A Bellingrath Gardens Wedding

My two August brides have three things in common. First, both of their names are Mary Catherine. Second, they both have beautiful auburn hair. And, third, both are brides I got to work with because of the pandemic. Crazy coincidence, right?!

I was booked on Mary Catherine’s original wedding date, so when she decided to change her plans due to the situation with Covid, she reached out once again to see if I had availability on her new date. She and Michael decided to scale back their plans for a big celebration. Instead, they would exchange vows in an intimate ceremony with only family in attendance. I have wanted to photograph a wedding at Bellingrath Gardens for years, so when Mary Catherine mentioned this was where their small ceremony would be, I was beyond excited!

My assistant, Alexis, and I arrived at Bellingrath Gardens early in the morning the day of this wedding. I was so thankful for the golf cart that shuttled us to the house because it was a steamy day. As we pulled up, I saw the sunshine streaming through the moss-covered oak trees. I could hardly contain my excitement. Then I saw Mary Catherine’s gorgeous wedding gown and I knew bride and groom portrait time was going to be amazing.

We were heading outside for Mary Catherine’s first look with her dad when the heavens opened and the rain came pouring down. Welcome to south Alabama in August. Our weather can change in the blink of an eye around here this time of year. Thankfully, we had access to a covered porch and were able to keep Mary Catherine out of the downpour. Yay for locations with covered porches and breezeways!

The rain had stopped by the time the ceremony was over and we were able to take advantage of being in the gorgeous garden setting for all their portraits. Let me tell you, Bellingrath is a dreamy location even when there are drops of rain dripping from the trees!

This flower that Mary Catherine pinned to her bouquet is from her grandmother’s wedding gown! I love heirlooms like this, don’t you?!

The rain paused right after Mary Catherine and Michael shared their first look, so we dashed out from under the porch and jumped into portrait time!

This dress in the Bellingrath setting was perfection!!!

And just before the ceremony, the rain returned! Thank goodness the ceremony was indoors!

I love this photo that my assistant, Alexis, took of Mary Catherine and her daddy!

These two are troopers! They did not let the rain spoil their day.

I just love their positivity and their sense of humor!

Also, I LOVE when I have time to grab a portrait of grandparents on a wedding day! These two were so sweet!

Celebrating with a Dance

I love that Mary Catherine and Michael chose to share a first dance, as well as dances with their parents. I always look forward to first dance moments on wedding days. It’s candid moments like these that made me fall in love with photography in the first place. If you’re having a smaller celebration due to the pandemic, I encourage you to still make this tradition part of your day! You will not regret it and your parents will love it too!

Can you believe it started pouring down rain again the minute we got out to the covered pier?! Thank goodness it was only rain and not a thunderstorm because we were pretty much stuck out here!

As Mary Catherine and Michael were dancing, all I could think about was how beautiful the light was on this covered pier. The portraits from this spot are some of my favorites from the day (even though it’s hard to pick favorites at a place like Bellingrath)!

VENDORS

Photographer’s Assistant | Alexis Williams

Venue | Bellingrath Gardens

Flowers | Belle Bouquet

Bride’s Gown | Bliss Bridal

Groom’s Attire | The Black Tux