Caroline + Ian | A Town of Livingston Engagement Session

It was such a joy to finally meet Caroline + Ian in person Friday afternoon at their Town of Livingston Engagement Session! Caroline first inquired with me about her May 2020 wedding at First Baptist Church of Jackson in June after seeing my work from two friend’s weddings at the same venue. With busy summer schedules we decided on a FaceTime call instead of a coffee date for their initial client meeting. Even over FaceTime I fell in love with this couple and their hearts for Jesus as we shared stories and talked about wedding plans!

How They Met

Caroline + Ian went to school together starting in the seventh grade. They had classes together throughout the years, but did not start hanging out consistently until after high school ended because they both had high school boyfriend/ girlfriend who were in different schools. They became good friends hanging out with groups. As high school was ending the relationship became something more once college started!

How Ian Proposed

While taking pictures on a beach trip with Caroline’s family, Ian got down on one knee asking her to marry him! Little did Caroline know, his mom had also driven down as a surprise! Caroline says “it was a dream!”

Prayers & Encouragement

Caroline + Ian, as I have edited these images I have prayed for you and your relationship. I am so honored by your prayers over me, my family and our ministry at the end of our session!! I know that the Lord has such big plans for you and your marriage! As I have prayed for you, the Holy Spirit gave me a picture of the two of you marching forward. Your arms were linked together and you were marching in perfect step with one another. Instead of the serious face of a soldier, your faces were RADIATING with JOY as to steadily took new ground for the Kingdom of Heaven! I am so excited to watch as His plans for you unfold!

Below are a few of my favorite images from your Town of Livingston Engagement Session! I hope you love them as much as I do!

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A Wedding at The Ice House Venue | Mr and Mrs Miley

Mr & Mrs Miley’s Southern Wedding at The Ice House Venue was timeless, classic, and full of JOY! Sarah + Nathan know how to laugh and have a good time. I enjoyed a day of laughing right along with them as I captured each moment of their beautiful wedding day.

My team and I arrived at the venue early to scout out portrait locations and to have time to visit with Sarah, Nathan and their bridal party. This was such a fun group to spend the day with! Sarah was stunning in her Madeline Gardner gown. Nathan’s timeless blue suit was the perfect selection to complete the look for this dapper duo.

You may remember Sarah + Nathan’s May engagement session and the epic field we found. I was so excited when they were willing to hop in my van and go to the same field for their sunset Husband and Wife portraits!

Sarah + Nathan, I have continued to pray for you as I have edited the images from your wedding day. As I pray, I sense the Lord’s love for you both. He has such amazing plans for your life together! Keep your eyes on Him and allow Him to guide your every step, every decision. He is for you, and His love is greater than you can even imagine! Allow Him to fill you with His love so you can pour out that same love to one another!

Thank you for allowing me the honor of capturing your wedding day memories at your wedding at The Ice House Venue.

Vendor Team:

Venue: The Ice House Venue

Flowers: Something Borrowed Blooms

Caterer: Dena Piggot

Cake: Dream Cakes

DJ: Thomas DeMartini

Video: Caleb Jordan Byrd

Officiant: Chip Henderson

Hair/Makeup: Christine Cody

Photo Booth: Southern Exposure Selfie Booth

Bride’s gown: Madeline Gardner from Low’s Bridal

Tux: Tuxedo Junction

Bridesmaids Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids

 

Jessica + Wade | A Town of Livingston Engagement Session

I loved my time with Jessica + Nathan at their Town of Livingston Engagement Session last week! Jessica and I had only met via FaceTime over the summer for her bridal consult, and I was so excited to meet this couple in person! Jessica + Wade also brought along their beautiful fur baby Echo to join in the fun!

