Beauty & Beard Photography — Gorgeous Garden Wedding Day at Windsor Manor in Augusta, GA

We had the joy of meeting up with Jason and Alyssa for their engagement session back in the Fall of 2020. You can see that session here. We got to learn about the amazing work that they both do and even get a good feel for their fun sense of humor. Fast forward to the wedding day at one of our favorites, Windsor Manor in Augusta, GA. Every time we shoot a wedding there, I swear Ian has done something new again and we get to try out new things and this was no exception!

On the wedding day, we arrived early to start on details as we normally do and got to meet up with the guys for a bit since the girls were showing up already hair and makeup ready to go. Once we said hey and the girls arrived, we split up to cover details and some different venue shots. Morgan stayed with the girls and got to capture this super sweet gift that Alyssa’s Mom gave to her (pictured below) and they had a super sweet moment. At the same time, I was in the room with the guys getting ready and joking around before heading out to do their group photos. I had our third shooter Tom with me outside and we had a great time getting to know everyone a little more. We quickly finished up the group and individual photos with the guys and then just a few of Jason by himself before sending them back up to their room so we can get the girls to do the same thing. In the process of Alyssa finishing up getting ready, her Dad snuck into the room and we had a bit of a surprise first look that went perfectly as he may or may not have shed a few tears and we may or may not have as well. Once that amazing moment had passed, we took the girls outside to do their group photos before getting ready for the first look. We had everyone outside to watch from a distance for the first look and I ran to get Jason from inside and also to mic him for the first look. Once we had him in place for the first look, we moved out of the way to capture it and let them have their own moment. It was so sweet, Jason held back tears as much as he could. We then went straight into the full Bridal Party photos and had a few funny ones in there.

Now it was time for the Ceremony and we had set up everything we needed to set up. So we’re photographing guests arriving and then everyone coming down the aisle all the way to the moment where the Bride walks down the aisle. This is one of those perfect scenarios and examples of times where the first look only adds to the day and makes it less stressful but, the moment of the Bride walking down the aisle still has an amazing reaction. Long story short, everyone got teary eyed again and there was so much joy in that garden. Once they exchanged vows and rings, they kissed and with a fun little twist, walked up the aisle with everyone blowing bubbles! Once everyone had made it out, we took care of the family photos with everyone to make sure we got everything and then went around the venue grounds with the newlyweds to do their couples photos which is always fun. We finished those up and then they made their way inside to prepare for their announcement into the reception and first dance. They shared a beautiful slow dance and also the father/daughter and mother/son dances were super sweet. After the dances, they transitioned into the speeches by the Bride’s Father and then Jason’s best man Humberto who we actually have the honor of capturing his wedding day in December. That was also followed by Alyssa’s Matron of Honor, Rebecca who gave an emotional speech to her best friend. From that point on pretty much, the dance floor was open as well as the cake cutting, bouquet toss and garter toss that took place. As the night was winding down and actually dark enough for the exit, we Mike (the DJ) announce to everyone to meet us where we would do the glow stick exit. As everyone was in place, we made our way walking backwards as the happy couple walked in front of us and had them stop and kiss about half way. Everyone was cheering and so happy to be a part of this amazing couple’s wedding day. Once we made it all the way and they kissed one more time, they made their way back over to the dance floor and we made our way to parking lot. It was such a fun wedding and we felt like we were just an extension of the bridal party most of the day. We are so happy for them and look forward to catching up in December at Humberto and Teresa’s wedding day.