Merissa + Gavin | Ocean Lodge Wedding | St. Simons Island

 

"Old Hollywood glamour at its finest.
Our bride, Merissa, looks like something straight out of an old-time film."

Thank you to the Savannah bridal boutique Ivory & Beau for featuring Merissa + Gavin's beautiful ocean front wedding!

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You can't help but feel a bit royal when walking the steps of Ocean Lodge. Merrissa picked this venue for it's classic elegance. 

 The prayer between the groom, bride. and her grandmother had everyone in tears.

This [Merissa’s] dreamy look was made complete by the Sasha Veil by Couffia Couture… not to mention the sweetest bouquet of anemones and silver dollar eucalyptus.
— Ivory & Beau

This amazing reception had some of the best dancing and the best views including a beautiful, bright, full moon over and the ocean and surprise fireworks!

Congratulations  Merissa + Gavin!

Merissa + Gavin's Engagement Session

Dress/ Veil : Ivory & Beau @maggiesotterodesigns

Hair/Makeup: Felicia Cammon

Groom attire: Gentleman’s Outfitters

Shoes : Ivory & Beau

Food : Ocean Lodge – Steak and Mahi Mahi

Cake : Hollaways Bakery

Florals: Edward on SSI; white flowers (peonies, garden roses, hydrangeas, anemones, babies breath, freesia) and greenery (eucalyptus, Italian ruscus)

Entertainment : Gary with Island Sound

Harpist: Kathy Braswell

Invitations : Serendipity Paperie

Videographer: Triptych Media

 

Adair + Sam | Jekyll Isand Historic District Engagement

 
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As a photographer, I have no greater satisfaction than helping clients feel beautiful and confident in front of a camera. My passion and purpose have intersected...and I couldn’t be happier capturing love like Sam + Adair’s.
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I LOVED tinkering with this darker editing style upon Adair’s request. It really worked her floral dress and the Jekyll trees as the sun disappeared. I may have to use it more :)

Cannot wait for thier Horse Stamp Inn wedding! Oh, it's going to be beautiful!

 

Toni + James | Jekyll Island Engagement

It's been amazing to see this couple grow in their love.. since high school! I have such precious memories of getting ready for school dances with Toni and watching James make winning touchdowns at the Glynn Academy football games.  It's such an hour to be their wedding photographer and document this time of being engaged. 

MEGAN + RYAN | EAST BEACH ENGAGEMENT

 
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It's crazy what you notice when you've got a camera in hand and a pretty couple by your side. I've walked down the Coast Guard each access probably 1,000 times and never fully noticed or appreciated the different types of backgrounds this one little spot has. I'm in love with this little beach fencing and the desert look of the trees. I love feeling like a tourist on my own island. Megan and Ryan looked amazing in their beachy outfits against these backdrops! Loved their outfit choices!

Megan has one of the most unique engagement rings I've ever seen! Smitten!

It is a mix of rose gold and white gold in the shape of a rose flower.

What made you fall for him?

He made me laugh and loved my nerdy personality.

Three things that fuel your relationship:

Bike rides, date nights, and hammock family time

Do you have any advice for other couples?

Don't take things too seriously. Have fun. Enjoy life. Move to a vacation area near the beach. :)

 

Darlynn + Brandon | Oak Orchard Wedding

Burlap, lace, and burgundy, OH MY! This Oak Orchard wedding was an elegant, rustic dream. Darlynn and Brandon kept each other warm in the frigid January air, making for beautiful and cuddly moments. 

 
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I knew this wedding would be a blast after hanging out with these two at their engagement shoot. They were awesome enough to bring along their dog Bentley who was still with us in spirit (and on the groom's socks) at the wedding. 

This is the lighting dreams are made of. 

How good looking is this wedding party - just filled with laughs. 

The bride walked down the isle to "Here Comes the Sun"

I had the luxury of being able to wear 3 layers of thermals on this cold day. Even with frozen toes, these lovebirds were all smiles. 

Now for the fun part. The bride and her father's choreographed dance was a fantastic surprise and the groom's toddler nephew took over the dance floor with his bold moves.

Wishing every year of your marriage is as joyful as your wedding day was, you two!

