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Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles Engagement- Stacey + Evan- Memphis Wedding Photographer

July 17, 2019

Stacey and Evan’s Melrose Avenue engagement session in Los Angeles was one for the books!! As cliche as it sounds, this entire engagement session truly IS A VIBEEEEEE! (Yeah, I just said that.) As if Melrose Avenue wasn’t already so unique, just add Stacey and Evan, PURE MAGIC. John, Madi, and I were out West vacationing in Palm Springs, California and were lucky enough to meet up with Evan and Stacey in Los Angeles.

We’ve had the privilege of getting to know Stacey and Evan over the last two years. They are some of the kindest, most thoughtful, loving people we’ve ever come in contact with. I’m sure anyone whose ever been in contact with these two would agree, to know Stacey and Evan is to love Stacey and Evan. We honestly wish these babes lived in Memphis so we could hang out all the time, we both even have golden retrievers, how cute?!

Stacey and Evan actually met on an online dating app called Coffee Meets Bagel. Evan sent a message to Stacey that said “May I have your numero?” and the rest is history. Ironically enough, these love birds actually had their first date enjoying coffee and bagels, how appropriate?

As always, we love asking our couples how they got engaged! Stacey and Evan’s proposal is one of the sweetest! Here’s the way Stacey tells the story:

“So, to be totally honest, I originally thought I was getting engaged the weekend I actually did get engaged. However, Evan and my friend Jess threw me off. Jess called me and invited us to come down for a birthday party in San Diego. I was SURE that Evan was going to say no, because he had told me we were going on a “romantic weekend trip.” However, Evan was in on the plan and said “SURE, LET’S GO!” So, we started the road trip down to San Diego from Los Angeles and continued stopping at every possible location for photos. It was getting windy out and I was annoyed that Evan kept wanting to stop for photos. The 2-and-a half hour trip from Los Angeles to San Diego was approaching hour 5. We stopped at a local market “to pick up cheese, grapes, and sparking waters” for the party and I noticed a large hot air balloon truck. Evan said, “We aren’t going to San Diego” and I immediately knew we were getting engaged. The problem was…the wind!!! We had to wait to find out if we were going to be able to go up in the hot air balloon for about an hour. Evan was FREAKING out and ended up eating all the cheese and grapes within 10 minutes. After waiting and waiting, we were told that we would not be able to go up in the hot air balloon…so Evan proposed to me just right then and there. We then called all of our family and had a romantic dinner in San Diego!
When I got home, I saw that Evan had sent out letters to all of my best family and friends letting them know he was going to propose and that he wished they could all be there. He put a return card in there so that they could write us a congratulatory letter. It was honestly so overwhelming to receive such beautiful notes back from all of my favorite people…it melted my heart!!!”

We love how thoughtful Evan was including Stacey’s friends and family. Those notes will be something she cherishes forever.

We are so excited because John, Madi, and I get to photograph Stacey + Evan’s wedding NEXT month in Santa Barbara, California at The Rincon Beach Club. It’s going to be EPIC, and we simply cannot wait to be a part of their most special day! You guys enjoy!

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First Evangelical Wedding- Memphis Wedding Photographer [Katie + Barrett]

June 19, 2019

Katie + Barrett’s First Evangelical wedding was one of our favorites!

We first met Katie and her gorgeous mom, Mrs. Pansy when they came over to our house. We absolutely loved them from the start because they are two of the kindest people we’ve ever met. We asked all about Katie and Barrett’s relationship and truly enjoyed getting to know them.

Katie and Barrett are actual couple goals. Who would have ever thought that Katie and Barrett’s mothers would be the reason their relationship would have started. True story. Katie and Barrett’s moms are actually old friends. One day they joked about their kids going on a date. We’re SO glad they did because Katie and Barrett are truly a match made in heaven.
Barrett played football for University of Alabama and won a national championship. He then went on to play for the NFL for the St. Louis Rams. Sweet Katie has a servant’s heart. She is a former elementary school teacher where she is still so loved not only by all of her students but also the entire faculty and staff at her school. Katie now works for Chi Omega, there is nothing this girl boss can’t do!

On the wedding day, Katie and Barrett did a first look. Barrett was grinning from ear to ear the entire day, and when he turned around to see Katie, you could just tell how real and natural their connection is. Throughout the day, we couldn’t help but notice how he would just stop and hug her. She could be talking to someone, or posing for a photo, and he’d just wrap his giant arms around her as if he hadn’t seen her in years. We love that about the two of them. Katie’s family is super tight knit, and so is Barrett’s. The fact that family is super important to both the Hall and Jones’ family is clearly evident, and we know that family means just as much to Katie and Barrett.

Their ceremony was beautiful at First Evangelical Church, and their reception was held at the new gorgeous Retreat at Spring Creek Ranch. The forecast called for rain the entire day, but it actually never rained until seconds before the exit. Because Katie and Barrett were more looking forward to a marriage and not “a wedding” they just laughed and did their exit inside. It actually turned out perfect with Spring Creek’s gorgeous twinkling lights behind them.

Katie had an all star vendor team. Her gown was from Maggie Louise Bridal, and it was so flattering on Katie. Emily McElhaney styled Katie’s hair, and Kendrick Simpson did Katie’s makeup. Deedra Stone provided all of the florals, and they honestly blew us all away. We were lucky enough to work with Lance Cook, who did Katie’s wedding videography. Kipp Holmes designed their delicious cake that we heard the guests go on and on about.

We now call Katie and Barrett “friends” and we’re just so thankful to know them both (and their sweet families) You guys enjoy!

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Memphis Botanic Garden Engagement- Memphis Wedding Photographer [Lydia + Aaron]

June 13, 2019

Lydia + Aaron had such a gorgeous engagement session at the Memphis Botanic Gardens. John and I absolutely adore this couple. We can’t help but feel like they are so similar to us. Lydia is very social, fast paced, hilarious, goal oriented, and so genuine. Aaron is laid back, easy going, extremely kind, witty, and LOVES Lydia. It’s so obvious.

These two babes are getting married next month at Castle Hill in Oxford, Mississippi. We’re so excited to be a part of such a special time in their lives. You’ll notice below that both Lydia and Aaron laugh A LOT. They are so natural together, and we couldn’t help but laugh right alongside them. To know Lydia and Aaron is to love Lydia and Aaron.

We love getting to know our couples and learning about their relationship before their engagement. One thing Lydia said just gave me all the goosies, when I asked what her favorite memory of Aaron is. Lydia said:

“One of my favorite memories is when I was home in Texas for winter break our sophomore year of college. I was sad because Aaron lived in Tennessee and I knew we wouldn’t see each other until school started up again. I didn’t know Aaron plotted with my mom and best friend to surprise me. Aaron told me he was going hunting with a friend in Arkansas and was driving there after his families’ Christmas dinner that they celebrate a few days before Christmas. So thinking nothing of it, I was out with my hometown friends until like 3am and came back to my parents house, fell asleep and woke up to Aaron walking in my room. He drove 10 hours through the night to surprise me! This was a really pivotal point in our relationship for sure.”

I just love Aaron’s selfless heart and his love for Lydia. We are simply ecstatic for their wedding next month! You guys enjoy these!

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Downtown Memphis Wedding-Memphis Wedding Photographer [Locke + Reed]

June 7, 2019

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!

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Shelby Farms Engagement- Memphis Wedding Photographer- [Lauren + Sam]

May 28, 2019

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!