Amy + Anthony | Macedonia Hills | Newnan, GA

Amy and Anthony shared a sweet, but rainy wedding day at the beautiful Macedonia Hills wedding venue in Newnan, GA. They say that rain brings good luck and a cleansing start to a new chapter in life. I don’t think this couple will need luck, but they had plenty of it either way!

Before I continue the rest of the blog let me get this cheesy joke out of the way. Their wedding was ‘PRICE’less. (Get it?! Their last name is Price.) I know. Don’t care. And one more thing, I’m hoping Anthony, the writer, doesn’t judge my writing skills too much!

Back to the blog. The wedding venue was beautifully and thoughtfully decorated with the bride’s vision. Pink peonies dotted her bouquet. Eucalyptus was abundant and filled the empty wine bottles that decorated the farmhouse tables and vintage furniture provided places for guests to lounge.

Amy and her beautiful bridesmaids spent the morning getting ready and doing last minute final touches. The groom’s daughter, Isabella, spent the morning with the ladies as well. Amy’s sister and Maid of Honor, Kathleen, helped Amy get into her gorgeous-curve-hugging wedding dress. She applied a gaurdian angel pin near her heart. Their parents were certainly there in spirit.

I found Anthony and the rest of the groomsmen in basement of the main house. They were watching football and relaxing before the big day. Anthony had awesome cigar boxes for the guys that held special gifts like a tobacco pipe, aviators and bracelets made by his future bride. He handed them out to each groomsman and let each one know how much he appreciated them and was grateful that they could make the trip to celebrate.

The rain still hadn’t let up and I needed to find a covered spot for the first look. The rustic barn on the property fit the bill. Anthony faced towards the open barn door looking out over the field. Eager to see his bride that he loves so much. You can just tell from the way he talks about her.

Amy entered the barn to find her groom waiting. She crept behind him and tapped him on the shoulder. Their reactions were priceless. They both have so much love for one another. It’s refreshing to see their connection. They admired each other. Anthony gave Amy a twirl to get the 360 view.

They took turns reading their vows to each other. I photographed their genuine emotions and it filled my heart to witness.

Before the ceremony, Anthony shared a first look with his daughter. Cue the water works! His reaction to his daughter pulls my heart strings. It was definitely one of the best moments from the whole day. What a great dad. As they shared a moment together on the front porch, Isabella gave her dad a special token that had ‘always your little girl’ inscribed.

Guests were beginning to arrive and take their seats as the rain was still coming down. The wedding party lined up with their super cool clear umbrellas and made their way down the hill. One by one, the bridal party took their places next to Anthony as they waited for the bride to enter. I kid you not, as soon at the ceremony was beginning, the rained paused and the sun peeked through the clouds long enough to complete the quick ceremony.

Amy looked stunning in her fitted lace wedding dress as she walked down the aisle surrounded by family and friends. She met her groom at the altar where they shared a sweet union officiated by one of the groomsmen, Jared Engel. They cheered as the ceremony completed. It was official…#PromotedtoPrice!

The newlyweds entered the tent to share their first dance as husband and wife. They swayed to the music in each other’s arms. Smiling from ear to ear.

Guests dined on some delicious treats from the ‘Good Food’ food truck. Amy’s sister, Kathleen, and the best man, Luke, gave a special toasts and well wishes to the bride and groom. Meanwhile, Kids slipped and slid around the dance floor. They were having a blast. The DJ had everyone on their feet at some point in the celebration.

As the sun was setting and creating a beautiful pink and purple sky through the rainy mist, guests lined up with sparklers and the newlyweds charged through pausing to share a kiss.

When the sun sank behind the pine trees, the guests turned their attention to a really sweet slideshow showing Amy and Anthony’s lives before and after they met. Following the slide show, Anthony, Amy and Isabella shared a family dance. Isabella totally stole the show with her tie-dyed shirt and sick dance moves!

This was such a fun and thoughtful wedding down to every little detail. I’m so happy that the talented Amy chose me to be her photographer.

Remember, if it rains on your wedding day its good luck. Fortunately, these two were good sports about the weather. There’s not much you can do about it except embrace it and be in the moment!

Cheers to The Price’s!

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First Look


 

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Ansley + Stuart | Dunaway Gardens | Newnan, GA

Ansley and Stuart’s Scottish wedding at Dunaway Gardens was to die for! The details of this wedding were like nothing I’ve ever photographed! The bride wore a rose gold lace gown, the groom and groomsmen dressed in kilts, the ladies wore beautiful crimson, and the venue looked like a secret garden. They even had a drummer and a bagpiper.

