I am thrilled to be blogging about my first wedding of 2021!  And even more thrilled that it was with Emma + Michael who I got to know last fall during their engagement session.

Antrim Celebrations

Antrim Celebrations has to be one of my favorite locations to shoot a wedding.  Every wedding I’ve worked there had been unique to the bride & groom, and that’s because of the amazing team with Clemmie Grace who helps with planning.

When I arrived, Emma was finishing up with hair and make-up, so I began to work on photographing her wedding dress, invitation suite, and jewelry.

Michael and his groomsmen were next on the itinerary so we stepped outside for them to be photographed in the space between the groom’s suite and main house.  Once we finished doing that, Michael wrote a letter for Emma to read and I was thrilled to capture that special moment.

Next was photographing Michael’s family, which we did out near the patio.  Michael did go back to the groom’s suite so I could go photograph Emma and her mother as she got in her dress.

Emma wanted to do a first look with her bridesmaids which was so sweet as the emotion overtook her before they walked in.  Even her precious flower girl joined in on the surprise.

All the ladies stepped outside with the side of the main house in the background for photos of Emma with her bridesmaids and Emma with her family.

After those photos, everyone started to get in their cars to drive to Southgate Church of Christ for the ceremony.  Before Emma and Michael left, we placed them where they could do a ‘first touch,’ where they still do not see each other but will grab hands and pray.  We placed Emma in the side doorway for this moment that ended up being some of my personal favorite images from the day.

The Ceremony

We arrived at Southgate Church of Christ as guests were also arriving.  I was able to take some images of the florals at the altar and scout where I wanted to shoot the ceremony from.  And before we knew it, the processional music began.

Michael was just beaming as he saw his bride walk down the aisle towards him.  The ceremony was touching with stories of each of them by the officiant.  They lit the unity candle before the ring ceremony, which was followed by the kiss and recessional.

It was very important to Emma to do a receiving line as guests left the church for the reception at Antrim Celebrations.  As soon as everyone made their way through, we stepped outside to the back property of the church for some beautiful family portraits.

Cocktail Hour

Guests were enjoying cocktail hour, including a photo booth retro van by Tap Truck.  While that was going on, I was with Emma + Michael in front of the main house photographing them with their wedding party and then their couple photos.

The Reception

We were quickly whisked away into the reception where the wedding party was announced by the DJ.  They went straight to the dance floor for their first dance, followed by Micahel’s father blessing the dinner.

I was able to pull Emma + Michael aside for some just married sunset photos.  We went to the large open field for these photos and the scene was breathtaking!

When we finished their portraits, it was time for toasts, in which Emma’s brother’s toast was more of a roast.  After the toasts, they proceeded to cut the wedding cake and seal the cake tasting with a kiss.  The dance floor opened and Emma and her friends took it over before the guys decided to join in some of the line dancing fun.

Emma + Michael had a sparkler exit to wrap up their wedding day.  Their grand exit was a great way to walk into their life as husband and wife.

Vendor Information

Ceremony: Southgate Church of Christ

Reception Venue: Antrim Celebrations

Wedding Planner: Clemmie Grace

Wedding Dress: Vayda Jane Bridal

Groom & Groomsmen’s Tuxes: Men’s Warehouse

Bridesmaids Dresses: Azazie

Florist: Willow + Vine Floral

Makeup Artist: Eillie Bailey at One 10 Beauty

Hair Stylist: Pam DeBernardi

Catering: Lulu’s Catering

Wedding Cake: Alanna Tyler

Groom’s Cake: Alanna Tyler

DJ: The Boltzmann’s

Videographer: Sublett Road Media

Photobooth: Tap Truck

Invitations: Etsy