When a pandemic hits right before the day you’ve been planning for and dreaming of most of your life, what do you do?! Hayden and Daniel decided to go ahead and get married on their original wedding date as planned, in a small intimate ceremony with just their families there to witness saying their vows. It was romantic, simple and sweet. Daniel showed up in his uncle’s baby blue classic car to pick up Hayden and drive her to the church. Sacred Heart looks right out at the Mobile Bay and feels straight out of a small town Alabama movie scene. If anything, the virus has been a reminder that when you take away the big crowds, cocktail hours, city gatherings, restaurants, and activities — love still remains. Love cannot be cancelled and SHOULD always be celebrated! We’re excited for their (bigger) celebration later this year. I have a special place in my heart for all 2020 couples! Hang in there and love on eachother harder. We are here to celebrate you (safely), no matter what life throws at you!
Elizabeth + Todd || Charlotte, North Carolina
Finally getting the chance to catch up on our blog, and we’ve got a lot of beauty to share from this stunning wedding in Charlotte, NC on November 10th, 2018. Elizabeth and Todd’s wedding at the Charlotte Country Club was full of luxurious details in this beautiful space filled with warm fireplaces including the prettiest florals by Fern Studio. The bride even wore her grandmother’s gown passed down to her mother for her wedding day, and then to Elizabeth who just changed up the bodice for a more modern look. We love a bridal gown with rich history! Let’s not forget about the delicious cake that was dripping with figs, yum! The Atlanta Showstoppers carried everyone through the night with quite the talent, ending the evening with a fun glowstick-filled dance party and a white rose petal exit, sending-off the newlyweds in style in their fancy classic car!
FEATURE: Margaret Ellen Bridal
This past September, we had the honor of working with Margaret Ellen Bridal on 30A to photograph their entire bridal gown lookbook. It was a photoshoot out of our dreams! Be sure to check out their blogpost to view more photos and read all about it here: Bridal Photo Shoot featuring Lacey McLaughlin Photography
Renee + Geoff || Citrus-Inspired Spring Wedding in New Orleans
From the bride: We chose a gorgeous Catholic Church called Immaculate Conception for our ceremony which I've always thought was one of the prettiest cathedrals in the city. Our reception followed at a venue called il Mercato in the heart of the Lower Garden District...one of my favorite areas of the city. Built in 1931, il Mercato is a Spanish colonial style building designed by prominent local architect Sam Stone and originally constructed as a neighborhood market. The 2014 renovation by local restaurateur Joel Dondis added herringbone wood floors, Italianate chandeliers, and a furnished library with banquet seating. The property also features a large private courtyard and that I fell in love with the second I stepped foot through the wrought iron gate. It epitomizes old New Orleans and is out of the hustle and bustle of the French Quarter and Bourbon St...what most people unfortunately think of when they hear New Orleans. I wanted people to feel like they were a local for the weekend and getting a taste of the hidden and off the beaten path gems of the city. I wanted my ceremony and reception to welcome people with open arms, in the same way I feel the city does when people come to visit.
A big congratulations to the happy newlyweds!!
Vendor Credits:
Planning: Brooke Casey Weddings
Venue: il Mercato
Rentals: Perrier Party Rentals
Catering: Joel Catering
Florals: Antigua Floral
Hair: Ali Vasquez
MUA: Lynna Vo
Lounge: Distressed Rentals
Reception Band: The Phunky Monkeys
Second Line Band: Kinfolk Brass Band
Dress Designer: Alyne
Ring Box: The Mrs. Box
Church: Immaculate Conception
Prep Location: Henry Howard Hotel
Bakery: Swiss Confectionery
Lighting & Hedges: Luminous Events
Macy + Ryan
With all of these hurricanes as of lately, the rain has had it's way of rearranging our busy October schedule of engagement sessions, weddings, and everything in between. Of course, when we finally found a day that would work for Macy + Ryan, it was grey and gloomy. I'm a glass half full kind of girl, so the positive spin to this was having the park all to ourselves and the low, white clouds acting as a natural diffuser for beautiful soft light! We had so much fun with these two capturing their love and fluid sweet moments together among the draping Spanish moss at City Park and in then in the French Quarter. Don't they just make the cutest couple?! So excited for their wedding next year!
Run Wild, Hustle & Shine
We recently had the pleasure of working with a group of fitness girls on their trip to New Orleans for a conference and it was too much fun! Their motto is that empowered women, empower women. The goal these coaches strive for is to inspire other women while gaining confidence and a love for a healthy lifestyle. They definitely had me craving a nice big, healthy salad and bowl of fruit after their photo session! We love having a variety of clients. Hire us for your next girls weekend trip, family session, or big milestone! Cheers to the weekend, ya'll!
