The cherry blossoms and dogwoods at the Memphis Botanic Garden are a huge attraction and Allison and Josh totally got to take advantage of them at their engagement session.
Let me step back, meet Allison and Josh. Trust me, you’ll meet them once and want to be have a double date night at least once a week. I didn’t know that you could feel a “spark” through an email, but I TOTALLY did with Allison. I noticed right off the bat how thorough, intentional, and professional Allison was- and I gathered all of that from 2-3 emails. Turns out I was right, Allison is ALL of those things and more.
We met Allison and Josh for the first time at their engagement session. It didn’t take long at all to feel like we were taking old friend’s photos. They are both so natural with each other and you can tell all it takes is each other’s company to make them feel complete. I love that about them.
We asked A + J about their first date. I love how Allison told it:
“Josh & I met in person for the first time on January 7th, 2017 for our first date. I’ll never forget how cold it was that night; it had snowed the day before and the roads were still patchy with ice. He drove an hour and a half all the way down from his farm outside of Milan, TN to meet me. When he swung open the doors of Andrew Michael’s in East Memphis, I knew he was the one, simple as that. For me, it was knowledge at first sight. I learned, on that date, that he shares a birthday with my daughter. How wild, right! We had an amazing three hour dinner and the very next Sunday, on our second date, we became exclusive. The rest is history! :)”
I love how certain and confident Allison was, and how positive she was he was the one for her. That’s what love should look like.
Allison and Josh are getting married THIS Saturday at Cedar Hall. It’s going to be absolutely amazing, and we are SO freaking pumped to be a part of their most exciting day. You guys enjoy!
Annesdale Mansion is SUCH a romantic venue, especially in the fall. Let’s be honest though, Annesdale is romantic in all seasons, and so are Talia and Courtney.
OH MY STARS, John and I love these girls so much. We were thrilled when Talia first inquired, and even MORE thrilled when we got to meet them both in person. When they walked in our house, they both seemed shy and unsure of what questions to ask (like a lot of couples do) but it didn’t take long for us to be able to see both of their personalities. We showed them full wedding galleries, and wedding albums so they would know what to expect, and Talia and Courtney would chat amongst themselves. It’s so funny, because it’s almost like they have their own language. Talia would say something really quickly and then both Talia and Courtney would shake their heads. It’s the most adorable thing. When they left our house, they let us know they’d be in touch. We both were SO HOPEFUL they would hire us.
After a day or so, my phone rang and it was Talia and Courtney. Talia told me to put them on speaker so John could hear, I thought “Oh no, what’s this about.” To my complete surprise they blared Taylor Swift’s “Look What You Made Me Do” but at the end of the song replaced the lyrics with “WE WANT YOU!” And there has NEVER been a happier Kelly Ginn.
We absolutely LOVE asking our couples what their favorite thing about each other is. What Courtney and Talia both said made us laugh!
Courtney: “When talking about our favorite thing about each other, I don’t think we can limit it to just one. I have to say that one thing that makes me love Talia the most is that she is a very caring and passionate person. If you didn’t know her you would think she could be a little rough around the edges and not big into feelings. My definition for her would be that she is a burnt marshmallow. She is rough on the outside, but gooey in the middle. I have to say, she has stuck by my side since the very beginning. When we first met I was a full time student and also worked full time and of course she was already completely stable and in her career. She was supportive and always reminded me that I was a very intelligent person and would make something great of myself in the near future. She always knows how to lift me up when I feel down and how to put a smile on my face.”
The burnt marshmallow part had John and I cracking up. We also love the humor and sweet words Talia wrote about Courtney:
Talia: “I have to say that Court was like a gnat that never went away. By saying that, I mean no harm at all. I can be a very difficult person and did not make it easy for her in the beginning or middle of our relationship. She never gave up though. Sometimes I wondered how I was so lucky to have a person like her in my life to put up with me. Through all of the nagging and me being a control freak sometimes she handles me so well. I honestly don’t know how she does it. She has always loved me for who I am and would never want me to change for any reason. Another thing that I love about her is that she can always make me laugh. Sometimes she will just have these dumbfounded looks on her face and I can’t help but have a smile on my face. Also, she will say the most random thigs that make no sense at all, but are quite funny.”
We have SO enjoyed getting to know Talia and Courtney throughout their engagement. We’ve all become friends, and even though their wedding is next weekend, I know we’ll all stay in touch for life!
