December in Memphis is one of the most magical times of year. Locke and Reed’s downtown Memphis wedding day was no exception!
Locke and her maids got ready at The Historic Peabody Hotel in downtown Memphis. The suite they reserved had so much natural light, which made our photographer hearts skip a beat! Locke and Reed’s ceremony was at Calvary Episcopal Church, and in the month of December the church has a gorgeous white banner that runs down the aisle that is absolutely gorgeous. Their reception was back at the Peabody and everyone danced the entire night away.
It was extremely windy and chilly on this special day, but Locke and Reed never complained once. They carved time out of their schedule for bride and groom portraits, and truly just enjoyed spending the day together. Locke’s stunning dress was from Maggie Louise. She added a lace top to her dress for the ceremony, and then detached it for the reception giving her an entirely different look. Kasey Acuff did Locke’s makeup and it lasted even through high winds and happy tears.
Thanks Locke and Reed for allowing us to capture such a special day!
Lauren and Sam’s Shelby Farms engagement session is SO romantic. I can’t help but sing Taylor Swift’s “Dancing with our hands tied ” on repeat while editing this session, because of the lyric “Deep blue but you’ve painted me golden.” You’ll see why below, but to be honest, I’m pretty much always listening to something of Taylor’s on repeat. I digress.
Lauren is actually Kirsten’s sister! See the resemblance? John and I feel extremely blessed we get to photograph both of their weddings. Kirsten and Chis just got married this past March, and Lauren and Sam are getting married THIS WEEKEND! Sound the alarm, we cannot wait for this one. Lauren and Sam kind of fell into our lap as “clients” (you know I hate that word) and we are SO GLAD THEY DID!
I feel like Lauren and Sam’s first date says a lot about them as a couple and their genuine, spontaneous relationship. Here’s how Sam remembers it: “We rode my four wheeler together until 4 am talking and getting to know one another. It was a simple yet unforgettable first date.”
I love when we asks our couples about the proposal and both of them respond. I can hear the excitement in Lauren’s voice as I read her response. It’s just too good not to share:
“June 30, 2017 is when we got engaged. I had zero idea that he was going to propose that day. My family was in town for a family reunion (we have family reunions every 2 years). Whenever my family comes into town, we always go out to Beale Street one night. The plan for that night was to go out to Beale Street, eat dinner at Blue’s City Café, and take pictures by the river. My great aunt is a photographer, and my great uncle always has his video camera on him. Let me also say that there is a steak at Blue City Café that Sam had been talking about for the past 2 weeks. We arrive downtown, and get seated. There is a live band, we order drinks, apps, our food, and we are all just hanging out. About 20-25 minutes later, our food comes and Sam barely eats anything… he has been talking about this steak and how excited he is for it, yet eats two bites. I asked him if he was okay.. because he was also acting a little weird. Still didn’t think anything. But he said he was fine, just a little tired from a long day at work. So I said okay! We finish eating and head down to the river where we take pictures. We took a family photo with everyone (in one of these photos, you can see my step-sister handing Sam the ring). Then it is my sister and her boyfriend (now fiancé) turn to take individual pictures, then it’s our turn. We take a couple of photos, and I start to walk away, he grabs my hand and says “wait a minute”. When I turn back around, he takes both of my hands, says a ton of sweet caring words (that we both don’t even remember!!) He gets down on one knee, and asks me to marry him… I reply with (because I’m still in shock this is happening) Did you ask my dad?!?! He says “Of course I did!” Then I say YES as I’m crying and shaking!”
Lauren’s comment about Sam getting permission from her dad made both John and I chuckle. We are so excited for their wedding this weekend! You guys enjoy!
I WISH more brides would do bridal portraits. I just love them. Maybe it’s the southern girl in me that loves them so, whatever it is, I am here for it. Lauren’s bridal session at Annesdale was one for the books.
Lauren and Josh just got married this past weekend, and I am so HYPED that I finally get to post her bridal session. Lauren wore not one BUT TWO dressed from Maggie Louise Bridal. The first dress is Anne Barge and the second dress is Amsale (two of my most favorite designers.) Kasey Acuff did Lauren’s makeup, Emily Cohen did Lauren’s hair and Lynn Doyle Flowers provided the gorgeous bridal bouquet.
You will definitely get to see Lauren + Josh’s wedding blog once it’s posted, until then you guys enjoy!
Kaitlen and Kyle are getting married next week, and I am so excited to share their Overton Park engagement session with you all today!
Kaitlen and I clicked instantly after our first phone call. I knew I loved her when she said “I just want you to know I am going to be a boujee bride.” I am pretty sure I have met my match with Kaitlen and I am ok with that. Life is too short to be anything but boujee, right? I have loved getting to know Kaitlen and becoming friends with her throughout her engagement, and we’re just ecstatic for their wedding next weekend.
