Beth and Cory | Starrsville Plantation, Covington, Ga. Wedding

I’m so excited for Cory and Beth! Their big day was just perfect! It was a hot one but. you wouldn’t even know it by looking at these two. They were radiant and their love for one another just shined through!

We met Beth in the bridal suite of the main house at Starrsville Plantation where her sweet momma helped her get in her gown and then Cory surprised her with a beautiful gift that she wore down the aisle.

Beth asked us if we would take Cory a surprise too! We headed down the hall to find him getting ready with his guys. Cory and Beth both wrote each other very touching love notes and they each took the time to read them quietly to themselves. It was so beautiful to witness their emotions during that special time.

ALL the first looks had me, AND more importantly, Beth in tears!! From Beth’s first look with her ladies, to her and Cory and then her and her daddy. . .my oh my!! So many sweet tears.

Beth and Cory, I know beautiful things are in store for you both!! Congratulations guys!!

COVINGTON GA VENDORS

DRESS | FORMALLY YOURS

BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES | FORMALLY YOURS

GROOM AND GROOMSMEN ATTIRE | SAVVI FORMALWEAR

FLORIST | KACI MARKS

HAIR AND MAKEUP | BRITTNEY NASH

VENUE | STARRSVILLE PLANTAION IN COVINGTON, GA.

VIDEOGRAPHY | SANBEAR PRODUCTIONS

WEDDING PLANNER/ COORDINATOR | KATIE PERKINS OF BLONDIES

DJ AUDIOCAKE, CHRIS HORTON

WEDDING CAKE | MARCI SIGMAN

CATERING | UP IN SMOKE, KEVIN LORD

INVITATIONS | MINTED.COM

KONA ICE TRUCK

KayLeigh and Michael | Arabia Mountain Engagement Session

I am so excited for this couple!! I met KayLeigh through her grandmother, Pamela. Pamela and I have been friends for about eight years or so and I just love her! When Pamela would talk about her granddaughter, I knew that I would love her too! KayLeigh arrived at my office for her consultation after her and Michael got engaged and she was just beaming!! I got to meet Michael for their engagement session just a few weeks ago and he is a wonderful person and, together, they are just amazing!

KayLeigh and Michael went to middle and high school together but they never knew each other existed until years later. KayLeigh’s best friend, Samantha, was also Michael’s best friend in high school. Out of the blue, Samantha said to KayLeigh, “You know who you would be good with?" Michael Baker!” Kayleigh immediately went to social media and looked him up. She realized they were already Facebook friends. She never reached out to him after looking him up but she did think he was SUPER handsome!

Several months later, she was scrolling through social media and his picture popped up, so she gave it a little “thumbs up” and went on about her day. About two months later HE reached out to her AND asked her on a date!! KayLeigh was filled with joy that he had asked her on a date.

Their first date was such a huge hit, they went to Tin Lizzie’s and became best friends instantly and have been inseparable ever since. 

A few months before Michael proposed, he went to KayLeigh’s grandparents house and asked for her Poppie’s blessing. He knew he couldn’t tell her mom OR her grandmother because they aren’t the best at keeping secrets from KayLeigh. They are just so close!

KayLeigh and Michael had a weekend getaway planned for Jekyll Island in Georgia. On May 25th he wanted to go grab dinner at this place next to their hotel. KayLeigh thought that was odd because she didn’t realize there was anything next to their hotel. But, of course she agreed. Instead of walking on the sidewalk to go the restaurant, Michael asked if she wanted to walk on the beach to get to it which was an immediate YES from her. As they were walking down the beach, KayLeigh saw a man down on one knee and a woman standing up next to him. Her immediate reaction was “Oh my goodness, how sweet! I think he is proposing”. She later found out that this was the guy who Michael had hired to take pictures of their engagement and the woman was his assistant. At last, Michael was able to get KayLeigh in front of him and when she turned around to see why he stopped walking, he was down on one knee asking her to marry him!!!

PURE shock ran through her! While she knew with everything inside of her that she would marry this man, she had NO clue that he would be asking her to be his wife that weekend. She shed so many happy tears that day. 

KayLeigh mentioned in an email to me, “I fell in love with Michael extremely fast & it truly surprised me how strong my feelings were for him. He has showed to be the most caring, loving, funniest, most adorable human being I’ve ever met. While our story brought us together on social media, there is no doubt in my mind that God would have drawn us together another way if social media didn’t work. God knew exactly who my soulmate and partner would be the moment he made me and I’m so glad that Michael was that person.”

And that is so true! God has created us and our partners WAY before we knew how to talk! Isn’t that so beautiful?! To know that when we walk in faith and trust our Savior, He will always be there to provide our hearts desires!

KayLeigh and Michael, Congratulations!! I cannot wait to see you two say “I Do”!!

Lacey + Matt | Lazy Acres Wedding Day Mansfield, Ga.

There are so many wonderful things about this day, about this couple, about their love story. I want to share a little back story before I tell you more about them. . . I ended up getting really sick the day before THEIR big day. I cried and was so upset that this happened right before their wedding day. I thought I had the flu. They are the sweetest people and have amazing family’s. I was terrified I would be too sick the day of their wedding and would completely let them down due to my lack of energy. So, what did I do? I prayed! And I also, asked for others to pray for me.

I woke up that next morning and, while I didn’t feel 100%, I did feel somewhat better. As we arrived at the James Madison Inn to begin photographing Lacey, it’s like a wave of comfort and energy came over me. All my senses started perking up, it was GO TIME! I walked in to Lacey’s suite to see her there, looking completely flawless in her satin white robe, hair pinned back and stunning makeup! She greeted me with her big Lacey smile and a warm hug! I was so thrilled to see her and serve them on this very special day!

Lacey and Matt have a very beautiful love story that dates back before they were even born. Lacey and Matt’s mothers are best friends. They raised their babies together, they laughed together, they suffered loss together and they prayed together. Through the thick and thin of life they have overcome so much and raised the sweetest people!

These two have such a special bond that most people don’t get to have with their spouses. . .they grew up together and now they get to grow old together. Isn’t it amazing how God’s plan is always bigger and better than anything we could ever dream up?

I am so happy for this couple! Please give them a huge congratulations!

Vendors
Florals: JL Designs
Cake: The Posh Cakery
Catering: Blondies
Rentals: Covington Rental

2424 Warehouse at 9 Oaks Farm in Monroe, Ga. | Southern Distinction Magazine Series

So far I have covered two of the three venues 9 Oaks Farm has to offer their brides! This is the last one but it might be my FAVE! It's fun and filled with rustic charm! On Guest owner of the venues and florist, totally goes all out for her couples! She has decorated the 2424 Warehouse so beautifully! This venue has a bridal suite overlooking the warehouse space and the groom and has his own cottage for getting ready just outside on the same grounds. While they are still preparing the gardens for upcoming weddings, I can see that it will be unique with loads of opportunities for stunning sunset photographs!

View the entire Southern Distinction Magazine Series here:
Buckeyes Plantation, Social Circle, Ga.
9 Oaks Farm, Monroe, Ga.
The White House at 9 Oaks Farm in Monroe, Ga.
Graduate Athens in Athens, Ga.

Vendor Guide:
Venue: 2424 Warehouse at 9 Oaks Farm in Monroe, Ga.
Floral & Design: Wedding Flowers by On
Dress: I Do, I Do Bridal Boutique
Jewelry: JWR Jewelers
Makeup: Nicole Yearwood of Salon Two Thirteen
Model: Taylor Timmons