Ariel & Mark | Engaged

I believe in date nights spent at home. Curled up on the couch. Swimming in a sea of cozy blankets. A bucket of buttery popcorn in the middle. And you're letting him choose the movie tonight because you chose last time. It's been a long week & as much as you'd love to put on that new sundress & go out you know you need to slow down. To reconnect with the one who captured your heart months ago. So you stay in.

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Ariel & Mark met a few years ago & the rest is history. They enjoy date nights spent at home, too. I think far too often we get caught up in always going that we forget the importance of quality time. So we intentionally traveled to where the ocean meets the shore for one of the sweetest sunset engagement sessions. 

If this engagement session was any indication as to what this weekend holds I cannot wait! See you two on Saturday!

Catherine | Bridals

I believe in ice cream after exercising. After all isn't life just about finding the right balance?

So many times we as women chase after this perfect image created from unrealistic expectations. And we all strive for what we don't have. Curly hair versus straight hair. Brunette or blonde.

Let me stop you right there. You are beautiful. Your curves are stunning. Your wrinkles show that you laugh with abandon. Your smile lights up the room. You, my friend, are lovely just the way you are. Emily Ley put it perfectly, "I will hold myself to a standard of grace not perfection." Amen sister. I will confess I am preaching to the choir here, but can we strive towards this? Let's start today.

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Now that I've gotten that little pep talk out of the way - let's celebrate this beautiful bride, Catherine.

I would describe Catherine as a Southern Cinderella. Her fiance proposed to her at Disney World & for her wedding day she desired to be a princess. Finding the perfect venue for her bridals wasn't hard. Somewhere elegant & classic where this bride could twirl around in her gown. (*Hint: you don't want to miss the last photo of this blog post!)

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One of my all time favorite bridal portraits!

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Bridal Portrait Venue: The Pillars of Mobile

Bride's Dress: Justin Alexander, Bliss Bridal

Stephanie & Ryan | Engaged

I love to travel. To see the world beyond my comfort zone here in South Alabama. In college I had the opportunity to backpack through Europe for class credit (yeah - how awesome is that?!) & last summer I cruised the ocean blue to photograph a one-of-a-kind wedding. There's just something about collecting stamps in that little passport that brings my heart to life. And I love when my couples have that same passion burning within them too.

Stephanie & Ryan are the definition of world travelers. These two have been to places like Italy, England,  & Scotland just to name a few. So it was only fitting that their proposal take place on one of their overseas adventures. In April, Ryan asked Stephanie to be his wife. She said YES! And now they are planning their very own wedding day for spring of 2018.

Ah! Ryan picked out the most perfect ring for his girl. Isn't it stunning?!

I cannot wait to celebrate these two world travelers next spring! Congrats on your engagement!

The Hinotes | 06.03.17

Do you remember those late night phone calls? The long distance drives to visit during your college years. The laughter shared during road trips to the beach. Each one of those moments brought you here. Today is the day you marry your best friend & will be able to call him your husband, finally. Today begins your day one. Your forever.

Shelby & Brandon are two of the sweetest people I have ever worked with. So gentle & sweet & true. You might even remember their beach engagement session from this spring - here it is for a refresher. So when June rolled around, I couldn't wait to photograph their wedding day. A chance for 100% rain & severe weather turned into a perfect overcast day with a little rain at the reception for good luck of course. Enjoy a few of my many favorites from their day one.

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St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Parish provided the perfect location for Shelby & Brandon to become one. The grand architecture of the windows & wooden arches mixed with a simple shade of white made my photographer heart come alive. Not to mention the palm trees aligning the sanctuary reminding guests that you are near the coast. 

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The celebration continued over at the Five Rivers Delta Hall in Spanish Fort, Alabama with cake a dancing - my favorite!

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Weddings take a team & here's who made the Hinote Wedding possible:

Bride's Dress: Timeless Bride

Ceremony: St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Parish - Foley, Alabama

Reception: Five Rivers Delta - Spanish Fort, Alabama

Florist: Rose Bud Flowers & Gifts

Cake: Couture Cakes

Caterer: Tyner's Catering

Photographer's Assistant: Joanna Lee

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!

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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.

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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

Natalie | Awaiting Baby

Last year Natalie & Ryan embarked on life as newlyweds. And this year they will welcome their first child, a sweet baby boy. Ah! I remember the moment I saw their announcement. It felt just like a family member telling me such exciting news. I adore all of my clients & Natalie was one of the sweetest & most carefree brides. So I was delighted when she reached out again & asked me to capture a few portraits of her to remember this sweet season of waiting.

Justin Blake, you are already so loved.

Natalie, you are going to be the best mommy to your sweet baby boy. I loved reconnecting with you for this session & thanks for enduring an afternoon in South Alabama during June at almost eight months pregnant. You look absolutely beautiful. I cannot wait to encourage you & Ryan along in this new adventure!

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Interested in seeing how far the Galloways have come???

See Natalie & Ryan's wedding photos from last October here!