Stories
The walls were traditional white marble, which served as an elegant canvas for decor. The focal point was a 15 ft tall archway, which was decorated with cascading greenery and florals highlighted with dozens of candles. The colors were fall inspired, with terracotta bridesmaids dresses and burgundy ties for the groomsmen, but with lighter colored florals with pops of bright colors, such as yellow and periwinkle, in order to keep the visuals bright and fun.
The grooms parents live on a ton of property in Alabama and they wanted to incorporate their home in our big day somehow. The bride saw tree stumps with candles on Pinterest one day and the idea struck her — "we should find a tree on their property, chop it up, and use them during our ceremony". The brides MIL really helped make it come to life in the exact way she wanted. And in doing that, it helped her get the reception decor vision together. They used wood rounds on all of our tables with loose greenery and candlelight that was *chefs kiss* simple and classic — exactly what they wanted.
My couples are important to me, so important in fact that I forget the other side of wedding photography. The other side which is showing YOU ALL the weddings I photograph. Well, it's time to change that. I have so many amazing wedding days to show! So let's start here, with Katie and Ryan in North Carolina at Camp Pinnacle!
Yep, I travel for weddings. My couples are so awesome, how could I not?! (Have current passport, will travel- just putting that out there in case anyone wants to elope to some random amazing place) Camp Pinnacle is one of those locations that is close enough to Atlanta that I can do it in a day. Drive up, shoot, drive back. That is the great thing about being an Atlanta Wedding Photographer is that so many amazing venues are really within driving distance to each side! You can get to Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and all over Georgia!
So yea, Camp Pinnacle is a pretty awesome venue, very similar to some that I have photographed here in Georgia. It's exactly what the name suggests, A CAMP! So there is all sorts of open space, amazing tree lines, loads of cabins, an amphitheater with seating, covered picnic area, and of course in the middle of the mountains on a lake. These types of venues are a lot of fun because you rent them out and then your wedding party and/or family can stay in the cabins and you get full access to all the camp has to offer! Not only is it a wedding, but a mini vacation for everyone else. Not that your wedding day is about anyone else, but some people may travel far or some of them may work harder than others for your wedding day. It's nice to able to offer something like this to those people.
And hey - sometimes its even the bride and groom who travel too! This actually was that type of wedding. The bride and groom use to live in Georgia, but not anymore. We actually did their engagement session (which I still haven't blogged well because yea I am behind) when they were in town checking on the wedding planning part of things! I really need to blog that engagement session. It was a good one. We literally just walked around Cabbagetown and hung out. I should blog that one soon.
What I really loved about this wedding day though is that they made it like it was at a camp! From the custom camp sign, using all the property (for ceremony, getting ready, photos), bbq for dinner, and just a really relaxed vibe throughout the night. They didn't try to make it something it wasn't like making all the bridesmaids wear stay in heels at camp, haha, which I have seen before. And that says a lot for your wedding day and how your reception will go. If you make your guests feel at home comfortable you can almost guarantee that you will have to kick people out at the end of the night.
CAMP PINNACLE WEDDING CEREMONY
ATLANTA WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER KRISANDRA EVANS
If I am not shooting a wedding for my own lovely couples, you can find me still photographing a wedding with another photographer. For me, photographing with another amazing wedding photographer is a way for me to stay fresh and creative. So, when Allison of Allison Mah Photography asked me to be the second photographer on one her weddings at Foxhall Resort I of course said YES!
Waterfall. Old ruins. What more could you ask for as a backdrop for a wedding day?! How about an amazing bride and groom! Rebecca and Tanner's classic wedding at Hightower Falls in Georgia was nothing short of breathtaking.
There are just a million of locations that scream, "PHOTOGRAPH A BRIDE HERE!". In some of these locations it's hard to convince an actual bride, in her amazing stunning actual wedding gown to trek around in.
But- it's offbeat locations like the Ocala National Forest that paves the way for future brides to trust "outside the box" for their portrait session to get something unique while still being timeless.
Maybe I just love photographing brides, maybe I enjoy exploring new areas to keep me on my toes (photographically speaking), but I just die for this session.
