Kelly + Philip | Married - Elizabeth Gelineau Photography

A Downtown Mobile Alabama Wedding

I usually ask my brides about their bridal party at our first meeting. It’s helpful to know how many bridesmaids and groomsmen will be part of the day early on. Most of my weddings have an average of six to eight attendants. So when Kelly told me they were having 17 bridesmaids and 22 groomsmen in their bridal party, I nearly fell off of my chair. In fact, I was so surprised at the number that I’m pretty sure I laughed as I replied, “Girl, are you crazy?!” Kelly, being the sweet person she is went on to explain just why they were having so many friends be part of their day. I immediately understood and assured her we would put together a timeline that would accommodate that many people.

After this weekend, I can say without a doubt that I one hundred percent understand why Kelly and Philip wanted all these ladies and gentlemen standing beside them as they became husband and wife. I knew beforehand that one of my past brides was part of this bridal party, so I knew I was going to be working with a good group of people. But, yes, this is the largest bridal party I have EVER worked with on a wedding day!

When you add the flower girls and ring bearers into the mix, it was a total of 49 people. And you know what? They were some of the BEST people I have ever worked with on a wedding day! I got to meet many of them at the rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding. As they took turns toasting Kelly and Philip that night, it was clear to me that they truly have deep friendships with this whole group. It was evident that their friends have love and admiration for them, both as a couple, and as individual people. Talk about a special bride and groom!

Like the bridal party, this blog post is massive! I kept trying to narrow it down more and more, but oh my goodness I have too many favorites. I considered breaking it up into two parts, but I’m not a fan of “to be continued” moments so I decided to write the post in two segments. Scroll down read the rest of the story from this day!

This one is a new favorite! I loved that Kelly’s two sisters were perfectly framing this scene of her mom zipping up the wedding gown.

Kelly’s father gave her mother this ring the day she was born. The morning of the wedding, Kelly’s parents passed that ring on to her. It served as her something old and something blue. I love this moment of her mom placing the ring on her finger!

These three sisters are the sweetest!!!

When Father Shields joked during the wedding Mass that it was “a shame they had such a hard time finding people to be part of their wedding,” the congregation couldn’t help but chuckle! When I say this bridal party was amazing, I mean it! We couldn’t have gotten all these portraits done within the timeframe allotted without their help!

Kelly made a pair of earrings for each of her bridesmaids. How sweet is that?! I don’t know where she found the time between being in residency and planning her wedding! She is one talented lady for sure!

A Reception With a Surprise!

A few weeks before Kelly and Philip’s wedding, I met up with Kelly’s mom for a walkthrough of the reception location. That’s when Kelly’s mom told me there was going to be a surprise fireworks show in the middle of the reception. Fireworks?! Seriously?! I could barely contain my excitement. I was anticipating that big moment the whole day.

Only a few people knew about the surprise beforehand, so when the band asked everyone to make their way down to the water, there was a buzz among the crowd. I’m pretty sure I held my breath for the entire fireworks show because getting shots of something like that is kind of hard to practice beforehand! With each click of the camera I thought of my dad’s advice to remember to drag my shutter to catch the trail of the fireworks sparkling in the sky. It is definitely one of my all-time favorite wedding day moments!

Kelly and Philip, I can’t thank you and your sweet families enough for having me be part of your wedding weekend! It was such a JOY to capture these moments for you! Congratulations!

Y’all, Kelly’s grandmother is the sweetest lady! When I met her at the rehearsal dinner, she quickly told me that she already knew who I was and then gave me a hug. I believe she said that Kelly is one of her 22 grandchildren and that she also has 11 great-grandchildren (or at least close to those numbers)! At 86 years young she was on the dance floor almost the entire night! Life goals, y’all. Life goals!

Three of my brides in one photo and it just happened by accident! I just love these ladies and am honored they each chose me to be their wedding photographer!