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!
Holly’s wore a chic, flattering gown designed by the talented Olia Zavozina. The dress was so dainty and so Holly. When Holly and Parker did their first look, Holly honestly took Parker’s breath away. (Just wait until you see the photos below.)
The bridesmaids wore all black, floor length gowns which was absolutely perfect for a winter wedding. Parker wore a fitted suit paired with a Tom Ford bowtie, and the hilarious groomsmen wore the same.
Despite cooler February temperatures, Holly and Parker never complained about being cold. They were such troopers about outdoor photos and honestly were just so excited to be getting married. Immediately following the ceremony, the Memphis Soul Shockers kicked into gear. All of Holly + Parker’s wedding guests were so entertained for the entire night.
Holly + Parker, thank you for letting us capture such an amazing day! We love you both!
Overton Park in Memphis, Tennessee will always be a favorite spot of ours for engagement photos. The sun just pours in and the magnolia trees are simply breathtaking. We were so excited that Lauren + Josh chose such a gorgeous location for their engagement session. We met Lauren + Josh at Overton with a bottle of champagne, because it was actually Lauren’s birthday. We felt so special she decided to spend a portion of her birthday with us.
Our first encounter with Lauren + Josh was actually via Skype. Thankfully, despite how awkward John and I feel we are while skyping, Lauren + Josh still liked us enough to hire us. We got to meet both of their sweet moms, which made the entire process so much more special.
When John and I were getting to know both Lauren and Josh, we asked them a little bit about their relationship. We wanted to know what their favorite thing about each other is, and I loved both of their responses, but Josh’s honestly made me start to tear up. Here’s what Josh said:
“I love that she knows exactly how I feel all of the time. I love how I can come in thinking about something and she knows exactly how I feel and what to do to make me feel better. I love that we are so connected. I just love everything about her. My favorite part of the day is always coming home to her.”
These guys are getting married NEXT month at Annesdale Mansion, and we simply cannot wait to be a part of their most special day. Y’all be sure to leave Lauren + Josh some love!