Model: Tatiana Kachurina
Hair and Makeup: Jenn Speid of Cameo Salon
Dress: Tulle & Grace
Location: Ocala National Forest
*Thank you all for your help in this session!
It's no secret. I love a unique wedding especially if it involves the words, "its about a mile hike to where we would like to take our portraits". COUNT ME IN!
When Cori and Matt asked me to photograph their brunch style wedding at Vogel State Park, I was beyond pumped. I had just been up that way a few weeks earlier hiking Blood Mountain. It was just too pretty for words, so it only seemed fitting that a wedding should happen there!
Not only did we hike to a waterfall, but along the way we saw a turtle hanging out and some of the most beautiful colors over the mountains. Matt and Cori got married overlooking the view of the mountain range, had an omelet chef prepare brunch and the most unique exit I have to witness.
OH and P.S. Matt sang a song he wrote for Cori. *tears* So sweet!
We all knew April and Mike were going to get married, well, I knew it. Even way back when they had their first photo session with me and were shy about holding hands in front of the camera. I didn’t care how shy they felt, I made them hold hands anyway. And when Mike asked April to marry her all I could think was, “I have to photograph this marriage”.
I now know why “they” say never photograph the wedding of a family member or someone who is super close to you.
So we fast forward to a million group texts, countless snaps and a couple phone calls later- the day finally arrives! I anticipated on treating this day like it wasn’t my sister who was a bridesmaid, but just a lady named Sarah or that the maid of honor wasn’t one of my best girl friends and that I knew almost everyone in attendance. Ha! That was a joke and the joke was on me.
Stan Fields: Miss Rhode Island, Please describe your idea of the perfect date
Cheryl “Miss Rhode Island: That’s a tough one. I’d have to say April 25th. Because its not too hot, not too cold, all you need is a light jacket.
As April 25th (yes, April 25th) wore on, the tears fell, and the stories were told I couldn’t help but be part of this day where one of the best women I knew was getting married. It didn’t help that every moment of the day was personalized from the unintentional wedding colors being the colors from the Golden Girls’ couch, to the random canoe that floated ashore and made the perfect drink station, to the bridal party singing “Hold on for One More Day” by Wilson Phillips to our bride during the reception topping off the evening by having a d.j. personality we all grew up listening to, Lewis Stokes of K Country, provide the soundtrack for the evening.
All I could do was gracefully accept a tissue from the Groom’s father, wipe my face, and keep shooting. And shoot and shoot and shoot. Would I photograph the wedding of another person this close to me? YES! As stressful and emotionally draining as it was, I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
Every detail for this Trolley Barn wedding was perfect and they welcomed me along their journey as a friend. When Shawanda told me her wedding dress was going to be PINK I had no idea what to expect. What I got was a fun, relaxed, over the top, happy bride! I believe the dress set the whole tone for the day- AH-mazing.
When they told me the wedding was unplugged I couldn't have been more excited! Turning your phone off during the ceremony allows the guests to really be part of why everyone came together…. That is why you hire a wedding photographer, so your guests don't have to take the photos. It's nice not to see 20 cell phones up in the air.
As I right this blog, I am starting to think back to the tacos (that were unlimited and oh so delicious) from the Tex's Taco truck! If you ever see that truck, GET THE CHICKEN TACOS!
Not one, but two brides? Not one, but two dresses?? I get giddy when I get to photograph one beautiful blushing bride on her wedding day, but at this wedding I got to photograph TWO beautiful blushing brides on their summer wedding day! I adored this DIY backyard wedding in my neck of the neighborhood in East Atlanta. Wait till you see what they got married in front of. Simply beautiful.
Chelsea and Jen mentioned they wanted to go by a local bar, The Flatiron, in the East Atlanta Village for a drink before the ceremony. Not only was I all over that idea because I love that bar, but because that bar was an integral part of their relationship. They laughed there, made up there, and just hung out there.
These two brides continually surprised me throughout the day… especially when the day got so hot before the reception that Chelsea decided to cut her long dress into a dress above her knees!! Yes, took scissors to her dress! Believe it or not, it looked just a amazing short as long. Take a look for yourself!
