Bethany and Garrett's Rock & Roll Wedding at 42 West

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Wedding at 43 West Entertainment

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

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Cindy Brown

I'm an Atlanta wedding photographer who takes soulful, quirky and honest photos ...

I'm also an adventurous traveler and all-round nerd. I love to hike with my beagle/cattle dog Roux and best friend/spouse.

I was born in Atlanta, moved around a lot--30 cities and 5 states--and then came back.

After graduating from the Art Institute of Atlanta, I took a job at asmall newspaper in south Georgia, where I photographedhospital teas, pecan farmers, and beauty queens.

I photographed a biker funeral, death penalty protests andTed Bundy while interning with the Associated Press.

While a photographer for two dailies in Florida, I photographed Ronald Reagan, a train derailment and the dedication of a screened-in porch.

An unexpected life turn took me to Vermont where I fell in love with Bernie Sanders and on to Indiana, where I edited photos for a major daily, and nerded out getting a master’s and PhD.

After teaching photojournalism at colleges and universities in Florida, Indiana and Mississippi, I returned to Atlanta to earn myfifth degree--a Master's of Divinity.

My passion for storytelling with my camera and my interest in religious diversity led my to the field of wedding photojournalism.

I have documented weddings large and small, Unitarian and Pagan, indoors and out, Christian and Muslim, in backyards and in churches. The most exotic wedding I have photographed took place in Mexico and was officiated by aMayan shaman.

When I'm not photographing weddings, portraits or corporate events, I work on personal photo projects, visit friends in amemory-care home, and volunteer at a recovery center.

Emily and Sarah's Hotel Indigo Wedding in Athens

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Hotel Indigo Athens wedding photography

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. :)

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Cindy Brown

I'm an Atlanta wedding photographer who takes soulful, quirky and honest photos ...

I'm also an adventurous traveler and all-round nerd. I love to hike with my beagle/cattle dog Roux and best friend/spouse.

I was born in Atlanta, moved around a lot--30 cities and 5 states--and then came back.

After graduating from the Art Institute of Atlanta, I took a job at asmall newspaper in south Georgia, where I photographedhospital teas, pecan farmers, and beauty queens.

I photographed a biker funeral, death penalty protests andTed Bundy while interning with the Associated Press.

While a photographer for two dailies in Florida, I photographed Ronald Reagan, a train derailment and the dedication of a screened-in porch.

An unexpected life turn took me to Vermont where I fell in love with Bernie Sanders and on to Indiana, where I edited photos for a major daily, and nerded out getting a master’s and PhD.

After teaching photojournalism at colleges and universities in Florida, Indiana and Mississippi, I returned to Atlanta to earn myfifth degree--a Master's of Divinity.

My passion for storytelling with my camera and my interest in religious diversity led my to the field of wedding photojournalism.

I have documented weddings large and small, Unitarian and Pagan, indoors and out, Christian and Muslim, in backyards and in churches. The most exotic wedding I have photographed took place in Mexico and was officiated by aMayan shaman.

When I'm not photographing weddings, portraits or corporate events, I work on personal photo projects, visit friends in amemory-care home, and volunteer at a recovery center.

Tyrae and Khadeja's East Point Wedding

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Earlier this year, I was blessed to find Tyrae Campbell, a young photographer eager to learn and willing and able to assist me photographing events.

I was delighted to learn that he was looking for a wedding photographer for his own wedding to the lovely Khadeja.

Here are a few of my favorite photos from their Sunday afternoon wedding.

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Cindy Brown

I'm an Atlanta wedding photographer who takes soulful, quirky and honest photos ...

I'm also an adventurous traveler and all-round nerd. I love to hike with my beagle/cattle dog Roux and best friend/spouse.

I was born in Atlanta, moved around a lot--30 cities and 5 states--and then came back.

After graduating from the Art Institute of Atlanta, I took a job at asmall newspaper in south Georgia, where I photographedhospital teas, pecan farmers, and beauty queens.

I photographed a biker funeral, death penalty protests andTed Bundy while interning with the Associated Press.

While a photographer for two dailies in Florida, I photographed Ronald Reagan, a train derailment and the dedication of a screened-in porch.

An unexpected life turn took me to Vermont where I fell in love with Bernie Sanders and on to Indiana, where I edited photos for a major daily, and nerded out getting a master’s and PhD.

After teaching photojournalism at colleges and universities in Florida, Indiana and Mississippi, I returned to Atlanta to earn myfifth degree--a Master's of Divinity.

My passion for storytelling with my camera and my interest in religious diversity led my to the field of wedding photojournalism.

I have documented weddings large and small, Unitarian and Pagan, indoors and out, Christian and Muslim, in backyards and in churches. The most exotic wedding I have photographed took place in Mexico and was officiated by aMayan shaman.

When I'm not photographing weddings, portraits or corporate events, I work on personal photo projects, visit friends in amemory-care home, and volunteer at a recovery center.

Elizabeth and Tanmay's St. Luke's Episcopal Wedding

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I love a church wedding!

