A Gulf Shores Alabama Wedding

I don’t often photograph weddings at the beach, but when I first received an inquiry from Julie I was intrigued. She wrote that she wanted a stress free, relaxed and fun wedding day. When we talked on the phone I could tell that she and TJ were a very easy-going couple. Their day felt like a vacation that happened to have a wedding be part of it. I love that their dog, Campbell, was part of every single moment. He was the sweetest dog ever and posed on cue!

Since everyone who was part of this day traveled from out of town to celebrate with Julie and TJ, it truly was a vacation atmosphere at the beach house where they said their “I Dos”. This was my first beach wedding where the reception was at a house that was at the same site as the ceremony. This meant we could use the house and beach are for both pre and post ceremony portraits!

When the ceremony ended the sun was getting close to setting. This whole day was planned around a golden hour ceremony, which would leave us just enough light afterwards for sunset “Just Married” portraits. After a gloomy and blustery Friday, the skies cleared up and the sun was out all day Saturday. This meant that when the sun set we had the most beautiful tones in the sky. It looked like a watercolor painting! Talk about a photographer’s DREAM!

Congratulations Julie and TJ! I hope you enjoyed your time at the beach. Thank you for having me be part of your special day!

I love this photo captured by my assistant Alexis!

My first garter toss where the couple’s dog was a participant in removing the garter!

 

VENDORS

Photographer’s Assistant | Alexis Williams

Planning | Kendra Lee Events

Venue | The Veranda

Catering | Creative Catering

Florals | Coastal Flowers and Design

Cake | A Specialty Bakery

Hair Stylist | Brittany, Bride Guide Pros

Makeup Artist | Lo, Bride Guide Pros

DJ | Drew, Touch of Class Entertainment

Rentals | Gulf Coast Events & Rentals

Bride’s Gown | Impression Bridal – Houston, TX by Azazie

Groom + Groomsmen Attire | Jos. A. Bank

A Spring Hill College Wedding

Brooke and Geoffrey have been together for nine years! They met in high school at McGill-Toolen Catholic and have been together ever since. When I met up with these two for their engagement session earlier this year, they immediately felt like old friends – the kind you haven’t seen in years, but can easily pick up where you left off. They’re just such warm and joyful people. And, as it turns out, we have many mutual friends!

Geoffrey told me the hardest part of the wedding day was not getting to see Brooke that morning. “I didn’t realize it would be so hard not being able to see her,” he said to me as we headed outside for the First Look. How sweet is that?! When he was finally able to see his bride the tears were definitely flowing. Brooke literally took his breath away. Geoffrey gasped as soon as he saw her, which didn’t surprise me one bit because Brooke was radiant in her amazing gown!

Both Brooke and Geoffrey are graduates of Spring Hill College (also my alma mater!), so when it came time to choose a church for their ceremony, they looked no further than St. Joseph’s Chapel. I just love photographing weddings at this church and I especially love taking portraits on campus during Golden Hour! We planned the timeline carefully so that we could fit in portraits in downtown Mobile and on campus. With the help of the team at Lydia Noble Events and thanks to amazing weather, everything stayed on schedule perfectly.

A History Museum of Mobile Reception

After the ceremony at Spring Hill College, we headed back downtown for the reception at the History Museum of Mobile. I love shooting at this downtown Mobile venue, but it’s been over a year since my last wedding there. One of my favorite aspects about this venue is the fact that we can use it for portraits during the day. The courtyard is one of my favorite portrait spots. I was so glad that we were able to stop by there for bride and groom portraits before heading to Spring Hill for the ceremony. I am also OBSESSED with the grand staircase that is in the main lobby. Brooke asked if we could do some portraits there and of course I happily said yes!

Since we’re into the fall season and the sun sets so much earlier we didn’t have daylight left for “Just Married” portraits after the ceremony. But we were able to take a few portraits of the newlyweds at the museum just after Brooke and Geoffrey made their grand exit. I knew Brooke wanted a photo showcasing the History Museum and I’m so thankful that we were able to make it happen. Thanks to videographer, Robbie Reynolds, for suggesting the night-time portraits idea. They were such a fun way to end the day!

I love the shot below that my second photographer, Ellen, took of Brooke wiping away a tear from Geoffrey’s face.

