New Town Newlywed | A Personal Post

Hey Auburn, Hey Auburn, there's a new girl in town...

Never in a million years would I have imagined that this Bama girl would be living in that other town. You see I grew up just south of Tuscaloosa & my t-shirts are crimson & white. But God sure does have a sense of humor because I fell in love with an Auburn boy.

Moving in general is a huge undertaking but moving a small business can be hard. For years you've worked to established yourself in an area & eventually became friends with the wedding professionals that you've worked alongside & now it's like the first day of kindergarten all over again. But if there's one thing I have learned, it's that you have to seek out community. And that's my number one goal as I move into my new town.

Meet my little family. Richard is my HUSBAND. *Goodness I like the sound of that. :) He is the kindest, gentlest soul that I've ever known & often teaches me to live in the moment. He is finishing up his PhD at Auburn University & I am so proud of him. I'll never forget the first conversation we had. I asked him where he lived & when he said Auburn I responded with "Oh I'm sorry!" Ha! Jokes on me because the loveliest village on the plains is now my new home as a newlywed. 

And our family wouldn't be complete without our four legged son, Elliot. He loves any adventure that we bring him along, especially if it ends in an ice cream cone from Sonic.

So far I am blown away by the hospitality shown by this town & have had the best time exploring new places. I have discovered all the coffee shops (of course) & love weekends spent with brunch at The Hound followed by a trip to Kiesel Park with Elliot.

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Hey thanks for reading this little personal post & following me along on this exciting new season of life as a newlywed.

If you are a fellow photographer or creative in the Auburn, Opelika, Columbus areas, let's grab coffee ASAP! (And maybe do a head-shot swap so my sweet husband doesn't have to next time. Bless it, he did so well didn't he?!) Seriously, I cannot wait to get to know you & work alongside you.

xoxo,

Debby Cullum

*Mobile, I am still your girl. I will forever travel to your Gulf Coast to capture your wedding days. So don't think I have abandoned you. My car knows I65 South real well.

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Our wedding was shot by the wonderful Elizabeth Gelineau - check out our blog here which was also recently featured on Southern Weddings! AHHH!

Collage pictures were shot with an iPhone X.

The Reichs | Citronelle Community Center Alabama Spring Wedding

Do you like to travel? I have a feeling that that was one of the questions these two asked each other on their first date. And when they both said, yes. Well that's when the real adventure began.

Nestled in quiet North Mobile County is the Citronelle Community Center which provided the gorgeous backdrop for Stephanie & Ryan's spring wedding day. The day began as most do, hair & makeup with the bride & her girls. But one of my favorite parts of the day was when Ryan saw his bride for the first time. *I had a sneak peak because of Stephanie's bridal portraits & I knew he'd be speechless when he laid eyes on her. The ceremony was short & sweet & their bridal party was so much fun. There was much joy & merriment throughout the evening as these two newlyweds were celebrated.

Congrats Stephanie & Ryan! I cannot wait to see what new places & adventures y'all embark on next as husband & wife!

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As a nod to their love of traveling, Stephanie hand-painted this globe to hold all of their postcards in. How adorable?!

AHHH! My favorite. He couldn't take his eyes off of his bride!

Seriously - this bridal party was so much fun to work with!

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Vendors:

Photographer: Deborah Michelle Photography

Second Photographer: Joanna Lee

Venue: Citronelle Community Center - Citronelle, Alabama

Bride's Dress: Bliss Bridal - Fairhope, Alabama

Bridesmaids Dresses - David's Bridal

Groom & Groomsmen Attire: Randall's Tuxedos - Mobile, Alabama

Cake: Pollman's Bakery - Mobile, Alabama

Caterer: Bruce Holmes

DJ: Southern Aire DJ's

Rings: Blue Nile

Stephanie | Bella Sera Gardens Bridal Portraits

I don't know about you but when I was a little girl, I played dress up all the time. At my grandmother's house I would dig through her craft room for fabric scraps & piece together the fanciest of wedding gowns. And other times I would host slumber parties for my friends & we would sip tea while dolled up in my mother's dresses & high heel shoes. So I think it's only fitting that when it's your turn to be a bride that you play dress up one more time before your big day!

Stephanie was thrilled when she stumbled upon Bella Sera Gardens as the location of her bridal portraits. And so was I. Bella Sera Gardens is one of the Gulf Coast's newest wedding venues & it is gorgeous. I had the hardest time narrowing down my favorites from this session, so enjoy!

This swinging bed with that afternoon light. Oh. My. Goodness.

Shout out to Stephanie's maid of honor for creating the perfect veil toss! I may have to recruit her for future sessions.

I am so in love with these black & white portraits. So elegant & timeless.

Dress: Bliss Bridal - Fairhope, Alabama

Venue: Bella Sera Gardens - Loxley, Alabama

The Adams | Watson Farms Mobile Alabama Spring Wedding

Most would say the seventeenth of March is a day full of luck to which I would agree. A few Mobile rains showers changed some of their original plans but provided a cool afternoon for Cassie & Logan's quaint wedding ceremony & reception at Watson Farms. And plus rain is considered good luck on your wedding day anyways, right?!

From the moment I met Cassie, I knew she was a simple yet nurturing soul. She takes care of everyone in her closet circle including her son, Ethan. And on the day of her engagement session, I got to meet her other half, Logan. Together these three make one family & it is the sweetest.

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Mama's Song by Carrie Underwood will favorite be one of my favorites.

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Vendors for the Adams Wedding:

Photographer's Assistant: Sara Grace McClain

Dress: I Do Bridal & Formal

Venue: Watson Farms Mobile, Alabama

Cake: Cakes by Judi

Caterer: Tyner's Catering

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 Eves | 12.16.17

"Today I am marrying my best friend!" Those were the words written in the love letters exchanged between Mary & Adrian on their December wedding day. "I don't know how you do it, but it's amazing how much your smile alone can transform a person...and I promise to work as hard as I can to keep the smile upon your face."

Wondering the halls of McGill-Toolen High School one afternoon, Mary overheard someone playing the piano & stepped inside the auditorium to find this handsome young fellow playing. Their love of music drew them together & has continued to grow.

Surrounded by family & friends, these two vowed to never stop fighting for one another & to continuously put each other before themselves. "I'm so excited to start this new chapter in our amazing story - so far I have loved every second of this fairy tale."

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Their first look was probably one of my all-time favorites. Such genuine excitement to be marrying your best friend. Ah LOVE!

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And of course, Smudge had to be a part of the wedding day too!

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Vendors who made this fairy tale wedding a dream come true:

Bride's & Bridesmaids Dresses: David's Bridal

Groom & Groomsmen Attire: Francia's

Florist: Kathy Lovitt

Venue: Corpus Christi Catholic Church Mobile, Alabama

Videographer: Mike O'Sullivan - Check out their awesome video here!

Cake: Pollman's Bake Shop

Catering: Naman's Catering

Rentals: Blue Rents