she found a dress, flowers, a friend that would set everything up the day of, and Me! That’s crazy, but love makes us do crazy things.
The big day also fell on Brett’s 50th birthday! I mean you can’t forget your anniversary if it’s your birthday. Right?
Here’s to the newly married couple and a lifetime of happy. 
True, we love life, not because we are used to living, but because we are used to loving. There is always some madness in love, but there is also always some reason in madness. Petrarch
When I met Mallory about three years ago, she had never been to the ocean. That just blew my mind. Since we were literally a block away from it. We had to right this wrong. Just the sand on her feet made her so happy. Splashing water at the shoreline, she lit up like a kid at Christmas. Looking back at that night, I know why Chris married her. She makes you want to be happy when she’s around. Chris has the best sense of humor, that combo is a recipe for a long and happy life.
Tennessee was the halfway point for family and friends. The mountains are always a perfect backdrop for a wedding. The weekend was and cabin was full of family and best friends. (the way all weddings should be) Bonfire and a stunning sunset is also a perfect way to start your life together too.
Eat. Drink. And be Married ❤
“I ask you to pass through life at my side—to be my second self, and best earthly companion.”
― Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre
Being asked to be part of a marriage proposal has got to be one the the coolest things about my job. I mean you’re about to capture one of the biggest milestones in a persons life. Oh and they don’t have a clue that it’s coming.
When Sorin decided to ask his beautiful girlfriend to be his wife, he went all out to make it amazing. She thought they were there for her birthday dinner. Casey at 21st and Main made sure every detail was perfect, and it was. The courtyard right at sunset, the romantic table setting, violinist playing softly just for them. MAGIC!!!! Casey told the couple that I was getting pictures for the website and pay no mind if I was around with my camera. RSG Event Design was there to make sure that the YES moment went off with a BANG!!! Literally. At the moment she said yes, a flower canon ( yes canon!!) showered the couple with rose petals. It doesn’t get any sweeter than this.
“People think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that’s what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that is holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life.”
Tony and Laura have been married for 35 years and they are still best friends. I only hope that we can all find that same kind of partner. Tony was diagnosed with cancer this past year and they wanted to renew their vows to recommit themselves to each other during this very hard time. It was a small ceremony but all the important guests were in attendance. It was an honor to be included.
Do you ever wonder what a wedding photographer does in their down time?
We think about wedding details, yummy natural light, and how we can stretch ourselves to be a better photographer. I can’t speak for all of us, but I know that’s what I am doing. So that’s just what I did.
With the help of some truly amazing vendors I designed and pulled off a “wedding”. I wanted to do something that was completely my style, and shabby chic is just that. I adore colors, textures, but man made and found just laying around. There is beauty in almost everything. I made an arbor made by suspending books in the air. I loved it so much that I left it up for a few weeks. The wedding stationary was designed by Brooke Holden Calligraphy. I could just stare it all day. It was almost like Kelly with Little Shop of Flowers could see into my dreams when she designed the bouquet and center piece. Hair and Make up were provided by Savannah Rae. She made me want to wear flowers in my hair all day. The cake was “nude” and I made that. Liz & Greg were my amazing models for the day. I wanted to use a couple that was already married. The best part is they just celebrated 10 years together. So it was like an anniversary present/shoot. All I had to do was tell Greg to kiss your beautiful wife and she would giggle and just light up. What can I say, even after years of doing this I’m still a sucker for love and chasing the perfect light.
“I meant it when I said I didn’t believe in love at first sight. It takes time to really, truly fall for someone. Yet I believe in a moment. A moment when you glimpse the truth within someone, and they glimpse the truth within you. In that moment, you don’t belong to yourself any longer, not completely. Part of you belongs to him; part of him belongs to you. After that, you can’t take it back, no matter how much you want to, no matter how hard you try.”
― Claudia Gray, A Thousand Pieces of You
Ava and I met at a friends wedding last winter and I knew that I had to be part of her big day. We talked over coffee and just seeing how here face lights up when she talks about Chris makes my heart all fluttery. The big day was FULL of family and the greatest friends that a couple could have asked for. Wachesaw Plantation is the perfect venue for the southern plantation wedding Ava had in mind. Carolina Charm Florist did and amazing job on the bouquets and all of the blush details of the day. I didn’t meet Chris until the day of the wedding but I could tell he was a man head over heels when he saw her walking down the isle. It was an honor to be there to document this day in their love story. After a beautiful ceremony and fun filled reception. The newly married couple made a mad dash out under neon arch.
Vendors that made the day a reality Jason Wheeler Video (videography) , DJ Jeff Benton- Officiant- Ann Marion, Hair and make up- Megan Ashley Williams & Amy Marro
Caledonia Golf & Fish Club is a perfect backdrop for a southern bridal session. Tall live oaks line the road and the porch of the Pro Shop looks just like a old plantation house. It’s really all SWOON worthy.
When I met Ava and she said that her dress was pink, yes I said PINK. I knew that I just had to photograph her wedding. She is amazingly sweet and super fun. When we were planning her bridal session, she said that she wanted something fun. Vintage Chair, Balloons and her 2 year old daughter, is what we came up with. I am so excited to finally be able to share these.
