WED // JARRED & TAYLOR // STATESVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA

i cannot believe that i'm just now getting around to blogging one of my favorite weddings from the spring. gosh. my mom gives me a hard time because i say that everyone is "my favorite" - and in reality, that's true. there's something special that i tuck away in my heart from each wedding i shoot - but this one was definitely one for the books.

maybe it's because taylor and jarred are, at this point, old friends. i shot their day-after-proposal pictures, their engagement session, and now their wonderful wedding. i've gotten to know them so well, and i just love their huge hearts for each other and everyone in their lives. 

i knew their wedding day would be many, many things. first, i knew it would Christ-centered. and it was, from start to finish. they invited everyone attending the wedding to come pray over them, as they began the journey as husband and wife that day. they radiated joy and calmness all day, with huge smiles on their faces.  second, i knew it would be simple, but gorgeous. from the tables that jarred built with his own two hands, to the ceremony backdrop that he also built, to the garlands and flowers that deedie springer of springvine assembled, to taylor's gorgeous and classic jcrew wedding dress. all of it came together so seamlessly, it was amazing. and third, i knew it was going to be so fun. literally, without a doubt, this was the FUNNEST reception i've ever been a part of. normally, receptions can feel a little stale and boring, but not with their crowd of friends. the two hours of crazy, hilarious dancing flew by. my favorite part was when "i wanna dance with somebody" came on - i've never seen a bride get as excited as taylor did when that started playing. definitely a moment i'll treasure forever! 

so, here you have it. one of the best days of my summer. taylor & jarred's wedding.

---

florals: deedie springer of springvine
hair & makeup: jennifer abercrombie beauty
venue: 1812 hitching post
bride's dress: jcrew
 

bridals // madi // the ivy place, lancaster, south carolina

i won't say "i NEVER do bridals" but i think i've done them maybe twice in the past two years. they just aren't something i normally love doing because to be honest, they can feel super stiff, traditional, and awkward. 

i will, however, do bridals for brides who tuck flowers behind their ears. for brides who put on chacos and run through fields of grass. for brides who don't mind if their dress hits the ground. for brides who bring amazing helpers (that don't bring shower curtains to make the bride sit on..)

madi brought her amazing sister and mom to our session at the ivy place, in lancaster. the property was just glowing that evening, full of beautiful sun and amazing fields that madi totally owned. i love how simple she is in her beauty. she doesn't need pounds of makeup or huge pieces of jewelry. she's just madi. and she's stunning. 

engaged // madi & logan // marshville, north carolina

i can't say enough good things about sweet madi & logan.

these two are just the kindest souls with the most gentle hearts. i'm so thankful that the Lord let our paths cross and that i was their wedding photographer (which happened a couple of weeks ago!) - i love their love and how it manifests itself into huge smiles and soft kisses and unbridled excitement for the years to come.

my words are failing me today, so i'll let my images speak for themselves. 

(btw, we shot these at her parents home and also their huge working farm.. incredible!)

wed // caitlin & eric // lake norman, charlotte, north carolina

"here's to all the places we went.
and here's to all the places we'll go.
and here's to me, whispering again and again and again and again:
i love you."

i've said this time and time again, i love it with my couples become dear friends of mine. that's the whole reason i shoot weddings, aside from making sweet moments permanent memories. that human connection, that community and relationship is beyond important to me. that's why i take on less weddings a year and am "picky" about the ones i do take on. i want to make sure i'm the best possible match for you and your fiancee. it just makes for a beautiful wedding day. 

i knew the moment i got caitlin's FIRST email a year ago, i knew i'd love this girl. who couldn't love her when she opened an email with this, 

"anyway, she had commented on one of your blog posts and I had just spent a solid hour (don’t tell my boss) searching for photographers. it was like the Red Sea of wedding photogs parted and there you were! seriously though, i had a moment sitting at my desk pouring through your posts. i wanted someone to capture the little moments as well as the big ones, and i could see how much you cared about each couple you worked with. i loved your work instantly."

since then, we've spent hours upon hours texting about everything from the walking dead to ridiculously awful books and characters and everything. she's my soul sister. and eric has the sweetest love for caitlin, amazing taste in music (and thankfully), also had a bunch of awesome, happy groomsmen by his side. walking into their wedding day, it truly felt like i was just heading to go hang out with friends all day. which, a lot of my days have felt like this year, and i'll never take that for granted. 

they were married at his parent's lake house, so everything felt so intimate. plus, the two of (with some help from their families) did everything. eric cut all the wood centerpieces, caitlin set up EVERYTHING and wrote the chalkboards. they took DIY to a super pretty level. okay,  to be honest, caitlin and eric's day was beautiful, start to finish.  from her amazing bridesmaids helping me with whatever i needed, to her and eric's super sweet first look, to their pup murry walking around all day, loving on guests, to their gorgeous ceremony by the water to the thunderstorms that interrupted the reception and left us with two huge, pretty rainbows, to all of their friends dancing away under cafe lights. 

alright, alright. enough of me talking. enjoy these images. love you two!! 

-- 

hair & makeup for bride and bridesmaids by jennifer abercrombie beauty!