Lauren + Rod: MARRIED

I was shocked when Lauren contacted me three weeks before her wedding to see if I happened to be available. All kinds of thoughts ran through my head. Short term engagement? Fly by the seat of your pants kind of girl? Is this bride going to be worth working with? The answer to these questions, in order, were no, no, and yes. Lauren had been planning this wedding for a long time, and all the details were perfect. This girl was definitely not flying by the seat of her pants when it came to this wedding. Turns out, her other photographer just wasn’t a good fit and she didn’t want to spend one of the biggest and best days of her life with someone who was going to stress her out. She wanted someone who would add to her day, make it better, and of course snap a couple pretty pictures too. That’s where I came in. A photographer friend who wasn’t available recommended me to her, and we clicked!

Lauren wanted to have a few engagement pictures done for their video to be played at the reception, so I was thankful we got to meet up that next week! I always recommend an engagement session with me if you haven’t had one. It lets us get to know each other for a little bit before the big day. Second, it gets you warmed up to being in front of my camera. Let’s face it, having your picture taken is awkward. It’s not usually fun, and most people don’t like it. They don’t like the way they look, the way it makes them feel, etc. But I’m trained to make you look and feel your best. I want us to laugh and have fun together. We’re going to be friends now, because I may see you in your underwear on your wedding day 😉 Kidding. Sort of.

Anyway, moving back to the big day! Lauren and her best girls were all getting ready together at Ross Bridge Resort, where we would do the first look and start portraits. She had the cutest getting ready robes, complete with one for each flower girl! Her bridal party was so sweet, so helpful, and you could tell they all loved Lauren, and on top of it all, they were all STUNNING! You can’t not like Lauren, she’s just so sweet, she works hard, and she’s obviously a great woman of God. You could tell she put a lot of thought and effort into planning all the special details.

Like most wedding days, getting ready took much longer than expected, and some of the groomsmen couldn’t make it to Ross Bridge, so we hoofed it on outside after the girls were ready! Scattered thunderstorms were on the radar, so we stuck close to the resort in case we needed to take cover. The sun was shining in and out of the clouds, and boy was it hot!!

We were able to get through the first look, couples portraits, and bridesmaids portraits before we needed to head to the Pelham Civic Complex for the ceremony and reception. Some of the groomsmen would be meeting us there as well. Since it was a Friday wedding, I was sure to schedule a full hour for a somewhat short trip. If you’re from Birmingham, you know I-65s and Highway 31s on a Friday evening aren’t going to get you anywhere quickly.

When I walked into the room where both the ceremony and reception would take place, I was SO EXCITED! There were so many stunning details, and Rod’s mom and their family had done the whole thing! I could’ve sworn they paid to have it decorated. From the joyful bright pinks to the gold accents, the color pallet was spot on. I had to be sure not to drool over the dessert and cake tables, which both could’ve been straight out of a Food Network TV show. I love to capture details and was excited we had plenty of time to make sure we captured them all!

The ceremony was so sweet and so full of love. You could just tell it was such a special time for these two families to come together! I know there will be years to come of stories like how the flower girl dumped her whole basket at the beginning of the aisle, or how the best man pretended to forget the ring.

After knocking out those full wedding party pictures and family portraits, it was time to party!! The wedding party was introduced, an amazing video about our sweet couple played for all to see, followed by the first dance, cake cutting, toasts, and throwing down on the dance floor! Lauren’s amazing sorority sisters got to have their sweet moment with her (why do I always cry at the sorority circles?). The couple had such a fun photo booth and decided to do Alabama/Auburn shakers for their big exit, which perfectly sums up their house divided.

Enjoy a few of my favorites from their big day below!