I first met Ansley years ago when she modeled for a fun T-shirt shoot. She’s sassy, quirky and so cute! We had a lot of fun that day. We lost touch a bit between there, so I was thrilled when she asked me to photograph her wedding!

Arriving at the venue, I was blown away by the beauty of Dunaway Gardens. It was a lush estate covered in moss and ivy. It was established by stage star, Hetty James Dunaway. The gardens were an oasis for the performing arts and a favorite retreat for celebrities of the time including Walt Disney! To read more about the history of Dunaway find their history here.

Ansley and Stuart got ready at a nearby hotel in Newnan. The guys had a chill morning sipping on scotch whisky. The girls sipped champagne across the hall as they prepped hair and make-up.

Ansley, alters wedding dresses for a living, so she made some final touches to her dress on the beautiful porch of the bridal cabin at Dunaway. Her mother helped her into her gorgeous dress. The brides added some final touches. Before the ceremony, the bride pinned on her mother and grandmother’s tartans.

The ceremony was held in a beautiful outdoor stone amphitheater. The steps are carpeted with green moss and its surrounded by trees. It was an unbelievable spot and the overcast day made it even more Scottish.

As the ceremony started, the couples’ friends sang a beautiful Scottish song to precede the ceremony. Stuart entered with his groomsmen in tow dressed their kilts. He held back tears, as he watched Ansley make her way down the large stone steps, escorted by her father. Her mother joined them at the bottom of the steps and the both gave her away to her groom.

The ceremony itself was full of wonderful Scottish traditions. Instead of a candle or sand jar they had a hand fasting ceremony to signify their union. Their long-time theater friend officiated the ceremony. He wrapped their hands and gave a blessing for their new marriage. To close the ceremony, the groom pinned his family tartan on the bride’s dress. They shared a sweet kiss and then invited the whole family for a group picture before leaving the ceremony. And when I say the whole family, I mean the WHOLE family! It was super cool to see everyone together in one picture.

After the ceremony concluded the bagpiper and his drummer wife, lead the guests in a traditional processional to the reception to begin the party!

While the guests were making their way to the reception area, I photographed the fabulous wedding party. They are pretty much all thespians, which made for some very awesome pictures. Personality was shining through for sure!

I took the bride and groom down to the lower garden for their portraits. They wandered around the stunning lower garden at Dunaway. So, in love and ready to celebrate! There was a wishing well in the garden, so the two of them made a wish and tossed the penny into the water.

I can’t get over how Stuart looks at Ansley. Ladies, find you someone who looks at you the way that Stuart looks at Ansley. Talk about Prince Charming.

We made our way to the reception and quickly cut the poor cake that was starting to melt in the unseasonably late Georgia heat and humidity. Figures! The simple white cake was adorned with gorgeous fall flowers.

The reception kicked off with the first dance between husband and wife to Sweet Annie by the Zac Brown band. (Fun fact: Anything by Zac Brown makes me cry like a baby!) They were beautiful to watch as they twirled around the dance floor in each other’s arms. Ansley danced with her father to a special song that was actually written by her dad’s great aunt. Stuart shared a sweet dance with his mother who looked gorgeous in her long blue dress.

The rest of the guests kicked off the party and seriously danced the night away. I loved that Ansley and Stuart let loose and really enjoyed their night. The Dj was awesome and kept the party pumping. There was one special song dedicated to Ansley from her childhood girlfriends that also speaks to my heart. If you a female who grew up performing with your friends in the living room, I’m sure you’re going to know this one! Its called Lady Marmalade from the movie Moulin Rouge. That song takes me back to sleep overs and sing-a-longs with my best friends!

The wedding was so much fun! I had a blast photographing it.

PS: Since photographing this wedding, I have some special news, Ansley and Stuart are already expecting their first little one! Yayy!! Can’t wait to see those precious pictures!

Wishing the Spears, a long & happy marriage!

