Favorites from 2024
/Here are a few favorites from 2024. Congratulations to all the couples who tied the knot.
Jameela and Jack's Fulton County Courthouse Wedding
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Earlier this year Jameela and Jack took advantage of the Forever Friday offer at the Fulton County Courthouse.
Every Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the courthouse opens its doors for wedding ceremonies. Five fiance’pairs joined Jameela and Jack for the multi-couple exchange of vows.
After the ceremony, Jameela, Jack and family headed over the the courthouse annex for a few posed photos.
I’m happy to report I’ve been invited to photograph Jameela and Jack’s Happily-Ever-After Party that will take place later this month.
Bethany and Garrett's Rock & Roll Wedding at 42 West
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If you’re a Stevie Nicks super fan, like I am, you might have thought everything at Bethany and Garrett’s Wedding on September 1st — the concert tickets telling you where to sit; the VIP all access pass to the event; the signature guitar picks — led up to the moment when the Emerald Empire Band took the stage and the lead singer cut loose belting out the Fleetwood Mac classic “Dreams”:
Now here you go again
You say you want your freedom
Well, who am I to keep you down?
The wedding at 42 West was well underway by that point in time. The bride and groom had donned their wedding attire. Family had arrived early for posed photos, games and a flower arranging team project.
During cocktail hour guests had gathered for conversation, a jazz ensemble, and drinks — including their signature mocktail, a Moscow Mule.
Flower girls had given out roses to guests. Bethany and Garrett had walked down the aisle and professed their love for each other. They had danced with their parents and with each other. Speeches and toasts brought laughter and tears.
So what could top all of that and the Emerald Empire’s rendition of “Dreams”?
THE GROOM AND THEN THE BRIDE SINGING WITH THE BAND.
Yes, both of them sang their hearts out to broad smiles and loud applause.
And my second shooter, Tyrae, and I got to witness it all. Check out our photos below.
DAY-OF COORDINATOR-SYDNEY WOODS
VENUE-42 WEST ENTERTAINMENT GROUP
FLORAL/DÉCOR-42 WEST ENTERTAINMENT GROUP
CATERING-MILES CATERING
CAKE-LUSH CAKERY
BAR-MARK BROWN, THE WINE SHOPPE
ENTERTAINMENT (BAND)-EMERALD EMPIRE BAND
PHOTOGRAPHY-C BROWN PHOTO
TRANSPORTATION-GREENE TRANSPORTATION
LODGING-THE BELLYARD HOTEL
Marnye and Marc's Magnolia Hall Piedmont Park Wedding
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When the groom is one of the founders of a comedy improv theater, you better believe that wedding will be funny. And any bride who chooses to marry an improv master is bound to bring her own special sense of humor to the party
Marnye and Marc’s Magnolia Hall wedding was by far the funniest wedding I’ve ever attended. By far!
From the surprisingly cheeky officiant to the rip-roaringly hilarious toasts, this event was over the top delightful.
Here are a few of my favorite photos from the day.
Erin and Ben's Nature-Inspired Koury Farm Wedding
/“I love you to the moon and back the other way.”
Erin and Ben, whose romance started while they were high-school, tied the knot at Koury Farms earlier this year. Day of coordinator Kristen Callaway helped them bring to life their vision of a nature-inspired, woodsy wedding. Sage green, pink, dusty rose, other muted pastels covered Erin’s dress, as well as the flowers in venue.
Their joyful family-centered celebration consisted of a simple ceremony under a covered outdoor pavilion followed by a reception complete with a jazz orchestra and second-line parade.
One of the most inspiring aspects of their wedding was their exit. Guests were given a chance to choose a favorite glass to take home with them and a favorite drink to fill it. At that point, folks created two lines, and held their stemware up for a toast as Erin and Ben walked between guests and clinked glasses.
From early on, the couple knew they were not aiming for a perfectly rendered wedding. Their main desire was to celebrate their love with the people who matter most. The photos below show how well they succeeded.
Emily and Sarah's Hotel Indigo Wedding in Athens
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I’m so excited to share photos from Sarah and Emily’s Hotel Indigo wedding that took place in Athens, Georgia earlier this year.
Everything about the wedding was soooo much fun, from Sarah and Emily getting ready in the same suite with friends and family to them dancing with friends during the reception.
One of my favorite photos of the day was taken during the champagne toast. Another favorite was taken as Sarah was approaching Emily for the first look. Check out the expression on Emily’s face … priceless.
My protege’ and associate photographer took an awesome photo of Emily showing Sarah the car lining in her coat. He also created a video of their ceremony.
The highlight of their ceremony was the choir serenade that Emily organized as a surprise for Sarah. Boy was she surprised. :)
Gilly Francis and her crew made sure the day unfolded without a hitch. They were great to work with, as were the folks at the Hotel Indigo in Athens.
Click on a photo below to make it bigger. You’ll be happy you did. :)
Lealinda and Nathaniel's First Baptist Church of Decatur Wedding
/Prayer warriors from Alabama to Georgia celebrated on Saturday when their prayers were answered in a small chapel in Decatur, Georgia. Lealinda and Nathaniel were united as husband and wife before a joyful crowd of friends and family.
Lealinda had been a bridesmaid in 28 weddings before stepping into the role of bride. So, it was not surprising that her bridal party included 16 bridesmaids.
Nathaniel showed up with a good sized crew of his own and then wowed the crowd with his sense of humor.
Tear of joy were shed by quite a few friends and family. Thankfully, the tears were spread out over the day and not shed by all at the same time. :)
Here are a few favorite photos from the day.
WPJA's New Spotlight Awards
/The Wedding Photojournalists Association initiated a new award category this year called the Spotlight Awards.
During the early part of the year, before photographers have had time to shoot very many weddings, the WPJA asks for entries into the Spotlight Awards. Unlike the usual WPJA awards, where photos must be taken in the current year, the photos entered into the Spotlight Awards can come from any year.
I’m honored to have four photos from previous years chosen for the inaugural Spotlight Awards.
Check out more award-winning photos on the Wedding Photojournalist Assocation.
