Alex & Tahirah

 

Alex and Tahirah’s wedding day took place at the Augusta Marriott in Downtown Augusta, GA. They had a ton of amazing vendors helping bring it all together to make it their wedding day and making sure to pay respects to their family members that had passed on recently.

On the wedding day, Morgan, myself and our third shooter Tom all showed up and made our way into the hotel where you go upstairs to all of the different event rooms that they have. We found Alex and the planners to direct us to the makeup room so we could say hey and find out where the details were. We sent Tom to photograph the guys since they were already ready and close to the front entrance where he could take them to a nice shaded spot that we liked. While he was starting that, we were upstairs in the bride’s room photographing the bridal details that we could and then making our way back down the elevator to the makeup room again. Around that time, the ceremony was almost finished being decorated and we had a decent amount of time before Tahirah was finished getting ready so we made our way to photograph the ceremony and reception areas before anyone was in the space. It was beautifully done and, you cannot tell but the lights were super dim which made for a romantic feel but can be challenging for photography and video. Once the ceremony started, Alex and the officiant came from a side door straight into the ceremony and everyone else came down the aisle. A few of which were holding photos of family members and placing them in the seats that they would have sat in had God not called them home. Once everyone had made it to their place, it was Tahirah’s turn to come down the aisle. Before she did though, there was an amazing prayer (not even kidding, beautiful moment here and we were blessed by it). One important note here is that the man that walked her down the aisle was her Father’s best friend for many years so he stepped in to honor that friendship and we thought that was such an amazing thing for him to do. As they walked down the aisle together, Alex had a big smile on his face and you could see the joy rushing in for both of them to take in that moment together. Once they exchanged their vows and rings, they kissed and made their way down to jump the broom together. As they were walking up the aisle as husband and wife, Alex pulled out a signature move of his from what we understand and honestly, just look at how happy they are in the photos there. Once everyone made it out of the ceremony, we made our way with the bridal party and a few other family members to do the photos outside with them. Everyone wanted to do the photos close and since there was a big group, we found a spot with some shade right outside of the back doors with a little bit of the river in the background and quickly went through any photos that were requested and once we dismissed the bridal party and most of the family, we took just a few of the newly weds as well so that she could get into some more comfortable shoes (we highly recommend to always have a change of shoes as a bride). So as she was changing shoes and taking a moment, we started photographing the reception food and cakes. Before too long, they had lined up and all started making their way into the reception where everyone danced their way in and the building was full of cheer and excitement for this amazing couple. They came out and went straight into their first dance before a sequence of events such as the cake cuttings, a little speech and video put together including famous people and others super important to the Bride which was really cool and probably one of the first times we saw something like this. They also did the garter and bouquet tosses which were hilarious and also quite a few speeches that were heartfelt and emotional. We could tell this meant a lot to Alex and Tahirah both and we were so honored to be a part of that moment and may have shed a few tears ourselves. At that point, the last few speeches picked it back up and set off an open dance floor and more drinks at the bar where it was more free flow and everyone got to enjoy in their own way. There was no formal exit so we actually ended our night with a ton of fun at the photo booth where the bride and groom were taking photos with everyone. They had a little break at one point right at our time to leave so we said goodbye really quick and congratulated them one last time. We are so happy for this couple and wish them many years of wonderful marriage!

 
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Vendors List

Photography - Beauty & Beard Photography @beautyandbeardphoto

Venue - The Augusta Marriott

Mike & Lydia

 

We had the honor of meeting via Zoom with Mike and Lydia back in January of this year to talk about their wedding day. We made plans for the live stream and everything they needed for the wedding day at St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church.

On the wedding day, we got to show up and say hey then get ready for the ceremony quickly before getting into our places. Being the times that we live in, there weren’t many people attending so we got set up a live stream for the family and it’s always fun to host and make sure everyone hears everything during the ceremony. Once everyone was lined up and ready, the ceremony started with the groom coming out with the priest from behind the altar and everyone else came down the aisle. Once Lydia made her way out of the room that she was waiting in, Mike had a big smile on his face. We could tell how happy they were but our biggest impression was just how sweet of a couple these two are! Once they made it hand it hand at the altar, there were a few readings, blessings, prayers and they also did communion before finishing off the ceremony with a joyous kiss. After the kiss, they made their way back up the aisle together as husband and wife along with the rest of the bridal party and family. Everyone had made it back and so we actually turned right back around and went to the altar to do some family and bridal party photos briefly as well as a few with the newly weds. Once we finished all of those, we went up stairs where Morgan had been for the ceremony to use the big stained glass windows up there for a few couples portraits and then broke off to meet them at the spot where he proposed which was at the Savannah Rapids Park on the dock (you probably know the spot). It was so great because during the original meeting, we heard about him getting breakfast for them and they watched the sun rise while sitting on this dock together and he proposed there which just sounds so beautiful and perfect. Even more perfect is that now they have photos on their wedding day there as well which turned out beautifully. What better spot to end off our short day with them. Since there was no formal exit for us to photograph, we took a few as they crossed the bridge heading back to our cars so they could go to their intimate reception together which somewhat felt like a good exit and wrap up for this blog. We congratulated them again and we all went our separate ways but, of course no good story ends there! We cannot wait to see what the future holds for this power couple!