#notafullpickle #onlyaspears


The fabulous vendors:
Venue: Dunaway Gardens
Event Coordinator: Elizabeth Stephenson with Table 6 Productions
Dress: Oleg Cassini for David’s Bridal
Bridesmaids dresses: David’s Bridal
Kilts/Tuxes: Men’s Wearhouse and Atlanta Kilt Rental
Cake: Kathryn Spears
Bag Piper/ Drummer: Tom Crawford
Videographer: http://www.lensheadmedia.com/


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Vanessa + Andreas | Rancho Santa Maria Polo Club | El Paso, TX

Vanessa and Andreas’ wedding celebration at the Rancho Santa Maria Polo Club was such a fun experience. Vanessa is a Texas girl who was swept off her feet by German named Andreas. They fell in love during a motorcycle road trip and moved all the way to Berlin, Germany.

I was so thrilled to photograph this union. You couldn’t really call it a wedding it was more of a celebration of their union surrounded by the couple’s friends and family in Texas. Vanessa’s mother, Anette, did an amazing job of planning the whole celebration since the bride was in another country!

A couple things stand out in my mind about this day that I’ll never forget. One was having the beautiful Indian motorcycle get stuck in the sand on the banks of the Rio Grande as we were attempting to take the couple’s portraits. Poor Andi, was so done before the pictures even began. But fear not! We had a couple guys from the farm come help push the bike out of the sand and we settled on the dirt road for pictures. It was so El Paso!

We took some gorgeous portraits of these newlyweds. As a photographer, I just love photographing in the desert. The soft pastel colors of the sand and desert plants just translate so beautifully in portraits.

The couple was so effortless together. They balance each other. Vanessa looked elegant in her lace, long sleeve, fitted wedding dress. Her black curls swept up into an effortless up do. Andi was looking handsome in his blue jacket, straight-leg jeans and silver belt buckle. Of course, they both wore boots. Very modern Texan.

We arrived back at the ranch for cocktail hour before the ceremony would get underway. Yellow-orange Margaritas, sat on a table to greet guests as they arrived. Guests mixed and mingled under the patio and the tent as the mariachi band played in to the golden hour.

Before anyone had arrived at the ranch, I was able to watch the Shaman, his wife, grand daughter and friend set up the intricate ceremony setting. Every item had a meaning at the ceremony. From the archway that they walked through to the deerskin that laid at their feet. But don’t ask me these meanings!

As the ceremony began, guests were seated. They didn’t have a wedding party, but the family and friends closest to the couple lined up to make their way through the arch way. Before each person entered the ceremony, they were cleansed by the Shaman. After passing through the archway, they formed a circle around the couple.

Sage burned in the air as the Shaman gave his blessing to the new husband and wife in front of a cute little chapel under a beautiful tree. Their hands were wrapped in special cloths. And before the first kiss, Vanessa and Andi signified their union by drinking wine out of a special vase together, which honestly looked pretty difficult, but somehow, they did it without spilling any!

The party kicked off with the first attempt of lighting the colorful lanterns, but the El Paso wind crashed that party quickly. It actually turned out to be a good thing they held off till later in the evening, because the second thing that I’ll never forget from this day were the hordes and I mean hordes of mosquitos that came out of the ground while guests were trying to light their lanterns. It was something out of a survival show. Fortunately, we all survived. I’m sure this is one part of the day Andi and Vanessa would hope to forget, but it does make a good story!

As the sun faded out, so did the mosquitos. Guests were finally able to enjoy dinner and be entertained by the groom’s fantastic speech of how he and Vanessa met and fell in love.

It was a saga of epic proportions to say the least and the groom had everyone captivated with his tale. Guests laughed at his endeavor of how he would attempt to acquire the bride’s father’s permission to take his daughter out and cried over his tales of how the two bonded over a love of music on the back of a motorcycle.

The party was kicked off with the first dance shared between husband and wife and then the rest of the guests joined in on the fun! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, good dancing is in the water in El Paso. All the guests had an absolute blast dancing and partying the night away.

And we finally got to send off those paper lanterns! The wind finally calmed down, so guests grabbed their lighters and sent off their blessings to the new couple into the night sky.

The last thing I’ll never forget at this wedding was the fire dancers from Odd Lab! YESSSS! These guys were so cool and put on an awesome show for the bride, groom and guests. The four guys each took turns doing different routines with the flaming balls of fire swinging around them! At the end, they further impressed by climbing onto each other shoulders with the fire. It was a wonderful way to end the night. Guests were wowed, I was wowed. It was definitely a wedding celebration I’ll never forget!

Cheers to Vanessa and Andreas!

 

Now, enjoy these picture from this awesome day!

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See the rest of the photos from Vanessa and Andreas’ wedding here.