Erin and Josh | The Westside Warehouse Wedding
Erin woke up on her wedding day knowing it was going to be one of the most magical day’s of her life! She felt the calm, the excitement, the nerves, all rushing through and it was going to be an amazing day! As I was driving to the Loew’s Hotel in Atlanta, where I knew they wanted to share their first look on the tree lined streets, I started thinking about a plan B because it was raining cats and dogs.
This past Saturday, I photographed my first wedding of 2018! I've been so nervous about it. Not that I didn't think I would be able to photograph their beautiful wedding well but just nervous because it's been almost ten months since I've photographed a wedding!!! After taking a super long extended maternity leave, I'm SOOOO thankful to be back in action and serving my couples again!! Y'all it feels so good and I can't thank God enough for blessing me with that extra time I got to spend with my family BUT being a wedding photographer is my JAM!!
So, let me tell you about this fabulous first wedding of twenty-eighteen! Tara and Tommy go WAAAAY back! You can read their love store here! Their wedding day was incredibly emotional. . .not only for them BUT this girl was shedding tears too! Tara and Tommy put so much thought into every moment of their special day! They chose to get married on an over 300 acre farm in the middle of nowhere. Originally they didn't want to see each other before their ceremony but due to a late ceremony time we were worried it would be dark before we could photograph their sunset photographs as husband and wife. I'm SO glad they decided on a first look!!! It was my favorite part of their day!
After Tara's momma got her all buttoned in her gown, Tommy sent a note in with one of their little girl's. It was the funniest sweetest note that had us all laughing AND crying too!
We then headed outside towards the treelined drive for Tara and Tommy's first look! Oh you guys!!! It was so so sweet! You can just SEE how much these two love each other!!
As if the tree-lined drive wasn’t gorgeous enough, after their first look we had plenty of time to drive around the 300 acre farm for several other beautiful locations!
Tara and Tommy have two little girls (Remi is their daughter together and Bella is Tara's daughter) and they are the cutest and sweetest! Tommy loves those girls with ALL his heart!
Tara and Tommy found a pasture near one of the lakes for their ceremony site. And that’s where they became husband and wife!
Tara's cousin, Ian, is the guitarist and band manager for the band, Mariah Shea and the Story. Not only did Ian become ordained and marry Tara and Tommy but their band also played during their reception! They were SO good!! They sang a lot of songs that have meaning in my life so naturally I was emotional seeing Tara, Tommy and their family enjoy these songs as well! It's amazing how we can hold so much memory in a song!
Tommy wanted Bella (Tara's daughter) to know that she was very much a part his life! They shared their own ring ceremony and Bella was so surprised!
Congratulations Tara + Tommy!
Vendor List:
Venue: Private Farm in Buckhead, Georgia
Florals: Conyers Flower Shop, Jennifer Gaddy
Band: Mariah Shea and the Story
Cake: Le Chic Confections
This was my first time visiting the Graduate Athens! Not only is this a super fun venue but they offer SO much - a spa, catering, coffee, a bar AND a gorgeous hotel for you and your family to stay for your wedding weekend! The locations for photo ops are UNLIMITED!!! We had so much fun with our model Ansley going from location to location all over the grounds of the Graduate! Oh and the staff there are so, so sweet!
Trey, my husband, came along and assisted me on this shoot so afterwards we were able to sit and have a coffee and a pastry! Even if you don't stay at their hotel or have your wedding there, you should totally go check it out!! It's a great spot of dinner and coffee!
This wraps up the Southern Distinction Magazine SERIES! I had SO much fun shooting for this magazine and meeting all of the incredible vendors! I have links below if you missed one of the shoots and want to go back and check them out! Which you TOTALLY should! ;)
Thank you for following along on this fun journey!
Vendor Guide:
Venue: Graduate Athens
Floral & Designs: Katie Perkins of Blondies
Dress: I Do, I Do Bridal Boutique
Jewelry: Aurum Studios
Makeup: Jeris Farmer of Bombshell Creations
Featured in Southern Distinction Magazine
Model: Ansley Murphy
View the entire Southern Distinction Magazine Series here:
Buckeyes Plantation, Social Circle, Ga.
9 Oaks Farm, Monroe, Ga.
The White House at 9 Oaks Farm in Monroe, Ga.
Graduate Athens
Last but not least on this little journey through all the styled shoots for Southern Distinction Magazine, I am sharing The Loft at Scott's Downtown in Gainesville, Georgia! Scott's Downtown is located in the heart of historic Gainesville! They are an award winning restaurant with so many options for your event! They offer a beautiful airy loft space upstairs above their bar and restaurant. The natural window light made for the most glowing photographs of our models Katie and Joseph!
One of my fave parts about this shoot are the dress, the jewels AND the florals!!! Ha, that's almost EVERYTHING isn't it?! lol Aren't they so elegant thought?! Katie's bouquet is made of florals that were all blooming at the time of our shoot! Our florist from RLM Affairs was so creative!
Vendor Guide:
Venue: The Loft at Scott's Downtown in Gainesville, Ga.
Floral & Design: RLM Affairs
Dress & Tuxedo: I Do, I Do Bridal Boutique
Jewelry: TK Anderson Designs
Hair & Makeup: Sassafras Salon
Model: Katie Van Lacke & Joseph Oropeza
View the entire Southern Distinction Magazine Series here:
Buckeyes Plantation, Social Circle, Ga.
9 Oaks Farm, Monroe, Ga.
The White House at 9 Oaks Farm in Monroe, Ga.
Graduate Athens
So far I have covered two of the three venues 9 Oaks Farm has to offer their brides! This is the last one but it might be my FAVE! It's fun and filled with rustic charm! On Guest owner of the venues and florist, totally goes all out for her couples! She has decorated the 2424 Warehouse so beautifully! This venue has a bridal suite overlooking the warehouse space and the groom and has his own cottage for getting ready just outside on the same grounds. While they are still preparing the gardens for upcoming weddings, I can see that it will be unique with loads of opportunities for stunning sunset photographs!
View the entire Southern Distinction Magazine Series here:
Buckeyes Plantation, Social Circle, Ga.
9 Oaks Farm, Monroe, Ga.
The White House at 9 Oaks Farm in Monroe, Ga.
Graduate Athens in Athens, Ga.
Vendor Guide:
Venue: 2424 Warehouse at 9 Oaks Farm in Monroe, Ga.
Floral & Design: Wedding Flowers by On
Dress: I Do, I Do Bridal Boutique
Jewelry: JWR Jewelers
Makeup: Nicole Yearwood of Salon Two Thirteen
Model: Taylor Timmons