This engagement session was so much fun. It was actually the first time we had met Kaitlen and Kyle in person and naturally we all hit it off instantly. Kyle reminds me so much of John. He is so calm, funny, and honestly just down for whatever. Not all grooms are on board for photos, but Kyle was so cooperative and complied and even seemed to have fun. We loved that about him!
I always love hearing how the proposal went down, and Kaitlen and Kyle’s proposal story is SO fun to read. Here’s how Kaitlen told it:
“Kyle’s mom called me a few weeks before his birthday and told me she wanted to throw a surprise party for him. She told me all of his siblings would be home and to invite some of his close friends. I was so excited and reached out to a few of his best friends to clue them in on the plan (even though they already knew the plan and I had no idea)! So, his birthday finally comes along and we all start to gather at his parents’ home. His first friend arrives and Kyle acts so surprised (FAKER!!!) At this point I am just happy I didn’t accidentally ruin the surprise beforehand. After everyone showed up, we all went to the backyard to watch Kyle open his gifts and to eat dinner. I always have my camera and play photographer at events. His sister, Lana, asked if she could take pictures on my camera. Me being hard headed, I declined her offer and continued taking pictures of Kyle opening his presents. Then Lana asked (well rather told) me again if she could use my camera. I thought it was odd but laughed it off and she nudged me to go sit in the open chair next to Kyle. Finally, he is down to his last gift to open and he says, “Oh babe I have a feeling you’re going to want to take a picture of this one!!” To which I responded, “Um why??” I thought maybe it was a new truck and his mom had wrapped the key or something. But NOPE, he got down on one knee after unwrapping a ring box and asked me to be his wife. After he put the most beautiful ring on my finger, I turned around to see two of my best friends that hid inside and watched the whole thing! My parents were also there which was such an important detail to me. I am so thankful he planned such a special surprise and that we were surrounded by all of our favorite people.”
I saw photos of this and it truly was such a sweet moment. Now Kyle will forever share his birthday with their proposal anniversary! We cannot wait for their wedding next week, you guys enjoy!
Heartwood Hall is stunning, lets state the obvious. We got to photograph Morgan and Harrison’s engagement session there last fall. These two models (but seriously, they could be) are getting married at Cedar Hall NEXT month, and we’re ecstatic to be a part of it.
I love that Cedar and Heartwood Hall will let you use either venue for your engagement photos. It’s a great way to guarantee stunning images, without using the same location you’re getting married at, if you don’t want to. Both venues are so gorgeous, I honestly cannot pick a favorite.
Ok, on to Morgan and Harrison. Morgan has the BEST STYLE. She could be a poster child for “what to wear for your engagement photos” and Harrison is also no exception to that statement. These guys have SERIOUS chemistry and we are HERE FOR IT. I always love hearing back stories from our couples, so I asked Morgan and Harrison how they met:
“I was in nursing school and a friend in my clinical group had her baby at the hospital we were assigned to so I went to visit. While visiting her new baby, I also met her husband, Jacob. Jacob is Harrison’s very best friend and as soon as I left the two new parents took it upon themselves to set up Harrison and I. After about 4 or so failed attempts to meet, we officially met for the first time at BBQ Fest in 2016. Morgan came with a group of friends to the tent that the team I was apart of for that weekend. She didn’t know I was there or even had heard of me before, but I knew of her and knew she was coming that evening. It wasn’t until later that I let her know about how I knew of her and we were supposed to randomly run into each other on multiple occasions.”
Who doesn’t just love a Memphis themed first date?! After officially meeting at BBQ fest, Harrison did get Morgan’s cell number and their official first date was at The Green Beetle, a Memphis staple. We love Morgan and Harrison’s love for all things Memphis!
One of my most favorite things to ask our couples is what they love most about each other. You may want to grab a tissue when you read what both Morgan and Harrison said:
Harrison: What I love the most about Morgan is that no matter if I’m in a bad mood, she’s in a bad mood, or if we’re in a fight over something, it all stops with a look that she gives me. It’s hard for me to describe, but when I see it, whatever anger, frustration, sadness, etc… all just washes away and all I can think about is how much I love her and how lucky I am to have her in my life. We do a great job at making each other laugh every day and helping each other keep things in perspective so as to not get too overwhelmed. Morgan: What I love most about Harrison is how selfless he is. It doesn’t matter the situation or what he has going on in his life, he will drop everything for a complete stranger. I love the way he takes care of me now, and lets me know he always will. I can text him from work saying it’s a horrible day, and I will come how to flowers and a sweet note telling me how great I am at my job and how lucky he is to have me. I cannot believe he chose to be with me.
I’m not crying, you are… Ok, I am. Seriously, how great are these two? John and I are so happy they found each other, and honestly can’t think of a better match. We cannot wait to be a part of their special day at Cedar Hall next month!