How They Met

When asked how they met, Jessica shared with me that she and Wade were high school sweethearts. “The first time I saw Wade it was the day of a big grade-wide exam. I wasn’t interested at first, but my friend took one look at him and told me, “you’re going to date him”. I told her she was crazy. Just a few short months later, after switching classes to avoid an unwanted teacher, I found myself sitting in front of this boy in my new US History class. A couple days later, I received a Facebook Message (so retro) asking about homework ~that we totally didn’t have yet because school had just started~.”

“He proceeded to ask me out three different times before my mom persuaded me to “give the boy a chance”. For our first date, we got dinner and went to a movie. He picked me up, dropped me off, and introduced himself to my parents. Who would have know that 7 years later, we would be where we are now!”

How He Proposed

I especially love their engagement story. “Christmas Day 2017 we were at his mother’s house with her whole side of the family. His mother has a tradition where she spends several months collecting the “perfect” ornament for each person that will be attending that year. She unwraps all of them, writes the year on the bottom, and decorates her tree with them. After gifts have been exchanged, everyone takes turns (oldest to youngest) to go up to the tree and try to guess which ornament is theirs for this year. I was the youngest person there that year and so I went last.”

“I went up to the tree, circled it a few times, and was a little confused because my ornament was usually a Mississippi State ornament but there weren’t any on the tree. After a little prompting, I went back around to the back of the tree and found my ornament. It was an ornament shaped like an engagement ring box popped open just like a proposal. I thought, surely this isn’t mine, but I took it off the tree and walked back around to see Wade in front of his family down on one knee with another box in his hand. I barely uttered a yes to his question before jumping into his arms and putting my real ring on my finger. He knew that Christmas holds a really special place in my heart but this was for sure was the best Christmas ever.”

Prayer

Jessica + Wade, as I have edited the images below I have prayed for you and your relationship. The word that keeps coming to my mind as I pray is HOLY. The Lord desires for your marriage to be a beautiful example of the passionate and holy love that Jesus has for His bride, and that the bride has for Him! He has such amazing plans for the two of you, walking in unity, to advance the Kingdom of Heaven!

Jessica + Wade, I hope you enjoy my favorite images from you Town of Livingston Engagement Session!

Town of Livingston Engagement Session

Lindsey + Payton’s Town of Livingston engagement session was such a dream! Perfect light, beautiful setting, and a beautiful couple styled perfectly!

Have you ever met someone and though to yourself “these are people I want to hang out with”? You just feel at ease and at peace with them. That is exactly how I felt about Lindsey + Payton! We talked about world travel, good food, and how to make a homemade air conditioner. It was also fun to discover that I graduated from high school with Payton’s older sister! I just love those moments when histories cross paths and the world suddenly seems smaller.

Lindsey + Payton, I have prayed for you as I edited these beautiful images. As I prayed for you, Holy Spirit gave me a picture of a gentle stream of cool clear water. I have a sense of refreshing peace. I am praying for the Holy Spirit to fill each of you to overflowing with His refreshing peace so that you can overflow to those around you.

I am so excited to work with Bethany from Oak Experience on Lindsey + Payton’s May 2020 wedding at their home and land in Pelahatchie, MS! I know it will be a beautiful day full of joy and laughter! Below are my favorite images from their beautiful Town of Livingston engagement session.

Hayden + Brandon | Engagement

I am so excited to share Hayden + Brandon’s engagement session on the blog today! I had the best time with these two as we captured this special season of their lives at the Natchez Trace and Renaissance.

Hayden + Brandon met during early high school when the were both participating in 4H Shooting Sports and became each other’s “first love”! Hayden says that “life happened and we were ‘young and dumb’ and broke up.” Years later when they were both in junior college, God brought them back together. They talked for a long time and sought the Lord before deciding to try dating again.

