Brett & Nicki | Beach Wedding

“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.

Chris & Mallory’s Tennessee Mountain Wedding

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 ❤

Surprise Proposal at 21st and Main

“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.

Vow Renewal (35 years and counting)

“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.

Shabby Chic Outdoor Wedding

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.

Ava and Chris’s Wedding at Wachesaw Plantation

“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

Bridal Session at Caledonia Golf Club Pawleys Island, South Carolina

“I love you, not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you. I love you, not only for what you have made of yourself, but for what you are making of me.” —Roy Croft

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.

Jake + Carl (Surprise Proposal!!!!!!)

“If a thing loves, it is infinite.”

William Blake

Usually when I meet a client, they are already engaged. I love to hear about the story of them and how the question was POPPED! But I am never there for it. Until now!

Jake contacted me and, boy was he a nervous wreck about what and how to do it. It just had to be perfect but unexpected.  I couldn’t contain my excitement and how much I wanted to help him pull this off.  They were in town on vacation with Jake’s family so we came up with the plan. He told Carl that they were doing family pictures on the beach. Sneaky Sneaky!!!!

I pulled together a romantic picnic complete with candles, strawberries and music playing. I was so nervous I was shaking lighting candles. Jake supplied the champagne and Tiffany & Co flutes. Did I mention the ring was also from Tiffany & Co??? Like in that perfect Tiffany blue box… So all we had to do was put this plan into motion.

They walked into the park and the rest was MAGIC!!  Of course Carl said YES!!!!!   Jake’s family came out of hiding to hug and congratulate the newly engaged couple.

They hung out while we got some engagement pictures. I am so honored and over the moon happy for this couple.

Mary Claire + Chad Wedding at Thompson Farm, Conway

“What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.”

Helen Keller

I love any Venue that is outside and Thompson Farms is a favorite. The barn with it hanging lights and chandeliers are just so pretty. Any bride would swoon. Mary Claire was no different. She chose flowers, tea cups and all things shiny as her decor. Each table was different but came together perfectly.

I walked into the bridal suite and it was a buzz with her very best friends and clothes everywhere. But that’s how friends get ready, right?!?

They are an opposites attract couple. They met at bike Week a few years ago. She is all smiles and can talk circles around anyone. He is more the sit back and take it all in kinda guy. It works for them and the little family they’ve made. I am so happy so have been a part of their big day.

The day couldn’t have happened without Murray and Mike’s They really had hands in all of it. Beach Blossoms  did a beautiful job, as did Bobbi Pate with hair and make up. Video services by Jarrett Hucks.  The ceremony was done by one of my favorites Benjy Simmons.  I can’t thank yall enough for making my job even more fun 🙂

Laura + Daniel Verhine

“And we are put on this earth a little space that we might learn to bear the beams of love”

William Blake

Laura and Daniel are an awesome couple. You just have to be around them for a few minutes and it feels like you have been buds for years. These two are super laid back but crazy about each other. They opted out of a traditional wedding at home and got hitched in the tropics. (Super jealous) But these two have to many friends to not have a party when they got back. It was a brisk winter day full of cheers and “remember whens” that it didn’t feel like work at all.  I wish this couple a life full of  adventure.