Kasey & Dylan | Moss Rock Preserve Birmingham Alabama Engagement Session

Two years and thousands of long-distance miles later, these two are getting married this fall. Kasey & Dylan are planning a destination wedding in the mountains of Tennessee, so I found the perfect little location for them. The Moss Rock Preserve in Hoover, Alabama gave us an outdoor element along with a quaint little neighborhood tucked away from the bustle of the city.

Upon getting to know Kasey, who won my New City New Year Giveaway on Facebook, she told me that her & her fiance LOVED adventures. So it was no surprise to me when they agreed to go hiking through boulders for their engagement portrait session.

Dylan loves Kasey’s spontaneity. And Kasey adores how well Dylan cares for her & her family. I only spent a couple of hours with these two, but I witnessed how well they complimented one another. I consider myself lucky to have clients that trust this Birmingham, Alabama Wedding Photographer to document their season of life. Do you care to join me on an exploration of Kasey & Dylan’s Moss Rock Preserve engagement session in the images below, I promise you won’t be disappointed. Bonus: there’s a waterfall involved!

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I don’t know who’s more smitten, Kasey or Dylan?! I’d say it’s a close tie!

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Kasey & Dylan are planning a destination wedding in the mountains of Tennessee this fall, so I found this second location at the Moss Rock Preserve perfect for them. They also LOVE adventures & nothing says adventure like hiking through boulders to discover a waterfall!

Shout out to Kasey for hiking through the rock preserve in wedges! What a champ!

Kasey & Dylan, thank you for trusting me with your love story.

I am excited to watch ya’ll move mountains over the years together. It’s going to be the best adventure yet!

Engagement Session Location: Moss Rock Preserve | Hoover, Alabama

Engagement Ring: Diamonds Direct

Kasey’s Black Dress: Two Sisters Boutique | Marion, Alabama

Kasey’s Pink Blouse: Lavish | Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Kaileigh & Blake | Hermitage-Rippy Estate Mobile, Alabama Engagement Session

Two high school sweethearts are beginning their forever this Saturday with a Mobile, Alabama Wedding day. It’s wedding week for Kaileigh & Blake & I am thrilled to be their Alabama Wedding photographer.

A couple of weeks ago, I met up with the two of them for their engagement session at the same spot they will say I Do! They chose the Hermitage-Rippy Estate in Mobile, Alabama because of it’s Southern charm & its gracious hosts. And I consider the Hermitage-Rippy one of Mobile’s hidden gems. The extravagant white columns invite you in, while the oak trees encourage you to stay awhile.

I love engagement sessions because they give me the opportunity to get to know my couples before their big day. For this Alabama girl & a tall farm boy from Idaho, it all begin in one Math class at Baker High School. Blake recalled, “it’s the only bad grade” that he had in high school…perhaps because he was a little distracted by the pretty brunette next to him. It didn’t take long before they began dating, followed by a Bellingrath Gardens & Home proposal two Christmas’ ago.

Her favorite thing about him is that he keeps her laughing & how he cares deeply. And he loves that their souls feel connected way beyond their years. They share the same morals & values & will vow to keep them as they build their very own family.

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See ya’ll in just a few days! Kaileigh, you’ll be the one in white. Blake will be waiting for you at the end of the aisle. And I’ll be the lucky one capturing your day one as husband & wife!

Venue: Hermitage-Rippy Estate

The Mattoxes | Bragg-Mitchell Mansion Mobile Alabama Spring Wedding

I know I am not supposed to have my favorites BUT this was my favorite wedding on May 19th, 2018. (Royal wedding, I'm looking at you!) It was a magical day here across the pond in Mobile, Alabama. From the first look on the porch of an antebellum home to the family portraits nestled in between azalea bushes to dancing the night away, oh man it was a wonderful celebration for Christy & Tyler.  

We started the day with their first look which allowed us plenty of time for portraits at the Bragg-Mitchell Mansion followed by lots of laughter with their bridal party. It wasn't long before Christy made her way down the aisle to her groom at St. Mary Parish Catholic Church. And then back over to the Bragg-Mitchell Mansion for food & dancing. It was one of the most fun wedding day celebrations that I have been a part of. Congrats to the Mattoxes & thank you for allowing me to capture your first day as husband & wife!

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I loved the soft purple that the bride chose for her maids. Looked fabulous on all of them!

Ah! So much joy! And one of my most favorite moments of the day is finally here.... It’s that moment immediately following the ceremony when the bride & groom look at each other with the biggest smiles of the day. Their eyes lock & they realize that they are married at last & it’s the sweetest moment to capture. So don’t mind me, the crazy photographer chasing after the couple. The result is worth it. Every time.

Once the I Do's were said & the rings exchanged, it was time to head back to the Bragg-Mitchell for a night of great food & dancing.

Garth Brooks' "Calling Baton Rouge" was the perfect song for this Louisiana bride & her maids. 

