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 Roberts | 05.06.17

One of the many perks to being a wedding photographer is that I have a front row seat to witness two people become husband & wife. And y'all - it brings my soul much joy!

I believe in so many things. But one of those things is smiling so much that your cheeks are physically sore from being genuinely so happy. Embracing those laugh lines found around your eyes instead of covering them up. They tell stories. Happy stories & stories spent smiling through the tears knowing the best is yet to come. The way your cheeks overtake your face drawing your teary eyes together as the doors open at the back of the church revealing your bride dressed in white. And the sweet sigh of relief as you spin around the dance floor bare foot in your husband's embrace underneath the stars. Whatever you do my dear, don't stop smiling.

Tracy is hands down one of the most joyful brides I've ever had the pleasure of working with. And her groom, Jonathan? Just as smitten as she is. From the moment I entered the bridal suite where the girls were getting ready to the moment rose petals fell from above at the end of the night, you could not wipe the smile off of this bride's face.

Surrounded by their families & dearest friends, Tracy became Mrs. Jonathan Roberts during a sweet ceremony held at Luke: 4:18 in Mobile, Alabama, on the most perfect Saturday in May. *I am not even kidding. The day before their wedding a rain shower came through that cooled off the area which was complete opposite for Mobile's usual humidity so thick that you can get stuck in it. No lie. **Everyone in the South sighs in agreement.

The celebration continued with dancing & cake (my favorite!) at the Five Rivers Delta Resource Center in Spanish Fort, Alabama. I love this venue especially during sunset when I can steal the couple away for a few "Just Married" portraits. ***Keep scrolling, trust me - they're so great. I mean my couples have been voted unanimously the most adorable. Ever.

I have too many favorites from this lovely wedding day, so for now I will let you take a peak inside Tracy & Jonathan's wedding day. May their smiles be contagious as you peruse their beginning.

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I always ask my couples, brides especially, which side is their side. So when it came time for Jonathan's portraits, I asked him "What's your favorite side?" And his response was hands down the best I've ever heard. He responded with "mac 'n cheese". Yes. Needless to say, the groom & his men kept me laughing all day.

The guys certainly set the bar high for the day but Tracy's first look with her girls couldn't be topped. Such excitement & delight in each one of their faces. Ah! What an honor it is to see your best friend as a bride. (Side note: I met Tracy in college but felt more like a friend throughout this whole wedding planning process, so yeah I may or may not have cried too.)

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Jonathan & Tracy chose to forgo a first look & see each other the moment she walked down the aisle. *Cue more tears* 

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The mix of blues, white, blush pinks, & grays chosen by Tracy was perfect. Just perfect.

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Huge shout out to several wonderful vendors who made this wedding day the best for the Roberts:

Bride's Dress: Allure Bridals, Designer | Purchased at I Do Bridal & Formal in Mobile, Alabama

*Click here for the link to Tracy's stunning bridal portraits taken at Springhill College.

Bridesmaid Dresses: I Do Bridal & Formal

Caterer: Mama's on Dauphin

DJ: Jason with DJs by the Bay

Florist: Belle Bouquet

Bride & Groom Cakes: Cakes by Judi

Rings: Gold Art

Invitations: Shine Wedding Invitiations

Photographer's Assistant: Hannah Holland

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Embrace those laugh lines. For they will be treasures when you celebrate your 50th wedding anniversary. Congrats to Mr. & Mrs. Roberts! May you never stop making each other laugh from this day forward.