It’s no secret, I LOVE ANNESDALE MANSION. In all seasons, Annesdale is just so lovely, just to state the obvious. Of course, Bethany and Lance’s wedding is no exception, it was one of our favorites for several reasons.
If you’re an avid Kelly Ginn Photography blog reader, you may notice this blog post in particular, is a little bit different (in the very best way.) Bethany and Lance were so intentional about how they were going to spend their time on their wedding day. Bethany asked me if it would be possible to do their first look on a separate day, before their actual wedding. John and I were THRILLED at this thought. Doing the first look and bride and groom portraits on an entirely separate day allowed Bethany and Lance to really take advantage of all of the gorgeous Annesdale locations, as well as made their wedding day less stressful. Bethany said she wanted to enjoy her actual wedding day and not be bogged down by tight timeframes, which we totally respect.
Needless to say, Bethany and Lance’s wedding was just as perfect as their bride and groom portraits and we’re SO happy they let us be a part of their day. We got to work alongside Emily Cohen Hair, Kasey Acuff Makeup, and Malik Sharp so it is safe to say Bethany and Lance were in the best of hands.
Before I stop talking, I have to tell you a little bit about how amazing Bethany is. She and I spoke a lot during their engagement. John and I are very lucky because all of our couples become our friends. Bethany and Lance were no exception to this rule. Bethany and I were once talking about how John and I started dating, and I told her he asked me to be his girlfriend in our high school parking lot, in the rain, with yellow roses. On her wedding day, Bethany meets me with a basket full of goodies (I am talking, the best of the best) which nearly made me cry. One of the many items in the basket was a tiny gold bracelet with coordinates on it. Once her wedding ended, I googled the coordinates, and it came up as our high school parking lot, where John and I started dating. I won’t even try to lie….. I cried big ugly, Kim K tears. In a time in her life where everyone’s (including Bethany) should be focused on her and Lance, she took the time to make me feel more special than I ever have. For that, I will always be grateful for.
I feel like we will never deserve the amazing souls that walk in and out of our lives, but I will never stop being thankful we get the privilege to know such incredible people like Bethany and Lance.
Bethany and Lance, thank you for the honor of choosing us to capture your most special day, thank you for being our friends, and thank you for how completely special you made us feel. We love you guys!
Meghann and Cameron’s Overton Park engagement session happened on the most ideal, sunny day Memphis has ever seen. It was the kind of day any couple dreams of for their engagement photos, and we are SO glad they chose us to capture this special time in their lives.
I’ll start with a bit of a back story. Cameron is actually John’s cousin! I won’t lie, I claim all of John’s cousins as my own, because they are all amazing and I am thrilled to get to be a part of the family. We met sweet Meghann back in 2016 when John and I photographed Cameron’s sister, Kaitlyn’s wedding (our other amazing cousin.) I had seen photos of Meghann with Cameron before the wedding, and both John and I were so excited to finally meet her. Naturally, both John and I loved her from the second we met, and we are simply ecstatic we get to photograph their wedding THIS WEEKEND.
These babes are getting married at Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Oxford, Mississippi and then having their reception at Castle Hill. We simply cannot wait to document their day while celebrating alongside them.
Meghann and Cameron, thank you so much for choosing us to be a part of this time in your lives. We love you both!
Katie + Brent’s wedding at The Atrium at Overton Square was actual WEDDING GOALS. To save myself embarrassment, I won’t tell you how long ago this wedding was, but hey, better late than never, right? It’s true, sometimes blogging does get put on the back burner, BUT that will change in 2019, and I can think of no better wedding to start with than Katie + Brent’s.
Something you need to know about Katie + Brent….. John and I are mildly obsessed with both of them (and their two adorable pups.) Since day one of working with Katie, I just knew she and I would click, and be friends even after their wedding. She’s extremely kind, genuine, so loving, absolutely beautiful, and one of the most supportive humans I know. She (and her sister Karlie) are the FIRST to “like,” comment, and share our work, and for that, we are forever thankful.
These love birds got married at their home church in Mississippi, which had the most beautiful columns we’ve ever seen. Their church also had a long grassy area in the front which was amazing for photos. I’m pretty sure we saw every type of weather imaginable on their wedding day, but we still managed to do all of their photos outside!
Katie + Brent’s reception was at The Atrium at Overton Square and it was the most fun “party” we’ve ever been a part of. I mean, the energy was at a level 100 from the MOMENT Katie + Brent walked in the door. Their reception photos just make us want to dance and sing the night away. The beautiful flower arrangements + wedding day coordination was provided by Lynn Doyle Flowers. The arrangements at the reception were absolutely breath taking. Kasey Acuff did Katie’s makeup, and Rachel Douglass did Katie’s hair. Katie wore the most flattering gown from Maggie Louise (I’m still talking about her back muscles to this day, haha.) CFY provided the most delicious food (per usual) and don’t even get me started on their flawless presentation. Deep Blu Entertainment kept the dance floor packed, and Frost Bake Shop kept all the guests completely satisfied with their delicious and beautiful cake.