Especially one in a church as beautiful as St. Luke’s Episcopal.

I love a church wedding, even if the church has rules about photographing during the ceremony. At St. Luke’s, photographers are only allowed to photograph from the balcony at the back of the sanctuary. The balcony at St. Luke’s is a long, long way from the altar.

As a photographer I have to shoot with a camera that has a silent shutter and lens that is telephoto. It’s challenging to find a way to capture the emotion of the day from the balcony perspective.

It’s a challenge I happily take on. The limitation pushes me to do something different. It shakes me from the usual routine of a wedding.

When I shoot a wedding at a church, one of the first things I do is introduce myself to the officiant and any person at the church helping to ensure the sacredness of the ceremony. At St. Luke’s that included the rector, the vicar, and two women of the wedding guild.

Sometimes when I speak with the people who assist in making sure the wedding runs smoothly and according to the church guidelines, they tell me about photographers who get angry about the restrictions placed on them or photographers who flaunt the rules.

This make me sad.

The ceremony is one part of the wedding day. For many, it’s the most important part. But there are other things to photograph on a wedding day.

Here are a few favorites from Tanmay and Elizabeth’s wedding day.

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,

Cindy Brown

I'm an Atlanta wedding photographer who takes soulful, quirky and honest photos ...

I'm also an adventurous traveler and all-round nerd. I love to hike with my beagle/cattle dog Roux and best friend/spouse.

I was born in Atlanta, moved around a lot--30 cities and 5 states--and then came back.

After graduating from the Art Institute of Atlanta, I took a job at asmall newspaper in south Georgia, where I photographedhospital teas, pecan farmers, and beauty queens.

I photographed a biker funeral, death penalty protests andTed Bundy while interning with the Associated Press.

While a photographer for two dailies in Florida, I photographed Ronald Reagan, a train derailment and the dedication of a screened-in porch.

An unexpected life turn took me to Vermont where I fell in love with Bernie Sanders and on to Indiana, where I edited photos for a major daily, and nerded out getting a master’s and PhD.

After teaching photojournalism at colleges and universities in Florida, Indiana and Mississippi, I returned to Atlanta to earn myfifth degree--a Master's of Divinity.

My passion for storytelling with my camera and my interest in religious diversity led my to the field of wedding photojournalism.

I have documented weddings large and small, Unitarian and Pagan, indoors and out, Christian and Muslim, in backyards and in churches. The most exotic wedding I have photographed took place in Mexico and was officiated by aMayan shaman.

When I'm not photographing weddings, portraits or corporate events, I work on personal photo projects, visit friends in amemory-care home, and volunteer at a recovery center.

Best of 2022: Reception

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So many fun things happen during wedding receptions: speeches, toasts, cake cutting (and eating of course), dances and all kinds of exits.

Here are a few favorite reception photos from 2022.

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Cindy Brown

I'm an Atlanta wedding photographer who takes soulful, quirky and honest photos ...

I'm also an adventurous traveler and all-round nerd. I love to hike with my beagle/cattle dog Roux and best friend/spouse.

I was born in Atlanta, moved around a lot--30 cities and 5 states--and then came back.

After graduating from the Art Institute of Atlanta, I took a job at asmall newspaper in south Georgia, where I photographedhospital teas, pecan farmers, and beauty queens.

I photographed a biker funeral, death penalty protests andTed Bundy while interning with the Associated Press.

While a photographer for two dailies in Florida, I photographed Ronald Reagan, a train derailment and the dedication of a screened-in porch.

An unexpected life turn took me to Vermont where I fell in love with Bernie Sanders and on to Indiana, where I edited photos for a major daily, and nerded out getting a master’s and PhD.

After teaching photojournalism at colleges and universities in Florida, Indiana and Mississippi, I returned to Atlanta to earn myfifth degree--a Master's of Divinity.

My passion for storytelling with my camera and my interest in religious diversity led my to the field of wedding photojournalism.

I have documented weddings large and small, Unitarian and Pagan, indoors and out, Christian and Muslim, in backyards and in churches. The most exotic wedding I have photographed took place in Mexico and was officiated by aMayan shaman.

When I'm not photographing weddings, portraits or corporate events, I work on personal photo projects, visit friends in amemory-care home, and volunteer at a recovery center.

Helene and Matthew's Extraordinary Press Street Station Wedding

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There was nothing ordinary about Helene and Matthew’s wedding, from her proposal to Matthew, to the “Eat The Patriarchy” t-shirts she gave her bridesmaids, to the dinosaur theme, to the amazing cookie table Matthew’s Mom created for their reception.

Which was as it should be, because Helene and Matthew are an extraordinary couple.

Here are few fun photos from their exceptional wedding, which took place at the Press Street Station in New Orleans.

Photos below by Cindy Brown and Willow Haley.

Having a wedding anywhere in the US? I’d love to be there with my camera.

I love to travel.

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,

Cindy Brown

I'm an Atlanta wedding photographer who takes soulful, quirky and honest photos ...