 

Vendors List

Photography - Beauty & Beard Photography @beautyandbeardphoto

Venue - St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church

Tables and Chairs for reception: All Star Tents and Events

Bridal Gown: David's Bridal with purple lace appliques purchased from SilkfabricDesigns on Etsy and applied by the bride and her mom

Veil: Elegant Bridals

Men's Suites: Men's Wearhouse

Groom's Ring: Windsor Fine Jewelers

Bride's Ring: Green Lake Jewelry Works

Invitations: The Knot

Wedding Website: Minted

Makeup: Madeline Todd, LLC

Reception Food: Zoes Kitchen

Bridesmaid Dresses: Azazie.com

Shadrach & Caty

 

We literally cannot say enough about how much fun this wedding day was so, stay tuned for that. This wedding day took place at one of our favorites (we chose it as our wedding venue if you didn’t know already), Windsor Manor in South Augusta. They had a bunch of amazing vendors and quite a few that were really close friends of theirs as well which made for such a unique wedding day too. It turned out as a perfect spring day and everything flowed flawlessly!

Let’s start by going back to when we first got to meet this amazing couple over coffee with the bride’s mom and grandmother, we could tell even then that we had similar interests and would be a perfect fit to enjoy this day with them and produce beautiful photos. Now, onto the wedding day!

We started as we always do with stopping in the bridal suite to say hey and gather some details to photograph. Once we were back downstairs with the details, we met with the florist Rhonda and some of the family and had already started hitting it off with everyone on the wedding day. We then split up and I went with the guys while Morgan photographed the dress and hung around with the girls some more to help however she could. As the guys finished up getting ready, we made our way downstairs and outside just beside the house to do their group photos. It was hilarious how many jokes and funny posed photos we did (they aren’t included in the blog but, trust me, they’re there!). We also went over to the ceremony garden area for the guys to say a quick prayer over the groom and wedding day. Around that time, we got all of the guys to head back into the grooms for a bit and finished up getting the brides dress and jewelry on just before going to setup at the ceremony since guests were arriving. As everyone made their way to their seats and the groom and his mother came down the aisle to the tune beautiful medley played live on keyboard, joy was already visible on everyone’s faces. As the bride and her father came through the arch way, Shad and Caty had locked eyes and were both smiling ear to ear. Her father passed her off to her groom and then read scriptures before they were covered with a veil and Yugal representing them being clothed as one. They also exchanged their own vows, lit the unity candle and sealed the deal with a kiss. It was a beautiful ceremony and seeing them come back up the aisle as husband and wife for the first time was such a great and joyful moment to behold. We made our way out from the ceremony and over to the area where we planned to do family photos and started with a big group photo and narrowed down to smaller groups before doing the full bridal party and girls together. Once we finished all of the group photos, we dismissed everyone to the reception or to get ready for the reception at least as we did some couples portraits of the newly weds. We ended at one of the arches near the reception and had her girls come bustle her dress as we headed over to the reception to prepare for their entrance. Everyone had a great entrance but when the DJ announced the couple in and they got down the stairs, everyone erupted into a shout and Shad even jumped up and hyped everyone up even more as they went into their first dance, this was one of the last glimpses into how much fun the reception was going to be before it was in full swing. They then started their first dance to Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty’s Louisiana woman, Mississippi Man. After their first dance, it was time for everyone to enjoy some delicious traditional Filipino cuisine prepared by a close family friend of the bride’s grandmother. We have to say, it was incredible and we enjoyed every bit of it. Once every table had made their way through the buffet and finished their food, we were treated to a live performance of “Take Me Home, Country Roads'“ by John Denver which quickly turned into everyone at the reception singing along in delight (including us). After that song, it switched gears and went into speeches which were all incredibly touching but, it’s hard to beat a good speech by the Father of the Bride telling stories of her growing up and getting emotional. Maybe it’s just because we’re parents now but, it hit different and also caused them to meet out on the dance floor and hug as another live performance started and this time it included her Mom singing as well. It must be so special to sing for your own daughter’s dance with her Dad (she sounded great might we add). Once the Father and Daughter dance was finished, they went into the Mother and Son dance in which his Mom had such a look of pride in her boy and they shared a big hug at the end. As a little time passed, we snuck in with the bridal party and immediate family for the cake cutting since you can only fit so many people in there. They enjoyed their cake and everyone then erupted into yelling “Stonks” as a hilarious meme and hype crew kept the vibe going back out to the reception for the bouquet toss. The next part had to be one of the absolute most fun moments that kicked the reception into high gear which was the Traditional Filipino Dollar Dance in which both the Bride and Groom are pinned with money and give a little spin or dance to whomever pinned them. The lines got long very quickly and some of the dances were downright goofy in the best way possible. We could see the unique relationships and friendships shared with everyone present in this moment and decided that we wanted to be friends with everyone present because they know how to have and create an absolute blast of a reception. As the last few family members came through for their dances, it ran straight into everyone (and I mean everyone) to join the dance floor and kick off the night of dancing and hilarious chants. You will just have to wait and see the highlight film to get a better idea of this all happening but, after a few hours of dancing and cheering each other on, a few slow dances kicked off as we prepared for the exit. The newly weds made their through two lines of their loved ones where everyone was holding an illuminated paper bag hanging from sticks that made for such a unique and beautiful send off. They kissed and then waved goodbye to everyone as they got into their car and drove off as Mr. and Mrs. Stark. We absolutely loved being a part of this day and cannot wait to see what the future holds for this sweet couple!

