We had the absolute joy of meeting this couple in person for their engagement session at Rose Hill in Aiken which you can see here. By the end of that session, we loved this couple and their whole family by association already and were super excited for this wedding day. With some change of plans due to Covid and ease of travel for family, they landed on 2nd on York (aka Second Baptist Church in Aiken, SC) which could host the ceremony and reception easily.

Come wedding day, we met with some of the vendors and walked through the space since we had arrived early. We then went to say hey to the bride Sherry and all of her girls. We started how we typically do with gathering her details to photograph them quickly so we could get them all back to her. Once we finished that, the guys started to show up as well as our third shooter and so we gave her a rundown then I split off to go with the guys for a while. With the guys, we got to make a lot of fun jokes and hang out as well as grab a steamer from the girls to steam some shirts. With the girls, Sherry was having her hair done and they were making adorable tik-tok videos for the wedding day transformation. Once the guys had finished getting ready, we stepped out to the far side of the parking lot to attempt them having shade and greenery somewhat since we knew the bride loved greenery. It was super hot so, of course we made sure to be quick so the guys could go back in and snack on some fruit and water that the Father of the Bride had brought. As I met back up with the girls, the ceremony decor was finishing up as well as the band’s setup. So we captured a few moments there before the room filled up and before we knew it, the bride was finishing getting in her dress and then we made our way to prepare for the ceremony. Once everyone made their way down, the bride’s father (who is hilarious by the way) made a nice little walk half way down the aisle saying hey to everyone and then he stopped to wait for his little girl. She made her way around the corner and we could see Dequan holding himself together super well with the biggest smile on his face. Once she locked arms with her Dad, they walked the rest of the way together with her son on the other side. Now they were together at last at the altar and ready to tie the knot (literally in this case because they had a three strand knot to tie in the ceremony which represents themselves and God in their relationship.) They exchanged their vows and even took communion together before sealing the deal with a kiss. As they made their way back up the aisle as husband and wife, everyone in the entire building lit up with a smile. Everyone followed behind them to hide away in another room which is where they also signed the marriage certificate before doing a quick room reveal of the reception space. Once we finished that, we made our way over to Hopelands Gardens for all of the family, bridal party and a few couples photos. We quickly went down the list and added in a few and still managed to catch back up on the schedule pretty well. It was hot so, we were quick to get everyone back to the Air Conditioning.

Once we all met back up at the reception where everyone else had been enjoying some smaller snacks and the photobooth, we went into the reception space to prepare for their entrance together. I almost always switch to video at this point and Morgan switches to lead photographer during the reception and we’re able to divide and conquer pretty well. The newly weds were announced in and went straight into their first dance, followed by the Father-Daughter dance. Near the end of their song, all of the sudden you hear a record scratch noise and it switches to a very upbeat song and all of the sudden they are joined on the dance floor by the Groom and his Mother just laughing away and enjoying letting loose a little bit together. Once this was finished, everyone sat down to enjoy dinner for a bit and then it was time for the toasts and cake cutting. There were a few toasts/speeches made and a few even that were a surprise to the couple but they all gave genuine sweet speeches before opening the dance floor. After a little bit of dancing, we went into the bouquet and garter tosses which were hilarious seeing the contrast of multiple girls jumping and diving to catch it and then the guys watching it land on the floor and then go to grab it. Once all of that was done, the dance floor really opened up and the couple walked around to different tables and groups for photos and hugging everyone. As everyone danced the night away (I cannot wait for this wedding film for some of these dance moves) the couple headed to the photobooth to take photos together there and with family and friends. It was around then that we got to say bye and congratulate them again. As we were walking out, we had the honor of Dequan walking us to our car and talking some more about their honeymoon and reflecting on the day a little bit before he got pulled away by some more guests in the parking lot. We cannot stress enough how much we love what we do thanks to couples like these two that we feel we can call our friends and that lift us up with kindness. We are excited for the Durant’s and what the future holds for them, their family and their ministry!

Vendors List

Photography - Beauty & Beard Photography @beautyandbeardphoto

Dress - David’s Bridal Augusta, GA

Matron and Maid dresses - Frills by Scott in Statesboro GA

Groomsmen attire - Simon’s Formal in Augusta GA

Your Signature Floors by Tam out of Charleston SC

Tarnisha’s Touch hairstylist for bride

Set’n with Sinclair by Kadeshia for bride

Stationery invitations and signs - LMH Stationery and Designs, LLC

MUA : Makeup by Montrice & Moments by Tameka Mole

Saxophonist: Chris Grant

Keyboardist: Bubbee Bradham

Vocalist: Angel Miles & Carl Cook

Roneisha Badger & Megan Moore

Treat Table: Nicky’s Treats

Photobooth: JW Wiley Impressions

Wedding Cake: Kyndra’s Cakes by Kyndra Shedd

Caterer: Dream’s 2 Reality by Latreal Strickland

9-14-2019

Some months ago, we got to meet Charlie and Hannah and their dads for their engagement session and very quickly started to have a great time getting to know them and joke around. Fast forward to Saturday after speaking with them and Hannah’s sister/maid of honor helping plan for months, the day went beautifully! We started off with the girls at The Bobbi Pin Salon in Martinez and enjoying them getting their hair and makeup done while watching the game.

After a little while, we all headed over to Wesley UMC just down the road for the rest of getting ready and the ceremony. The ceremony went off without a hitch and they tied the knot in front of all their friends and family and you can see the pure joy as they were announced husband and wife and they walked back up the aisle together as the Folsoms! Directly after the ceremony, we hung around to do some family photos at the church and a few with the bridal party and couple but wanted to focus on getting most of those at the next location, the Savannah Rapids Pavilion. Once they arrived there in their limo, we walked down to the bride and photographed the entire bridal party and some more individuals and a sweet moment where Jack and Charlie hugged each other in a loving brother moment. Shortly after we dismissed and took the bride and groom for some couples photos around the area briefly and they rode back up to the reception at the top of the hill where would meet back up with them before they were introduced into the reception.

We had previously worked with Amplified events and The Silver Palm Catering and so we quickly felt at home and had an amazing time working with the perfect team and they came in straight into their first dance and then some speeches from the maid of honor, one of the best men and Hannah’s father. It was clear they were all very proud and loved the couple together, Jack had some funny stories and a little bit of a roast of his brother which was hilarious! Rebecca had a big reveal of her wedding gift and speech prop. We have to say that the gift (seen below) was very fitting for the chemistry majors and was made custom with a lot of thought and intention which was really cool! Hannah’s father then came up to thank everyone involved behind the scenes and gave a very warm thank you to the coordinator which was also both of his daughters’ elementary school teacher.

The night continued on into eating some amazing dinner, a father daughter dance along with a lot of other dancing, cake cutting and pure joy that seemed to be the general feel of the room. Come time for the exit, we coordinated everyone into two lines with the glow sticks they had purchased and they had one last big kiss and drove away into the night as newly weds! Cheers to the Folsoms and we wish you both many happy years of marriage and look forward to seeing what the future holds for you!