This is one of the most gorgeous bouquets I’ve ever photographed. The color palette was so timeless and classic!

Y’all is this baby stealing the show, or what?! Just look at that big smile.

Eloise certainly loves her godparents and they certainly love their flower girl!

Brooke had the most perfect veil for portraits like this! The light weight and long veils float perfectly in the air!

Brooke walked down the aisle to Jeremiah Clarke’s “Trumpet Voluntary” played on the organ. I don’t think there is a better way for a bride to make her grand entrance at a wedding. I had goosebumps when those doors opened. Then I looked up to see Geoffrey in tears and nearly got misty-eyed myself. Yes, I’ve always been a cryer. You should see me after watching Hallmark commercials!

These two certainly know how to open up the dance floor in style!

These ladies are ROCK STARS when it comes to keeping things running smoothly! It’s always a pleasure to work with planners and Lydia Noble Events did an amazing job on this wedding!

VENDORS

Second Photographer | Ellen Talbot

Photographer’s Assistant | Katy Rasp

Planning | Noble Events

Videography | RHR Media, Robbie Reynolds

Getting Ready | The Admiral

Ceremony | Spring Hill College, St. Joseph’s Chapel

Reception | History Museum of Mobile

Catering | Georgia Roussos

Florals | Rosebuds

Invitations | Rose and Cotton Lettering

Cake | Pollman’s

Hair Stylist | Cameron Thomas, Cara & Co.

Makeup Artist | Alexandra West

Entertainment | Party People Entertainment

Rentals | Mobile Popcorn

Bride’s Gown | Bliss Bridal

Bridesmaids | Bella Bridesmaids

Groom + Groomsmen | Men’s Wearhouse

A Bayfront Park Engagement

I first met Catherine when I photographed her sister’s wedding earlier this year! I remember taking a photo of her and Thomas during family portrait time. A few months later I received an email from her saying she was engaged! I loved working with this family the first time around, so I felt so lucky to get the opportunity to work with them a second time.

Thomas proposed to Catherine at Bayfront Park in Daphne, Ala. He’d been planning to ask her in front of her family. But, that particular day, they found themselves at one of their favorite places and the timing just felt right. He proposed to Catherine while the ring was back at her parents house in the safe, waiting for the preplanned proposal date. I love that Thomas went with his gut instinct and chose a moment that felt so meant to be. Catherine said yes as they watched the sunset together on the beach.

While they were technically engaged that day, Thomas still kept to his plan of asking Catherine to be his bride with her family present. This was when he finally slipped the gorgeous engagement ring onto her hand. I thought Catherine’s ring looked like a vintage design, but it’s actually a new band that’s designed to look vintage. I thought it was just gorgeous!

These two are planning a winter 2020 wedding and I know it’s going to be such a fun day! When I asked if they’d picked a first dance song yet, Thomas started singing a line from the song. So I told them to dance a little for me while I took photos. Based on that moment alone, I know their wedding dance is going to be a fun one to photograph!

View more engagement sessions here!

A Lifestyle Newborn Family Session

I was in business as a portrait photographer for three years before I ventured into the world of wedding photography. My calendar back then was full of mostly family sessions and a few high school senior shoots here and there. But I was hooked on weddings from that first dip of the toe into the pond and it changed the course of my business.

Today I take on about one family session per month. I know that sounds extremely limited, but each wedding usually has at least one other session paired with it. Whether it’s another date for engagement portraits, a bridal session, or rehearsal dinner coverage, the calendar fills in fast with those shoots. Since I also do commercial and editorial photography, this leaves very little time for family sessions. I love the variety of work I get to shoot, so when I do have a family session make it’s way onto my calendar, it’s a real treat.

My friends Melissa and Christopher reached out with the news they were expecting their third child well ahead of his due date. With Heath, their first son, due to arrive at the end of September, we planned a lifestyle family session for early to mid October. That’s one thing about babies…you never know exactly for sure when they’ll make their appearance. Heath ended up arriving a little ahead of his due date, meaning we did this session closer to three weeks old. He was still in the sleepy stage though so it was perfect timing!

