The Dixon Gallery and Gardens is always magical, but have you ever got to see the tulips in the spring?! You’re in luck regardless of how you answered that question, because Abby + Brad’s wedding at the Dixon was right smack dab in the middle of their tulip season.
As you know, our priority is getting images back to our couples as soon as possible. It’s for that reason blogging gets put on the back burner, BUT- better late than never, right? Abby + Brad’s wedding may have been a year ago, but it feels like just yesterday. John actually used to work with Brad briefly in college, but I didn’t know Abby until she hired us. It’s funny how our couples start off as strangers and end up as friends. I could text Abby at anytime and be like “Hey girl, I miss you, let’s grab drinks.” and she would be so down. That’s just the kind of people Abby + Brad are, the best kind.
These two had an all-star lineup of vendors on their wedding day, and we are so happy to have been included in that list. Abby’s magical gown was designed by Hayley Paige and she got it from the lovely ladies at Maggie Louise. It was the perfect dress to twirl in. Kasey Acuff did Abby’s makeup and Allison Becksfort did her hair. She was glowing the entire night. Deedra Stone provided the lovely florals and the sweet ladies of The Hardin House were there to ensure the day ran smoothly. Camilla Weddings did Abby and Brad’s awesome video and Party Planet rocked the night away.
This wedding was definitely one for the books and we are SO thankful we got to celebrate alongside Abby + Brad! We love you guys!
This urban Midtown Engagement session is surely about to be one of your favorites! I’ve loved Taylor and Joey before I even met them. (It’s so true.) Our good photographer friend Shelby Renee photographed their proposal, and I nearly fell over when I saw Taylor’s custom Heidi Gibson engagement ring. (Just wait!)
We were THRILLED that Taylor and Joey inquired with us, met with us in person, and then hired us! These babes are getting married in just a few weeks at Annesdale Mansion. We’re so looking forward to their wedding day.
The story of how Joey and Taylor met sounds straight out of a fairytale. Here’s how Taylor tells it:
“We actually met in the fourth grade because we went to the same summer camp with each other, so we basically grew up together! Once we were old enough, we were camp counselors together as well. In our senior year of high school, Joey had been wanting to ask me out for a while, but the timing of it all was just off. That summer, we ended up not seeing each other because our plans had changed, but he decided to wait until our paths crossed again. On our first day of move in at Ole Miss, I was walking into the local grocery store and we bumped into each other. After literally two months of dating we knew we were gonna get married. The rest is history.”
Taylor and Joey’s engagement session was SO MUCH FUN and these guys are extremely stylish. I feel like Taylor and I could totally share a closet. Honestly they both look like they could model for Urban Outfitters. It’s safe to say Taylor and Joey are both trendsetters!
We absolutely cannot wait for their wedding on August 24th. You guys enjoy this adorable session!
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!
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!
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!