Talia and Courtney are getting married NEXT weekend at Annesdale Mansion. Queen Kasey Acuff will be doing both of their makeup and the talented Emily Cohen will be doing their hair. We absolutely CANNOT WAIT! You guys enjoy!
Downtown Memphis in the Fall, could you ask for a dreamier time of year? Add Katie + Alex and we’re talking PURE MAGIC.
Would you believe me if I told you Katie and Alex have International Paper to thank for their relationship?! You heard me correctly, it’s true. These babes both started working at IP right out of college and were work friends before they ever started dating. Alex totally deserves a crown for being persistent. He asked Katie out to dinner THREE times before she finally agreed to go (proof he had his eye on the prize all along.) Katie didn’t want to ruin her friendship/ work relationship with Alex, but I know she is SO thankful she finally agreed, because she shared these thoughts with me.
Katie: Although I sometimes hate it took me so long to realize what was right in front of me, I am in a weird way thankful for that time. All those weeks I spent with Alex before our official first date gave us the opportunity to really strengthen our friendship before diving into a relationship.
When we met Katie and Alex, we loved them immediately. They are so personable, so kind, and have the most fun energy about them. We also got to meet Clem, Katie and Alex’s rescue pup. He has the most adorable face, and was SUCH trooper for photos. At one point, we posed Katie and Alex and I told Alex to say a funny word, he went to try and say said word and Katie bursted into hysterical laughter. We love that Katie and Alex can laugh at each other and with each other.
Katie and Alex are getting married THIS coming weekend at Cedar Hall and we are SO DANG pumped to celebrate with them. Y’all enjoy!
Overton Park is a Memphis favorite for engagement photos, especially in the Fall.
Meet Becca and Ryan! They are such a sweet and adorable couple, and don’t even get me started on Sully and Boomer. Sully is their furry and friendly Pomeranian, and Boomer is their spunky, curly golden doodle. Being the dog lovers we are, I genuinely/half kidding/half not kidding asked Becca if she considered giving me Boomer if I shot her wedding for free. Sadly she declined, I mean, can you blame her, but just look at that puppy face! It was absolutely freezing on this day, but both Becca and Ryan were absolute troopers and didn’t mind being extra snuggly.
We always love asking our couples about their first date, and we loved hearing Becca tell her side:
“Our first date was Wine on the River. Neither of us drank wine at the time, but we both pretended to love it. I think he was trying to impress me with a classy date. This sparked our interest in wine and love to go to wineries now. That night we also learned our birthdays are one day apart. Ryan asked me when my birthday was. I said, “July 15, 1991.” He said, “No way! Mine is July 16, 1991.” I didn’t believe him and asked to see his drivers license. I started to giggle. He asked, “What are you laughing at? My picture?” I said, “No. It’s nothing.” He was persistent on me telling him what I was laughing at. I continued to say, “It’s nothing. I promise you don’t want to know.” He wouldn’t give up. I finally said, “If we get married, we will have the same initials. REB.” He just looked at me and laugh
ed. Now 4 years later, we will have the same initials.”
Becca and Ryan are getting married this weekend at Hunt Phelan! We absolutely cannot wait to be a part of their most special day, and you KNOW Sully and Boomer will make an appearance for photos! You guys enjoy!
Spring in Memphis is one of my most favorite seasons. Though Caroline and Jay’s wedding was in April, and though it looks like those slightly warm spring days, let me assure you, it was frigid. It was one of the coldest days Memphis in April has ever seen.
Caroline and Jay are some of the most generous people we know. We photographed their gorgeous rehearsal dinner at Acre Restaurant (which is one of our most favorite restaurants) and they also included us as guests. All of Caroline and Jay’s friends would tell you that’s typical of them, they’re always going above and beyond for everyone in their life.
These two got married at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and their reception was held at The Columns in downtown Memphis. Caroline’s stunning gown was from Maggie Louise, along with her elegant veil that was absolutely breathtaking. Kasey Acuff did Caroline’s makeup and Deedra Stone did all of the gorgeous florals. The day ran so smoothly thanks to The Hardin House, and Laura from The Flour Garden did both amazing wedding cakes.
Caroline and Jay’s reception will FOREVER be one of our favorites. We saw dozens of leg kicks, a cake in the shape of a hamburger, some serious dance moves, and the night was topped off with a second line as this sweet couple exited their reception! It was an absolute blast and we’re so thankful we got to be a part of their special day! Enjoy!
