A Kalioka Stables December Wedding

It was a weekend in September 2016 the day I got a text from Cassie, my cousin, asking me to call her when I had a free minute. I wasn’t busy at the moment the text came in, so I called her right away. I don’t know what I thought she was calling to say, but I was definitely surprised to hear the words, “Will proposed!” come over the phone. I think, “OMG! Are you serious?!” were the first words to come out of my mouth in a squeal. How exciting!!! A few months after announcing her engagement, Cassie asked me to be her maid-of-honor for her special day. I was so touched, but also sad that I wouldn’t be able to be her wedding photographer if I was going to be her maid-of-honor. Like several of my cousins, Cassie was one of my “models” during my early years of photography. She and my other cousin, Allyson, would be my subjects for so many of my photography assignments when I was in college. The two girls, along with Cassie’s brother, Tanner, were part of my two all-time favorite portraits that I took during those film/darkroom years. They put up with posing for me when I wasn’t even really sure of what my camera settings should be. They are part of my photography story. I’m going to be 100 percent honest and say that it broke my heart a little bit to think that I couldn’t document Cassie’s wedding day after how many times she’s been in front of my camera over the years. But I couldn’t do both jobs…maid-of-honor and photographer. Or could I?

When I came across two blog posts, one by Katelyn James and the other by Amy and Jordan Demos, that talked about being in a wedding while photographing it, I was intrigued. How could they do both jobs??? I read both of those posts and the idea started to dawn on me that maybe I could do both jobs for Cassie’s wedding. I talked to my friend and fellow photographer, Jennie Tewell, about the crazy idea and, luckily, she didn’t think it was as insane of an idea as others did. So I brought forth the idea to Cassie and she was totally on board! YAY! I would be in the wedding AND photograph it (with some help of course!). And so the planning began. Cassie had a clear vision for her day and with the help of her family and several friends, that vision was brought to life. The day was made extra special knowing that so many people who love Cassie and Will worked so hard to make their wedding dream a reality. A little over a year after Will got down on one knee and asked her to be his bride, Cassie walked down the aisle and they began their new life as husband and wife.

These two wanted a small, intimate wedding and Kalioka Stables was the perfect setting for their December I do’s. We prayed for no rain and we were blessed with clear skies. Cassie said she’d have liked it to be a bit warmer, but considering how cold it’s been every day since the wedding on Dec. 30th, I’d say she was married in the heat wave week. Because lets get real y’all, it’s been FREEZING outside every since the 31st! I absolutely loved getting to be part of Cassie and Will’s day in such a special way and am so thankful to have had the most amazing friends and photographers assisting me with shooting during the day, giving me a spare pair of hands to deal with both my camera equipment and wedding stuff, and just keeping me from having too much on my plate. Jennie and Brianna, I could not have done this without y’all and I’m so very thankful that you were both up for this adventure with me!!! Y’all are such a blessing! After shooting together over New Year’s Eve weekend two years in a row, I’m wondering where we’ll find ourselves next year on that same weekend!

Cassie and Will, thank you so much for having me be part of your wedding day! I had so much fun documenting your special moments and hope these photographs help you relive all the fun of your wedding! It was just a lovely day! I hope you’re soaking up the sun and sand while on your cruise! 🙂

Helping the bride get ready! So much fun!

In Maid-of-Honor mode as I help Cassie with her dress ahead of First Look!

This is what it looks like to be both photographer and bridesmaid on a wedding day! Fellow photographers, if you are wondering about how the process worked for doing both the photography and being in the wedding, I’m going to share more in a second blog post soon! If you have questions you’d like me to answer specifically in that post, feel free to drop them in the comments below. 🙂

The only thing I’m thinking at this moment…don’t trip! Seriously, the pressure of walking in front of so many people is REAL!

I take dress fluffing very seriously. 😉 In fact, I was so preoccupied with getting the train just right that I nearly forgot I was supposed to hold the bride’s bouquet! Ooops!

One of my favorite shots of the entire day! The barn looked GORGEOUS!

Me with the bride & groom!

Little Bryce surprised all the ladies by catching the bouquet!

Jennie and Brianna, y’all are two of my best photographer friends in the world! Thank you for being awesome!

Be sure to follow my blog for behind-the-scenes fun from this wedding! I’ll be sharing some out-takes and the break down of how I was able to do both the job of bridesmaid and photographer in a separate post very soon!

Recently engaged? Contact me for more information on portrait and wedding photography!

 

VENDORS

Venue | Kalioka Stables

Catering | Briquettes Steakhouse

Cake Artist | Rose Agness Peavy

Bride’s Makeup | Laura Charlton

Bride’s Hair | Lisa Early

Bride’s Gown | Bliss Bridal – Lillian West

Bridesmaid Dresses | Bliss Bridal – Bill Levcoff

Bridesmaid Necklaces | JCrew Factory

Groom & Groomsmen Suits | Belk

My Makeup | Lindsay Koen

Second Shooting | Jennie Tewell & Brianna Hemphill