Darlynn + Brandon's Engagement Session

VENUE: Oak Orchard in Brunswick, Georgia

SECOND SHOOTER: Hannah Kicklighter

VIDEOGRAPHER: Trace Walker

FLORIST: Mystical Gardens Flower Shop

BRIDAL GOWN: Frills By Scott

CAKE ARTIST: Holloways

BAND/DJ: DJ Pete Alston

MAKE-UP ARTIST: Adair Clack and Mackenzie Claussen

HAIR ARTIST: Fancy Dos

TUXES: Men's Warehouse

STATIONERY: Etsy

FOOD: Grandy's

 

Kelsey + Tyler | Driftwoord Beach Engagement

So glad to have met this awesome couple. They were super flexible when it came to how crazy the island was during the Merry Shrimpmas Festival. The first location they wanted to shoot at was unavailable... but they found a perfect, private spot filled with beautiful live oaks. I'm totally gonna make it my new go-to place. 

I also fell in love with her engagement ring story. Read on!

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Describe your engagement ring:

My father passed away almost three years ago before Tyler and I started dating. The diamond in my ring is from a pendant that my Dad gave my Mom several years ago. The necklace had three diamonds symbolizing the past, present, and future and my mom passed on the "future" diamond to Tyler to give to me. Even though Tyler and my Dad never got to meet, I feel like I have his blessing in my ring! I was absolutely blown away.

How and where did he propose?

We both grew up visiting Jekyll Island and my Gram lives on the island full time now. We went down to visit her one afternoon and she texted me that she was walking the dog on Driftwood Beach and to meet her out there. She came walking up followed by my Mom and Aunt as soon as I got, "Why are y'all here?" out of my mouth I realized what was happening. He got down on a knee and told me I make him the happiest man alive. I didn't even let him finish before I said "Of course I'll marry you!!" It was so special to get engaged on our favorite beach where we both grew up playing and making memories. Now we have a new memory there together!

Wishing you all the love and joy in the world, Kelsey + Tyler!

Blakely | 2018 Senior Portraits | Sea Island, GA

It was SO good to walk around beautiful Sea Island in this November weather. Catch you later, humidity. It was nothing but gorgeous lighting, locations, and this GORGEOUS girl. Her family comes all the way from Alabama each year to celebrate Thanksgiving island style. I love that Blakely wanted her senior portraits done in such a special place and sentimental time. 

Happy senior year, Blakely!

Happy trails are ahead!

Jessi + Luke | Burge Plantation Wedding | Athens, Ga

Every detail of Jessi and Luke's wedding held sentimental sweetness - right down to the flower choice. This beautiful Athens celebration started with one of the most tender First Looks and ended with a magical Bubble Exit! Thank you for letting me capture such a joyful day!

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What was your color scheme for the wedding? 

I knew I had to have sunflowers and daisies - I've always loved both flowers and Daisy was my grandma's name. We went with navy with burlap/rustic-colored accents to go with the flowers. 

What led you to choose your wedding venue? 

It is simple, beautiful, and out in nature, which is where we love to be the most.

Do you have any advice for other couples?

Early in our relationship, we had to go through some of the hardest things couples have to go through and we couldn't have made it without absolute love and support from each other. Life is hard, but sometimes all your partner needs is just to know you care for and support them no matter what storms come your way.

Jessi + Luke's Engagement Session

Dress/ Veil : Dress- David's Bridal; Veil- re-crafted by my mom from her veil

Hair/Makeup: Kayla.Walters.Hair

Groom attire: Perno's Formal Wear in Athens, GA

Shoes : David's Bridal

Jewelry : My ring and wedding band from Thornton's Fine Jewelry in Athens, GA

Food : Burge Plantation

Cake : Jessicakes Bakery & Deli in Covington, GA

Invitations : David's BridalCoordinator: Dawn Genese Leonetti
Suits: Perno's Formal Wear
Flowers: Supplied by Davis Wholesale Florist, Inc, Arranged by Linda Goreand Carol Gore Gordon
Boutonnières: Town & Country Florist, Hoschton, GA

Violinist: Cortney Whiting
Music/DJ: Zach Cagle
Officiant: Jon Messarra
Doors/signs/lawn games: Made by my dad, Painted by my mom & me SarahandMark Whiting

Style Guides for a stress-free experience

These guides were created to help you get the most out of your photos. By the time you’ve read through these great tips, you'll have all your questions answered and feel more than ready and prepared for your session. Then I’ll take care of the rest! Your only job is to be yourself, laugh a lot and let me create photos you’ll love forever. 

 

 
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Bonus guide for all you planning your big day. Woo!