As Hayden neared graduating from nursing school, Brandon began to plan his surprise proposal. When Hayden’s childhood best friend was in town for her own bridal shower, he knew this was the perfect opportunity. Hayden’s best friend went ring shopping with Brandon, helping to choose the perfect ring. And they planned a “Nursing School Graduation Party” for Hayden with everyone working together to keep the proposal a secret from her. At the graduation party, Brandon’s gift to Hayden was a pair of scrubs with her name embroidered on them, but with HIS last name! Hayden says that he is such a prankster, so she thought it was just a sweet gesture. Then she saw a framed picture of the ring and note saying “will you marry me?” Hayden turned around to see Brandon down on one knee and just about passed out! She was so surprised and couldn’t believe that everyone had kept such a big secret from her!

Hayden + Brandon, I have prayed for you as I have edited the images from your session. The verse the Lord has given me for you is Psalm 126:2, “Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, ‘The LORD has done great things for them.'” I pray your mouths will always be filled with laugher and your tongues with songs of Joy! You will see the LORD do great things for you as you spread your joy and laughter!

Hannah + Dustin | Engagement Session at The Town of Livingston

I had the best time last week with Hannah + Dustin capturing their engagement session at The Town of Livingston and getting to know them both better! Engagement sessions are such a fun, relaxed time to not only capture beautiful images, but to build a friendship with my clients. My heart is to be a trusted friend and not just another vendor when I arrive on their wedding day!

Hannah and Dustin’s love story begins at a tailgate party on campus at Mississippi State University. Love blossomed and as Dustin’s graduation approached he invited Hannah to join him for a photo session to commemorate his coming graduation. They returned to the spot where they met and were posing for a picture when he got down on one knee and asked Hannah to spend forever with him!

Hannah and Dustin, I have prayed for you as I edited the images from our time together. As I have prayed the word JOY keeps coming to my mind. The Lord took me to Psalm 18:2 which says “The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. he is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.” I pray that the JOY of the LORD will fill you both, and that He will truly be your rock, fortress, shield and strength! He is worth of your all! He is the solid foundation upon which to build your marriage and future! He is faithful and trustworthy! I am also praying for every detail for your wedding to come together perfectly, and for the day to go smoothly. I am so excited and can’t wait to see you again in October!

Anna Leigh + Houston | Engagement

I had the best time getting to know Anna Leigh + Houston at their recent engagement session! My favorite story from our time together was how Houston presented Anna Leigh with a Bible with her soon-to-be new married name on it when he proposed to her.

I am so excited to capture their beautiful wedding in October and can’t wait to spend more time with this precious couple!

Anna Leigh + Houston, I have prayed for you as I edited these images, and it is no coincidence that the Lord keeps taking me back to Ecclesiastes 4:12 where He says, “a chord of three strands is not easily broken.” The Lord is weaving you two together. He is the third chord. And when you are united with Him and one another, no weapon formed against you shall prosper.

Mr and Mrs Bernardini | Timeless First Baptist Jackson Wedding

Mary Marie and Matt’s timeless First Baptist Jackson wedding was an absolute joy to capture! With Mary Marie’s timeless style and so many family heirlooms incorporated throughout the day, I feel I could have edited the whole wedding in black and white and you would think it was straight from a 1950’s classic film! But then you would miss out on seeing her beautiful blush and coral florals. And you just can’t miss out of the beautiful color of the florals!

We chose the Mississippi State Capitol building as the location for Mary Marie and Matt’s engagement session, and I love how their sunset husband and wife portraits are in the same location! These images will pair perfectly on the walls of their new home!

This timeless First Baptist Jackson wedding was FILLED with family heirlooms! This the same church Mary Marie’s parents were married in. The wedding gowns of the mother and grandmother-of-the-bride were beautifully displayed at the reception and the bride wore the same earrings her mother wore on her wedding day. Every detail was elegant and simply perfect.

As I watched the day progress, the love this church family has for Mary Marie and her family was evident. The staff of the church met every need. Countless members came together to make Mary Marie’s dream wedding come true!

It has been such an honor to get to know Mary Marie and Matt throughout their engagement season. I have prayed for you as I have edited these images and I keep hearing the word JOY! The JOY of the LORD is your strength! The JOY of the LORD will carry you through every trial that comes your way!

