When I met with Jenna and Matt to talk about their engagement session they said…”We are easy going, fun loving, and trust you!…if there is anything you’ve been wanting to try for a while…we are your couple!”  So…off to the fair we went!  I had been DYING to shoot at the fair for quite a while!  Man did we have fun with this sessions!  Jenna’s ring in cotton candy is just so SWEET!  haha…pun intended!  No really…it’s one of my favorite ring shots ever!  There couldn’t have been a more perfect couple for this shoot…they were giggly and happy the whole night!  Just the way you should be at a fair!  Hope you love their images!

I was so excited to shoot Jackie and Bryan’s engagement session!  Piedmont Park is THE location for shoots in the Atlanta area.  I had never shot here before as I typically have clients that want a more rustic look, but Bryan and Jackie are getting married at Magnolia Hall in Piedmont Park this fall, and wanted to shoot their engagement session here as well!  I was so glad they did!  We had a fabulous time wandering around the park together and stoping wherever we found good lighting and pretty scenery!  We got a great idea of awesome areas to shoot on their wedding day and came away with some gorgeous images of Jackie and Bryan including some with a gorgeous city skyline view!

Rachel was a bridesmaid in another wedding I shot, and when it came time for her wedding, she called me!  That’s the ultimate form of flattery for someone in this service oriented profession…so Rachel…thank you!  Rachel and Andrew met at GA Tech, so what better place to do their engagement pictures!  We had a blast exploring the campus together!  Enjoy!

Jenna and Matt are one of those couples that you instantly love.  They are both laid back and incredibly calm, but also have an adventurous spirit and are up for anything!  I knew this to be true when they decided to have their engagement pictures taken at the county fair…how fun!  (P.S. – I can’t believe I never shared those here…they’ll be posted soon!)  Their wedding day was gorgeous!  Simple, and organic, with touches of gray, blue, and green scattered throughout their day.  I love that instead of flowers, they used plants for their centerpieces that could then be taken home and enjoyed for years to come!  The background of the Foundry at Puritan Mill provided the perfect juxtaposition of industrial and organic for a truly unique wedding that was a joy to capture!

Earlier this year I was lucky enough to get to shoot with my best friend and amazing wedding photographer, Aimee Reynolds.  Sometimes, getting to take the roll as a 2nd shooter is an awesome thing to help grow your skills and stretch your limits.  As the 2nd photographer, you don’t get to be in charge, you don’t get to stand in the exact position that you want to get “the shot”…so…you have to adapt, and get creative!  And sometimes…that’s an amazing thing!  Sometimes that challenges you to think differently and in turn makes you a BETTER photographer.  That’s what I got to do at this wedding shooting along my best friend!  I had a blast and am so excited to share the images with you.

Before the ceremony Kyle’s grandmother gave him a pocket watch that had been his grandfathers who had passed away.  This was one of the most touching, heartfelt, moments I’ve ever been apart of.  So precious.

Nadia and Izak are some of the coolest people I know!  They are both from South Africa…she moved here in 2000 and he moved here in 2001.  When Izak arrived, Nadia was asked to show him around town and introduce him to some people and they have been inseparable ever since!  Izak is the “Country Mouse” and Nadia the “City Mouse” however, despite their differences, it is obvious that they are perfect for each other!  They had dreamed of doing their engagement session in Charleston because they love the city so much, but didn’t know how to make that work.  Well…luck would have it that I happened to be in Charleston for my little brother’s wedding.  So Nadia and Izak came on out and we had a blast shooting around the city!  These two are getting married in 2 weeks…so you’ll see more of them soon!  Enjoy!

Nashawn and Everett were married this past Saturday at Villa Christina!  These two were a joy to work with through out the entire wedding process! They trusted me the entire way – when we literally took pictures on the side of the road during their engagement session and when I suggested they take off their shoes and get in the stream during their wedding!  Their wedding was filled with tons of laughs and a few tears as well (happy ones of course!)  Nashawn got ready at the Crown Plaza Ravinia.  Her makeup artist did an incredible job!

Nashawn’s little sister was overcome with emotion after the ceremony was over.  I was so glad I was right there to capture this special moment between the two of them!  Melts my heart!

Candid moment’s right after Nashawn and Everett were married!  Love that first little cuddle and kiss right after the ceremony!  It’s when it starts to sink in…we are MARRIED!!

I suggested getting into the stream (half joking) and Nashawn jumped on the idea!  Everett was a little wary about rolling up his pants and getting wet on his wedding day…but I’m sure he agrees now…this shot was worth it!

Nashawn and Everett had the best 1st dance ever!  It was 100% choreographed and just INCREDIBLE!!

Sweet speeches that made everyone laugh hysterically and shed a few tears!