Lucy's First Birthday Cake | Mermaid Cottage | St. Simons Island Georgia

It's such a small, lovely world. I met this sweet family on vacation from Atlanta and it turns out I'd see sweet Lucy's parents here a couple of days later at Katie + Ward's wedding. Meant to be :)

We had a hard time dodging the rain the day of their family shoot and finally decided to change location and shoot at their cute rental house. It turned out to be perfect - a great place for me to capture Lucy having her first popping pink birthday cake!

Arielle + Lee Engagement | John Gilbert Nature Trail | St. Simons Island

Sweet and in love down to the bone, these two are. They'll be getting married next year in beautiful upstate New York where Lee's family is from. Read more of their sweet, sweet story below!

 
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How did you two meet? Who made the first move?

Lee and I met at Brogen's right after Lee came back from the Marine Corps. It started out as a friendship but eventually, it grew stronger. Lee was picking me up every day for work and school, which eventually turned into my favorite part of my day. Lee became my best friend extremely fast. One day before he picked me up for work, I got a text message saying, "I have a crush on you." At first I was extremely shocked but I knew deep down I had feelings for him too. After that it was like our relationship jumped on the speed way and took off.

How and where did he propose?

Lee proposed on the upper stairs deck at Brogen's where we met. He had candles and rose petals on every stair leading up to the balcony. Once I looked up and saw him, he had the big gold balloons behind him that said, "Marry Me." Once I got up to him he got down on one knee and rose petals fell off the ceiling fan. I screamed yes before he could even get the ring out.

The three things that fuel our relationship I would say is laughter, the "little things," (ex: notes left on the white board on our refrigerator), and our favorite TV shows. (Law and Order: SVU and The Fosters)

My engagement ring is an oval shaped solitaire with a rose gold band. It's even more special because Lee had it made for me.

 

Katie + Ward | St. Simons Island Wedding | McKinnon Airport Reception

My prayer is that my business presence and images reflect the personality of the couple I am working with and the joy of their wedding day - giving attention to all the hard work and detail that went into making their day memorable - to make sure that the bride and groom's story is told like the grand romance it is. My job is made pretty easy and fun when I have couple's like Katie and Ward whose love for each other, God, their families, and St. Simons Island is so evident. Show them so love below and enjoy their wedding story. 

The prayers of these women are strong, true and representative the Father's heart, bringing peace on what could be a jittery time. Only joy was present. 

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There's a photo album from the bride to the groom on the swing? The swing she played on as a kid? And she's gonna sneak up behind him as he's reading it. Oh, that's ROMANTIC as ALL GET OUT.  And just when you thought it couldn't get any more romantic...Ward surprised her with a live painter for their reception. Ahhhwwww.

Some of the cutest shots from Katie and Ward's engagement session was also on a swing!

Katie's vision for the wedding was everything enchanting, exciting and southern with muted neutrals.  Pretty sure she pulled it off.

Amongst the marshes of Glynn, Katie and Ward married.  Big, beautiful storm clouds rolled in just before the ceremony. Katie was patient, waited out the rain, and after all of the sweet guests pitched in drying the chairs, married her soul mate under the storm clouds. It couldn't have been more lovely. 

I about jumped out of my car when I pulled up to the reception. Look at that sunset. Every photographers' golden dream. 

Katie grew up around the McKinnon St. Simons Island Airport and what a beautiful backdrop it made for their sunset portraits!

This was the first event held in this hanger and boy, did they do a fabulous job. My favorite parts were probably the hanging greenery and the working SWING! 

Katie and I got to reconnect and recreate some photos with our GP girls that we mentored the summer we worked together. I even jumped in for a photo!

The night ended with a grand sparkler exit where the couple boarded a plane and flew off to their happy ever after.  

Katie and Ward, thank you a million times over for being so incredible. I hope this

new adventure together gets better each and every day. Your joy is contagious and I

absolutely loved being surrounded by it on your wedding day.

Engagement Session

Hair : Alana Becky at Uberzoot Hair Co.

Makeup : Judy Crouch

Dress:  Bridals by Lori and mother's veil

Shoes : The Pampered Foot

Florals :  The Vine and Randy Cribb

Ceremony Program: Bess Ratsimbaharison

Ceremony Music : Charlie Judd

Violinist: Morgan Stokes

Entertainment : Loose Chain

Live Painter: Elaine Burge Art

Food : Tasteful Temptations

Cake : Erin Scoggins

Invitations : Home made by Aimee Otte

Tables : Amelia Events

Coordinator : Allyson Moline

Videographer : Joshua Gellerstedt

Second Photographer : Laura Angela Photography