A Spring Hill College Engagement

I love asking my clients to share their proposal story. Hearing how he asked is fun and it lets me get to know their personalities. When I met with Hannah and Ryan I was treated to the most adorable and suspenseful proposal story I’d heard in a while. Hannah and Ryan set out on a day trip to Cheaha State Park. They left in the wee hours of the morning, Hannah sleeping most of the way and Ryan thinking about the ring that felt like it was burning a hole in his pocket. For a couple who love hiking and the outdoors, this wasn’t an unusual date. Hannah didn’t suspect a thing.

Ryan had the proposal perfectly planned out. He’d take Hannah up to the highest point in Alabama and ask her to be his wife. In order to distract her from his real plan, he promised her they’d go for burgers after their hike. Hannah happily went along with the plans. Ryan is not only a thoughtful guy, he is also well prepared. He’d packed his GoPro for the day and made sure to stop and take pictures at multiple places along the hike. He planned to capture the moment on the camera. The scenery was amazing and Ryan knew that capturing the proposal on camera was something Hannah would treasure. He just needed to find the perfect rock.

At one point, he thought he’d found the spot. But, before either of them could blink, the GoPro sailed over the side of a cliff. They had no choice but to go off-path to retrieve the camera. Hannah was determined to find a waterfall, completely unaware that Ryan was worried his whole plan was falling apart. They’d passed a rock earlier on that seemed like a good spot, but Ryan wanted to explore other options. They ended up finding Hannah’s waterfall, but the spot wasn’t the scenic view that Ryan had envisioned for his proposal.

Ryan convinced Hannah they should revisit an area they’d seen at the beginning of the hike. There was one problem. They had to exit and re-enter the park due to the road being one-way. By this time, Hannah was thinking about that burger and Ryan was worried he was never going to get to ask the question he’d been dying to ask all day long. Then they got into a wreck (not their fault).

It took over an hour for the state trooper to arrive and file the report. By that time, Hannah was hungry and not interested in going back to the spot Ryan wanted to revisit. She never suspected he had a ring in his pocket all this time! But Ryan convinced her it was worth it to see that view. They made it to the rock. Ryan set up his GoPro, switching it to video this time. It wasn’t until he started reading Hannah a note he’d written that she realized what was happening! He got down on one knee and asked her to be his wife. She said yes immediately! Nearby hikers realized what had just happened and began cheering. Ryan checked his GoPro to show Hannah the video and discovered that the battery was dead. Noooooooo.

After all that planning, Ryan was determined to have his video. He went back to the car, found another battery and then re-enacted the moment for the camera. So, technically, Ryan proposed twice. How adorable is that?! Hannah said yes both times! They finally made it to the burger shop for their first lunch as an engaged couple. Later that night, Ryan surprised Hannah with an engagement party at Moka’s Coffe House, where the two first met. All their closest friends and family were there to celebrate the happy news.

Hannah and Ryan are such a joyful couple! Listening to their story, I felt like I was actually there. I am so honored when my couples will share stories like this with me. Hannah says that she loves that the perfect moments didn’t happen exactly as planned. She says the surprises “are what’s beautiful.” Don’t you love that?! We all need a little imperfectness in our lives, don’t you think?

Sometimes the best things are the unexpected. I thought Hannah put it into the best perspective, “We aim for perfection, but the centrality of it all is two imperfect people chasing the One who is perfect, Christ, together in the midst of the organized AND the messy.” I was BLOWN away by the beauty of that statement. It also shows just how special these two are. Hannah and Ryan, I hope you enjoy my favorites from your engagement session! Thank you for choosing me to be your wedding photographer!

I asked them to imagine they were on a dance floor. How adorable are they?!

Do you have a romantic proposal story? I’m a Mobile Alabama Wedding Photographer who loves photographing Gulf Coast weddings!

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A Mobile Botanical Gardens Engagement

Natalie and Wilson met at a wedding. She was a bridesmaid and he was a groomsman. They kept getting paired up for so many wedding events and have been together ever since. Of course I loved that their love story started with a wedding. It reminded me of my sweet friends Debby and Richard. Natalie graduated from Auburn and Wilson from Alabama (I guess they’ll be a house divided!), but both settled in Birmingham after graduation. When it came time to plan their wedding, they decided Wilson’s hometown, Fairhope, would be the perfect location. I love that when we sat down for their consultation that these two were all about nailing down their timeline. Talk about being prepared! I love when my couples are so organized!