Katie + Brent, thank you so much for allowing us to be a part of your day, and for keeping us around even after. You’re stuck with us now!
A lot of bride and grooms find themselves asking the exact same question, “Should I do a first look?” Recently I had the opportunity to talk with over 20 different brides about their thoughts on first looks. Several of the brides who took the time to chat with me, were not KGP brides, but they’ve all given me permission to include their name and advice/thoughts on why you should do a first look. I will actually start with my thoughts on doing a first look, but first, let me take my photographer hat off and put my bride hat on.
Before I was a full time wedding photographer, I was a bride. Over seven years ago, John and I got married and we did not do a first look. *GASP* I know I know, but let me explain why we didn’t, and then elaborate on WHY I wish we had. John and I got married on October 22nd, 2011. It was the our five year anniversary (the exact day) and both John and I had waited a LONG time for that day. We faced what I like to call “Romeo and Juliet” trials early on in our relationship, and our wedding day felt like what I would imagine crossing a finish line in a marathon would be like. I’m sure our wedding photographer warned me about how late in the day our ceremony was, and as you know, those October days aren’t as long as the summer days are. No one, not even Taylor Swift herself could have talked me into a first look with John. I wanted to see his face as I walked towards him down the aisle. His face did NOT disappoint, trust me, BUT after photographing over 200 weddings, I know his face would have been like that during a private first look, and most likely once again during the ceremony.
If your ONLY reason for not wanting to do a first look is because you’re concerned you won’t get a reaction from your bride or groom during the ceremony, you may want to reconsider.Don’t believe me? That’s fine, take a look at the following KGP couples who did a first look, had amazing reactions, and THEN STILL reacted during the ceremony:
Ashley + Drew’s First Look:
Ashley and Drew’s reaction during the ceremony:
Karlie + Mark’s First Look:
Mark’s reaction during their ceremony:
Stephanie + Radley’s First Look:
Stephaine + Radley’s reaction during their ceremony:
Hailey + Morgan’s First Look:
Morgan’s reaction during the ceremony:
“Ok, Kelly, we get it. Some bride and grooms react during the first look AND during the ceremony. HOW ELSE DOES A FIRST LOOK BENEFIT US AS A COUPLE?” I am so glad you asked:
1. Something I never thought of as a bride, that is so evident now- I was only with John for about four hours on our wedding day. I spent over 60% of my day without him. It was OUR wedding day, yet we spent over half the day separated. If I could go back, 2019 Kelly Ginn would shake 2011 Kelly Ginn until she was blue in the face. I would spend every second of my wedding day with John.
2. I can’t speak for all photographers, but I know a lot of them would agree with me when I say- You’ll actually get more photos of just the two of you if you do a first look. Why? Because you are less rushed and you actually have more time to spend on couple portraits. More time means more variety in photos, i.e. you can utilize all the gorgeous locations your venue has to offer because you have the time to do so. If you were to compare a full wedding gallery of a couple whose wedding I shot that did a first look, and a gallery of a couple whose wedding I shot that did not do a first look, the couple that did, WILL receive more photos. It’s an additional event that was documented.
3. (This one is super important) For brides who are getting married in the colder months (think time change, when the days are shorter) You can still have an evening ceremony *IF* you do a first look, because all of your photos can be planned to be completed before the ceremony starts, since you won’t need daylight after your ceremony is over. Can you give us an example of what you mean? Yes, of course: Let’s say you’re thinking you are wanting to get married in late October. On October 26th of 2018, the sun set at 6:10 pm. If you wanted to have your ceremony at 5:30 (a common ceremony time) you would only have about 10 minutes left of daylight to complete the following portraits (assuming you didn’t do a first look): 1. couple with both sets of families separate (minimum of 2 sets) 2. bridal party all together, combined. 3. couple portraits (bride + groom, bride + bride, or groom + groom) which is our biggest priority and where we spend the biggest chunk of time. I can speak for ALL photographers when I say, those three sets of portraits cannot be done WELL in 10 minutes, because there simply won’t be enough available light. So doing a first look can allow you to still have an evening ceremony, even when the days are shorter and even during the time change months
4. A first look can calm nerves and relax you so that you’re able to actually enjoy your entire day, not just the last four hours of it. I’ve seen grooms be so nervous minutes before the ceremony (because they didn’t do a first look) that they had zero reaction as they watched their partner walk down the aisle. 200+ eyes all on you can be a bit overwhelming, and they can’t always react the way they want to because their bodies are in shock.