Kat + Chris | New Orleans Wedding
These two were such a delight to work with! Kat and Chris contacted me all the way from Brooklyn, New York asking me to be their wedding photographer for their New Orleans destination wedding and I was thrilled. We love working with both in town and out of town brides, and we are always excited to meet a couple who loves the heart and soul of New Orleans as much as we do! Kat and Chris started out their wedding day at the beautiful Melrose Mansion to get ready, complete with a clean room for their first look and a serene pool which made a perfect spot for bridal party and family photos! They hopped on over to Maison Montegut for a quintessential French Quarter ceremony. There in the greenery filled courtyard, they read aloud their own personal vows to each other. It was a perfect, romance-filled moment in this classic hidden gem on Royal Street. Finally, these two danced the night away starting with a second line leading them along with their closest family and friends on the walk to their reception at the stunning Old Ursuline Convent. They even had their own choreographed first dance to 'I Found You' by the Alabama Shakes. Congratulations again to these happy newlyweds! What a day!
Crystal + Erik | Engaged
"I want to love you wildly. I don't want words, but inarticulate cries, meaningless, from the bottom of my most primitive being, that flow from my belly like honey. A piercing joy, that leaves me empty, conquered, silenced." -Anïs Nin
Curtis Family under the Sweeping Oaks
We had the pleasure of meeting the tiniest little bundle of giggles and her parents. Naomi would light up and couldn't stop from laughing every time her dad would lift her up in the air. His arms may have gotten slightly tired from all the playing but it was worth every single snicker. The dynamics of new family sessions make me so happy. It's a gentle kind of love while parents are teaching the ways to their children, and learning from their little ones in return. I love it all!
Anna + Pierre | New Orleans Elopement
Elopements come with a special tone. They are so very intimate and warm. Just the two of them and the love they share between. This is one of the many reasons I adore being able to be a part of such an endearing day. Anna and Pierre's destination elopement in New Orleans was so uniquely them. They tied a special knotted rope to seal their bond, they kissed under the big sweeping lover's oak tree, and they danced in the street. Congratulations to two kind souls!
Lindsey + Mike || Race & Religious Wedding
Lindsey and Mike know how to throw one amazing wedding party. After meeting them during their engagement session, I knew the wedding was going to be spectacular. And then to find out they would be having Brooke Casey (my personal favorite) as their wedding coordinator, I knew it would be a dream come true kind of day. What I didn't know, was how much love and excitement their family and friends would bring to top off the icing on the cake. The bridesmaids and groomsmen were equally one of a kind friends. I could tell by the moment I walked into the bride's suite as each bridesmaid was so attentive to helping Lindsey in whatever she needed. And not to mention, her glass of champagne was never close to empty! From their first look all the way to the second line parade, there wasn't a moment that went by lacking a heartfelt expression. Congratulations again to these two newlyweds!
Venue // Race & Religious
Planning // Brooke Casey Weddings
Florals // Fat Cat Flowers
Hair // Ginger Dickey at Color Bar Salon
MUA // Verde Beauty Studio
Rentals // Event Rental
Video // Russo Films
Bakery // La Louisiane Bakery
Catering // Highlights Catering
Ami + Darshan || Baton Rouge Indian Wedding
These two light up when they are near each other, which is why I expected nothing short of pure elation on their two-day wedding extravaganza in Baton Rouge. What I didn't realize, was how welcoming and happy their families would be and how much that joy would rub off on everyone who was in their presence. I have been drawn to the unique, rich cultural traditions that each Indian wedding includes since I photographed my first one. Without going into huge detail about every single thing I love about this wedding, I will just mention the dancing. Oh, the dancing! The women, the men, the children! Everyone dances together, spinning their brightly colored dresses, singing, laughing, twirling and I can't get enough. You become a part of it behind the camera too, intertwined between circles of dancing capturing these fleetingly compelling moments. It was truly a celebration of something beautiful. We wish you a wonderful life together, Ami & Darshan!
Samantha + Brett || Engaged
Samantha and Brett were yet another one of those couples who I could just sit down to enjoy cider with and chat on a lazy sunshine day. The sun was shining, in fact, when I showed up to meet these two at the Carousel Bar. Incredibly calm and happy together, we pranced around the city getting to know each other with camera 'round neck. Samantha stated at one point how neither of them tend to wear much color. The more I got to know them, the more I realized their colors were within. You could tell by the way they looked at one another, they have a love that has matured over purely content moments. Samantha was all smiles that day. Brett brings out the laughter in her. It seems to work best that way.