When Natalie contacted me to schedule her engagement session, I’d already planned a day of family sessions at the Mobile Botanical Gardens. It worked out perfectly for doing their session at the end of that same day. During the shoot I found out that Natalie and Wilson enjoy hiking. I always love doing sessions at the gardens because it is beautiful year-round, but it was extra perfect for two people who love the outdoors. It also meant that these two were totally game for walking to some of my favorite spots that are further inside the gardens!

If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you know that I LOVE golden light. Well, autumn golden light just might be my favorite. There is something about the sunsets this time of year that are extra magical, extra dreamy and extra romantic. We had the most perfect golden light the afternoon of this session. I was in heaven! Enjoy my favorites!

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Sacred Heart Chapel Fairhope AL Wedding

Michael walked Aliana to her bus stop. Their first date had gone well. As they waited for the bus, Michael started thinking about going in for a kiss. But he hesitated. He finally got up the nerve, but then the bus suddenly pulled up. Before he knew it, Aliana had hopped on the bus and it was pulling away. Thankfully, Michael asked her out on a second date and eventually got that kiss. I love this story that Aliana’s younger sister told in her wedding speech and I loved getting to know this sweet couple on their wedding day.

It’s very rare that I don’t meet my brides and grooms in person before the wedding day. Usually we are meeting for a consultation, then seeing each other again for the engagement session, and maybe a third time for a bridal portrait session, or timeline meeting before wedding day. But when your clients live across the country, you don’t get to have all those in person meetings beforehand. I was so excited to finally put a face with the sweet voice I’d spoken with over the phone. The day of Aliana and Michael’s wedding arrived and it felt as if we hadn’t missed out on any of those in person meetings. Aliana is just the sweetest person. She greeted me with a big hug and I instantly felt like we were long lost friends.

Michael was so laid back and easy-going, his groomsmen eager to have a good time taking portraits. One of Aliana’s bridesmaids told me there was a lot of love for each other amongst this bridal party and I completely felt that was the case. Everyone was in such joyful spirits! The weather was so perfect the day of this wedding. Sometimes the wind will carry you away when doing photos outside Sacred Heart Chapel, but there was just a gentle breeze the day of this wedding. When I saw the amazing floral arch that was framing the chapel doors, I knew we had to use that spot for portraits! The color it brought to the front of this little white chapel was so perfect for an autumn wedding!

One of my favorite parts of Aliana and Michael’s wedding day happened during the ceremony. Aliana and Michael wrote some of the special intention prayers that were read during the Mass. I thought this was such a lovely personal touch. I also loved that Aliana and Michael chose to do their grand exit at the church, instead of at the reception! It was such a fun moment for all of the guests to participate in right after the ceremony. Everyone cheered as Aliana and Michael pulled the rope to ring the large church bell that sits in the front lawn. Then we topped it all off with some Golden Hour portraits. Talk about the perfect day!

How amazing are these bouquets?! Jubilee Flowers, knocked it out of the park with these designs!

A massive thanks to my awesome assistant, Allyson, who took this photo of me with Aliana and Michael and some bonus photos during the ceremony!

Planning a fall 2019 wedding? I’d love to chat with you about wedding photography!

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VENDORS

Photographer’s Assistant | Allyson DeMouy

Ceremony Location | Sacred Heart Chapel

Reception Venue | St. Lawrence Catholic Church

Videographer | Jonathan Weiss

Caterer | Naman’s Catering

Florist | Jubilee Flowers

Cake Artist | Couture Cakes

Hair Stylist | Warlocks Hair Salon

DJ | DJ by Demand

Bride’s Gown | Paris Connection Bridal, Justin Alexander

Bridesmaid Dresses | Azazie

Groom’s Suit | Jos. A. Bank

Ceremony Strings | Atkinson Duo

Trinity Episcopal Autumn Wedding

You know in the movies how everyone in a small town always knows everyone else? Well, that’s how it feels sometimes when you’re a wedding photographer. You’re in this small town of brides, grooms and wedding parties, and everyone is seemingly connected to everyone else. I love that about my job! At this wedding I ran into the maid-of-honor from one of my recent weddings, the parents one of my December brides, and friends from church. All at one wedding! On top of that, my second photographer, Jacob, ran into his neighbor and he found out that he and James are from the same area of Memphis. How crazy is that?!!!

Mary Catherine and James are the sweetest couple. After about five minutes of working with them on their engagement session, I felt like we’d been friends for years. When I pulled up to the getting ready house the day of the wedding, Mary Catherine opened up the door and I could just feel the happiness in the air. All of her girls (and there were 11 of them!) were so welcoming and fun to be around. When Mary Catherine’s mom zipped her into her beautiful gown, her bridesmaids could barely hold back their excitement. Squeals and tears were abundant! As much as I love a bridesmaids First Look, I equally adore when the bridesmaids are all part of the “getting into the dress” moment. I love seeing their excitement for the bride!