5. If your goal is to get as many photos done before the ceremony, so that you can enjoy your reception, a first look is your answer. There are times when our couples decide to do a first look, that they don’t have to take a single photo after the ceremony, because we got them all done before the ceremony started. Other times we just have to spend 10-20 minutes max doing extended family photos after the ceremony. If you don’t do a first look, you can spend up to an HOUR’s worth of time (maybe more) finishing up the photos that couldn’t have been taken before.
Hey Kelly, thanks for your input on a first look, but could we hear from a bride who ISN’T a photographer? Duh.
Emily, a past bride of ours didn’t do a first look and regrets her decision. Here’s what she has to say:
“I decided not to do a first look with Reagan because I wanted to be traditional and see him for the first time as I walked down the aisle. Looking back on it now, the moment was so overwhelming, and while I wanted a sweet reaction from my future husband as I walked down the aisle, all I could see was him mouthing “I will not cry I will not cry” over and over. It’s a very vulnerable moment and unfortunately we had to share it with 400+ of our closest friends and family (LOL). We didn’t get to feel all of the emotions and have true reactions that we could’ve had if the moment was shared between the two of us! I did do a first look with my dad though, and it’s was one of the most special moments of my life. I will forever hold onto his face and that moment we shared. I loved it so much and it always makes me think “what if” I would’ve done the same with Reagan.”
Don’t worry, I have more thoughts and advice from REAL brides.
Though I didn’t photograph Chelsea’s wedding she messaged me her thoughts on how her biggest regret was not doing a first look:
My husband, Joe has the reputation of being a “jock”. He’s a gym junkie, former minor league baseball player, and all around athlete kind of guy. He’s SO sweet and sensitive, and he isn’t afraid to show it. I thought, “let’s not ruin the magic of my walk down the aisle with posey photos that feel less than authentic.” Unfortunately our experience was just the opposite. I thought for sure I’d have a crier on my hands. (I’m not the one to cry in front of people) but due to his nerves and his deep fear of sounding stupid by repeating his vows wrong, he basically froze when I walked down the aisle. I ended up being the crier. The pressure of being up there with all eyes on us totally got to him. We immediately took photos in the field across the street from the venue after the ceremony and they were so beautiful, but I always regret not having photos of him seeing me in my dress for the first time without 150 pairs of eyes on him. MY. BIGGEST. REGRET! It still pains me nearly 7 years later.
Don’t think for one second that I am done. I have more advice/thoughts from other brides.
I didn’t photograph Riley’s wedding, but she was kind and honest enough to tell me her thoughts on first looks, and how she wishes she would have done one:
“We did not do a first look and I kind of wish we did. My husband is very traditional and did not want to see me before the wedding (totally fine), but we had to rush and take all of our pictures after the wedding. Our wedding started at 6 and we did not enter the reception until 8. As we were eating inside the house, I saw some of our guests leaving and I didn’t even have a chance to say hello or thank them for coming!! I wish we would’ve done a first look and did most of our bride & groom photos beforehand. A few more at the golden hour is still nice, and then you’re back with your guests. I recommend first looks to all of my friends!”
And of course, I want to provide you with the perspective of brides who DID do a first look, that recommend it:
Mekenzie and Seth, a past couple of ours, DID do a first look and here are her thoughts on it:
FIRST LOOKS ARE SO IMPORTANT. If you think it makes you lose any special- emotional- walk down the aisle- moments…. My groom didn’t cry during our first look, and cried like a baby when I walked down the aisle. AND *IF* you do a first look, you have a whole set of photos of the two of you seeing each other for the first time on the most special day.
Lastly, I have Lacey, a past bride of ours who also has thoughts on a first look and why she is so glad she and Andrew did one:
First looks are the best! It’s so nice to have that moment with just you and your future husband without everyone there watching you. The moment you have waited and planned for when they see you for the first time is priceless!
Here’s the deal. I can only speak for myself as a past bride and a photographer. My views don’t represent every other photographers, which is why I included five different bride’s direct quotes/ thoughts on first looks. Honestly, the decision to do a first look is YOURS, and yours only. As a photographer, I feel it is my job to educate you and inform you on what a wedding day timeline looks like with and without a first look. What you do with the information I give you as a professional, is entirely up to you. John and I respect your informed choice, regardless.
The sunflower fields in Memphis are such a popular attraction. John and I were so excited that they were still in bloom for Megan and Richie’s engagement session. Megan absolutely loves sunflowers, so we’re so happy they were incorporated in this exciting time of their lives. We got the pleasure of meeting sweet Rita, Megan and Richie’s sweet pup. We love dog people, and we REALLY love when they bring them along for their photos.
We actually met Megan and Richie at a wedding we did last April. Megan was a bridesmaid and I could not stop obsessing over her hair. She has #hairgoals FOR SURE. We are SO very excited to be photographing Megan and Richie’s wedding this February at Avon Acres. We have never shot there, and are SO very excited to do so.
M + R, we had so much fun frolicking through the sunflower fields of Memphis with you both! Y’all be sure to leave Megan and Richie some love!
