tyler + madison | a quarantine wedding

In the very middle of quarantine when everything was sideways, Tyler and Madison rolled with the punches and shifted their big wedding to an intimate gathering at the Air b and b Madison’s parents had rented to stay in. It was perfect.

I felt like I had entered a different world as I stepped into this day. Preceding it were endless days of isolation and heaviness. This day was rich with family and love and celebration.

Tyler and Madison have been through it together. Hard, hard, hard times in between the goodness. So seeing them say their vows I knew they knew what for better or worse truly meant. I get chills every time I think about it.

The day was so relaxed. Amber with Blush and Blossoms Events worked so magically behind the scenes that there was no rush, no surprises, just space. It was so lovely.

After the touching ceremony (I cried), dinner was served on the most beautiful veranda with a little stream nearby. And then incredible toasts by nearly every person there. The parents and their love and support for the bride and groom moved my heart in a very deep way.

As the sun set, there was a little bit of dancing under the twinkly lights and I stepped back into the darkness and just watched and breathed. The warmth and tenderness of the day will never be lost on me.

a january wedding | sam + whitney

She keeps it simple
And I am thankful for her kind of lovin'
'Cause it's simple

She's talkin' to me with her voice
Down so low I barely hear her
But I know what she's sayin'
I understand because my heart and hers are the same
And in January we're gettin' married

-The Avett Brothers, January Wedding

Those lyrics rung so true to me on that stormy January night when Sam and Whitney married. These are some of my favorite parts of their wedding:

-every single groomsman and of course the groom were musicians so they jammed out while I took pictures and drank coffee.

-groom wearing his great grandfather’s hat.

-whitney practicing mandolin for the ceremony with the most peaceful look on her face.

-the giggly bridesmaids in the coldest air.

-tables draped with eucalyptus and decorated with succulents.

-stepping back and watching everyone they loved singing as they played mandolin and guitar together.

-rushing to the parking lot of target and seeing mountain views even in the storm.

-going to sonic for a milkshake since we only took 3 minutes to take pictures.

-the coziness of that place while bitter cold winds and icy rain surrounded us outside.

-kids running everywhere and no one hushing them.

-a table of pies lovingly baked by friends and family.

-THE JAM SESSION.

As always I am grateful for kindred spirit, artist clients who just let me do my thing.

*groom’s band and amazing new album "Honey and Blood”

*the most romantic bouquets by Fern and Flora Studios

alison and david | charleston, sc

I grew up with a best cousin friend who was nearly exactly my age.  I had 4 younger sisters and she had 2 older brothers.  So going to each other's home was always new and exciting.  David is one of the older brothers.  He tormented me as a girl (folding me up in the folding couch and hiding under our bed) and I loved it.  

David is really special to me.  I've always loved his quiet and wild heart.  I spent endless summers watching him in the ocean mastering anything athletic he touched.  When I think of him, I see him coming in from the ocean with his twinkly eyes, giant smile and his salty hair.  

David has those same twinkly eyes for Alison.   

Really the first good amount of time I spent with his bride was the morning of her wedding.  I spent a few relaxing hours at their rental house with her family who flew from Scotland to celebrate.  And what a sweet morning it was!  Chatting and dancing and drinking tea and eating biscuits. As the hours ticked by my heart felt more and more glad that my dear cousin got to spend the rest of his life with this woman.  Not only is she kind but she is genuine through and through.  Not only is she strong (hello crossfit!) but she is gentle.  

Alison and David had their first look at his parent's home in Charleston, SC where the summer sun pierced through the draping spanish moss in the most romantic of ways.

They had their intimate ceremony on the water at Cottage on the Creek on Shem Creek.  During their ceremony they honored their parents beautifully and also honored David's daughter Jenna Kate with family vows.  

As soon as they were pronounced husband and wife the sky poured down with a torrential summer rainstorm!  Despite heavy rain, the party didn't even waver.  The cocktail hour was cozy and intimate and everywhere I looked there were smiles and laughter.    

Every wedding I do I look through my camera and document so many new faces.  Even though they are just faces to me, I know each one is beloved and treasured by the bride and groom.  It was really special to really know and love the people on the other side this go around; my great Aunt Lucy, who I named my daughter after, my cousin who I have 90% of my childhood memories with, and so many other loved ones.   

I entered the wedding day completely positive that the dance floor would be hopping that night. No shadow of a doubt.  And I wasn't disappointed.  The dance floor was opened after the bride and groom interrupted their traditional first dance with the Whip and Nay Nay and the fun just went up from there.  The whole evening was filled to the brim with laughter, good food, dance and so.much.fun.  I might have even done the worm at one point...

ceremony and reception : cottage on the creek

make up and hair: blushair

floral: my sweet aunt robin's garden