I finally know how you feel, I think...

There are so many things I loved, learned, enjoyed, and changed my opinion about when I finally went through the wedding experience myself. I have 505 photos I absolutely love and want to bombard you with -yes that's the entire album my photographer delivered.  But I'm trying to find a way to break it all down and give you little digestible insights... I know a majority of this audience are bride's planning their own wedding and I want to just share. I've got a few topics in mind already but I'd love to hear from you all if there's anything specific you're curious about or want me to cover. 

 

thank you Cara Dee for giving me the best bridal experience - on my wedding day and every time i look at our gorgeous photos. 

thank you Cara Dee for giving me the best bridal experience - on my wedding day and every time i look at our gorgeous photos. 

Glen Leven Farms, Nashville

While i was workshopping in Ireland this summer Style me Pretty featured one of my absolutely favorite Spring Bridal sessions with my Nashville wedding vendor pals. If you're thinking about a April/May wedding this is great inspiration!  Don't miss the great behind the scenes video from Loomis Films to see a bit more of what goes in to a session like this.

Photography: Julie Paisley

Planning/Styling: Southern Social

Florals: Petal and Pine

Venue: Glen Leven Farms

Bridal Wardrobe: The Bride Room

Hair & Makeup: Locks by Leslie

Paper Goods: Olive Juice Press

Bridal Accessories: Alice and Mae

movie style

Backyard weddings have been my thing ever since weddings were my thing.  My favorite movie growing up, Father of the Bride,  stamped this wedding style into my brain at a very early age.

Mallory & Alex's wedding  last June at a family home in Louisville, Kentucky was such a Father of the Bride moment for me. It had so many elements of that intimate at-home magic. The gorgeous river view, the greenery growing up the house, the peaked tent, it all felt so fairy tale. I'm so grateful that I got to be part of that beauty and even more grateful to Louisville wedding photographer Lynnesy Catron for capturing the day so flawlessly.

P.S. seeing all these photos inspired me to watched Father of the Bride again for the first time in years... i was so afraid that it would feel dated, less magical. it didn't. The backyard reception was still as twinkly and sweet and timeless. I think this wedding will always feel that way too. 

Front yard to River front

I love the intimacy of at home weddings and I have to be completely honest and say the Griffith Ave address got me even more excited about this front yard ceremony.   If you live in Owensboro you know how adorable Griffith Avenue is- deep yards with lots of mature trees & gorgeous historic older homes. I was thrilled to get to make the Wilkey's sweet front yard even sweeter with lots of fresh floral details.  

For the reception celebration we moved from the front yard to the Owensboro riverfront balcony at the River Park for a sun drench dinner.  Check out all these gorgeous images from Paducah wedding photographer Rachael Houser of this perfect peony filled Kentucky wedding. And since this post is coming a year after their June wedding celebration Happy Anniversary to our sweet bride and groom Emily and Eric!

a yes season

I've always felt like some seasons move faster than others. For me Spring and Fall always feel over just as quickly as they begin. Everything changes so quickly it sometimes makes me feel sad. like i can't keep up... but mostly like I just wish i could slow down to savor it.  

This past  year as the business grew, I was running around in so many directions trying to keep up I started to worry that I wasn't savoring any of it. I started to doubt my tendency to always say "yes" to every opportunity. I worried I had to say "no" more just to slow things down. But then I saw these images from a spontaneous styled shoot I said "yes" to in Spring and I felt much better!  My constant "yeses" might make my  life really busy but they also give me purpose.

I  hustled to get all these flowers together.  I called a few farmers and I went on my own yard with clippers. I gathered every thing that was pretty about that t one particular spring day and got to bottle it in a bouquet. Tracy's photos are such a sweet reminder of that very busy week that otherwise would have blurred right by.  My yes approach made last year a little insane but it also let me make so many beautiful flower memories and helped me stretch that fleeting spring season all the way into winter.  

Spring in Nashville

I'm so excited to be able to share this styled shoot we recently had published on 100 Layer Cake. I got to work with some of the most talented and sweetest gals in the industry which made the whole day a complete treat even though I was suffering from some pretty severe spring time allergies.   All the sniffles and snot were rough but all the blooming branches I got to use were so worth it. 

Photography: Lindsey Mueller Photography / Venue: Bloomsbury Farms / Planning, Design + Rentals: Ashley of Southern Social Events + Rentals / Floral Design Lindsey of Petal & Pine / Hair & Makeup:Leslie Ellis Hair and Makeup / Stationery: Lindsay of Writefully Simple / Catering: Linzie Treadway, Kathryn Montgomery, Stefanie Laczko from Whole Foods Market Green Hills / Dress: Nha Khanh from Rent the Runway