Here comes the brides!
We would love to be part of your wedding day! Contact us for more information below.
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It's so exciting that I am at an age where the next phone call could be that my friend is now engaged and asking me to be her wedding photographer! Rachel is one of those friends. Rachel became my sister when she and my (actual) sister were in the Army together. I couldn't have been more happy to hear that she found the man she was going to spend the rest of her life with and Drew was the perfect match for her zany personality! Everyone traveled to Folly Beach, South Carolina for this offbeat destination wedding. One of the things that makes your wedding day so special is that you can make your day however you want. Rachel and Drew's destination wedding also doubled as a honeymoon!!
People often cringe when you say winter at the beach because it's cold and usually raining, which it was raining (and flooding for that matter). The rain wasn't going to stop us! Rachel's pink wedding dress was stunning against the grey December sky. They decided to take their beach ceremony onto a trolley that drove through downtown Charleston as they exchanged vows! The ceremony and tour of downtown Charleston was followed by a sand ceremony and a low country boil by The Smoking Pot. It doesn't get any more personalized than that!
When my best gal pal said she was getting married my first thought was, "oh man, I have to be the photographer". In my mind there was no way I could attend the wedding and NOT be the photographer. Even if the photographer she hired was amazing, in my eyes they would never be doing her wedding justice. I had to convince her that hiring (first) a friend and (second) a professional wedding photographer was the way to go. I mean, how could I attend a wedding and not be the photographer. That isn't natural.. haha. Not only did I go the final dress fitting, go with her to get the rings cleaned, drank way too much coffee with her, went with her to check out locations for the portrait session, ran every errand imaginable together and was up with her till 2 am making the final centerpieces.. yea, right? So, not only did I help her with that because she was my best gal pal getting married, but I also was with her every step of the day capturing moments that would make the best day of her life.
additional photography: simply portraiture
makeup: autumn rose wood at attitudes salon
dress: belle amour bridal
hair: adrea burnett at skin laser and day spa
rings: michael tadsen's jewelry
flowers: mary's blossom shoppe
cakes: stephanie burnett of rockstar cakes and catering
boat: marinemax, inc.
music: www.the-junk.com
ceremony site: catawba island state park
reception venue: doc's beach house
The wonderful thing about the photography industry are the people you meet along the way. From photographers, caterers, officiants, florists, grandparents and everyone in between. But, what is really wonderful are the couples I get to photograph. Recently, I had the opportunity to photograph beside Whitney of Tulle and Grace! We photographed a wedding high in North Georgia where cell service is nonexistent, but love fills the air!
When friends Rachel and Thomas decided to elope I was so excited! But, shortly there after I realized I wouldn't be there to take the photos. So, when we started planning our annual OBX (Outer Banks, North Carolina) vacation I knew Rachel had to bring her dress. This was my chance, my chance to photograph love in one of the most romantic places EVER! We decided to start with a bridal session in Rodanthe, North Carolina. The same Rodanthe from "Nights in Rodanthe", the Nicholas Sparks book turned movie with Richard Gere and Diane Lane. THAT Rodanthe! Following Rodanthe we drove the hour back to Corolla, North Carolina and met up with Thomas. The rest of the session was done on Corolla Beach. YES! The Corolla Beach that wild horses live on.
ROMANCE, ROMANCE and more ROMANCE in the Outer Banks!
It's fairly common for brides to put extra time and effort into looking their best on their wedding day including extra time into things like hair and makeup. And in most cases its fairly common for a bride to ask her bridesmaids to do the same. Or in some cases demand they spend the extra time looking their best.
1. Lay it out for them and tell them early! Tell them what you want as far as hair and makeup are concerned. Let them know the details like light eyeliner or if a half up half down hairstyle will work for the up do you expect them all to have. This will give them time to plan and collect ideas. You could even have a girls night with some wine and good music to finalized the details that way there is no confusion or "mishaps" on the morning of your wedding. Once things are finalized your bridesmaids can be prepared for the bill as well.
Your bridesmaids are there to be your friend and your support system.
They aren't there to make the wedding prettier. They aren't your accessories.
