Renee and Jeffrey's Daytime Wedding at The Retreat at Hiawassee River

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Some of you might think a daytime wedding to be a naturally tame event.

Well, you need to think again!

Renee and Jeffrey’s midday wedding at The Retreat at Hiawassee River in North Georgia was anything but tame, partly because the bride’s energy was off the charts from start to finish. But, mostly because the wedding guests came ready to celebrate.

Friends and family alike shared the excitement of the day with smiles and hugs, cheers and laughter. A few of the older guests had to take a break, but managed to hit the dance floor with gusto later in the afternoon.

A whisky tasting bar gave everyone the opportunity to sample from several bottles of the potent beverage. After a barbeque meal and a few samples, any reluctance to dance and sing went by the wayside. Young and old alike twisted and shimmied, crooned and shouted, line danced and congaed.

After a bouquet toss (caught by the bride’s sister), the wedding concluded with a bubble exit in front of a rustic barn.

Wedding at the Retreat at the Hiawassee River
Retreat at the Hiawassee River Wedding
Wedding at the Retreat at the Hiawassee River
Hiawassee Georgia Wedding
Rest before the wedding at The Retreat
Bride resting in a cabin at The Retreat on the Hiawassee River
Groom waiting to walk down the aisle
Planner holes up blanket to hide bride as she walks to the outdoor ceremony location
Bride's Mom and brother come down the aisle before the ceremony.
North Georgia Wedding
Hiawassee, Georgia Wedding
Guests cheer as couple is married.
Towns County Georgia Wedding Photographer
The Retreat at the Hiawassee River in North Georgia
Wedding at the Retreat at the Hiawassee River
Bride leads her new hubby by the tie.
Bride's mom sings along.
Groom and guest enjoy the whisky tasting bar.
Bride singing at North Georgia Wedding
Bouquet Toss at The Retreat at the Hiawassee River
Sister of the bride reacts after catching the bouquet.
Grabbing for a vial of bubbles.
Bubble exit at North Georgia 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.