macon wedding photographer — Beauty & Beard PhotographyBlog

Oh the joy that being able to capture multiple weddings for a family brings to us. We were able to capture Jennifer’s daughter Baylee’s wedding day and it is always such a joy to see the family again on another joyful day like this! This time, instead of Sandersville, we were nearby in Milledgeville at the Dogwood Barn at G5 ranch with the planning by Gigi’s by Grace Ann Designs, gorgeous florals by Mulberry and Magnolia and the catering even woven into David and Jennifer’s story with the ministries they met serving in and what they do for work. It was a perfect start to our Fall season of weddings and full of so much beauty.

The day itself started off with us walking around the venue a bit and then saying hey to everyone inside as well as grabbing some details to photograph. Around the time everyone was getting ready, we helped setup for a special box of Cheerios (he eats a bowl every morning) that was re-sealed with a special prize inside (his customized cufflinks). We then split off to finish up with Jennifer getting ready and then doing group photos before the ceremony. Then the ceremony time came along and the sunset made for absolutely gorgeous light at the waterfront ceremony. It was a lot of fun to see Cody (Baylee’s husband) as one of the flower dudes and having fun with it. Then there was live singing as well as the musical backdrop to Jennifer coming down the aisle to David. During the ceremony, they exchanged vows, tied the rope of three strands and sealed it all with a kiss before excitedly exiting as Mr. and Mrs. Rice officially. From here, we setup to do family photos, wedding party and then explore the property a bit with the newlyweds for their couples portraits and then ended off with her getting her dress bustled a bit so they could enter into the reception for their first dance together. Once they entered into the cheering reception, they started their loving first dance which then led into a few others. They did a Mother-Son dance for David and then a Mother-Son dance for Jennifer and then also, a Father-Daughter in-law dance to end off. The rest of the night was full of delicious food and cheese cake (I know it’s food too but it’s a very special food in my opinion), dancing, fellowship and then ending off the night with a sparkler exit. The Rice family has already been up to doing amazing things but, we know this power couple has even more ahead in the future!

Vendors List

Photography - Beauty & Beard Photography @beautyandbeardphoto

Venue - The Dogwood Barn

Planning/Directing - Gigi’s by Grace Ann Designs

Florist - Mulberry & Magnolia

DJ - DJ CK

Catering - Broken Shackle Ranch

Cake - Bee’s Knees Bakery

Matt and Mackenzie literally had a perfect wedding day that fit their joyful fun-loving personality and just some gorgeous details too! To start, Mackenzie loves leopard print and it shows. She had leopard print shoes and her outfit for getting ready was entirely leopard print and we wouldn’t have had it any other way! We had never gotten to photograph a wedding in Macon but are super happy that this destination wedding was our first! The couple is actually from Savannah but hopped on I-16 to head over and tie the knot! The venue is absolutely gorgeous and has just about everything you could ask for in a venue but is also in one of the most unassuming spots in downtown Macon.

Starting the wedding over in the bridal suite where all the girls were getting ready, we got to say hey and meet all of Mackenzie’s girls before starting on details which we did quickly take to the courtyard area where the ceremony would be held to be sure that we could get as much done out of sight of the groom showing up. Before too long the guys were showing up and getting ready so we brought the girls out with their mimosas before they were in their dresses completely ready and snapped a few photos. Once the guys were a little more ready, we snuck in to have Matt read a card from Mackenzie for the video and then took all of the guys outside for their photos as well. Things got goofy really quick and we discovered the groom’s favorite band is actually the Allman Brothers Band (you will see his socks had their logo and also later you will see a representative from “The Big House” which is the band’s museum that brought them some trinkets).

Later on, as the courtyard filled with their friends and family, Tee Smith started playing music on the keyboard and that would start the processional. She made her way around the courtyard fountain and he just smiled from ear to ear. They started the ceremony and everything went perfectly until they went to light the unity candle and the wind kept blowing it out but everyone had a good laugh and it eventually lit. They said their vows, tied the knot and made their way back up the aisle to the tune of “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” as performed by Tee and Tee Jr. in a very amazingly theatrical performance. We then turned into family formal mode and then bridal party. Once we finished the formals, we got to whisk them away for a bit for the romantic photos and we had a great time with them. Fast forward a little bit and we headed in with their entrance and the toasts right away. Just a little bit later they had their magical first dance and the mother son/father daughter dances before breaking into party mode (which the dj was just absolutely amazing. Everyone danced into the night (especially the father of the bride). We ended the night not with a typical exit, but just a romantic last few photos under the outdoor lights and them walking out as just the two of them and saying our goodbyes.