Krista + Clay || Engaged
I've known Krista from an earlier stage of life, possibly in another lifetime. Her and I have always connected on another level and her cheerful aura fills any room she enters. At once a graceful dancer, her personality has always consistently embodied a classic lighthearted way of elegance. When she met Clay, her heart skipped a beat and the two had much in store for a life ahead of them. Who they are together is loving and playful, so naturally consists of a lot of laughter. When Krista called to tell me Clay had asked her to be his future wife, she was elated as was I. Honored to photograph this romantic time in their life is an understatement. Engagement sessions are always exciting because the anticipation of beginning a life together imparts for a gleaming, and ever so energetic couple. When the engagement happens to be between your best friend and the love of her dreams, it is infinitely that much more exciting.
Above images shot with a Hasselblad 500 cm on Kodak Portra film
Olivia + Daniel || New Orleans Wedding
When I arrived at the Degas House, ready to capture O + D's special day, one of the first things I noticed was how calm and composed Olivia was. Clearly in love, Olivia and Daniel not only show compassion for each other, but also an overwhelming sense of playfulness as laughter fills the room when these two are together. The weather and the day couldn't have been more perfect. Congratulations to these darling lovebirds!
Venue // Degas House
Planner // Brooke Casey Weddings
Florals // Poppy & Mint
Hair + MUA // Flawless Bride
Decor // Firefly Ambiance
Olivia + Dillan || Engaged
Olivia and Dillan arrived with a symbol of their love, in hand. Their pup, Colbie, was Dillan's muse for welcoming Olivia home one day with a little bling tied around her collar. Since then, it's been nothing but love for each other as they started planning the wedding and the rest of their lives together. They way she looks at him says everything. He held her hand as she walked over the rocky pathways, which was a simple gesture implying how he kindly watches and takes care of her. Like the sun gracefully shines down upon the flowers, a love like this can help the other to grow.
Congratulations again to Olivia & Dillan! We can't wait to be there for their wedding next year!
Liz + Alex || Wedding in the Tennessee Hills
When Liz and Alex reached out to me about being there to capture their wedding day, I knew there was no way I could miss it...even if it was a couple of states away. They were, after all, one of the first couples to book me for their engagement session after moving to New Orleans last year. When I showed up on the day of their wedding, Liz was refreshed and nervous yet so incredibly excited to marry the love of her life that she was beaming with light. It was like you could almost hear her heart pitter-patter. Alex showed nothing but composure knowing he would soon be a husband to his dream girl. As the families gathered and mingled, it was beautiful to watch the two become one. Many emotions were conveyed, the most significant being that of pure tenderness. We couldn't be happier for these two and to nothing thrills me more than becoming friends with my clients! Congratulations again to these two extraordinary souls!
Venue // Sacred Stone
Hair + MUA // Kristin Cashion + Katie Lamb
Band // Music City Rhythm Venue
Brewery // Bearded Iris Brewing Company
Cake // Slice at a Time
Virginia + Bryan || New Orleans Wedding
When Virginia and I first started communicating about her small, intimate wedding, I couldn't wait to meet her and Bryan. What I didn't know, was how truly genuine, creative, and inviting this couple would be. Virginia's dad saw her in her wedding dress for the first time and the moments of hugs and tears between them was so incredibly moving. Bryan walked up the stairs not long after, to hug his stunning bride and the moments between them were nothing short of loving embraces, loud beating hearts, and pure euphoria. Bryan and Virginia look into each other's eyes and see something that no one else can. They are so in sync and that their love can make an outsider feel something. The day continued smoothly on from there...made up with vows, more kisses, families uniting, music playing, dancing, new left hand rings, happy toasts, AND a quintessential Second Line down Bourbon & Royal Street.
Beyond being intelligent and a beauty, Virginia also picked out the flowers to make her bouquet and corsages, drew and designed the guest fans, AND made the 'Just Married' banner for the Second Line parade! She is one talented lady, to say the least.
Hair + MUA // Paris Parker Salon
Florals // Flora Savage
Catherine + Justin || New Orleans Engagement
When I met Catherine and Justin just outside of Preservation Hall, they were both looking swanky in their vintage inspired outfits. Catherine was calm and Justin would always be watching out for her, giving her sips of water when she needed it. It was a blistering hot summer day in New Orleans, but they braved through the heat looking gorgeous the whole day through! Congrats to the happy couple!
Tina + Damian || Intimate Wedding in the Park
Tina and Damian have been longtime friends of ours, so when she asked me to come to Atlanta to photograph their wedding I was of course, ecstatic! She told me that they would be getting married on the two year anniversary of their engagement and it would be a very intimate ceremony in a park near their home. The whole thing was very fitting for the two of them. I showed up to the house and Tina was as calm as ever, helping Gabriella put on her darling little shoes. When we arrived at the park, Damian was all smiles, as per usual. His energy is always vivacious, but on that day it was on another level. He would soon be marrying a most elegant and bright lady. After a few tears and cheers, these two became one on a golden summer's day in the park.
Congratulations again to these two beautiful souls!
Florals // Candler Park Flowers