the second before i walk in to start shooting ‘getting ready’ images i always take a deep breath to calm my nerves- and probably also to fill my lungs with hairspray free air for one last time! this helps prepare me for whatever lies on the other side of the door- usually lots of energetic bridesmaids, a hairstylist, a makeup artist, an abundance of curling irons and usually also (for some reason?) lots of extra pairs of shoes! but last saturday was different. i took my breath and pushed molly’s hotel room door open to find…relaxation. mimosas, ladies in lounge wear, a stunning wedding dress laid out on a pristine white bed and natural light pouring in through sheer curtains. it was serene. THIS was the way molly started her day!
shortly after we arrived andrew and the guys finished up a few holes of golf and matt was able to shoot their brunch at the clubhouse and subsequent lounging around the pool. the weather was perfect and the guys really spent the day enjoying it.
meanwhile, things really kicked into gear for the ladies when the stylists arrived for hair and makeup. a few more bridesmaids were ushered in by molly’s wonderful coordinator and everyone pitched in to help everyone else look perfect! suggestions on eyeshadow colors and hairstyles blended seamlessly with chatting about how excited they were to see old friends at the wedding. overall, the morning seemed to fly by in a haze of happiness!
first up- a sweet dress detail:
LOVE bow ties- so classic! as is this getting ready shot of andrew:
the natural light cast a cooler light into the room and as molly sat to have her hair done she looked absolutely stunning!
molly & andrew decided to have a ‘first look’ and see each other before the ceremony (YEAY for pictures!) so we chose a private garden for the occasion…
…or at least we thought it was private! matt and i cracked up when we saw these next images of the bridal parties peeking in on them!
we walked around with the bridal party and shot all over the surrounding land! it was amazing to have all of the portraits done before the ceremony so everyone could just dive straight into the reception! i love this image of the bridal parties making their way across the lawn:
matt & i couldn’t wait to have some time to make some images with just molly & andrew! as soon as we saw this environment we were in love!
the way molly is looking up at andrew in this images makes my heart melt- so happy to have captured this!
back inside for a quick lipstick touch up before the ceremony. really molly, you are SO beautiful!
molly & andrew were married at the stunning st. james’ episcopal church in marietta. the interior of the church is so beautiful and bright but they have a pretty strict photography policy- the next image was the very last shot i got off before the doors were closed and i was sent to the balcony:
but listen, there was this TINY crack between the church doors! matt and i had fun taking turns shooting from the balcony and shooting between the doors downstairs- i love how this ‘between the doors’ shot came out!
and from the balcony wasn’t so bad either! i love the way all of the maids are focused on the couple in this image. in the front left, in focus, is molly’s younger sister- i wonder what she is thinking here!?
what happens when matt shoots at 200mm through a crack in a door? you can hardly tell at all that he wasn’t just in the back of the church! love that he was able to capture this one:
then it was onto the reception at the marietta hotel & conference center! the room was splendidly decked out in green & white- here are just a couple of details we grabbed:
what could be better than gossiping grandmothers? …NOTHING! love this series!
molly took the time to dance with her little brother which was so so sweet- i love the sisterly expression in this one:
molly & andrew, it was so great to spend the day with you guys and watch everything come together so perfectly! congratulations on your marriage- we hope you guys enjoyed mexico to the FULLEST! i’m sure we’ll see you around- maybe at a braves game again!? best wishes to you both!