Weddings

Jordan & Cara

 

We just recently shared their engagement session and mentioned having met with them a while ago at Starbucks and getting to meet the bride’s parents there as well. If you’d like to see their engagement session, click here.

We started their wedding day with saying hey and photographing some of the getting ready with the girls. It was our first wedding working with Taylor even though we already knew her a little and her salon but it was great to capture their work. The Bridesmaids all had a lot of fun and you could hear the laughter throughout venue and with the walls for the guys dressing room and the girls room being shared, they had some hilarious moments with each other. Later once the guys were dressed and had received their groomsmen gifts, we hopped on the golf cart to go down by the water and pinned the boutonniere’s on them all just before doing the group photos. Once we finished their group photos, the groom and his brother shared a moment to take it all in before heading back up to their room so the bride could come out. Once Cara got in her dress with the held from her mom, we then loaded them all onto the golf cart as well to go back down so there was some uniformity to the group photos. It seemed to be a theme that everyone had a great sense of humor and was having a great time throughout the day and the girls group photos was no exception. Once we finished those, we took a few bridal portraits as well and headed back up the hill to get ready for the ceremony. Everyone was making their way in and JJ (the in house coordinator for the venue) started taking grandparents over on the golf cart from the reception venue where most of the attendees were congregating. They formed the lineup just behind the big white curtain once everyone had made their way into the somewhat newly built ceremony venue on the grounds. Everyone made their way in on their que but we really wanted to highlight the groom’s sister and that she clearly loves her brother and shed some tears on her way down the aisle just after him, it was such a great moment. Fast forward just a little bit and the bride makes her entrance and as soon as Jordan (the groom) saw her, he was smiling from ear to ear and you could tell this was the happiest day of their lives. The ceremony went perfectly and they chose pink and black sand for the unity sand ceremony. Once they kissed to seal the deal, they shared an adorable hug and walked back up the aisle as husband and wife with pure joy on their faces.

They quickly signed the marriage certificate with the officiant and we did family photos just behind the ceremony site by this beautiful arch way they have built out of wood from the property. Once we made sure we got everything on the family photo check list, we took the entire wedding party down to the water and got the full group photos and a few silly ones as well. We then sent the bridal party back up and just took a few moments to take some of the newlyweds together with the stunning fall colors and large pond as an amazing backdrop.

Once they were announced into the reception, they went into the dances and after their beautiful dance, the father daughter and mother son dances, they actually all shared one slow dance as couples which doesn’t happen often but we think is such a beautiful thing to do. Fast forward through all of the fun events of the night like the cake cutting and bouquet toss and the kids were making the best of the smores station and bonfire outside while a lot of the rest were inside dancing. They actually did a fake exit and went back into dancing and smores after which gave them probably the longest sparkler exit line we have had the honor of being a part of which was so perfect with the streamed lights that the venue have outside making for even more beautiful and warm light into the joy filled exit. We left shortly after a little bit more dancing and saying bye to the family and newlyweds and are super excited for their future as Mr. and Mrs. Spinks!

 

Vendors List

Photography - Beauty & Beard Photography @beautyandbeardphoto

Venue - Padgett’s Farm

Ceremony Director - Tracy Yahn Events

Flowers - Yvonne’s Flowers and Gifts

Dress - Elegant Bridal

Bridesmaids Outfits - David’s Bridal

Hair & Makeup - Taylor Prince/ Undertone Salon

Officiant - Chris Lotz

Men’s Vests - Men’s Wearhouse

Bride’s Ring - Kay Jewelers

Cake - Publix

Catering - Fine Seasoning Catering

DJ - Mario Chavez

Thomas & C'Lee

 

We have had the honor of capturing all three of these wonderful sister’s weddings now and feel as if we can call their whole family friends at this point. We originally didn’t have their date available until they moved it and the photographer they had hired wasn’t available for the new date so they checked in to see if we happened to be and it worked out perfectly! Each wedding day was so different and this one was full of meaningful heirlooms and locations which felt fitting.

