Kate and my story began when I was a senior in high school. Much to the confusion of my friends, after taking 3 years of French, I decided to switch things up and take Spanish I. Our class was nearly all freshman girls, all of them so incredibly smart and beautiful. Spanish I became one of my favorite classes that year because of that group of girls. Kate’s wedding marks the 3rd wedding we’ve photographed of those freshman ladies! Our first Spanish I wedding was Robyn and Jake’s Germantown wedding, and then of course Kellie’s gorgeous wedding at Dixon Gallery and Gardens!

Kate and Conor’s story began when they met in college. Kate’s sorority had a date night in Atlanta to go see the Braves play. Conor, a huge Braves fan, was determined to find a date. Kate wasn’t even planning to go because of a project deadline but tried to line up a date for Conor, but that backfired and Kate ended up being his date. Seven years later, Conor proposed to Kate with his grandmother’s ring. <3

This was our second wedding at Germantown Presbyterian Church! It’s a block away from my high school and the lot where my mom used to pick me up after school. My childhood consisted of playing “school” with my best friend in empty day care classrooms while our brothers had their Boy Scout meetings upstairs in this same church!

I love that they have a door in the bridal suite where all their brides sign their names and wedding dates.

I spy our past bride Valerie 5th from the top! :)

Abundant windows and dark walls make for an incredibly happy photographer!

First look time!!

Can we just talk about how gorgeous Kate is for a second? <3

That dress, that bow, that girl! And remember what I said about my love of window light and dark walls?? Swoooooooon! My favorite portrait Nate took in 2015 on the right:

Soon it was off to a dream come true venue for me- The Peabody!!!! I grew up having Thanksgiving brunch every year in this ballroom. The Peabody was always such a special place for us growing up. :) Nate and I high-tailed it from Germantown Presbyterian to The Peabody to shoot the room before Kate and Conor arrived and we’d have to leave for more portraits. We ended up having a liiiiiittle more time than originally planned because their limo never made it to the church to pick them up!! The whole bridal party had to Uber it to the reception. I always say something will go “wrong” on every wedding day and while I’m bummed something this big happened to Kate and Conor, they totally took it in stride. Annnd it gave us more time to shoot the room. :)

Runners-up for favorites, two of mine for once! ;) I think they’re so dreamy.

Kate’s band was AMAZING and I loved their first dance to “Come and Get Your Love.” Sooo happy!

Hometown weddings always mean knowing a guest or two, but this wedding was so much better! Kate’s maid-of-honor was her sister Erin, who I always regret not becoming better friends with. I still look back fondly at our senior lunches gushing over Harry Potter together! :)

It turns out Elvis is Memphis’s Mickey Mouse! ;) I love that we’ve had *two* weddings now with Elvis as a special guest, the first being way back at Casey and Cory’s wedding! :)

 

There is nothing like The Peabody at Christmas. <3 Kate and Conor, I can’t thank you enough for giving me an excuse to come back home! We love y’all and wish you the best!