 
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Vendors List

Photography - Beauty & Beard Photography @beautyandbeardphoto

Venue - Windsor Manor

Florals - Rhonda Lowe

Dresses - Sho Anne’s

Shoes - David’s Bridal

Rings - Windsor Jewlers

DJ - Magic Sounds Productions

Hair & Makeup - Lexi Saxton

Cake - Hailey Lowe (maid of honor)

Caterer - Friend of the family

Nathan & Rebecca

 

This wedding day was at one of the more beautiful churches in our area, Saint Teresa of Avila Catholic Church which is in Grovetown, Ga. Their sweet little girl, Laura, is pictured throughout the day just as happy as can be. In fact, this wedding day was just full of all of the adorable babies which made for so many cute moments. The reception was held at the Augusta Marriott in Downtown Augusta right on the Savannah River. Throughout the day you see the work of many of the wonderful vendors like the flowers from Florologie, the dress from David’s Bridal, the cake by Dianna Hall and many more!

This day started as most do, in the upstairs bridal suite at Saint Teresa of Avila with the girls to photograph some details and the girls getting their final touches. Once everyone was dressed and the Mother of the Bride finished the last few buttons on the back of her daughter’s wedding dress, we made our way downstairs to photograph all of the girls together. Being that it was a super bright and sunny day outside, we tried to keep everyone in the shade for most of the photos before sneaking them all back upstairs to hide during the Mass service that was taking place in the Sanctuary. We then did the same with the guys to keep it uniform before taking a few out in the courtyard. We dismissed the rest of the guys to go inside but then had one go and get baby Laura for Nathan so they could take a few photos together and they are some of our favorites from the day. She was so happy to see him and it made for an adorable moment that made us miss our little Logan even more! At that point, it was just time to wait and lineup for the ceremony so, we got Nathan mic’d up for the ceremony and got into our positions. Nathan carried Laura down the aisle with him so they could both wait to see the bride come down the aisle together. You can see in the photo that as soon as Laura her mommy coming down the aisle, she reached for her and Nathan was fighting back tears. The ceremony went perfectly and it is honestly just one of the most beautiful sanctuaries to have as a back drop for their wedding vows. Once they had completed their vows, blessings, communion and prayers (not in that order), they sealed the deal with a kiss and made their way back up the aisle hand in hand as husband and wife. We then transitioned into family formal photos and the full bridal party photos as well as just a few of the newly weds.

The reception at the Augusta Marriott was held in the Estes room so we made our way downtown and started photographing details there while we awaited the couple to arrive in the limo. Once they arrived and everyone was ready, the DJ announced them in to everyone cheering for the happy couple. They immediately went straight into their first dance which was accompanied by live acoustic music performed by the groom’s sister. Then the groom and his mother shared a dance before he also shared a dance with his daughter. During the father daughter dance, Laura got to enjoy some snacks which made for a pretty funny dance. After a little time passed, it was then time for the toasts. You can see the groom’s brother sharing a sweet speech for the happy couple which kicked off the dance floor opening, then the cake cutting and into the maid of honor’s touching speech. Before more dancing took place though, we setup the bouquet toss and garter toss. The garter toss ended up with a few of the guys landing on the ground which was hilarious. The dance floor then opened back up with some slow dancing for couples to enjoy among many other fun dances. The night ended with a perfect sparkler send off behind the Marriott on the River Walk. They got the good sparklers so we even made another run through going back with them all still lit and so we got to say goodbye to the newly weds and wish them a happy honeymoon. We’re so excited for this happy family and look forward to seeing Laura grow up as well as whatever else life may bring to the Christe family!

 

Vendors List

Photography - Beauty & Beard Photography @beautyandbeardphoto

Venue - Saint Teresa of Avila and the Augusta Marriott

Flowers - Florologie

Makeup - Hannah Ellefson

Hair - Shannon Greeson

Dress - David’s Bridal

Men’s Attire - Men’s Wearhouse

Rings - Windsor Jewelers (Bride’s Ring was mother’s)

Cake - Dianna Hall

Cupcakes - Delightful Bites

Limo Service - Celebrity Limo

DJ - Thomas Russell Schneider