And on to the celebration. Thanks to the beautiful lyrics from Greg Allman, their reception started with Travis and Melissa dancing to the song which bears her name… “Sweet Melissa.” Surrounded by so many friends and family, it was a joy to be invited to document their wedding day.

I wish you the sweetness of your special day to last for years to come!

A year later we met again – this time while she was helping her daughter Sarah look for a wedding photographer.  Mary Brooks was a true beautiful southern woman and her daughter was going to have the best.  Each time we met she was so happy as she immersed in all of the details.  Most moms of brides can be a bit harried but Mary Brooks met each moment with joy. 

I heard from her daughter that she lost her battle with breast cancer this past week.  I write in tribute to this woman who I never saw cross or out of sorts – who loved life so much.  I write to encourage people to be involved in helping others to live better.  I write in support of all the women who have survived breast cancer including my mom and a favorite aunt … to those who are battling with cancer right now …  and for those we have lost.   They were someone’s mom… they were someone’s daughter.  Look into how you can get involved!  The Susan G Komen “Race for the Cure.” is a great place to start!

~ Beth

Aynsley and Scott came in for an after wedding session a few weeks ago. I admire Aynsley for getting out there in the freezing cold weather we were having at the time. Despite the cold, their session turned out beautifully.

Aynsley and her mom Debra are Brides and Blooms, and they make some awesome bouquets. Like this one:

And this one (my personal favorite):

Happy Tuesday!

~jess

Before the ceremony at St. Brigid Catholic Church, Beth met Natalie and the girls at the reception site, the always charming Kimball Hall…

while Andreas met AJ and the guys at the boathouse.

I love this shot of AJ and everyone watching Natalie walk down the aisle

After the ceremony…

One of my favorites

And because I used to row in college, I had to include this image…

To see more of Natalie and AJ’s wedding, click here for a slide show!

Happy Saturday!
~jess

Audrey & Richard met at work. Both engineers, they found their mates as they discovered each other. When I first met them, they were excited to have their engagement photography in the park they call home. Nestled in the front of the park, their home gives them the time to walk in Piedmont park quite often.

And so the day came and we escaped the rain that has come so often this month in Atlanta. The clouds gave us a soft backdrop to showcase their laughter, their love – their joy in finding each other!

Sherry glowed – this time not with anticipation of her wedding – but by catching Bill looking at her as I photographed her smile!

Lucky to have found their love – my joy to capture Sherry again in her bridal session. A beautiful bride!!

Maybe it’s all the smiling couples, so in love and excited to be planning their special day…or maybe it’s all of the great decorations and other ideas everywhere you look…or maybe it’s the samples of delicious food, or more importantly in my world the chocolate cake…or maybe it’s just the fact that the people at bridal shows are just plain happy, and happiness is contagious.

This past week I attended bridal shows at Flint Hill and The Atrium here in Norcross, and at Primrose Cottage in Roswell (a big thanks to Robyn for helping me out both evenings), and last week Beth attended the show at Little Gardens in Lawrenceville.

So of course I’ve been thinking about all of the weddings we have photographed at these fabulous venues, and how some of my favorite wedding images have come from those weddings. I thought you guys might like to see some of them too…

Anna and Tim at Little Gardens

One of my favorites from Brooke’s bridal session at Primrose Cottage

My favorite table set up ever, from Nicole and Adam’s wedding at The Atrium

Amanda and Matt enjoying a moment together at The Atrium

Another one from Nicole and Adam’s wedding at The Atrium…I love the group shots of the entire reception.

A ceremony shot from Dena and Mike’s front lawn wedding at Primrose Cottage

Catherine and Brendan leaving Flint Hill

My favorite driving away image…from Jennifer and Matt’s wedding at Primrose Cottage

Happy Friday!
~jess

7-Eleven! used to just mean a “big gulp” Great place to get gas and a slurpie…. growing up in NJ they were on every corner. Turns out it’s also a great day to get married! We had two weddings with our studio yesterday so, as they say, this joint was jumping! Jess and I started early afternoon at St. James United Methodist to tell the story of Brooke and Chris’ love.

Brooke and Chris met at college. His brother, Matthew, told their guests in his toast, that Chris set his eyes on Brooke very quickly and they began their three year love affair! Brooke and Chris orchestrated the perfect wedding with creative touches added to every part of their wedding. Their joy in finding each other glowed on their faces all day long.

A 57 Chevy was their carrriage of choice to carry them from the wedding to the reception!

Chris and Brooke hand made all of the guest favors.

Their bridal party combined family and friends from childhood and college.

Brooke’s parents surprised them at the end of the evening with a ‘33 Buick to whisk them away to their honeymoon. Bubbles carried them from Primrose Cottage to their get away car!

Melissa and Darin started their day at home in Norcross.

Getting married at Simpsonwood United Methodist and having their reception at The Carlyle House their wedding was filled with their love together with family and friends from all over. Andreas and Steven photographed their day. Andreas sent a sneak peek from their wedding to share with you!

Ryan walks into rooms quietly and you can sense the calm forceful personality that fits his job as a police officer…. Katie JUMPS into wherever she is going – with a contagious love of life. Long after she has left the room people are smiling because of her JOY!

Saturday was a HOT’Lanta day for their wedding but that didn’t stop Katie and Ryan from enjoying every minute. Their ceremony was at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Norcross. With all of the stained glass windows, the backdrop for the wedding service was beautiful.

On to the Northeast Atlanta Hilton for a fabulous reception. Delicious buffet – great song selection – and everyone danced the night away!

All good things must come to an end – Katie and Ryan left through a trail of sparklers – off to happily ever after!