The Smileys | 11.4.17

'A Tale as Old as Time' played as the bride made her way down the aisle towards her prince who couldn't hold back the tears. 

Tale as old as time
True as it can be
Barely even friends
Then somebody bends
Unexpectedly

Just a little change
Small to say the least
Both a little scared
Neither one prepared

All your life you've heard, love will find you when you least expect it. And if you are anything like me you laughed. Until it happens to you. *So here is my public apology! I was wrong.

Same goes for Ariel & Mark. They quickly became friends & after a few dates decided to embark on an adventure together. It wasn't long until Mark asked his girl to marry him in the glow of Cinderella's Castle while on vacation at Disney World. Ariel remarked, "It was a dream come true for me." And their wedding day was nothing short of a modern day fairy tale filled with lots of sparkle & laughter.

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Brides, go for the veil. Every time. Trust me.

Ya'll if I could blog every single one of their bride & groom portraits I most certainly would. They are a stunning couple! Goodness!

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Congrats Mr. & Mrs. Smiley! And cheers to all the wonderful vendors, too!

Bride's Dress: Essense of Australia | Purchased at I Do Bridal & Formal in Mobile, Alabama

*Click here for the link to Ariel's Bridals taken at the beaufitul Bellingrath Gardens.

Venue: Azalea Manor

Caterer: Tyner's Catering

Second Shooter: Ashley Brooke Mason

Bride & Groom Cakes: Valerie Jackson

Videographer: Chase Smith

Makeup: Tabitha Johnson & Morgan Knotts

Rings: Hayes Jewlers

Groom & Groomsmen Attire: Francia's Formal Affair

Draping & Lights: Sterling Event Design

Transportation: Carriages of Pensacola

Rentals: Mobile Popcorn
 

Catharine & Kevin | Engaged

Early morning sessions normally aren't my thing but between these two & that light, I might schedule them more often.

Catharine & Kevin met in college during an anatomy class & have been dating for nearly 3 years. Now they are planning a small & intimate Spring wedding. I have photographed them both individually but never together. And what a treat that was to finally have that opportunity.

We met up for their engagement session at Springhill College & walked along the avenue of grand oaks with their precious pup, Ava. Enjoy a few of my favorites from their session!

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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.

Tracy | Bridals

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Tracy is a Southern bride through & through. She is as sweet as that smile on her face. But don't let that distract you from the fact that she is a triathlete. That's right - when she's not all dressed in white she can be found hitting the pavement in her running shoes or on her road bike. You go girl!

The dress she found at I Do Bridal & Formal in Mobile was absolute perfection. Lace graced her collarbone, revealing a sweetheart neckline while the rest of her dress hugged every curve before flaring out at the bottom.

I loved playing dress up with Tracy & her maid of honor a few weeks before her wedding day for this lovely session. Give me a gorgeous Southern bride in lace & an avenue of old oak trees & I am in heaven! Enjoy a view of my favorites from her Springhill bridal session.

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Oooooh girl.

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Bride's Dress - I Do Bridal & Formal Mobile, Alabama

Florist - Belle Bouquet Saraland, Alabama

Ring - Gold Art