In fact, little Heath slept for most of his session, even when his older sisters were hugging and kissing him. It was the sweetest thing! It seems like yesterday that I was taking his sister’s newborn photos. I can’t believe how fast time flies! It was such a joy to work with this sweet family again. Enjoy my favorites from their shoot!

Already smiling for the camera on cue!

View more family sessions here!

My Sister is Getting Married!

My parents and I first met my sister’s boyfriend, now fiancé, at a McGill-Toolen football game. It was Homecoming weekend and we were all going to the festivities before the game. We waited on the sidewalk for Katherine and Phillip to arrive. It looked like it was about to storm.

They pulled into the parking lot just as the first rumble of thunder sounded through the sky. As they approached, I suddenly felt indecisive on whether or not I should hold out my hand to shake his, or if I should go in for the hug. I am a hugger by nature, but I didn’t know how he’d feel about that. Phillip walked up and Katherine introduced him to my parents. Mom went in for a hug and so did Phillip. This guy is going to fit in just fine, I thought to myself.

It did rain that night and we soon found ourselves seeking shelter under the tents at the football stadium along with several hundred other McT fans. Dad and Phillip talked the entire time. Another good sign because if you know my dad you know he is a talker. The rain eventually stopped and the game went on as planned. It’s hard to get to know someone sitting in the stands if you’re not sitting right next to them. But even so, by the end of that night I was pretty certain I’d just met my future brother-in-law.

A Bayside Proposal

A little over a month ago Phillip asked my dad’s blessing before proposing to Katherine. He wanted to ask her on a weekend when I wasn’t working a wedding so that we could all be together to celebrate afterwards. Yes, he is super thoughtful and considerate! I found out about the proposal plan less than two weeks from the date, but oh my goodness it was one hard secret to keep. I was about to burst with excitement!

Phillip devised a plan that would involve my parents and I joining him and Katherine for dinner at Sunset Pointe, one of our favorite restaurants in Fairhope, Ala. Katherine would think it was a regular family dinner, except we would never actually be joining them at the restaurant. Phillip hired a photographer (Katherine would have been WAY too suspicious if she saw me there with my camera) and planned the timing out to the minute. They would arrive at the restaurant and then he would propose. After the proposal she would realize we weren’t coming to dinner.

As luck would have it, Katherine and Phillip arrived at the restaurant earlier than planned. Katherine thought we were on the way as well, so of course she sends a text to my mom asking where we are. Then she asks if we’ve made it to Daphne yet. We sensed she was starting to wonder why we were so far behind them. The whole time we are back in Mobile and she has no idea that Phillip is stalling to give the photographer time to arrive! My mom and I definitely had our patience tested during that few minutes of wait time. Of course Dad was cool as a cucumber.

Suddenly the texting stopped. “It’s happening,” we exclaimed. And then we waited for the phone to ring.

Finally, Katherine called with the news! It was such an exciting moment! While Katherine and Phillip enjoyed a dinner together, we headed downtown to Dauphin’s to meet up with Phillip’s family so that we could all congratulate them together. This part was still a surprise to Katherine until they headed back to Mobile. It was such a special night and we of course loved filling Katherine in on the back story of the surprise. She did forgive us for telling a few white lies in order to help Phillip pull off the perfect proposal! And perfect is exactly what it was! Here we all are after dessert and drinks that night.

An Orange Beach Alabama Engagement Session

Katherine and Phillip love the beach, so we headed down to Orange Beach for their engagement session. I was so excited to get to take these portraits for them! If you’re wondering, I’m not their wedding photographer. Katherine is my only sibling, so I want to fully devote myself to the role of bridesmaid, daughter and sister on that day. I also want to enjoy being part of the moment and not worrying about logistics of photography.

Thankfully, Katherine and Phillip chose the talented and sweet Justine & Wayne to photograph their wedding day. I know that it will be captured beautifully! I also made sure to tell Katherine and Phillip to have an engagement session with them too. It is so important to work with your wedding photographer ahead of wedding day, even if you’ve already had an engagement session with someone else.

Katherine and Phillip, it was a joy and an honor to take these portraits for you! I love you both so much and look forward to wedding day next year!

We used up every last ounce of light and this was the view as we headed back to the car! The beach in autumn is definitely my favorite!