When we arrived at the church, I could tell James was so ready to see his bride! Mary Catherine’s eyes welled up with tears as soon as I told her we had James in place and were ready for the First Look. The courtyard at Trinity Episcopal Church provided the perfect private setting for them to share this special moment. I love that these two truly soaked up the time allotted for First Look and didn’t rush through that moment. Choosing to do a First Look is not just about taking photos before the ceremony. It is more about giving yourself a chance to talk to one another and spend time together one-on-one on your wedding day.

Even though we did get the majority of portraits taken before the wedding ceremony, Mary Catherine had asked me ahead of wedding day if we could do their “Just Married” portraits after the ceremony at GulfQuest, where there reception was being held. She then told me that we would be able to go up on the rooftop for portraits! All I could think was, please let us have good weather the day of this wedding!!! Well, the weather was absolute perfection and the rooftop portrait time was a total dream. I could have stayed out there until we had no light left, but Mary Catherine and James had a reception to get to. We took as many portraits as possible in 10 minutes and headed back downstairs for dinner and dancing.

Mary Catherine and James, I hope you’re enjoying walking the cobblestone streets of Italy! Thank you so much for having me be part of your special day!

I am obsessed with Mary Catherine’s vintage veil! Several women in her family have worn this beautiful heirloom on their wedding days.

Can every wedding from now on include rooftop portraits?

I always try to get a photo with the bride and groom on wedding days (even though I know I have tired eyes by this point in the reception)!

Are you a bride-to-be? If so, let’s chat about wedding photography!

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See more gorgeous weddings on the blog!

 

VENDORS

Second Photographer | Jacob Bennett

Photographer’s Assistant | Allyson DeMouy

Church | Trinity Episcopal

Reception Venue | GulfQuest Maritime Museum

Florist | Elizabeth’s Garden

Cake Artist | Cakes by Judi

Catering | Chef Rob & Co.

Hair Stylist | Garilynn Gillespie

Band | Emerald Empire Band

Bride’s Gown | Amsale

Groom’s Tuxes | Francia’s

 

A Fairhope Pier Engagement

I went on a trip to Italy the summer between my junior and senior years of high school. It was my first trip to Europe, my first time to leave North America. If I think about it, that trip to Italy was when I really began my photography journey. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I remember wanting to take pictures of everything. I remember being towards the back of the group as we walked the streets of Siena, Assisi, Florence and Rome, simply because I kept pausing to take pictures. Maybe it was the beautiful countryside, or the artwork of the Italian masters, that ignited my love for preserving memories with a camera. I still treasure those photos that I took on that trip with my mom’s point and shoot Canon camera.

Aimee was one of my fellow school mates who went on the Italy trip. I never dreamed back then that all these years later she would be calling me up to photograph her wedding! When Aimee first contacted me about wedding photography she hadn’t even set her date yet! I love a girl who plans in advance! Aimee is also a fellow photographer, so I was not surprised that she wanted to plan her day around photography.

Aimee and Jonathan’s love story began 13 years ago, although they didn’t know at the time that their meeting would be the beginning of something special. They were friends for years and when they both found themselves single at the same time years later, they realized they’d been put into each other’s paths all those years ago for a reason. Fast forward to today and they are planning a spring wedding for 2019!

The first time I met Jonathan I told Aimee that he reminded me of my cousin, Tanner. I could immediately tell he is a Southern gentleman with a big heart. I loved hearing him tell the story of how he proposed to Aimee. How he didn’t plan it out exactly, but that he knew he wanted to do in Fairhope, their special date night getaway. As they walked around the pier one night after dinner, Jonathan was preoccupied with picking out the perfect spot to propose.

That night, Aimee and Jonathan made their way to the beach area that overlooks Fairhope Pier. They sat down on a piece of driftwood, soaking in the evening air. When a pelican landed nearby, Jonathan pointed it out to Aimee. As soon as she turned away to look at the pelican, he knew this was the place and the moment. He dropped to one knee and when she turned back around she nearly shouted “Yes!” before he even got the question out. Aimee said she was just so overjoyed and Jonathan was happy that he’d been able to pull off the surprise. I love that Jonathan said he didn’t want to propose on the pier because of the stories you hear of people dropping the ring in the water! Smart man!

I loved spending the afternoon with Aimee and Jonathan for their engagement portraits. We even went to the exact spot of the proposal for the end of their session. Talk about the perfect way to wrap up an engagement shoot!

View more engagement sessions here!

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