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!!

Steve & Elisabeth//Anniversary

Its not very often that I get asked to shoot anniversary photos (which that should totally change), but let me tell you, they’re slowly becoming one of my favorite things!!! There’s something that’s unquietly special about photographing a bride and groom, moments after they’ve been pronounced husband and wife. There’s a newness and excitement that’s extremely magical on a wedding day. However, I think there is something so beautiful about photographing a couple thats been together for years and years. There is a oneness and a closeness that couples who have been married for a while have, that newly married couples don’t have yet. To witness that unity between husband and wife is SO beautiful and it makes me excited for the years that are to come for my husband and me.

Elisabeth & Steve were naturals in front of the camera and I had so much fun hanging out and making new friends! This year, they celebrated their 10th anniversary, which is amazing and should be celebrated JUST as much (if not more) as recently married couples! I also welcome any other anniversary sessions that are to come in future ;)

Todd Wedding//Greenville,SC

Some weddings, I just feel really really blessed to be a part of, I feel like God ordained just because He knew id love the couple, and I walk away from with tears in my eyes out of gratitude. THIS was one of those weddings for me.

Darby & Jimmy are some of the most fun, Jesus loving, hard working, smart and genuine people. They both come from really awesome families, are both in the medical field, and both have a heart for medical missions. I remember we were walking through the woods on Darby’s parent’s property during their engagement session as they were telling me all about themselves and I thought, “wow these are some pretty incredible people". That thought was continually confirmed over the next few months leading up to their wedding day.

Darby pulled me aside the morning of their wedding and told me that she and Jimmy met on this day, exactly 1000 days ago! They waited a long time for this day, and it was well worth it.

Watching the love these two have for each other, the Lord, their family and friends was truly beautiful. I remember I was taking photos of Darby by herself after the ceremony, and Jimmy couldn’t stop complimenting her. Their day was all about glorifying God and loving on their friends and family. Photographing their wedding was refreshing to my soul and made me extra thankful that God allowed me to meet these two and be a part of their special day.