I'm also an adventurous traveler and all-round nerd. I love to hike with my beagle/cattle dog Roux and best friend/spouse.

I was born in Atlanta, moved around a lot--30 cities and 5 states--and then came back.

After graduating from the Art Institute of Atlanta, I took a job at asmall newspaper in south Georgia, where I photographedhospital teas, pecan farmers, and beauty queens.

I photographed a biker funeral, death penalty protests andTed Bundy while interning with the Associated Press.

While a photographer for two dailies in Florida, I photographed Ronald Reagan, a train derailment and the dedication of a screened-in porch.

An unexpected life turn took me to Vermont where I fell in love with Bernie Sanders and on to Indiana, where I edited photos for a major daily, and nerded out getting a master’s and PhD.

After teaching photojournalism at colleges and universities in Florida, Indiana and Mississippi, I returned to Atlanta to earn myfifth degree--a Master's of Divinity.

My passion for storytelling with my camera and my interest in religious diversity led my to the field of wedding photojournalism.

I have documented weddings large and small, Unitarian and Pagan, indoors and out, Christian and Muslim, in backyards and in churches. The most exotic wedding I have photographed took place in Mexico and was officiated by aMayan shaman.

When I'm not photographing weddings, portraits or corporate events, I work on personal photo projects, visit friends in amemory-care home, and volunteer at a recovery center.

Best of 2022: Ceremony

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Here are a few favorite wedding ceremony photos from this past year.

Enjoy!

Photos above from:

Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Decatur, Georgia

Backyard Garden Wedding in John’s Creek, Georgia

Family Home Wedding in Auburn, Georgia

North Georgia Winery Wedding in Blue Ridge, Georgia

Spyglass Lodge Wedding in Blue Ridge, Georgia

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Cindy Brown

I'm an Atlanta wedding photographer who takes soulful, quirky and honest photos ...

I'm also an adventurous traveler and all-round nerd. I love to hike with my beagle/cattle dog Roux and best friend/spouse.

I was born in Atlanta, moved around a lot--30 cities and 5 states--and then came back.

After graduating from the Art Institute of Atlanta, I took a job at asmall newspaper in south Georgia, where I photographedhospital teas, pecan farmers, and beauty queens.

I photographed a biker funeral, death penalty protests andTed Bundy while interning with the Associated Press.

While a photographer for two dailies in Florida, I photographed Ronald Reagan, a train derailment and the dedication of a screened-in porch.

An unexpected life turn took me to Vermont where I fell in love with Bernie Sanders and on to Indiana, where I edited photos for a major daily, and nerded out getting a master’s and PhD.

After teaching photojournalism at colleges and universities in Florida, Indiana and Mississippi, I returned to Atlanta to earn myfifth degree--a Master's of Divinity.

My passion for storytelling with my camera and my interest in religious diversity led my to the field of wedding photojournalism.

I have documented weddings large and small, Unitarian and Pagan, indoors and out, Christian and Muslim, in backyards and in churches. The most exotic wedding I have photographed took place in Mexico and was officiated by aMayan shaman.

When I'm not photographing weddings, portraits or corporate events, I work on personal photo projects, visit friends in amemory-care home, and volunteer at a recovery center.

Best of 2022: Getting Ready

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Ever wondered why you’d want getting ready photos from your wedding day.

Here are a few favorites from 2022 that answer that question.

Bridesmaids clapping while bride puts on dress
Bridesmaid getting makeup done
Groom putting on tie
Bride seeing herself in her dress
Bridesmaid watching bride having makeup put on.
Groom laughing with groomsmen
Bridesmaids peaking in to see the bride
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Cindy Brown

I'm an Atlanta wedding photographer who takes soulful, quirky and honest photos ...

I'm also an adventurous traveler and all-round nerd. I love to hike with my beagle/cattle dog Roux and best friend/spouse.

I was born in Atlanta, moved around a lot--30 cities and 5 states--and then came back.

After graduating from the Art Institute of Atlanta, I took a job at asmall newspaper in south Georgia, where I photographedhospital teas, pecan farmers, and beauty queens.

I photographed a biker funeral, death penalty protests andTed Bundy while interning with the Associated Press.

While a photographer for two dailies in Florida, I photographed Ronald Reagan, a train derailment and the dedication of a screened-in porch.

An unexpected life turn took me to Vermont where I fell in love with Bernie Sanders and on to Indiana, where I edited photos for a major daily, and nerded out getting a master’s and PhD.

After teaching photojournalism at colleges and universities in Florida, Indiana and Mississippi, I returned to Atlanta to earn myfifth degree--a Master's of Divinity.

My passion for storytelling with my camera and my interest in religious diversity led my to the field of wedding photojournalism.

I have documented weddings large and small, Unitarian and Pagan, indoors and out, Christian and Muslim, in backyards and in churches. The most exotic wedding I have photographed took place in Mexico and was officiated by aMayan shaman.

When I'm not photographing weddings, portraits or corporate events, I work on personal photo projects, visit friends in amemory-care home, and volunteer at a recovery center.