Purple has been the COLOR for weddings the past few years!  I’ve shot a LOT of purple weddings.  Yet…somehow, they all end up unique and special in their own way!  I LOVED that Mandy pair the bridesmaid’s purple dresses with colorful but romantic flowers.  Mandy and Brandon’s wedding was the perfect mix of elegant and romantic!  And the Cator Woolford Garden’s couldn’t have been a better place to have it!  Between the lush greenery, the gorgeous flowers, and the old architecture, there was a photo op around every corner!  Enjoy the images from their day!

This wedding started out with the ultimate in cuteness…Taylor & Tyler…seriously…how precious is that?  Their wedding was one of my favorites to photograph!  There were so many gorgeous details, most of which the bride and her mom did themselves!  I loved their orange color scheme (so unique) and how it played out through every last detail of the day!  Black Fox Farms was the perfect place to get married.  Let me tell you…they are incredible there!  The owners are super sweet and accommodating.  When we needed a way to get to the field on the other end of the property to take pictures…they there there in a heartbeat driving us anywhere we needed to go!  One of the coolest things about this venue is that during the week it’s a working plant nursery.  There are plants and trees and flowers all over the place!  And get this?  Before the wedding day, they will drive you around the nursery and you can pick any thing you’d like to be displayed at the wedding!  Tyler and Taylor used the flowers/plants to decorate their ceremony site & the barn which held the reception – so cool and cost effective!  I could talk forever about this wedding but I think I’ll let the pictures do the talking!  Don’t forget to check out all of the little details that make it special like the striped ribbon on Taylor’s bouquet, Tyler’s cuff links with a picture of their puppy on them, the message on the back of Tyler’s tie, the custom cornhole games, striped straws, and the cupcake table!  Yum!

P.S.~ Sarah Ryan of LuxeandCharmEvents.com coordinated this wedding and she was INCREDIBLE to work with!  If you are looking for a wedding planner in the Chattanooga/N. GA area…check her out!

I can’t believe I’m JUST now posting this stylized session!  I had a BLAST working with Molly from Chancey Charm Weddings to stylize this shoot!  We met one day over lunch, pulled our computers out onto the cute little bistro table, and started brainstorming!  We had so many ideas floating around as to what to do for our first stylized wedding shoot together.  But eventually, we landed on something tried and true and very near and dear to both of our hearts – our lovely little state – Georgia!!  

Madison Oaks Inn was the perfect Southern bed and breakfast for the shoot to take place. Covered in giant oak trees and flowers of every kind, the grounds are an absolutely gorgeous place for a Southern affair. Of course, Coca-Cola (born in Atlanta, the South’s favorite drink) had to make a debut. We used vintage Coke bottles, along with vintage glassware, for the centerpieces. Each guest had their own glass bottle Coke. Place cards were real peaches with DIY pendant flags. As Southern girls, we often call ourselves “Georgia Peaches.” Peaches are one of the state’s best products and proud motifs! The fabrics incorporated by robintreelane were Southern as could be: gingham and florals, reminiscent of home. We used vintage doilies as “place mats” and rose-colored depression glass for the settings. One of my favorite details were the farmhouse tables, along with stunning white chiavari chairs. Mismatched silverware, from different thrift stores, completed the look. The flowers, by Gardenia Floral Design, incorporated soft colored florals and cotton (another well-known Georgia product), with a pop of red to match our Coca-Cola bottles. The bouquet was tied with a vintage red polka dot scarf.  Two “special” cupcakes were created for our bride and groom: peach cobbler cupcakes for the bride, and cherry cola for the groom. Not only were they super cute, they were delicious too. 

 So many awesome vendors went into the making of this shoot, I just HAD to give them a shout out!

Photo Shoot Venue: Madison Oaks Inn & Gardens in Madison, Georgia

Styling + Planning: Molly McKinley of Chancey Charm Weddings

Floral Design: Gardenia Floral Design

Invitations + Paper Goods: Plainjane Designs

Wedding Cake: Sugar Kneads Cakery

Cupcakes: Silver Lining Cupcake Co.

Cake Stand Rental: Barron’s Rentals

Chiavari Chairs + Farm Table Rentals: Goodwin Event Rentals

Napkins, Runner + Ties: robintreelane

Wedding Dress: Vintage

Bride’s Makeup: Linda Brothers Purvis, Independent Mary Kay Consultant

Jewelry Styling: Ashley Bardash, Independent Stella & Dot Stylist

P.S.~  This shoot was featured on Style Me Pretty!  Head on over to check it out!  http://www.stylemepretty.com/georgia-weddings/2012/07/04/southern-vintage-inspired-wedding-photo-shoot-by-berrytree-photography-chancey-charm-weddings/