A Bragg-Mitchell Mansion Winter Wedding

I first met Ashley a couple years ago when she was a bridesmaid in Katie and Trent’s wedding. I even took a photo of her and Ryan together at that reception! Last summer I got a sweet note from Ashley telling me that she was engaged and planning a wedding for December 2020. I was so excited to work with her because I immediately remembered her from Katie’s wedding day!

After photographing their dreamy engagement session at Bellingrath Gardens, I knew wedding day with these two was going to be a dream! Ashley is so organized and detail-oriented, but she is also incredibly easy-going and so full of joy! Ryan is definitely the quieter of the two, but he’s also that type of person that makes you feel like you’ve known him forever as soon as you meet him. On top of that, these two literally have the sweetest families. Ashley’s family is originally from Canada. I love that her mom taught me the proper pronunciation for my last name, which has clearly been Americanized over the generations. The French-Canadian pronunciation sounds so fabulous!

This day was so much fun from beginning to end. It was my first time photographing a December wedding at The Bragg-Mitchell Mansion. I love this venue in all seasons, but it was fun seeing it all decorated for Christmas! The tree in the double parlor was so festive! Now, if I could just blink my eyes and have my Christmas tree decorated! I’m a little behind on the decorating front this year. But that’s normal for 2020 right?!

Oh the JOY!

I can hardly believe I only have one more wedding to go before the end of the year! This fall season has been full of joyful couples, beautiful moments and lovely details. Now, more than ever, I enjoy putting together these blog posts because I know that so many of my couples have family and friends who are not able to celebrate with them in person because of the pandemic. My hope is that these wedding preview posts help you feel like you were seeing these moments with your own eyes.

Cheers to Ashley and Ryan! May you be blessed with many years of happiness together. Thank you so much for letting me be part of your special day! My team and I loved preserving these memories for you!

This is one of my favorite shots that my second photographer, Debby, took! Ashley’s first look with her step-dad was just the sweetest moment!

The Shade Tree created the most beautiful display for the ceremony arch!

I was in love with these flowers!

Can we talk about this amazing cake?!

Fun fact, if you count Debby, there were three of my brides at this wedding! I feel like I have been doing weddings long enough now that I need to have a reunion party for all my couples! Maybe one day in the post-pandemic world!

I love getting a photo with my couples at the wedding reception! My sweet friend Debby, who second shot this wedding for me, was also the second photographer for Katie and Trent’s wedding! Side note, we took our masks off briefly for these quick photos and it was nice to let everyone see that we are actually smiling behind our face coverings.

VENDORS

Second Photographer | Debby Cullum

Photographer’s Assistant | Regina Gomez-Guillen

Videography | Storylive Productions

Planning | Bella Victoria Events

Venue | Bragg-Mitchell Mansion

Catering | Georgia Roussos Catering 

Florist | Glen Jenkins, The Shade Tree Floral Design 

Cake | Victoria Gaston, Underground Custom Cakes 

Hair + Makeup | Chaney Wedgeworth-Smith + Ashley West, Brushed and Blushed

Band | Four Barrel Funk, Music Garden

Rentals | Port City Rentals

Bride’s Gown | Bliss Bridal, Justin Alexander

Bridesmaid Dresses | Birdy Grey

Groom + Groomsmen Attire | Francia’s Formal Affair

Ceremony Musicians | Daniela Parda, Mobile Symphony Quartet

Lighting | Southern Sounds

Koozie Design | Mackenzie Crutchfield

Jewelry | Bobby Wizig, Robert’s Jewelry