Sydney+Nathan//SC Summer Wedding

I know it’s the middle of winter & currently 30 degrees outside as I write this, but I have gotten SO BEHIND on blogging and felt the need to share this warm, summery, July day from Nathan & Sydney’s wedding with you guys!

These two got married at the same venue I had my wedding 4 years ago, which is always so special to photograph there! A few months before their wedding, they emailed me in a panic, because they had gotten into some not so good drama with their wedding photographer & were in need of a new one. I hate that they had to go through all of that, but I’m SO thankful it gave me the opportunity to meet them + shoot their wedding!! They welcomed me in & made me feel just like family. It was literally the dreamiest summer day and every detail of their wedding was STUNNING. My friend Lexi, who did all the florals, created this enormous hanging flower installation at the reception, which was a show stopper for sure!!

I loved everything about this wedding & can’t WAIT for summer to be here, along with all my summer weddings!!!!

Hope+Barrett//Greenville, SC Wedding

I don’t even think I have the right words to describe what these two (and their wedding day) mean to me!! I’ve known Hope for as LONG as I can remember & she is truly like a little sister to me. She is a friend to all, extremely caring, absolutely hilarious, and loyal to the end. The first time she brought Barrett around our friend group, he immediately stole our hearts and we knew he was the one for her. He loves her DEEPLY and is probably the most genuine person I know.

Hope works at an Orthodontist office and her boss (who’s Barrett’s cousin) set them up. They dated for a few months & then during the middle of quarantine, Barrett calls me and says he wants to propose to Hope at the place where they had their first kiss, which was at a bench in Falls Park. It was pouring rain that day but that didn’t stop us. I hid in the bushes as Barrett got down on one knee and got to photograph Hope’s reaction.

It’s been SO special to be a part of their lives & some milestone moments in their relationship, including their sweet wedding. These two love the Lord, each other, their family & friends SO fiercely. It was so evident on their wedding day, as so many family members and friends rallied around them and celebrated their marriage. They got married at the Southern Bleachery in Greenville & it was SUCH a fun day, full of some of my favorite people. Hope & Barrett, I truly love you guys and will forever be here to love, support, & cheer you guys on. xoxo

How to know if a First Look is right for YOU

Almost everyyyyy couple I photograph asks me this question…”Should we do a first look?!?” And honestly, no matter what my opinion or preference is, this is a decision that YOU and your fiancé should make! But usually the reason they’re asking me is because they have no idea if a first look is a good decision for them or not! SO I decided to make a little list of things that will hopefully help you determine if this is the best choice for you and your loved one on your wedding day!

I think first looks are a great idea if:

- One of you tends to be shy in front of large crowds. Usually, if the groom gets nervous in front of lots of people, his genuine reaction might get lost amidst the nerves of the moment. Same is true for the bride. If you’re shy or nervous, doing a first look usually creates a less pressured environment and helps you focus on the moment, not the nerves. I’d also like to add, I don’t believe first looks take away from the emotions that aisle creates. Even if you’ve seen each other before the ceremony, there is something really powerful in the moment that walking down the aisle creates. Its an emotionally charged moment regardless.

-You want a few minutes of one on one time with each other before the day starts. Sometimes, brides (or grooms) can get very nervous, and usually seeing & talking to each other before the ceremony calms them down and helps get rid of some of the nerves. It also allows you two to get to spend some uninterrupted time together alone before the craziness of the day continues, which can be really intimate and special!

-You have a tight schedule & want more time on the back end of the day. Obviously, first looks are special because you get to see your spouse before the ceremony, but it’s also helpful when it comes to the timeline. The day usually tends to run a lot smoother and quicker when couples do first looks, because that means most of the photos can be done before the ceremony, which frees up a lot of time after the ceremony, for couple portraits, mingling with guests, dancing, eating cake etc. It honestly boils down to when you’d prefer to have more time, at the beginning or end of the day.

First looks might not be the best decision if:

-You’ve always dreamed of seeing your spouse for the first time at the altar. Some couples feel pressured to do a first look when that’s not what they envisioned. You should NOT feel forced to do something you don’t want to do! There isn’t a right or wrong here, its truly what you want & what works best for your day.