The day started off in their family home in Lavonia, GA with getting to say hey to them all again and the girls all getting ready while we started details downstairs. Once C’Lee was ready and hopped in her dress, we had her sisters help her down the stairs for their mom Martha to button up the dress in a spot that had a little more space and light available which turned out beautifully. Just after that, we got their dad to come out also and do their first look just before heading through the woods to their grandparents house so we could use their gorgeous driveway for a few photos. Once we finished that up, the girls hopped back on the golf cart and we headed off to the church to meet up with the guys just down the road and get a feel for the ceremony space. All we can say is that we probably have 50 or so images of the guys just laughing together and doing funny poses and it was a great time with them just before getting ready for the ceremony. We were also doing a highlight film and were limited on space so I setup a third camera upstairs on the balcony to pick up audio and another angle for the video before they started heading down the aisle. Once they said their hand written (and might we add adorable) vows and the officiant declared them husband and wife, they gave each other a big high five and then kissed before making their way back up the aisle as husband and wife with the bride’s sister Haley-Sue playing acoustic guitar behind them.

We then got to hop into family formals just outside of this church that the bride’s family has been apart of for many years (her grandparents got married here as well and we recreated a photo for them, it’s the black and white one in front of the stained glass window). It was very long before it started to get dark and they also needed to lock up the church so we quickly went inside to get some photos with the full bridal party and the recreation photos by the window. We then headed out front to quickly get a few couples photos and then head off to the reception site which it was dark once we arrived and they very quickly got ready to be announced in by the dj (who also dj’d Haley-Sue’s wedding reception). Everyone cheered as they made their way in the front doors and they headed straight to their sweetheart table to get food and everyone enjoyed dinner before the cake cutting. Once they fed each other some cake, they sat down again to have her twin sister and his best man give the toasts and recall some of their favorite moments together. They then had a fun twist where the first dance is near the end and then mingled for a little before it was time to do the sparkler exit. The sparklers sadly died quickly but everyone was still shouting and the happy couple was laughing and smiling the entire way to the their car surrounded by people that they absolutely adore. Once they hopped in, they waved out of the window and drove off into the night as newlyweds! It was amazing getting to be a part of so many beautiful days and moments in this families lives and this last one was just full of all of the warm hearted people and moments that we have grown very fond of over these past few years. We say this a lot but we sincerely cannot wait to see what the future holds for the newlyweds and the rest of their family!

 

Vendors List

Photography - Beauty & Beard Photography @beautyandbeardphoto

Venue - Lavonia United Methodist Church

Flowers - Donna Godfrey

Dress and Bridesmaids Outfits - Dressing Dreams

Suits - Handmade in Guatemala and Men’s Wearhouse

Rings - Hers (Family ring and James Allen Rings) His (VyTvir on Etsy)

Cake - 211 Main Street Restaurant & Bakery

Reception Venue & Catering - Cateechee Golf Club

DJ - Chris Fuller

Arthur & Eryn

 

We got to meet Arthur and Eryn at New Moon Cafe what feels like 2 years ago now but we knew right away that we were going to love this wedding day. They had a lot of Lord of the Rings and Nordic themes for decor and not only are we big Lord of the Rings nerds among a lot of other things that we found we have in common but, we absolutely love animals and any chance for animals to be involved in a wedding day is pretty much the best wedding day ever. Being that this was on their own horse farm with two dogs, three horses and a bunch of goats and donkeys. We were having a great time and so inspired by everything that they had for decor. The first thing we were greeted by when finding their home was the big sign with an Elven style quote/play on words with a sign from Lord of the Rings and Morgan’s eyes literally lit up. We pulled into the property and were greeted by Arthur and his best man and given the run down of the space and animals before heading inside with the girls. After seeing how we wanted to setup for some of the video and live stream in the ceremony space, we went in to say hey to Eryn and her girls. We quickly started on details of her dress in their bedroom to keep it close and away from the groom and also photographed some of the flat lay details that we took to the stables. Fast forward a bit and everyone is dressed and ready to start the ceremony so we started the live stream and said hello to the viewers. Everyone made their way out of the gate and to their spots smiling from ear to ear and then the bride made her entrance riding her horse Titus. They built a stare set for her to dismount and walk the aisle with her father the rest of the way and everything went flawlessly. We also would like to add that as soon as she came around the corner, a few of the animals decided to cheer them on and it was both hilarious and adorable. She walked down the aisle and Arthur had a huge smile the entire time. In the ceremony they had their families and officiant provide the three strands of rope symbolically for a cord of three strands which we loved witnessing. Once they exchanged their vows and rings then sealed the ceremony with a kiss, they made their way back up the aisle as husband and wife. Eryn went ahead and started mounting Titus again so we could get some photos with the horses quickly and have the handlers feed them.

