Katie & Brandon | Engaged

Confession of a photographer: I still get butterflies when I arrive to a session. I am either eager to meet new faces or excited to reconnect with old friends. And shooting during this season of life has been so sweet. I, too, am engaged & can connect to my clients in a whole new way & it's the best feeling.

When I showed up to Katie's family property along the Black Warrior River in Akron, Alabama on a Sunday afternoon, I was greeted by smiling faces. Nerves melted away with every laugh the couple shared.

I have known Katie since high school & seeing her with Brandon brought my heart so much joy. Seeing someone connect with their person is why I continuously show up to capture people's love stories butterflies & all. This October I will return to my hometown to capture their fall wedding day & after their engagement session, I cannot wait!

Katie's dad built this pergola for her brother's wedding a few years ago & it's where her sister got married last year. So of course this part of the property had to be included in her portrait session.

Enjoy this sweet season of engagement you two!

The Bonds | 05.27.17

"The best thing about getting married is that you get to stand up in front of everyone you care about & state for the record that you believe in the best-case scenario. These two have just done that. It's very easy to be cynical about love until you're lucky enough to meet a couple like this."

I adore hearing stories about my dear couples & the speeches from Meghan & Nathan's wedding were no exception. The bride's matron of honor, Lizzie, reminded family & friends that were gathered at the reception of the couples' beginning & left the newlyweds with some encouraging advice. More from her speech later on in the blog, so for now enjoy some lovely portraits.

As a girl from a small town in Vermont, Meghan had an idea that she wanted to practice rural medicine and during college heard about this non-profit in Alabama that sparked her interest. Never having visited the South, she had no idea what to expect, but ended up falling in love in more way than one.

After a few months of nudging from family & friends, Nathan finally introduced himself to her. Full of shyness & awkwardness, these two went canoeing for their first date. It wouldn't be long before Meghan returned home & quickly discovered that long distance wasn't for them. So Nathan made a huge sacrifice to leave the comforts of home in the South to move up to frigid Vermont for the winter months.

And the rest is history!

---

---

---

Months before the May wedding date, I met with Meghan over a cup of coffee. (ha no surprise here - this photographer loves her coffee dates!) We discussed everything from first dates to future job plans to wedding day details. I asked her what the feel would be for her day to which she responded,  "classic with a touch of vintage." And I can testify that her wedding day was simply so. The recently renovated Opera House in downtown Greensboro was the perfect combination of both to celebrate the newlyweds.

Meghan & Nathan's first dance was choreographed by the couple & then accompanied by music from her father. Such a special moment - of course I was in tears. Such a sucker for sweet dances at wedding receptions, mother & son dance included.

"This couple is brave, strong & make each other grow every single day," were the words spoken by Meghan's matron of honor.

---

Vendors who made this small town wedding a dream come true for Meghan & Nathan:

Bride's Dress: Allure,  Divine Design

Ceremony: St. Paul's Episcopal Church -  Greensboro, Alabama

Reception: Greensboro Opera House - Greensboro, Alabama

Band: Crystal Clear

Bridesmaids Dresses: Vera Wang, David's Bridal

Groom & Groomsmen Attire: Men's Wearhouse

Couple's Accommodations: Johnston-Torbert House - Greensboro, Alabama

Alexxandria & Brandon | Awaiting Baby

View fullsize

Oh how much joy it brings my heart to reconnect with my couples & these two are no exception. I adored their wedding nearly two years ago & now they are about to embark on a new adventure - parenthood!

There's no doubt that Roree is going to be a daddy's girl.

And Alexx is absolutely stunning - as always!

---

Cheers to the Meeks party of THREE! Cannot wait to meet your sweet baby girl.

---

Lovely field of daffodils found at Magnolia Grove - Greensboro, Alabama.