-One of you wants to do a first look, but the other doesn’t. Its reallyyyy important that you come to a mutual decision on this, and that you’re in agreement!

-You’re not a morning person. LOL this isn’t a joke hahah. Like I said above, first looks usually require you to schedule out the day with more time on the front end. Which means you’ll have to start the day earlier than if you chose NOT to do a first look! If you’re getting married later in the day, this doesn’t reallyyyy apply, but it still requires that your day start earlier.

With all of this said, I don’t think one option is better than the other. I’ve photographed a lot of weddings, some couples chose to save their first look for the ceremony and it was SO emotional! Some chose to do a first look privately, and it was also a really beautiful moment. Most would tell you they don’t regret their decision either way! I didn’t do a first look at my wedding, but I did chose to talk & pray with my husband behind a doorway before we walked down the aisle, which definitely helped with the nerves and was a good hybrid of both options. No matter what you choose to do, it will be special & intimate because it will be YOUR moment & YOUR day!!!

Lauren + Ben// Outdoor Winter Wedding

Alaskan native marries a sweet, South Carolina girl. How the heck did this happen?! That was my thought exactly when Ben & Lauren told me their story! Seven years ago, Lauren’s family took a trip to Alaska to visit some friends, which is how they met Ben’s family. All 3 families hung out while they were there, but then Lauren’s family came back to SC & that was it…or so they thought.

Fast forward a few years. Ben finishes medical school and starts looking for jobs all across the country. He remembers Lauren’s family & that her dad is in the medical field as well & maybe he would know of some job openings or availabilities. So he reaches out to Lauren’s dad, eventually moves to SC, gets a job, and moves into a barn apartment on Lauren’s family’s farm!!! So naturally, Lauren & Ben became friends and started getting to know each other a little better. They started dating in March of last year & got married this past January!!!

To say these two love each other, love Jesus, and love their families SO very much is an understatement. It was so evident in every aspect of their day. They were both the most selfless bride & groom ever, constantly serving others and making their guests feel special & taken care of.

Every detail of their wedding day was intentionally thought out. All the places they chose to do photos had some significance to their story. The front porch of Lauren’s house is where Ben proposed to her, outside of the barn apartment where Ben lived is where they had their first serious conversation about where their relationship was going, the pond is where they took long walks before getting married etc. They also planted two trees on her parent’s farm, so that one day, they can bring their kids to that spot and tell the story of their wedding day & the start of their lives together. I mean…COME ON..how sweet is that?! It was so special to be able to document their story & all the intentional, personal details.

Ben & Lauren, you are carefree, passionate, and joyful people. The love of Jesus gushes from you and it was truly an honor to watch you two become husband and wife. Cheers to forever!!

Also, huge shoutout to my sis Margaret Ann who did a phenomenal job on Lauren’s hair and makeup. And my sweet friend Lexi, for always creating the most beautiful flower magic ever!! This wedding wouldn’t have been the same without yalls creativity- you two are the dream team forever!!

Nolan Wedding//Wildberry Farm

I always tell my couples that no wedding is perfect, and to get ready and not freak out when something goes wrong. But honestly , Melody & Tyler’s wedding was pretty close to perfect in my eyes!!

I met Melody in college and we’ve stayed in touch throughout the years. She would DM me on occasion and tell me “As soon as I get engaged, I’m booking you to shoot my wedding!” Well sure enough, the day after she got engaged, she messaged me about shooting her wedding! I was so honored and excited.

Their wedding was THE epitome of a perfect summer wedding. Sunflowers, blue skies, green grass, and a gorgeous sunset to end the day. Melody planned and decorated the entire thing, and honestly, she needs to become a wedding planner after seeing what she did at her wedding! Everything was so beautiful and intentional. She also got married at the same place I did, except she didn’t have any snow or freezing temperatures like I did at mine in January! Melody & Tyler, I truly was honored to be your photographer and witness such a beautiful day. You two TRULY are an Abercrombie & Fitch model couple ;)