I had the honor of working with a dream team of vendors listed below:

Venue: First Baptist Church Jackson, MS

Florals/Caterer: Fresh Cut Catering and Floral

Cake: Cakes by Iris

Invitations/Programs: J W Creative Studio

Bridal Gown: Low’s Bridal

Hair/Makeup: Jamie Bobbitt

Videographer: Britton Lee Films

Mr and Mrs Parrish | A Classic Southern Wedding at First Baptist of Jackson

 

Mr and Mrs Parrish’s classic southern wedding at First Baptist of Jackson was elegant and timeless. Every detail came together perfectly to give Rachel and Samuel their dream wedding day.

This was to be my first wedding at First Baptist of Jackson. Unfortunately the enemy tried to take my family out in a bad car wreck the day before. I am so thankful to Amelia Catherine & Co for her willingness to cover this beautiful wedding for me and love my couple well.

Rachel and Samuel’s love for one another shins brightly every time their eyes meet. Their joy is contagious and I have loved praying over them as I have edited these images. I see the love of Jesus these two share in every detail of their day.

As I have prayed, the Holy Spirit led me to this poem by M. S. Lowndes:

United Hearts

God has brought you here together
To be united in His love,
Joined in Holy Matrimony
With faith in God above

Let your faith guide your lives
With a measure of God’s grace,
For this is what keeps love strong
Through whatever you may face

Keep building your marriage on
The foundation of Christ,
It will not crumble or give way
Through the daily pressures of life

But it will stand the test of time,
Growing stronger day by day
Just keep your hearts truly united,
Joined as one when you pray

The cord that binds your hearts
Will not fray, or break in two
When you build your lives on God,
He will walk with you.

 

Vendor Team:

Ceremony Venue: The Chapel at First Baptist of Jackson

Reception Venue: The Cedars

Florist/Caterer: Fresh Cut

Invitations: Invitations by Dawn

Wedding Cake: Gina Smith

Hair/Makeup: Jacqueline Reynolds

Videography: Joe and Callie

This vendor team worked hard to give Rachel and Samuel their classic southern wedding.

A Wedding at The Vault Venue | Mr and Mrs Rylander

Rebecca and Adam’s classic southern wedding at The Vault Venue turned out simply perfect.

Prayers Answered

The morning began with lots of rain and a forecast of thunderstorms throughout the day. The radar did not look promising. I packed my clear umbrellas and all my rain gear, but was steadily praying and commanding peace to the storm and for the sun to come out at least for our portrait time. Papa God is SO GOOD and He answered our prayers by delivering the most beautiful weather we could have possibly asked for!

First Look

Rebecca and Adam wanted to have their private first look in the balcony area of The Vault Venue. I absolute love how the images turned out!

Rock Solid Foundation

Rebecca and Adam’s relationship began at church. Both of their families are involved at Hope Fellowship, and Jesus is truly the foundation of their relationship. Their love of Christ was evident in every conversation and every detail of the day.

I arrived at the venue extra early to plan inside portrait locations for “worst case scenario,” but I am so thankful that we did not have to use my “plan B”! As the bride was still getting ready, the clouds parted. The rain stopped and the sun began to shine!

Rebecca and Adam’s bridal party was full of the most fun loving, joyful group of friends anyone could ask for! We had so much fun during our portrait time together in the beautiful sunshine!

During Rebecca and Adam’s wedding ceremony, the Gospel was preached and Jesus’ name was lifted high! Prayer and worship were the center of the ceremony, and Holy Spirit presence was so strong! I have to admit, there were tears flowing behind my camera as I entered into worship along with them.

During the reception Rebecca and Adam were willing to sneak out for husband and wife sunset portraits! I just love “golden hour” glow!!

We returned to the reception for cake and dancing. It was a beautiful evening, full of the JOY of the LORD as friends and family celebrated two becoming one! It was a beautiful wedding at The Vault Venue!