Congrats again you two!

Here's a look at all who made Christy & Tyler's day of celebration so much fun: 

Photographer's Assistant: Toni Goodie
Ceremony: St. Mary Parish, Mobile AL
Reception Venue: Bragg-Mitchell Mansion
Florist: Kristy Berry
Band: Family Jewels, Veet's Bar
Cake: Pollman's Bake Shops
Hair & Makeup: Beth Glover Wilkerson
Transportation: Royal Limousine, LLC.

Catering: Naomi's Catering

The Walkers | Bragg-Mitchell Mansion Mobile Alabama Spring Wedding

I believe in marrying your best friend. Someone who laughs with you when you cannot find your cell phone & it's in your hand. Someone who greets you with forehead kisses when you come home from work exhausted. Someone who vows to love you through all the ups & downs.

Marriage is far from easy. You stick two independent (& might I add selfish) people together & you've got a lot of learning ahead of you. He might prefer the towels folded the exact opposite way that you are accustomed to. And you probably discovered that you might not be as neat as you once thought you were. But the beautiful thing about being married to your best friend is that you make a daily decision to love your spouse no matter what. For better or for worse.

Haley & Howard are best friends. They balance out one another & seek out the best in each other. Their generosity & love for others are what bind them together. Haley & Howard exchanged vows on the porch of the Bragg-Mitchell Mansion during one of the most loveliest spring days in Mobile, Alabama. And that my dear does not come often!

I consider myself the luckiest photographer to have had a front row seat in capturing their love story. One of my favorite moments of the day was when Haley looked at me seconds before her first look. Tears filled her eyes & in that moment she realized that a promise that God whispered to her years ago was being answered. She had found her person whom her soul loves. And that is the most special feeling you could ever experience.

I could go on & on about how special it was to be a part of Haley & Howard's wedding day. From the tender kisses shared during their portrait time to her parents reminding me (a newlywed) that communication is key in marriage to being showered by rose petals as they exited as husband & wife. It was the best day for two best friends to be wed!

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The Bridal room at the Bragg-Mitchell is one of my favorites. A wall full of windows create the most perfect getting ready portraits.

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Their afternoon reception was simple yet full of fellowship. The couple greeted guests as they enjoyed Frio's popsicles, wedding cake & mini grilled cheeses.

Congrats to Mr. & Mrs. Walker! What a delight it was to capture your day one!

Here are all of the vendors who made their wedding day the best:

Photography: Deborah Michelle Photography

Photographer's Assistant: Joanna Lee

Venue: Bragg-Mitchell Mansion Mobile, Alabama

Bride's Dress: Something New Bridal Boutique Mobile, Alabama

Bridesmaids' Dresses: Something New Bridal Boutique Mobile, Alabama

Groom & Groomsmen Attire: Francia's

Bride's Ring: Ritani

Caterer: Thrive Catering

Cake: Cakes by Judi

Florist: Sarah Beth's Florist

Invitations: Minted

Rentals: Mobile Popcorn

Hair & Makeup: Ally Taylor

Photo Booth: FlyBy Photo Booth

Haley | Bragg-Mitchell Mansion Bridal Portraits

You're engaged. Now what?! My best advice - find another bride who is also in the midst of planning hers too. I found mine & it was such a blessing.

Meet Haley. My friend & fellow spring bride. I met Haley a few years ago & we talked about single life & never thought we'd eventually get married within weeks of one another. But the Lord had other plans. We both found the greatest of guys even when we were a little skeptical that any still even existed. So as soon as she got engaged it was a no brainier that we'd share lists of local vendors & bounce ideas off of one another.

I literally squealed when she asked me to be her wedding photographer & cried happy tears when she booked one of my favorite Mobile venues for her wedding day. So needless to say I was thrilled when she took advantage having her bridal session at the Bragg-Mitchell Mansion the month before her big day. Two things: I have no doubt that this Pronovias Princia gown from Something New Bridal Boutique was made just for Haley. It fits her like a glove & took my breath away when she walked out in it. And her veil was perfection. See for yourself....

Brace yourself for this next portrait....

AHHHHH!

*Funny story: the Bragg-Mitchell was open for tours the day we took Haley's bridals & a few of the tourists snapped pictures of this Southern Bride while we were setting up this shot. "I felt like a celebrity!" she later mentioned.

Isn't the Bragg-Mitchell Mansion just the sweetest backdrop for this gorgeous Southern bride?!

P.S. If you think these bridal portraits are stunning just wait until you see her with her groom on her wedding day. Haley literally glows!

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Venue: Bragg-Mitchell Mansion Mobile, Alabama

Bride's Dress: Something New Bridal Boutique Mobile, Alabama

Bride's Ring: Ritani

Florals: Sarah Beth's Florist

Hair & Makeup: Genesis Salon Mobile, Alabama

Expert Veil Tosser: Lori, the bride's sweet momma

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