We finished photos with the horses and headed over to where we had the family go for family formals and began to go through the list we had specific to the day and photographed them all and had a lot of good laughs during. As soon as we finished and dismissed family to go over to the reception, we did a few with the full bridal party and then straight into the couples portraits. We ended the couples portraits right next to the huge bonfire near the reception and then it was time for everyone to go eat and be merry for a while. Everyone got to enjoy the amazing food that Cordially Invited provided before getting to some toasts, cake cutting and a beautiful moment where Eryn surprised one of her bridesmaids by handing her the bouquet instead of throwing it. The night ended for us with beautiful dances and everyone enjoying each others company lit by fire and the moon which felt like the perfect way to end with their families that night as we made our way back home. We so look forward to seeing what the future holds for these two and their families (including the animals).

 

Vendors List

Photography - Beauty & Beard Photography @beautyandbeardphoto

Venue - Private Residence

Flowers - DIY with Sola Wood Flowers

Dress - House of the Bride

Suits - International Formalwear in Augusta

Rings - Hers (Helzberg Diamonds) His (Revolution Jewelry)

Cake - Robyn’s Nest Custom Bakery

Catering - Cordially Invited

Rentals - Allstar Tents & Events

Clint & Sjane

 

We had honor of meeting Clint and Sjane way back when Covid-19 wasn’t even a thought yet and got to talk about them and their relationship like how he proposed at Hopeland Gardens in Aiken trying to make it out to be an anniversary photo shoot and not have the family hiding spoil anything and of course she said yes and was still surprised!

Fast forward some and we got to meet up in April for their engagement session at Brick Pond Park/Hammond’s Ferry which can be seen HERE. One of the first things we saw showing up to the wedding day was those photos blown up beautifully around the reception area and framed with really good taste we must say. It made for such a gorgeous way to surround everything with their love and story which, we are all about!

Now that we’re on the wedding day, this was our first time at Ashton Cole Place and we have to say that it’s nothing short of breathtaking. So much thought and gorgeous spots to use for photos that we could have spent the entire day photographing around the property. We started the day the same way we start every wedding day, details and getting ready photos but we have to say that the flat lay details when we set them up on a vintage white table they had in the bridal suite turned out so gorgeous! Once we did all of the details and the bride was ready, we went right outside of the bridal suite to do a first look with her dad. He called it beforehand that we were trying to make him cry and that it was going to work, what we didn’t know would happen is that the girls would be crying in the window behind them watching. (okay, we knew they would be watching but didn’t think about the crying part) Every moment was beautiful as he turned around and saw his baby girl in her dress that reminded him of her mother’s dress and we can only imagine that all of the thoughts rushing in at that moment about the family in South Africa that couldn’t be there and how happy he was that she found someone like Clint. Going from one beautiful moment full of joy and tears, we fast forward to the next one when Clint is waiting at the altar for her and her dad to walk down and as the doors opened up to present her for the first time, he lost it. That also got to his mom and she started crying so before long, pretty much everyone was crying and smiling at the same time. (us included) Once they got through their hand written vows laughing and crying and sealed the deal with a kiss, they joyfully made their way back up the aisle as husband and wife to go and start on family photos while the guests all went over to cocktail hour. We knocked out the family photos and bridal party photos before walking around more with the newly weds and saved the best for last to go to the pond (they really love water photos and ponds). Once we finished that, it was time for them to lineup and head into the reception and start their dances and they were all so sweet and sentimental. They finished the dances and before long, it was time for the speeches. Her dad stepped out and welcomed Clint to the family and thanked him for being the man he is as well as looked back on Sjane as a little girl. Then one of the groomsmen stepped up to read notes from the family in South Africa that couldn’t be there for the wedding and they were all so beautifully written and you could even feel the welcoming and loving nature of the whole family through just the reading of their words. the Best man, maid of honor and matron of honor all gave lovely speeches as well and everyone raised a glass in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Gantt. They danced the night away and it got pretty crazy (in a good way) and then it was time for the sendoff. It held off rain the entire day but the started right as it was time to leave so, we just went for it and they ran through the sparklers and out into the rain surrounded by their friends and family. It was such a great day and we’re excited to see what the future holds for their marriage and family!

 

Vendors List

Photography - Beauty & Beard Photography @beautyandbeardphoto

Venue - Ashton Cole Place

Flowers - Florologie

Dress - Elegant Bridals

Brides Shoes - David’s Bridal

Rings - Kay Jewelers

Cake - Halee’s Sweet Bites

Catering - Moe’s

DJ - Andrew Guinn