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Southern wedding photographer for the fleeting moments that make life worth living. This blog is the home for some of my favorite things — from weddings, engagement sessions & more personal things.

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Lauren & Steven tied the knot this past weekend at a lovely church ceremony followed by a stunning barn reception at the Four Leaf. The day was a beautiful mix of heartfelt emotion and joyous laughter, but nothing could compare the overwhelming peace these two shared when they were finally husband & wife! One of my favorite perspectives as wedding photographer is during portraits with the bride and groom after the ceremony and once the bridal party as made their way to the reception. I think it’s during this time that they finally realize that they’re married, and get to slow down and savor that still moment. Before the party, it’s just the two of them and the joy of being finally being married!

Instead of telling the story of the whole day start-to-finish, I thought I’d mix it up and tell my top 5 moments from their wedding day!

Lauren and her bridesmaids got ready at the couple’s house, and their sweet pups were there and so excited!! Honestly, I loved this. Y’all know I’m a huge dog lover, and I thought it was so sweet and intimate that they got ready at her house. And plus the dogs were so freaking excited to have a house full of people, they were all about it!! The house was filled with photos of the couple and everyone got to love on their pups before they left for the day. It was personal and comfortable, which is exactly how your getting ready space should feel!
Lauren chose to not have a first look with Steven, but rather have a first look with her dad, mom, and brother. Instead of doing that all at once, she chose to see them individually to give them the one-on-one time they deserved from her. It was so sweet and the bridesmaids were watching in tears the whole time! Both parents cried when they saw their little girl all dressed up on her wedding day and were absolutely speechless. Babs, the bride’s mom, gave her a locket with her grandmother’s photo to pin to her bouquet. The same grandmother who had passed away just weeks before the wedding. It was the sweetest sentiment to a painful situation and it had everyone, even the photographers, in tears! Her brother lovingly lightened the mood when he saw her and said “damn girl!” and it was perfect!!
Not only did the bride and groom exchange heartfelt letters to each other, but the groom actually wrote a letter to the mother of the bride thanking her for raising the woman of his dreams. She tearfully read aloud the letter where he vowed to take care of her little girl. Again, all the tears!!
Steven’s breath was literally taken away when the double doors at the back of the church opened and there stood the love of his life, dressed in white, ready to marry him. Once at the alter and holding hands, he lovingly ran his thumb across her hand the whole ceremony. It was a small but comforting gesture that was so tender and sweet. Sealed with a kiss, they were pronounced husband & wife and were absolutely glowing!!
Okay, so there was tons of amazing moments at the reception so the whole party (because boy was it a party!!) is going for number 5! From emotional father-daughter dances, to the bride’s college mascot making a surprise appearance, the party literally never stopped!! The bridal party had the time of their lives and I bet they could have danced for hours after the reception ended! One of my favorite moments of the reception was the last song. The DJ played Don’t Stop Believing and the bride & groom danced in the middle surrounded by all the guests. Everyone was singing at the top of their lungs and looking on as the bride and groom enjoyed the last song of the evening. He dipped her to a cheering crowd and a colorful array of glow sticks, ending the evening in the most perfect way!

Lauren & Steven had the best wedding that was true to themselves and the best way to start the rest of their lives together! Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Stewart!!