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.
There's something to be said for a romantic, surprise engagement, but a little pre-planning can go a long way. Because proposal planning is often so quick, I would recommend reaching out to photographers as soon as you have a rough idea of when you plan to propose. Depending on the day of the week or even the season you plan to propose during photographer can be extremely busy. Reaching out a day or two before you plan to propose might not offer an available photographer.
When I think of wedding day bliss I automatically think of Courtney and Nick’s wedding day at Naylor Hall in Roswell, GA. From the rainy and foggy morning, getting behind on the timeline, the beautiful venue, and fun cake! Nothing could wipe the smiles and tears from the couples’ faces. There was even a tearjerker first look with Courtney’s dad that had us laughing and crying at the same time.
The wedding day first look with the couple is one of my favorite moments. Depending on the timeline for the day this may be the only chance the couple actually gets to be alone to enjoy the fact that they are finally at their wedding day! This first look was one of the sweetest.
Before this beautiful wedding day, I had never photographed a Naylor Hall wedding. This wedding venue is absolutely stunning! From the traditional southern porch (with blue roof I might add), to the giant windows that fill the rooms with light. There isn’t a spot on the property that is just, “eh” for taking portraits. This couple really filled every space like the venue was made for them and their day.
Weddings days for the most part run the same. There is the getting ready part, the portraits part, the ceremony, more portraits, of course the PARTY! With that being said, no two weddings are ever the same and I still get surprised with every wedding day I photograph. From little details to a full on horse and carriage for the bride to enter on! Yea, I said it, she entered via horse and frickkin carriage!
Check! I have photographed a bride entering her ceremony in a horse drawn carriage.
How fun is this grooms’ cake?! Little touches like this surprise me every time. This is just another way to make your wedding day your very own!
If you don’t follow me on social media ( CLICK HERE ) you missed the meaning of these last few photos. When I met with Courtney and Nick for our final meeting before their wedding day they had mentioned not wanting to have a formal exit, that they would rather enjoy the company of their guests.. I love this except from the photography standpoint. I wanted their gallery to have and end point and not just a photo of the guests and then nothing. We came up with a “fake exit'“!
Once the dance floor opened we pulled the wedding party outside with the couple and a basket of bubbles. Not only does it give the wedding party a chance to hang with the couple for a few more minutes, but they also don’t have me in their face until the very last minute of their reception. This is a fun alternative to ending your reception early to get all your guests lined up outside for a formal exit.
Whatever you decide to do on your wedding day - first look or not first look, formal exit or no formal exit, just make sure the day is yours. At the end of it all, that is what your guests are going to remember, the details that made the day unique showcasing your love story. That is all that really matters!
Photographer: Krisandra Evans Photography
Venue: Naylor Hall
When Ann-Hamilton emailed me and said she had found the perfect wedding day first look location I was all ears. You all know by now that I am PRO the first look (HERE are reasons why). She said she had found a castle, yes castle, around the corner from the venue. Excuse me! What did you just say?? A castle in the middle of Decatur, tell me more. She sent me the google listing and thought there was no way we would get access to this place.. but….. WE DID!
There really is something special about being a photographer and capturing life milestones. Moments really are fleeting. They happen so fast, and are gone. A lot of the time we are so busy celebrating and tending to these milestones that we sometimes forget to slow down, revel in them and really celebrate these events.
Being new(ish) to Atlanta Christopher and Colin wanted the beautiful Piedmont Park as the setting for their engagement session. They imagined walking around the park, sun shining, with the trees and flowers in full bloom. O.K! Let’s do that! The first date we had picked out was actually raining, and COLD for Spring. We postponed and it was so worth it! You couldn’t have asked for a better day.
Nick proposed to Alesha, here, in this gazebo, on this lake in Piedmont Park. Obvi we had to photograph their engagement session there and all around the park! It was so stinking special getting to hang out with this newly engaged couple and create some new memories for them leading up to their wedding this June!
Because Nick proposed on the lake I really wanted to explore the lake with them and really make this session special for them. We walked all the way around the lake and if you have ever been to Piedmont Park you know there are so many gorgeous spots along the lake any Atlanta Wedding Photographer would love to photograph at.
But nothing was more gorgeous than this amazing Winter light. Yes! This was photographed in the first week of January! Minus the leaves, it legit looks like Fall. Just stunning. Then you put these two love birds in the light and you have magic.
When I am getting to know a couple and photographing their engagement session, I never want to rush it. I schedule enough time at the end of the day to explore the location they chose and sometimes it takes a minute for them to get comfortable in front of the camera. Lets face it, you allllll say you are awkward in front of the camera. (Y’all are all so silly.)
When they said they only brought the outfit they are wearing and just wanted to explore the city I was probably too stoked. This allowed me to bring out the tools I don’t always get to use because we are on schedule or have an agenda we have to complete.
Cue the pipe ring of fire shot thing. See below.
Playing in traffic! This is something I do on the regular.. I really need to be more careful when I photograph, but I just can’t help when I see a perfect image happening. This really allows for some actual candid images using the city in the best of ways.
And here I go again, not looking where I am going, just running into traffic. But really, I do also rely on the couple I am photographing to give me a heads up if they can if they see I am about to really be in traffic, or if I am going to run into the curb or step in a pothole. If you see an Atlanta Wedding Photographer taking photos of couples in the street, its probably me, so please don’t hit me, haha.
All joking aside… if we don’t have fun your images will show it. If that means I have to act out a bit, I so will. I joke that I play in traffic, but we are always safe. As your Atlanta Wedding Photographer I will always put myself before my couple to make sure the grassy isn’t too muddy, to make sure there aren’t spiders, to make sure you won’t get hit by a car.
Be on the lookout for photos on my Instagram and Facebook from their Atlanta Wedding at the Dekalb Courthouse this June!
YOU’RE ENGAGED! What an amazing, exciting, crazy, and lots of things to do time! You have posted your ring selfie and gotten tons of likes, messages, and responses.. so what next?
Save The Dates are next! Right, so what is a Save The Date. Its the time where you loop in the friends and family you intend on inviting to your wedding! The very first official step. This is a pre-invitation that announces your wedding date.
